10-Day Western Cape Birding Tour
A private or small-group Western Cape birding itinerary from Cape Town through the Cape Peninsula, West Coast, Tankwa Karoo, Agulhas Plain, De Hoop and the Garden Route.
About this tour
This 10-day Western Cape itinerary is built for birders who want a broad route combining Cape Peninsula sites, fynbos endemics, wetlands, coastal birding, Karoo habitats and Garden Route forest birding.
The route includes Cape Peninsula, Hottentots Holland and False Bay, West Coast, Swartland, Tankwa Karoo, Agulhas Plain, De Hoop Nature Reserve and Wilderness/Garden Route. It is suitable for visiting birders who want a guided, target-focused itinerary that can be customized around priority species, pace and travel dates.
BirdWatch.info collects enquiries first and forwards qualified enquiries to the local tour organizer after initial review. Dates, price and final inclusions are confirmed during enquiry handling.
Birds you can spot
Acacia Pied Barbet
Tricholaema leucomelas
target
Tricholaema leucomelas
target
African Cuckoo Hawk
Aviceda cuculoides
target
Aviceda cuculoides
target
African Darter
Anhinga rufa
target
Anhinga rufa
target
African Dusky Flycatcher
Muscicapa adusta
target
Muscicapa adusta
target
African Emerald Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx cupreus
target
Chrysococcyx cupreus
target
African fish eagle
Haliaeetus vocifer
target
Haliaeetus vocifer
target
African Grass Owl
Tyto capensis
target
Tyto capensis
target
African Harrier-Hawk
Polyboroides typus
target
Polyboroides typus
target
African Hoopoe
Upupa africana
target
Upupa africana
target
African Olive Pigeon
Columba arquatrix
target
Columba arquatrix
target
African Oystercatcher
Haematopus moquini
target
Haematopus moquini
target
African Paradise Flycatcher
Terpsiphone viridis
target
Terpsiphone viridis
target
African penguin
Spheniscus demersus
target
Spheniscus demersus
target
African Rail
Rallus caerulescens
target
Rallus caerulescens
target
African Sacred Ibis
Threskiornis aethiopicus
target
Threskiornis aethiopicus
target
African Shelduck
Tadorna cana
target
Tadorna cana
target
African Spoonbill
Platalea alba
target
Platalea alba
target
African Stonechat
Saxicola torquatus
target
Saxicola torquatus
target
Agulhas Long-billed Lark
Certhilauda brevirostris
target
Certhilauda brevirostris
target
Amethyst Sunbird
Chalcomitra amethystina
target
Chalcomitra amethystina
target
Banded Martin
Riparia cincta
target
Riparia cincta
target
Bank Cormorant
Phalacrocorax neglectus
target
Phalacrocorax neglectus
target
Bar-throated Apalis
Apalis thoracica
target
Apalis thoracica
target
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
target
Tyto alba
target
Black Cuckoo
Cuculus clamosus
target
Cuculus clamosus
target
Black Cuckooshrike
Campephaga flava
target
Campephaga flava
target
Black Harrier
Circus maurus
target
Circus maurus
target
Black Saw-wing
Psalidoprocne pristoptera
target
Psalidoprocne pristoptera
target
Black-backed puffback
Dryoscopus cubla
target
Dryoscopus cubla
target
Black-bellied Starling
Notopholia corusca
target
Notopholia corusca
target
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
target
Nycticorax nycticorax
target
Black-eared Sparrow-Lark
Eremopterix australis
target
Eremopterix australis
target
Black-headed Canary
Serinus alario
target
Serinus alario
target
Black-headed Heron
Ardea melanocephala
target
Ardea melanocephala
target
Black-headed Oriole
Oriolus larvatus
target
Oriolus larvatus
target
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollis
target
Podiceps nigricollis
target
Black-winged Lapwing
Vanellus melanopterus
target
Vanellus melanopterus
target
Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus
target
Himantopus himantopus
target
Blue Crane
Anthropoides paradiseus
target
Anthropoides paradiseus
target
Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher
Trochocercus cyanomelas
target
Trochocercus cyanomelas
target
Bokmakierie
Telophorus zeylonus
target
Telophorus zeylonus
