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Birding Holidays & Tours, South Africa: Cape + Garden Route + Addo

Birding Holiday - Cape Town (guided) + Garden Route (self drive)

Birding Holidays Tours South Africa Cape Town Garden Route Addo

14 NIGHTS FROM:

$3,072

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights + car hire quoted separately

7SCA14C

• Cape Town & Garden Route

• Kirstenbosch Gardens

• Cape Point & Penguins

• West Coast National Park

• Hottentots Holland Mountains

• Harold Porter Gardens

• De Hoop Nature Reserve

• Knysna Lagoon & Sedgefield

• Addo Elephant Park

• Birding Holidays & Tours South Africa

Our birding holidays & tours in South Africa combine birding in Cape Town, with self-driving along the scenic Garden Route. Visit Table Mountain & Kirstenbosch Gardens, the penguins at Cape Point, marine birds at West Coast National Park, Harold Porter Gardens, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Oudtshoorn, Knysna & Addo Elephant Park. Local birding guides included. Privately guided option available on request.

Detailed itinerary ▶

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Day 1

You will be met at Cape Town Airport and transferred to your hotel in this beautiful city, within sight of Table Mountain.

In the afternoon enjoy your first birding around the Cape Town Reservoir, accompanied by a local birding guide, with wonderful views over the 'Mother City'.

Day 2

Today you will be collected by your guide for a full day of birding in the Rondevlei Nature Reserve and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, with a boxed picnic lunch included.

Rondevlei is situated inland from Muizenberg on False Bay and is Cape Town's premier bird reserve. It covers over 290 hectares (720 acres) of permanent wetland that offers sanctuary to over 225 different bird species, as well as a variety of small mammals and reptiles such as the caracal, porcupine, Cape fox, grysbuck, steenbuck and mongoose. You can also see hippo here.

Rondevlei has five bird hides, as well as two observation towers.and a series of paths. Waterbirds are well represented with a few specials including the African purple swamphen, Black crake and the Little bittern. African marsh-harriers can be seen quartering the reedbeds, while African fish eagles swoop down on unsuspecting fish. We will also look out for Cape longclaw, Cape weaver, Cape white-eye, Southern boubou and Cape shoveler. This area is also particularly good for dragonflies.

Kirstenbosch is nestled on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain and regarded as one of the most beautiful botanic gardens in the world. Here you can hope to see many fynbos endemics such as the Cape sugarbird, Southern double-collared sunbird, Orange-breasted sunbird and Cape francolin. The sheltered forested gorges host many forest species such as the Cape batis, Forest canary and many more.

Day 3

Today you will be collected by your guide for a full day of birding along the beautiful Cape Peninsula, with a boxed picnic lunch included.

We drive via Chapman’s Peak Drive to spectacular Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and near the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, where you can hope to see the African penguin, African oystercatcher, Cape siskin, Orange-breasted sunbird, Southern double-collared sunbird, Cape sugarbird and many more colourful coastal and fynbos species. You may also see baboons, ostrich and perhaps even dolphins or whales in season (July/November).

Along the way there is also the option to take a short boat trip from Hout Bay to view Cape Fur seals at Seal Island (pay locally).

Day 4

Today there is the option (supplement payable) to rise early and transfer to a local harbour for a full day of Pelagic Birding, with 7-hours at sea.

At 07.00 we leave shore and head for the trawling grounds in the nutrient rich waters off Cape Town. Here you can view thousands of pelagic birds - including several species of albatross, petrel, shearwater and skua. You can also hope to see various gannets, prions, terns, fulmars & gulls.

Weather conditions can vary hugely, so come well prepared. Bring a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, sweater, spare clothing, beanie or hat which won't be blown off, motion tablets (if required), sunglasses & sunscreen. Also splash covers for binoculars & cameras. A light lunch is provided, but bring extra snacks and drinks if you think you will need them.

Note: This trip only runs on a Saturday - with Sunday as back-up in case of inclement weather, so be sure to be available on both days. Minimum of 6 pax on the day to guarantee departure.

Day 5

Today is free for independent sightseeing in Cape Town.

To orientate yourself, use your pre-paid pass for the Red Route Hop-Off Bus, which stops at all Cape Town’s key sights and attractions, including the Table Mountain cable car (a Fast Track ticket is included). Here you can ascend and enjoy one of the world's most famous views.

Continue to trendy Camps Bay beach and the many attractions of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Note: Don't let the colour of the bus confuse you. All buses are red, but they run two different routes - the Red City Route and the Blue Kirstenbosch Route.

