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Bert and Kim are both experts in the nature of the Cape and of the extended areas of Southern Africa. Kept the full interest of all of the people on the trip, made sure that everyone managed to see and be aware of everything they wished to be informed about. Excellent mix of animals, birds and flora.
D.S. West Yorkshire, Sept 19
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South Africa - Best of the Cape
Tour Code: ZAF05A 10-day holiday, based in Cape Town and Hermanus, focusing on the region's colourful flora, scenic national parks, wild coastlines, and wealth of birds, mammals and cetaceans.
10 days
from
£4,395 (Inc flights)
£4,395 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£3,595
£3,595
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Set beneath Table Mountain and close to the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town occupies a stunning position at the southernmost tip of Africa. It also offers mouth-watering wildlife riches, especially in the southern spring when the flora is spectacular and huge Right Whales move close inshore to breed. During 6 days based on the spectacular Cape Peninsula we’ll visit the African Penguins at Boulders Beach, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, West Coast National Park, Table Mountain and Cape Point. Cape Sugarbirds and Malachite Sunbirds adorn the colourful Fynbos vegetation, whilst a pelagic cruise offers sightings of albatrosses, petrels and other seabirds. We conclude with 2 nights at Hermanus to watch Southern Right Whales, with an optional boat trip out into Walker Bay to view these magnificent mammals at close range, along with a variety of other wildlife.
- Spectacular scenery of South Africa’s Western Cape
- Cape Town, Table Mountain & Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
- Southern Right Whales in Walker Bay, Hermanus
- Endemic birds including Cape Sugarbird & Cape Rockjumper
- Spring flowers in the West Coast National Park
- Endemic Fynbos vegetation on the Cape Peninsula
- African Penguins at Boulders Beach & Stoney Point
- Optional seabird pelagic
- Interesting mammals including Bontebok & Eland
- Cage Visit Robben Island, Nelson Mandela’s notorious prison
- Expertly guided by one of our South African naturalists
Grading
Grade A. Gentle wildlife walks only (with the exception of optional Table Mountain climb/descent).
The beauty of Cape Town and its magical position at Africa’s southernmost tip are well known. Set beneath the spectacular Table Mountain, close to the Cape of Good Hope and the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, few cities are blessed with such scenic splendour. This 2-centre holiday, based in Cape Town for five nights and Hermanus for two nights, focuses on the region’s colourful flora, scenic national parks, wild coastlines and wealth of birds, mammals and cetaceans, amongst the latter the abundant Southern Right Whales that come to breed in the Cape’s inshore waters.
On arrival, we will receive our first taste of South African birding during a stop at the marshlands of Rondevlei Nature Reserve on the Cape Flats. We will also get a flavour of the fabulous Cape coastline as we travel along Chapman’s Peak Drive to Hout Bay, from where we may see our first Southern Right Whales. However, to best appreciate our wonderful situation we will take a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain – assuming it is clear of its occasional ‘table cloth’ of cloud. After enjoying the stunning views over the city and the Cape Peninsula, we will explore the surrounding slopes in search of birds and plants and then move to the nearby Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens where we will spend the rest of the day. Delicately nestled on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, this 830-hectare ‘reserve’, of which just 60 hectares are cultivated, not only offers a fabulous collection of Cape flora, but is also one the Cape’s best birding spots.
Bearings established, those that wish may choose to spend a day at sea, heading out from Simonstown harbour to a point about 65 kilometres offshore where the cold Benguela current’s nutrient-rich upwelling along the continental shelf provides some of the world’s best seabird-watching. Albatrosses such as Black-browed, Atlantic Yellow-nosed, Shy and even the magnificent Wandering Albatross (the species with the largest wing-span of any bird) may be seen gliding effortlessly over the ocean whilst a wide variety of their smaller cousins – petrels, prions and shearwaters – will test even the most knowledgeable sea-birder’s skills to the limit.
