Loading search...
It would be difficult to have found better leaders on this trip. Gavin Sims and Ben Chapple were such knowledgeable ornithologists that I am sure all six tour participants will speak very highly of this holiday experience. They went out of their way to answer all our questions and Ben's scope gave us some brilliant images of quite distant birds difficult to see effectively with binoculars. Both leaders were happy to provide any additional details about the species we found which gave some important background information on occasions. The itinerary was well balanced and enabled us to greatly increase our knowledge of the birds of the Western Cape and introduced us to some of the mammals eg eland, seals, mountain zebra, chacma baboons, bontebok, and the humpbacked whales, the latter seen from our hotel balcony.
A.H Essex, Sept 19
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Go Slow ... in South Africa (Wildlife of the Western Cape)
Tour Code: ZAF17A 10-day wildlife holiday to South Africa's Western Cape focusing on the region's birds, mammals, botany and beautiful scenery.
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Summary
We have timed this holiday for September, the start of the austral spring, when the Cape’s unique flora is bursting into flower, the birds are active and the Southern Right Whales are loafing around offshore. We begin with a direct overnight flight to Cape Town from where we transfer to Simon’s Town for a 7-night stay at the Whale View Manor and Spa. Our very comfortable hotel is backed by the mountains of the Cape Peninsula and overlooks the sweeping arc of False Bay. From this delightful base we will explore the varied habitats around the Cape Peninsula, including the wave-pounded headland of Cape Point itself and the unique Fynbos vegetation that carpets the slopes inland. We will also visit Cape Town and the notorious prison on Robben Island, Boulders Beach for the African Penguins and sample one or two of the local Stellenbosch wines!
- Spectacular scenery of South Africa’s Western Cape
- Cape Town, Table Mountain & Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
- Southern Right Whales in False Bay
- Birds including Cape Sugarbird, Ground Woodpecker, Cape Batis & Bokmakierie
- Visit a winery in Stellenbosch
- Endemic Fynbos vegetation on the Cape Peninsula
- African Penguins at Boulders Beach
- Visit Robben Island, Nelson Mandela’s notorious prison
- Expertly led by naturalist guides
Grading
Easy walks on mostly good paths and trails.We begin with a direct overnight flight to Cape Town, from where we transfer to Simon’s Town for a 7-night stay at the Whale View Manor and Spa. Our very comfortable hotel is backed by the mountains of the Cape Peninsula and overlooks the sweeping arc of False Bay. From this delightful base we will explore the varied habitats around Cape Town, Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula, including the wave-pounded headland of Cape Point itself and the unique Fynbos vegetation that carpets the slopes inland. Stands of colourful Protea and Leucospermum attract Orange-breasted Sunbird and Cape Sugarbird, both Western Cape endemics, whilst a visit to the nearby African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach is a must. We will also be on the look-out for an interesting variety of mammals on land including Rock Hyrax, Cape Mountain Zebra, Eland and the attractive Bontebok, plus Cape Fur Seal and Common Dolphin out at sea. We will spend a day exploring Table Mountain and the famous Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens, visit the urban highlights of Cape Town and sample some of the local Cape wines at a nearby winery.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
The tour will be based for 7 nights in the comfortable Whale View Manor Hotel and Spa located in the small town of Simon's Town on the Cape Peninsula and overlooking False Bay. All rooms have private facilities.
- Food: All included in the price from lunch on Day 2 to lunch on Day 9.
Reviews
-
-
We cannot praise our tour leader, Rob Miteto and the two local naturalists, Otto Schmidt and Cathy Jenkins highly enough. There was nothing that was too much trouble and they worked tirelessly on everyone’s behalf. Their knowledge and enthusiasm made the holiday really special.
Mr and Mrs W. Suffolk
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