target
Bronze Mannikin
Spermestes cucullata
target
Spermestes cucullata
target
Brown-hooded Kingfisher
Halcyon albiventris
target
Halcyon albiventris
target
Brown-throated Martin
Riparia paludicola
target
Riparia paludicola
target
Cape Batis
Batis capensis
target
Batis capensis
target
Cape Bulbul
Pycnonotus capensis
target
Pycnonotus capensis
target
Cape Bunting
Emberiza capensis
target
Emberiza capensis
target
Cape Clapper Lark
Mirafra apiata
target
Mirafra apiata
target
Cape Cormorant
Phalacrocorax capensis
target
Phalacrocorax capensis
target
Cape Gannet
Morus capensis
target
Morus capensis
target
Cape Grassbird
Sphenoeacus afer
target
Sphenoeacus afer
target
Cape Long-billed Lark
Certhilauda curvirostris
target
Certhilauda curvirostris
target
Cape Longclaw
Macronyx capensis
target
Macronyx capensis
target
Cape Penduline Tit
Anthoscopus minutus
target
Anthoscopus minutus
target
Cape Robin-Chat
Cossypha caffra
target
Cossypha caffra
target
Cape Rock Thrush
Monticola rupestris
target
Monticola rupestris
target
Cape Rockjumper
Chaetops frenatus
target
Chaetops frenatus
target
Cape Siskin
Crithagra totta
target
Crithagra totta
target
Cape Sugarbird
Promerops cafer
target
Promerops cafer
target
Cape Teal
Anas capensis
target
Anas capensis
target
Cape Vulture
Gyps coprotheres
target
Gyps coprotheres
target
Cape White-eye
Zosterops virens
target
Zosterops virens
target
Capped Wheatear
Oenanthe pileata
target
Oenanthe pileata
target
Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia
target
Hydroprogne caspia
target
Chestnut-banded Plover
Charadrius pallidus
target
Charadrius pallidus
target
Chestnut-vented Warbler
Curruca subcoerulea
target
Curruca subcoerulea
target
Chorister Robin-Chat
Cossypha dichroa
target
Cossypha dichroa
target
Cinnamon-breasted Warbler
Euryptila subcinnamomea
target
Euryptila subcinnamomea
target
Collared Sunbird
Hedydipna collaris
target
Hedydipna collaris
target
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
target
Buteo buteo
target
Common Greenshank
Tringa nebularia
target
Tringa nebularia
target
Common Ostrich
Struthio camelus
target
Struthio camelus
target
Common Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticula
target
Charadrius hiaticula
target
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos
target
Actitis hypoleucos
target
Common Tern
Sterna hirundo
target
Sterna hirundo
target
Common Waxbill
Estrilda astrild
target
Estrilda astrild
target
Crowned Cormorant
Microcarbo coronatus
target
Microcarbo coronatus
target
Crowned Eagle
Stephanoaetus coronatus
target
Stephanoaetus coronatus
target
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferruginea
target
Calidris ferruginea
target
Denham's Bustard
Neotis denhami
target
Neotis denhami
target
Dusky Sunbird
Cinnyris fuscus
target
Cinnyris fuscus
target
Eurasian Curlew
Numenius arquata
target
Numenius arquata
target
European Bee-eater
Merops apiaster
target
Merops apiaster
target
Fairy Flycatcher
Stenostira scita
target
Stenostira scita
target
Fiery-necked Nightjar
Caprimulgus pectoralis
target
Caprimulgus pectoralis
target
Fiscal Flycatcher
Melaenornis silens
target
Melaenornis silens
target
Forest Buzzard
Buteo trizonatus
target
Buteo trizonatus
target
Forest Canary
Crithagra scotops
target
Crithagra scotops
target
Fork-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus adsimilis
target
Dicrurus adsimilis
target
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor
target
Dendrocygna bicolor
target
Giant Kingfisher
Megaceryle maxima
target
Megaceryle maxima
target
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
target
Plegadis falcinellus
target
Great Egret
Ardea alba
target
Ardea alba
target
Great White Pelican
Pelecanus onocrotalus
target
Pelecanus onocrotalus
target
Greater Crested Tern
Thalasseus bergii
target
Thalasseus bergii
target
Greater Double-collared Sunbird
Cinnyris afer
target
Cinnyris afer
target
Greater Flamingo
Phoenicopterus roseus
target
Phoenicopterus roseus
target