Back on dry land, we will spend a full and rewarding day exploring the Cape of Good Hope Reserve. This reserve was formed to protect the fragile and beautiful fynbos flora, which should be in full bloom during our tour, and is part of the greater Table Mountain National Park. An interesting selection of mammals may be seen here, amongst them Bontebok, Eland, Cape Mountain Zebra and Chacma Baboon (not to mention the Southern Right Whales that are to be seen close in-shore in virtually every bay!), as well as an excellent variety of birds, including Ostrich and the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
We travel next to Helderberg Nature Reserve, passing through the beautiful town of Stellenbosch en route. All five of the fynbos endemic birds are to be found within this compact reserve, and we also hope to see another avian speciality here, the Cape Rockjumper. On another day we will travel north to the town of Langebaan, and the West Coast National Park, a spectacular 27,000-hectare reserve that encompasses the lagoon, shoreline and Postberg peninsula, home to a great range of wetland and strandveld (coastal scrub) birds, among them Black Harrier and Southern Black Korhaan.
For the final two nights of this holiday we will move from Cape Town to Hermanus, at the edge of Walker Bay. Hermanus is the perfect spot from which to enjoy an afternoon of land-based cliff-top whale-watching, for here the Southern Right Whales often come very close in-shore and can be seen blowing, fluking and even breaching from the comfort of dry land.
For those who would like to view the Southern Right Whales from the water, we offer a second optional boat trip out into Walker Bay from Hermanus. The excursion usually lasts around two hours and offers a wonderful opportunity to view these magnificent mammals at close range, along with a wide variety of other wildlife including Cape Fur Seal, African Penguin, Cape Gannet, Black-browed Albatross and perhaps even Common Dolphin or Humpback Whale.
Finally, before our overnight flight back to London, we will keep the last day of the tour free for optional sightseeing back in Cape Town or a visit to Robben Island, most famous – or infamous – for having been the isolated prison of former South African president Nelson Mandela and many other political dissidents, a number of whom work today as the island’s guides, providing a unique insight into its recent history! Robben Island is also a World Heritage Site and home to much wildlife including Cape Fur Seals, African Penguins and a great many seabirds.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London
Day 2/6
Wildlife excursions from Cape Town
Day 7/8
Wildlife excursions from Hermanus
Day 9
Depart Cape Town
Day 10
Arrive London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
We use two comfortable tourist hotels, ideally positioned. All rooms have private facilities.
- Food:
All meals are included in the price.
Reviews
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Our 2 wonderful guides made certain that we enjoyed all aspects of this fascinating part of the world. Fine weather on our arrival meant that within 2 hours of leaving the plane we were standing on Table Mountain wondering at the spectacular views. Visits were made to the Cape of Good Hope, North West National Park and Robben Island. We also braved the seas on a pelagic trip to marvel at stunning Albatross. From Hermanus we visited a variety of bird sites and scanned for Southern Right Whales off shore. Most memorable was the cage diving with Great White Sharks, an experience that will live long in the memory banks.
I.G. Kent -
It was a most interesting combination of different aspects of a holiday. Some wildlife, I.e whales, dolphins, sharks, penguins. Then there was the extraordinary birds. The botanical part of the trip was remarkable, seeing plants in their natural place rather than an indoor pot at home. The food was a good variety and good quality. Everything was reasonably priced.
C.W. East Sussex -
Both Kim and Mariana were wonderful ambassadors for South Africa. Their knowledge of birds and plants was second to none, they made our holiday an outstanding experience.
J.L. & M.I. West Midlands -
Overall an excellent holiday and we were looked after very well nothing was too much trouble for our guides.
Anon.
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Thu 4th Sep – Sat 13th Sep
SPACES
£4,395
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£450
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[description] => Botanical Tours – See Wild Flowers with our Expert Botanical Guides
There are few more pleasing sights in the natural world than a meadow filled with wildflowers. Seeing plants in their native habitat is always exciting and our flower tours offer you an incredible choice, from dazzling tropical blooms and the thrill of finding elusive orchids or delicate alpines, to seeing island endemics or British flora. Our tours range from week-long holidays focusing on the ‘Alpine flowers of the Swiss Alps’, the ‘Italian Dolomites’ and the ‘Alpine Flowers of Slovenia’s Julian Alps’, to orchid-hunting on Italy’s Gargano Peninsula and searching for the Autumn Plants of Greece’s Peloponnese. We also visit more remote areas of the world in search of plant-life, from the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan where we look for wild tulips, to the rainforests and spiny deserts of Madagascar where over 80% of the flora is endemic.
Many of us want to know more about the plants we see around us. Whether inspired by an appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of flowers, or a more focused desire to identify individual species, everyone with an interest in botany will derive pleasure from joining one of Naturetrek’s flower tours.
Why choose Naturetrek’s botanical holidays?
