Day 1: Meeting in Cape Town
You will be met either in Cape Town if you have arrived before or a pick up from Cape Town International Airport and will be taken to you comfortable accommodation. Depending on arrival, we kick off in Cape Town with a gentle introduction to Cape fynbos birds at the world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain. The gardens showcase native fynbos habitat and Afromontane forest patches, offering our first endemics. Cape Sugarbirds and Orange-breasted Sunbirds flit around flowering proteas (iconic Western Cape endemics). We'll also look for Cape Spurfowl, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Cape Batis, Forest Canary, Sombre Greenbul, and the shy Lemon Dove. Kirstenbosch's backdrop of mountain forest might yield African Olive Pigeon, Olive Thrush, or a Spotted Eagle-Owl roosting in a tree.
If time permits in the afternoon, we visit the nearby Strandfontein Bird Sanctuary on the Cape Flats. This coastal wetland is a hotspot for waterbirds. We could see an array of ducks and geese - Cape Teal, Cape Shoveler, Southern Pochard, Yellow-billed Duck - as well as Greater Flamingo, Great White Pelican, and elegant Great Crested Grebes. Reedbeds might hide Little Bittern or warblers like Lesser Swamp Warbler, while overhead an African Marsh Harrier quarters the reeds. In spring, migrant shorebirds may also be present on the pans.
Accommodation: A comfortable guesthouse in the southern suburbs (e.g. Newlands), conveniently located for birding sites. Driving: Minimal today (perhaps ~50 km total around the city). After a welcome dinner, we rest up for an early start on Day 2.
Day 2: False Bay – Rooi Els & Betty’s Bay (Coastal Fynbos & Penguins)
Today we head out early along the scenic False Bay coast towards Rooi Els (about 1–1.5 hours’ drive from Cape Town). The road (Clarence Drive) hugs the coastline between towering mountains and the sea, offering spectacular views—and even Southern Right Whales offshore in spring. At Rooi Els, we bird rocky fynbos slopes in search of the iconic Cape Rockjumper. While scanning boulder-strewn hillsides, we may also find Ground Woodpecker, Cape Rock Thrush, and hear the call of the skulking Victorin’s Warbler. Other fynbos birds include Cape Siskin, Cape Grassbird, Neddicky, and more Cape Sugarbirds and sunbirds. Keep an eye skyward for Verreaux’s Eagles nesting on cliff faces.
After success at Rooi Els, we continue a short drive to Betty’s Bay. In Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, look for Swee Waxbill, Brimstone Canary, African Paradise Flycatcher, and Black Saw-wing. After lunch, we visit the Stony Point penguin colony for up-close views of the endemic African Penguin alongside Bank, Cape, Crowned, and White‑breasted Cormorants. Hartlaub’s and Kelp Gulls wheel overhead, and Cape Fur Seals lounge on the rocks.
In the late afternoon, we drive back to Cape Town (≈ 80 km, ~1.5 hr). If time allows, we can stop at Strandfontein wetlands for any missing waterbirds. Accommodation: Same Cape Town guesthouse as Day 1. Driving: Moderate (~80 km total).
Day 3: West Coast National Park (Coastal Strandveld & Lagoon)
Leaving the city behind, we depart Cape Town heading north ~120 km (1.5 hr) to West Coast National Park. The habitat shifts to strandveld—a coastal Mediterranean-type shrubland on limestone/sand—hosting a different bird community. En route we pass farmlands where Blue Crane forage, as well as Cape Longclaw, Pied Starling, and Capped Wheatear. Springtime larks include Cape Clapper Lark and Large-billed Lark, with flocks of White-throated Swallow and Cloud Cisticola overhead.
In the park's strandveld scrub, we target Southern Black Korhaan (listen for its barking call) and scan for the endemic Black Harrier quartering low over shrubs. Other land birds include Grey-winged Francolin, Cape Spurfowl, Bokmakierie, Cape Penduline Tit, Southern Grey Tit, and Karoo Scrub Robin. Seedeaters such as Yellow Canary and White-throated Canary, plus White-backed Mousebird, add variety. Wildflowers may carpet the landscape in spring.
After lunch, we explore the Langebaan Lagoon and salt marshes via bird hides. Expect Palearctic migrants—Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Common Greenshank, Whimbrel, and Bar-tailed Godwit—alongside resident Chestnut-banded Plover, Kittlitz’s Plover, and White-fronted Plover. Greater and Lesser Flamingos feed nearby. Watch for African Oystercatcher, Black-shouldered Kite, African Fish Eagle, and occasionally Osprey. Coastal dunes may hold Grey-backed Cisticola and Cape Sparrow.
Accommodation: Mid-range, bird-friendly guesthouse in Langebaan (e.g., Le Mahi Guest House). Driving: ~2 hr total.
Day 4: West Coast to Ceres – Farmland Birding & Mountain Fynbos
We have a final early outing in the West Coast area just outside the park. Dawn on farm roads near Langebaan offers localized specials like the iconic Cape Long-billed Lark and the scarce Sickle-winged Chat. Widespread arid-zone species may include Ant-eating Chat, flocks of Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark, and Namaqua Sandgrouse in flight. Farm dams often attract South African Shelduck, and more Blue Crane may appear in the golden light.