Greater Honeyguide
Indicator indicator
target
Indicator indicator
target
Green Wood Hoopoe
Phoeniculus purpureus
target
Phoeniculus purpureus
target
Green-backed Camaroptera
Camaroptera brachyura
target
Camaroptera brachyura
target
Grey Cuckooshrike
Ceblepyris caesius
target
Ceblepyris caesius
target
Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
target
Ardea cinerea
target
Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarola
target
Pluvialis squatarola
target
Grey Sunbird
Cyanomitra veroxii
target
Cyanomitra veroxii
target
Grey Tit
Melaniparus afer
target
Melaniparus afer
target
Grey-backed Cisticola
Cisticola subruficapilla
target
Cisticola subruficapilla
target
Grey-headed Gull
Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
target
Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
target
Grey-winged Francolin
Scleroptila africanus
target
Scleroptila africanus
target
Ground Woodpecker
Geocolaptes olivaceus
target
Geocolaptes olivaceus
target
Half-collared kingfisher
Alcedo semitorquata
target
Alcedo semitorquata
target
Hartlaub's Gull
Chroicocephalus hartlaubii
target
Chroicocephalus hartlaubii
target
Jackal Buzzard
Buteo rufofuscus
target
Buteo rufofuscus
target
Karoo Chat
Emarginata schlegelii
target
Emarginata schlegelii
target
Karoo Eremomela
Eremomela gregalis
target
Eremomela gregalis
target
Karoo Korhaan
Eupodotis vigorsii
target
Eupodotis vigorsii
target
Karoo Long-billed Lark
Certhilauda subcoronata
target
Certhilauda subcoronata
target
Karoo Prinia
Prinia maculosa
target
Prinia maculosa
target
Kelp Gull
Larus dominicanus
target
Larus dominicanus
target
Kittlitz's Plover
Charadrius pecuarius
target
Charadrius pecuarius
target
Klaas's Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx klaas
target
Chrysococcyx klaas
target
Knysna turaco
Tauraco corythaix
target
Tauraco corythaix
target
Knysna Warbler
Bradypterus sylvaticus
target
Bradypterus sylvaticus
target
Knysna Woodpecker
Campethera notata
target
Campethera notata
target
Lanner Falcon
Falco biarmicus
target
Falco biarmicus
target
Lark-like Bunting
Emberiza impetuani
target
Emberiza impetuani
target
Lemon Dove
Columba larvata
target
Columba larvata
target
Lesser Flamingo
Phoeniconaias minor
target
Phoeniconaias minor
target
Lesser Honeyguide
Indicator minor
target
Indicator minor
target
Lesser Striped Swallow
Cecropis abyssinica
target
Cecropis abyssinica
target
Levaillant's Cisticola
Cisticola tinniens
target
Cisticola tinniens
target
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
target
Egretta garzetta
target
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollis
target
Tachybaptus ruficollis
target
Little Stint
Calidris minuta
target
Calidris minuta
target
Long-billed Crombec
Sylvietta rufescens
target
Sylvietta rufescens
target
Long-crested Eagle
Lophaetus occipitalis
target
Lophaetus occipitalis
target
Maccoa Duck
Oxyura maccoa
target
Oxyura maccoa
target
Malachite Sunbird
Nectarinia famosa
target
Nectarinia famosa
target
Marsh Sandpiper
Tringa stagnatilis
target
Tringa stagnatilis
target
Martial Eagle
Polemaetus bellicosus
target
Polemaetus bellicosus
target
Mountain Wheatear
Myrmecocichla monticola
target
Myrmecocichla monticola
target
Namaqua Dove
Oena capensis
target
Oena capensis
target
Namaqua Warbler
Phragmacia substriata
target
Phragmacia substriata
target
Narina Trogon
Apaloderma narina
target
Apaloderma narina
target
Neddicky
Cisticola fulvicapilla
target
Cisticola fulvicapilla
target
Olive Bushshrike
Chlorophoneus olivaceus
target
Chlorophoneus olivaceus
target
Olive Thrush
Turdus olivaceus
target
Turdus olivaceus
target
Olive Woodpecker
Dendropicos griseocephalus
target
Dendropicos griseocephalus
target
Orange-breasted Sunbird
Anthobaphes violacea
target
Anthobaphes violacea
target
Pale Chanting Goshawk
Melierax canorus
target
Melierax canorus
target
Pale-winged Starling
Onychognathus nabouroup
target
Onychognathus nabouroup
target
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
target
Falco peregrinus
target