The Table Mountain cable car is usually closed for annual maintenance from late July to early August.

Day 6

Today enjoy a full day private birding tour from Cape Town, travelling 2-hours northwards to West Coast National Park on the shores of Langebaan Lagoon, with a boxed picnic lunch included.

This rugged lagoon is a Ramsar Wetland of international significance, with thousands of seabirds roosting on its nearby sheltered islands. Large concentrations of flamingos and migrants can be seen wading on the salt marshes in the reserve. Whale watching is possible from July to November.

Birds you can hope to see include the Southern black korhaan, Black harrier, Grey-winged francolin , Chestnut-banded plover, Cape long-billed lark, Clapper lark, Grey tit, Cape penduline tit, Cisticola and many other coastal wetland species.

Day 7

Today collect your hire car and drive 1-hour from Cape Town to the small town of Somerset West.

Along the way we suggest stopping at the Cheetah Outreach project, a community-based programme seeking to raise awareness of the plight of the cheetah and campaign for its survival (pay entrance fee locally).

Check into your hotel in the foothills of the beautiful Hottentots Holland Mountains, near the base of Sir Lowry's Pass.

Day 8

Today enjoy a full day excursion with a local birding guide to the magnificent Hottentots Holland Mountains and Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, including a visit to the penguin colony at Stony Point.

In this region you can hope to see birds such as the sought after Cape rockjumper, Ground woodpecker, Familiar chat, Cape bunting, Cape rock thrush, Victorin's warbler, Cape siskin, Cape sugarbird, Orange-breasted sunbird, Verreaux’s eagle, Peregrine, Rock kestrel, Jackal buzzard and many other mountain species.

In Kogelsberg Nature Reserve you can also see many different fynbos species and walk along the Rooisand boardwalk at the Botriver Estuary. A boxed picnic lunch is included today.

Day 9

This morning drive 2.5-hours from Somerset West across Sir Lowry's Pass and through the fertile Overberg region to the 34,000 hectare De Hoop Nature Reserve, travelling along a good gravel road for the last 30 miles (50 km). This conservation area is a favourite destination for birders, hikers and cyclists.

If you take the longer coastal route, we suggest stopping at the Stoney Point Penguin Colony in the small coastal town of Bettys Bay. You may also want to visit Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, renowned for its fynbos flowers. The walk through the gorge and down to the waterfall is particularly rewarding (pay all entrance fees locally).

You can also stop at the small town of Hermanus. From July to November, southern right and humpback whales come here to breed and this is considered the best location for land-based Whale Watching in the world. Once severely endangered, these magnificent creatures of the deep are now breeding successfully in the area due to a major international conservation effort.

Continue to De Hoop Nature Reserve which contains 86 different mammal species, including the rare bontebok and Cape mountain zebra, as well as eland, grey rhebuck, baboon, yellow mongoose, caracal and the occasional leopard. Marine mammals such as dolphins and seals occur in the waters off the coast and southern right whales breed and calve in the sheltered bays of De Hoop each year between June and November.

Day 10

This morning drive 4-hours to the oyster capital of Knysna in the heart of the scenic Garden Route.

In the historic town of Swellendam you will see some lovely examples of Cape Dutch architecture and in Mossel Bay you can visit the Post Office tree, where early navigators left mail for homebound ships to Europe and where the Portuguese navigator Bartholomew Diaz landed and erected a cross.

Enjoy the beaches of Wilderness and the lakes of Sedgefield, before continuing to Knysna and checking in to your hotel in this area of outstanding natural beauty.

Note: In season we recommend booking Knysna restaurants online in advance of your visit, to avoid disappointment.

Day 11

Today rise early for a half day of birding around Knysna with a local guide, who will meet you at your hotel and travel with you.

We start with a visit to the Knysna coastal forest at Lake Brenton, then drive towards Wilderness to explore the lush Duiwerivier Valley and visit the hides on the Wilderness lakes. We return to Knysna around lunch time.

Knysna Forest is the largest temperate evergreen forest in South Africa and offers excellent birding opportunities. Specials include the Knysna turaco, Forest buzzard, African crowned eagle, Emerald cuckoo, Half-collared kingfisher, Narina trogon, Knysna woodpecker, Chorister robin-chat, Knysna warbler and Olive bush-shrike.

The tidal Knysna Lagoon boasts one of South Africa’s largest river estuaries and is an excellent location to view waders in the summer months, as well as non-migratory larger species such as cormorants, ibises, egrets, spoonbills and gulls. The Curlew sandpiper, Grey plover, Greenshank, Whimbrel and Marsh sandpiper can be seen all year, as well as the endangered African black oystercatcher. You may also see the African fish eagle or the osprey.

