Nature and wildlife

Get acquainted with Cape Town’s natural beauty and soak up the glorious sunshine while enjoying the area’s unique flora and fauna. Take a specialist tour to learn about the Cape Floral Kingdom and local animals, including penguins, ostriches and baboons.

Try kayaking from Simon’s Town to nearby Boulders Beach to visit the penguin colony, or watch whales from a private boat during the season, from June to November. Have a close encounter with baboons, ride an ostrich or enjoy a game drive at Clara Anna Fontein private game reserve, followed by a boma dinner under the stars. Cape Town offers all this within the city’s boundary.

While in the city, you should also consider taking a tour with a botanist in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, one of the eight protected areas in the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site. This area is described by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as “one of the richest areas for plants in the world.” Seventy percent of the species here occur nowhere else on Earth.

The Western Cape coast hosts one of the world’s best whale-watching spots, with southern right, humpback and Bryde’s whales seen most frequently. The main whale-watching season is from July to November. Heaviside’s, common and bottlenose dolphins and seals also grace our waters in large numbers.

Experience Cape nature in all its splendour – see, smell and touch the beautiful fynbos; watch birds, butterflies and beetles feeding on and pollinating flowers, while chacma baboons, rock hyrax (dassies) and lizards bask in the sun. Watch eagles ride the thermals, hunting for prey; see klipspringer and grey rhebuck, and Cape mountain zebra and bontebok grazing lazily. Discover the medicinal and other uses of our indigenous plants. Enjoy panoramic views, or just breathe in the fresh air and relax in nature.

Some 350 bird species can be spotted in the Western Cape, making this region a hotspot for birdwatchers from all over the world. Fynbos endemics include Cape siskin, orange-breasted sunbird, Cape sugarbird, Cape rockjumper, protea canary, Victorin’s warbler and hottentot buttonquail.

Birding can be incorporated into any of the guided nature walks, on any of the other tours described on this website, or take exclusive birding trips to sites such as:

Rondevlei Nature Reserve
Strandfontein Waste Water Treatment Works
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

If you plan to go on a nature and wildlife tour, be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes, dress in layers and take a warm top, windbreaker, hat, sunblock and drinking water. If you are a keen birder or photographer, your binoculars and camera are essential. A small backpack (day pack) to carry these items will be useful.

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