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Cape Peninsula Penguins Go on an exclusive and (active) day trip on the Cape peninsula. This is the best way to see the Cape Town area. You'll see more in one day than you ever could on your own. The highlight of this trip is the Cape Peninsula National Park, where you'll visit Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. You'll also go on a 30 minute bike ride through Cape Point National Park where there many types of plants and animals. On Boulders Beach you'll be able to see African Cape Peninsula penguins, close enough to pet. A boat cruise (optional) from Hout Bay will take you to a seal island in the middle of the sea. If you're afraid of becoming sea sick, then you'll have plenty of time to visit the beach, the town or the Hout Bay harbour. A guide and a chauffeur will be at your disposal the entire day to tell you more about the best features of the Cape Peninsula and Cape Town. There is a maximum number of participants for this trip of 15 people (usually there are less people in the bus). During the day you'll visit Cape Point must-see's such as: Devils Peak, Table Mountain, The Twelve Apostles and the Little Lion Head. In other words, this is an active and interesting day trip you won't want to miss! |
| Duration |
1 day departs daily except Mondays |
Accommodation |
n/a |
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Price |
£50 per person - based on 2 people sharing |
Includes |
Lunch, guide, chauffeur, entrance to Cape Point National Park, entrance to Boulder Beach, mountain bikes and helmets |
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Transport |
Minibus |
Excludes |
Boat cruise to seal island in Hout Bay (approx. R 170) |
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At around 8.00 in the morning, your ride will arrive at your hotel to pick you up. During the drive your guide will tell you all about the area you'll be driving through. For instance, you'll hear more about the first winery in South Africa, Constantia, the history of South Africa and the history of the Cape peninsula in particular. The guides' (Cedric, Jacques and Kim) extensive knowledge of their country will make this day trip even more enjoyable. The first stop of the day will be at the Hout Bay harbour. From here you'll go on a short cruise to seal island, where large numbers of cape fur seals can be spotted. The abundance of fish in this area attracts seals to this rich feeding ground. The agile cape fur seals can dive up to 36 metres below sea-level and adult seals can stay under water for up to 30 minutes at a time (infant seals for 10 minutes at a time). The seals feed on fish, shrimp, shell fish and squid. Males weigh approximately 350 kilos and females 'merely' 110 kilos. The picture to the right features the town of Hout Bay. After the cruise you'll be treated to a cup of coffee or tea. |
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While travelling along you'll see the towns Kalk Baai, Simon's Town and Fish Hoek and eventually you'll visit False Bay Boulders Beach. A large colony of rare African penguins known as the Jackass penguins can be found at the beach. The Jackass penguins eat squid, haring and anchovies. They can swim up to 7 kilometres per hour and can stay under water up to 2 minutes at a time. In sea the penguins are hunted by the shark, the cape fur seal and at times even by the orca and on land they are hunted by the wild cat, the marten and the sea gull (eat eater). The life of a penguin is precarious one! A special pier leads to Boulder Beach, where you can walk through the penguin colony and visit with them while they rest out from their hunting activities. You'll be surrounded by penguins on all sides; be sure that they don't pick you with their sharp beaks! |
| Later we will continue on our route towards Cape Peninsula National Park. It's a national park, because of the more than 250 types of birds present in the park. Our travel specialists have also spotted larger animals in the park during their 10 kilometre mountain bike ride such as: baboons, moose, turtles, bontebok, ostriches, zebras... The bike trip starts just outside of the entrance of the national park and luckily most of the trail is down-hill. The trip will last for approximately 30 minutes and you'll pass by unique fynbos vegetation specific to Cape Point. Olifantsbos or Elephants forest (don't worry, there aren't really any elephants here) is a great place for a picnic at sea. Enjoy a relaxing picnic with sandwiches, juice, cheese, fruit, chips, tomatoes and cucumbers. A minibus will pick you up after your lunch and take you to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Baboons roam around free here, so it's best not to have food or fruit on you while walking around. These baboons are three times as strong as a human male and could easily grab any food you have on you away from you. It's best to hide your food away or leave it in the minibus. |
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If you're feeling strong, take on the steep climb to Cape Point for an amazing view of the ocean. A less strenuous option would be to take the train up to the point. You'll walk from Cape Point to the Cape of Good Hope, down hill along steep cliffs and awe-inspiring views. At the end of the trip you'll drive past the Clifton Bay beach and several coastal towns on your way to Cape Town. You'll be dropped off at your hotel or in the centre of town. For accommodation options in the Cape Town area, have a look at the Discover the Cape module. |
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