Feather your nest on the Cape Point Route

Penguin mania hit Hollywood recently with popular movies Madagascar, March of the Penguins and Happy Feet. As a result penguins are a star attraction and the Cape Point Route offers arguably the best viewing of penguins in the world. Just past Simon’s Town on the False Bay coast is Boulders Beach – a charming beach with tranquil pools, giant boulders and penguins. A visit to Tuxedo Junction is a must do activity in Cape Town – you can view the penguins from elevated boardwalks or for a truly remarkably experience go down to Boulders Beach itself and swim with these endearing creatures.

There is some brilliant birding along the route, complete with scenic splendour and superb restaurants. Cape Point Nature Reserve is one of the hottest bird watching spots on the peninsula. The endemic Cape Sugarbird is often found with flowering proteas and look out for the striking Orange- breasted Sunbird –one of 3 sunbird species. You will find a variety of sea and shore birds in the reserve as well as some of the highest cliffs and freshest sea air.

Near the entrance to the reserve you will find another famous and fascinating bird – the ostrich! Ostriches are also flightless and have the added accolade of being Africa’s largest birds. The Cape Point Ostrich Farm, is a great spot to learn about the entire life cycle of these enormous birds and during breeding season there is a strong likelihood of experiencing the hatching of an ostrich chick and well worth the visit.

A world renowned birding experience is a pelagic boat trip off Cape Point, famed for its seabirds. You set off at first light from Simon’s Town waterfront and watch dawn unfold over the Hottentot Holland mountains. Add to this the rugged beauty of Cape Point, a sunrise and a nautical trip to the continental shelf where you are likely to see more than 20 different offshore sea birds species (for this is the essence of the pelagic trip) and you have a near perfect day. You don’t have to be a serious birder to be awed by the Albatrosses, Shearwaters and Petrels. Keep your eyes open for fur seals, Southern Right, Humpback and Bryde's Whales as well as dolphins and sharks.

Throughout the peninsula you will see Cape and Hartlaub’s gulls and with the cold Benguela current on the rocky Atlantic coast it is possible to find most of the endemic species. A stop in Kommetjie is not only a winter wonderland it also has some of the best bird viewing with over 71 recorded species including all 4 species of Commorant, Cape Gannet, Antarctic and Artic Terns and the shoreline foraging African Black Oystercatcher.

We also suggest a cruise over Chapman’s Peak Drive to the World of Birds in Hout Bay which is Africa’s largest bird park. There are more than 4000 bird species from buzzards to vultures in carious walk through aviaries but it is a birding extravaganza for those with kids. They have other creatures at the park too but the highlight for most kids is the Monkey Jungle where the inquisitive and very cute Squirrel Monkeys climb all over the visitors. Kids adore the encounter.

So, feathered friends, get down to the Cape Point Route for some birding action- some of the most diverse and exciting on the African continent. With coastal, mountain, forest and wetland habitats there is something for both novice birders or serious twitchers. There is more than enough entertainment with the comical antics of the African Penguin and the scenic attractions to keep you on the Cape Point Route for days.
Call the Cape Point Route on 021 782 9356 for more information or visit: www.capepointroute.co.za