Pied Avocet
Recurvirostra avosetta
target
Recurvirostra avosetta
target
Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis
target
Ceryle rudis
target
Pied Starling
Lamprotornis bicolor
target
Lamprotornis bicolor
target
Pin-tailed Whydah
Vidua macroura
target
Vidua macroura
target
Pririt Batis
Batis pririt
target
Batis pririt
target
Purple Heron
Ardea purpurea
target
Ardea purpurea
target
Red-chested Cuckoo
Cuculus solitarius
target
Cuculus solitarius
target
Red-faced Mousebird
Urocolius indicus
target
Urocolius indicus
target
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatus
target
Phalaropus lobatus
target
Red-necked spurfowl
Pternistis afer
target
Pternistis afer
target
Red-winged Starling
Onychognathus morio
target
Onychognathus morio
target
Rock Kestrel
Falco rupicolus
target
Falco rupicolus
target
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres
target
Arenaria interpres
target
Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk
Accipiter rufiventris
target
Accipiter rufiventris
target
Rufous-eared Warbler
Malcorus pectoralis
target
Malcorus pectoralis
target
Sanderling
Calidris alba
target
Calidris alba
target
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensis
target
Thalasseus sandvicensis
target
Scaly-throated Honeyguide
Indicator variegatus
target
Indicator variegatus
target
Secretarybird
Sagittarius serpentarius
target
Sagittarius serpentarius
target
Sentinel Rock Thrush
Monticola explorator
target
Monticola explorator
target
Sombre Greenbul
Andropadus importunus
target
Andropadus importunus
target
Sooty Shearwater
Ardenna grisea
target
Ardenna grisea
target
Southern Boubou
Laniarius ferrugineus
target
Laniarius ferrugineus
target
Southern Double-collared Sunbird
Cinnyris chalybeus
target
Cinnyris chalybeus
target
Southern Fiscal
Lanius collaris
target
Lanius collaris
target
Southern Pochard
Netta erythrophthalma
target
Netta erythrophthalma
target
Southern Tchagra
Tchagra tchagra
target
Tchagra tchagra
target
Speckled Mousebird
Colius striatus
target
Colius striatus
target
Spike-heeled Lark
Chersomanes albofasciata
target
Chersomanes albofasciata
target
Spotted Eagle-Owl
Bubo africanus
target
Bubo africanus
target
Squacco Heron
Ardeola ralloides
target
Ardeola ralloides
target
Swee Waxbill
Coccopygia melanotis
target
Coccopygia melanotis
target
Terrestrial Brownbul
Phyllastrephus terrestris
target
Phyllastrephus terrestris
target
Three-banded Plover
Charadrius tricollaris
target
Charadrius tricollaris
target
Verreaux's eagle
Aquila verreauxii
target
Aquila verreauxii
target
Victorin's Warbler
Cryptillas victorini
target
Cryptillas victorini
target
Western Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
target
Pandion haliaetus
target
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
target
Numenius phaeopus
target
White-backed Mousebird
Colius colius
target
Colius colius
target
White-breasted Cormorant
Phalacrocorax lucidus
target
Phalacrocorax lucidus
target
White-chinned Petrel
Procellaria aequinoctialis
target
Procellaria aequinoctialis
target
White-fronted Plover
Charadrius marginatus
target
Charadrius marginatus
target
White-necked Raven
Corvus albicollis
target
Corvus albicollis
target
White-starred Robin
Pogonocichla stellata
target
Pogonocichla stellata
target
White-throated Canary
Crithagra albogularis
target
Crithagra albogularis
target
Yellow Canary
Crithagra flaviventris
target
Crithagra flaviventris
target
Yellow-bellied Eremomela
Eremomela icteropygialis
target
Eremomela icteropygialis
target
Yellow-billed Kite
Milvus aegyptius
target
Milvus aegyptius
target
Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler
Phylloscopus ruficapilla
target
Phylloscopus ruficapilla
target
Zitting Cisticola
Cisticola juncidis
target
Cisticola juncidis
target
Itinerary ▼
Day 1
Cape Peninsula
Mixed birding habitats
Arrival day with Cape Town area birding depending on timing, potentially including Silvermine, Strandfontein or Kirstenbosch. Overnight in Constantia area.