Other birds you may hope to see today include the Great crested grebe, Black-necked grebe, African swamphen, African Wood Owl, Malachite kingfisher, Terrestrial brownbul, White-starred robin, Lesser swamp warbler, Yellow-throated woodland warbler, Green-backed camaroptera, Blue-mantled crested flycatcher, Greater double-collared sunbird, Forest canary, African cuckoo hawk, White-backed night heron, Cape sugarbird, Victorin’s warbler, Orange-breasted sunbird, African finfoot, Red-chested flufftail, Buff-spotted flufftail and Eurasian hobby.

Note Your guide will meet you at your hotel and travel with you in your own vehicle.

Day 12

Today we recommend you explore the Knysna Waterfront and take the ferry to Featherbed Nature Reserve situated on the Western Head, one of two magnificent sandstone cliffs guarding the entrance to the vast Knysna Lagoon.

This spectacular nature reserve is only accessible by ferry, followed by a short trailer ride to the top of the reserve which offers panoramic views. Most visitors choose to return on foot along a 1-mile guided nature walk through natural coastal forest onto the cliffs, through caves and along a scenic coastal path, followed by an included buffet lunch served under the old Milkwood trees.

The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore Knysna. This lively town is famous for its oysters, which are grown in the lagoon. It offers good shopping opportunities and many interesting craft shops.

Note: The Featherbed excursion requires a minimum of 10 to operate.

Day 13

Today drive through Plettenberg Bay, South Africa’s playground for the rich and famous. Schools of dolphins are sometimes seen here in the warm Indian Ocean and whales may be seen in season (July to November).

Continuing northwards, drive 4-hours through the Tsitsikamma Forest and across the dramatic Storms River Gorge where, time permitting, we recommend a 2-hour detour to the Storms River Mouth (pay entrance fee locally) before continuing to the malaria-free Addo Elephant Park in the beautiful Eastern Cape.

After checking in to your simple self-catering Addo Rest Camp enjoy a self drive safari in this national park, where game viewing opportunities should present themselves almost immediately. In addition to the elephants, you can hope to see antelope, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and other plains game, as well as several of the Big Five (park entry fee for own account).

Note: Addo has a restaurant where you can buy breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 14

This morning enjoy a self drive safari in the malaria-free Addo Elephant Park. Renowned for its elephants, you can view these magnificent animals that once roamed free in this area and were saved from extinction by this national park, which has also preserved the rare Cape buffalo and the flying dung beetle.

Addo Elephant Park is home to all the 'Big Five' - lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino - as well as many other interesting species. These include the Burchell’s zebra, giraffe, ostrich, hippo, crocodile, bushbuck, waterbuck, Cape grysbok, duiker, eland, kudu, warthog, baboon, spotted hyena, Cape fox, yellow mongoose and suricate. With over 200 different species in the park, outstanding birding is also guaranteed.

Before breakfast, we suggest you drive the Mbala Loop. There is a view point at the top of Zuurkop (315 m) where you will have great views in all directions and can hope to see the Acacia pied barbet, Karoo scrub robin, Chestnut-vented tit babbler, Southern tchagra and White-throated canary, Emerald-spotted wood dove, Black-collared barbet, Southern black tit, White-browed scrub robin, Red-collared widowbird, Golden-breasted bunting, Streaky-headed seed-Eater and Yellow-fronted canary.

After breakfast we suggest you explore the grasslands of the Gorah Loop. Here you can look out for the Denham's bustard, Southern black korhaan, Blue crane and Secretarybird. Also look out for the magnificent Verreaux’s eagle and Martial eagle.

The remainder of the morning is free to relax at your rest camp, before setting out again in the afternoon for another game drive. The Hapoor route will take you past four waterholes (Lendlovu, Hapoor, Rooidam and Gwarrie Dam) and should give you excellent elephant sightings.

It is also possible to book an optional night drive locally to search for nocturnal creatures such as springhare, scrub hare, porcupine, aardvark and polecat, as well as owls and nightjars. The waterhole at the main camp is floodlit at night, which gives you another opportunity to watch the elephants coming to drink.

After a beautiful African sunset, enjoy the balmy evening and pristine stars of the Milky Way as you have never seen them before – as well as the spectacular Southern Cross.

Note: Vehicles are not allowed to drive off-road in any national park in South Africa.

Day 15

Enjoy some final game viewing in Addo Elephant Park, before driving 1-hour to Port Elizabeth Airport for your flight home.

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