African Penguin

Spheniscus demersus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Spheniscidae — Penguins

African Penguin, Spheniscus demersus, breeds along the coasts of southern Namibia and South Africa, and outside the breeding season ranges north to central Namibia and south-eastern Africa. It is a penguin of southern African waters and the only penguin found in the Old World. The species is identified by pink skin above the eyes and a dark facial mask, with black upperparts set off against white underparts that carry spots and a black band. It was described by Linnaeus in 1758.

Order
Sphenisciformes
Family
Spheniscidae — Penguins
Breeding range
Africa: coastal s Namibia and s South Africa
Nonbreeding range
to c Namibia, se Africa
African Penguin
© lumoplank · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Tours where you can spot this bird

8 tours in South Africa 7, Namibia 1

Southern Namibia Birding Adventure - November 2026
Southern Namibia Birding Adventure - November 2026
Namibia / Windhoek Group tour 13 days

A fixed November 2026 Namibia birding safari from Windhoek to Fish River Canyon, the Namib Desert and Walvis Bay....

From USD 6,500 Next: Nov 2, 2026
Western Cape Highlights Birding with Lawson's Safaris
Western Cape Highlights Birding with Lawson's Safaris
South Africa / Cape Town Group tour 10 days

Discover Western Cape birds over 10 days, combining Cape Peninsula fynbos, penguin colonies, West Coast wetlands and the Overberg with food ...

From ZAR 55,890 Next: Oct 13, 2026
Private Rooiels and Betty’s Bay Birding Day Tour
Private Rooiels and Betty’s Bay Birding Day Tour
South Africa / Cape Town 1 day

A private Cape day for fynbos endemics, Cape Rockjumper, African Penguins and coastal birds around Rooiels, Stony Point and Harold Porter....

3-Day Cape Town Birding Tour
3-Day Cape Town Birding Tour
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 3 days

Spend three days linking Cape Town fynbos, False Bay, endemic-rich mountain slopes, penguin coast and the Cape Peninsula....

10-Day Western Cape Birding Tour
10-Day Western Cape Birding Tour
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 10 days

A private or small-group Western Cape birding itinerary from Cape Town through the Cape Peninsula, West Coast, Tankwa Karoo, Agulhas Plain, ...

Private Cape Peninsula Birding Day Tour with Birding Ecotours
Private Cape Peninsula Birding Day Tour with Birding Ecotours
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 1 day

A flexible private day from Cape Town combining Kirstenbosch, peninsula wetlands and an African Penguin colony, with Cape endemics and coast...

From ZAR 7,000
Private Cape Mountains and Fynbos Birding Day Tour with Birding Ecotours
Private Cape Mountains and Fynbos Birding Day Tour with Birding Ecotours
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 1 day

A private full-day route from Cape Town to Rooi Els, Betty's Bay and the fynbos coast, focused on Cape endemics, African Penguins and wetlan...

From ZAR 7,000
Private 3-Day Agulhas Plains Birding Trip with Birding Ecotours
Private 3-Day Agulhas Plains Birding Trip with Birding Ecotours
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 3 days

A private three-day journey from Cape Town across mountain fynbos and the Overberg to De Hoop, built around cranes, bustards, larks and regi...

From ZAR 17,920