Day 2
Hottentots Holland and False Bay
Mixed birding habitats
Targets include Fynbos Big 6 species such as Victorin's Warbler, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Rockjumper and Cape Siskin, plus penguins, cormorants and wetland birds.
Day 3
Cape Peninsula
Mixed birding habitats
Cape Peninsula birding with forest, fynbos, coastal and reserve habitats, including Cape Sugarbird, African Oystercatcher, Cape Bunting and possible seabirds from coastal viewpoints.
Day 4
West Coast
Mixed birding habitats
Farmland, strandveld and wetland birding for larks, pipits, waders, raptors and West Coast specialties. Overnight around Langebaan.
Day 5
Swartland and Tankwa Karoo
Mixed birding habitats
Inland birding through Swartland and into the Karoo, searching for larks, chats, korhaans, eremomelas, sandgrouse and Karoo endemics.
Day 6
Tankwa Karoo
Mixed birding habitats
Karoo birding around Gannaga Pass and nearby kloofs, with targets such as Fairy Flycatcher, Dusky Sunbird, Pale-winged Starling, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler and nightjars after dark.
Day 7
Agulhas Plain
Mixed birding habitats
Travel toward the southernmost point of Africa with birding stops for Karoo Korhaan, Black Harrier, Denham's Bustard, Blue Crane, Agulhas Long-billed Lark and coastal species.
Day 8
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Mixed birding habitats
Full day in De Hoop with fynbos, coastal and reserve birding, plus mammals and optional interest in Cape Vulture colony arrangements through the reserve.
Day 9
Wilderness and Garden Route
Mixed birding habitats
Move east to Wilderness for wetland and forest habitats, with late afternoon trail birding after arrival.
Day 10
Wilderness forest birding
Mixed birding habitats
Forest birding for Knysna and Garden Route specialties such as Knysna Warbler, Narina Trogon, Knysna Turaco, forest robins, sunbirds, woodpeckers and owls.
Locations & map
- Western Cape birding circuit - Cape Town, West Coast, Tankwa Karoo, Agulhas Plain, De Hoop, Wilderness South Africa (Fynbos, coastal wetlands, Karoo plains, nature reserves and Garden Route forest habitats.)
Included
- Professional bird guide - Guided birding support; final details to be confirmed.
Not included
- Final travel costs - Flights, insurance and unconfirmed third-party costs are not included unless agreed with the organizer.
Transport & stays
- Road transfers and guided birding stops The itinerary involves substantial driving between Cape Town, West Coast, Tankwa Karoo, De Hoop and Wilderness. | Meet: Cape Town / Cape Town International Airport or accommodation | Pickup: Pickup arrangements on request
Policies & FAQ
Can this tour be customized?
Yes. This itinerary can be customized around target birds, budget and time frame. Confirm preferred dates, pace and priorities when sending an enquiry.