- All our botanical holidays are led by expert botanist guides
- All levels of interest and expertise are catered for, from hobby gardeners and complete beginners to keen botanists who wish to explore a new area with the help of a knowledgeable leader
- We keep the overall focus on flora, though expert guidance is also given on other wildlife
What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek botanical holiday?
- Travel with a group of like-minded people
- Stay at a comfortable hotel or lodge, close to an area of outstanding botanical interest
- Enjoy a series of leisurely day excursions with ample time to appreciate the local flora
In addition to our dedicated flower tours, we also offer holidays with a wider theme to encompass birds, butterflies and other aspects of natural history as well as the flora. Our spring tours to 'Crete' and ‘The Island of Cyprus’ are both timed to allow us to enjoy the botanical highlights as well as the spring bird migration, whilst ‘Croatia and Slovenia – Spring in Istria’ also allows time to enjoy a little of the local culture. ‘Romania – the Wildlife of Transylvania’ combines an appreciation of the flora of the Carpathian Mountains with birding, butterflying and a trip to look for Brown Bears from a purpose built hide, and our holidays in both the ‘French Pyrenees’ and the ‘Spanish Pyrenees’ combine birds, butterflies and botany throughout the week.
Our specialist recommends...
"I'd recommend 'Wengen – Alpine Flowers of the Swiss Alps', 'Crete' and 'The French Pyrenees', which all offer some fascinating European botany, along with plenty of wider natural history and some stunning scenery. If you’re keen to travel a little further afield, I’d suggest joining us in South Africa for our 'Wild Flowers of the Cape & Namaqualand' tour”
David Tattersfield - Tour Leader
David Tattersfield - Tour Leader
Whale Watching Cruises – See Whales in their Wild Habitat
Seeing whales in the wild is one of the top 10 things most people want to do during their lifetime. Scanning the water, waiting to hear a blow or see a dorsal fin, is one of the top wildlife experiences in the world, and it can get addictive! A sighting of whales in their natural habitat is consistently rated in the top 10 wildlife experiences in the world. These gentle giants of the ocean hold a special place in our hearts. Our dedicated small group tours offer the thrilling opportunity of an up-close-and-personal encounter in the wild; scanning the water, waiting for the sound of a blow or the sight of a dorsal fin is both thrilling and addictive.
Naturetrek Whale Watching Tours
Our dedicated small group whale-watching holidays encompass a range of destinations all over the world to offer the best chance of sightings on short trips or longer cruises. Whether it’s a day excursion in the UK or an extended 14-day cruise to an exotic far-flung location, we offer the chance to encounter these giant cetaceans in all of the world’s oceans, from the tropics to the Polar regions.
Depending on the location, our itineraries can focus on one or several of the planet’s 86 key species, including Blue and Killer Whales, or form part of a broader wildlife-watching experience to encounter dolphins, birdlife and other marine species. Led by expert biologist or naturalist guides, our tours often allow participants to get thrillingly close to one of the most fascinating animals on Earth. We've been organising specialist wildlife tours for 32 years and our experience, passion and knowledge have earned us a reputation as the best in the business. Our range of whale-watching holidays is so popular that we are rapidly expanding our programme to include some of the most exciting, wildlife-rich places in the world.
Why book a Naturetrek whale & dolphin watching holiday?
- Expert biologist-led & wildlife photographer-led holidays
- Dedicated whale-watching tours focusing on one or a few key species
- Many of our whale-watching tours offer the chance to see dolphins as well (and vice versa)
- A range of tours from day trips out on small boats to week-long liveaboard cruises
- A chance to look for cetaceans in all of the world’s oceans, from polar waters to the tropics
- A wide range of the world’s 86 species are seen on our whale-watching holidays, including Blue Whales & Killer Whales
- A wide range of the world's dolphin species have also been seen, from Bottlenose and Risso’s, to Spinner, Striped and Heaviside’s
Our specialist recommends...
"In the UK I'd recommend our full-day dolphin tours to look for White-beaked dolphins off Lyme Bay. Madeira offers a good variety of dolphins close to shore including Risso's, Atlantic Spotted and Common, while if you fancy warm tropical waters Sri Lanka or the Maldives offer a good range of acrobatic species in sunny conditions!"
Sara Frost - Tour Leader & Marketing Manager
Sara Frost - Tour Leader & Marketing Manager
Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
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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!