By mid-morning we bid farewell to the coast and drive ~170 km (2.5 hr) through scenic mountain passes to the Ceres fruit-farming valley. After lunch, we explore upland fynbos near Karoopoort for the elusive Protea Canary. We may also encounter Victorin’s Warbler in thick shrubbery and Cape Siskin on rocky outcrops.
Descending into the Tanqua Karoo biome, the landscape shifts to low Karoo scrub. Along the first Karoo road stretch, target Karoo Chat perched on bushes and Karoo Scrub Robin darting across the road, while Acacia Pied Barbet and Pririt Batis frequent taller acacia near old farmsteads. Wildlife like springbok or steenbok may appear at any moment.
Accommodation: Simple yet comfortable lodge or guesthouse on the Karoo edge (e.g., Tankwa Karoo Guesthouse or Elandsberg cottages). Driving: ~3 hr today (morning farmland outing plus drive to Ceres/Tanqua). We aim to arrive before dark to enjoy a Karoo sunset and stargazing under clear desert skies.
Day 5: Tanqua Karoo – Exploring the Arid Plains
Tanqua Karoo is an endemic-rich birding paradise, and we devote a full day to unlocking its secrets. We start at dawn when the desert is alive with bird song. Many species have “Karoo” in their name—a testament to how special this region is. We’ll spend today driving slowly along gravel roads and walking in promising areas to find a variety of Karoo endemics and near-endemics:
Rocky Foothills & Dry Gorges
Search rocky outcrops and hills (e.g., Skitterykloof) for Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, a tiny reddish warbler skulking between rocks. Also look for Layard’s Warbler (Tit-Babbler) and the spritely Fairy Flycatcher, plus scan cliff faces for nesting Booted Eagle or Verreaux’s Eagle.
Dry Riverbeds (Wadis)
Along ephemeral river courses, seek Namaqua Warbler (Namaqua Prinia), Pririt Batis, Chestnut-vented Warbler, and furtive Namaqua Dove. Any waterholes may attract desert birds morning and evening.
Open Plains & Scrub
Roam flat plains for Karoo Lark, Spike-heeled Lark, and Large-billed Lark. In good rain years, nomadic Black-eared Sparrow-Lark appear. Bushes harbor Rufous-eared Warbler, Black-headed Canary, and White-throated Canary. Also look for Karoo Chat, Tractrac Chat, Karoo Korhaan, Ludwig’s Bustard, and Pale Chanting Goshawk. Occasionally, elusive Burchell’s Courser may appear.
Desert Night
After sunset, an optional night drive may reveal Freckled Nightjar or Rufous-cheeked Nightjar, plus nocturnal mammals like Bat-eared Fox, Cape Hare, or Aardvark. Enjoy the Milky Way in the dark Karoo sky.
Accommodation: Same Karoo lodge/guesthouse as Day 4. Driving: Moderate distances on gravel roads (~100 km).
Day 6: Tanqua Karoo – Deeper Exploration of the Karoo Wilderness
We spend a second full day in the Tanqua Karoo, allowing us to cover different habitats, search for species missed yesterday, and enjoy the rhythm of desert birding without the pressure of travel. With this extra day, we can focus on slow, immersive exploration of the more remote or rocky areas of the region.
We begin with another early morning start, focusing on rocky outcrops, deep kloofs (gorges), and acacia-lined dry riverbeds for elusive species. Prime targets include Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Layard’s Warbler, Fairy Flycatcher, and scans for Verreaux’s Eagle, Booted Eagle, and Rock Kestrel.
In dry drainage lines, we target Namaqua Warbler, Namaqua Dove, Chestnut-vented Warbler, Southern Grey Tit, and at any remaining waterpoints we might find Namaqua Sandgrouse or Double-banded Sandgrouse. Flocks of Black-headed Canary and Yellow Canary may also visit.
Open plains offer another chance at Spike-heeled Lark, Karoo Lark, Red-capped Lark, and nomadic Black-eared Sparrow-Lark. We search for Karoo Korhaan, Ludwig’s Bustard, Tractrac Chat, Sickle-winged Chat, and Familiar Chat, and scan Aloe blooms for Malachite Sunbird or Dusky Sunbird.
We take a midday break during the hottest hours, returning in the late afternoon for golden-hour photography and follow-up on any missed targets like Burchell’s Courser.
Accommodation: Same lodge or guesthouse in the Tanqua Karoo as Day 5—hot meals, cool drinks, and another night under the stars. Driving: Moderate gravel roads (50–100 km).
Day 7: Tanqua Karoo to Cape Town – Return via Mountain Pass
This morning we have a final pre-breakfast birding session in the Karoo to mop up any species we might have missed or to get better looks at favorites. The soft morning light is ideal for photography and observing bird behavior—displaying larks or sandgrouse flighting to drink.
Afterwards, we depart the Tanqua Karoo and drive back to Cape Town (~3.5–4.5 hr, ~250 km) via a mountain fynbos route. We’ll stop at a mountain pass (e.g., Bain’s Kloof Pass or Gydo/Skitterykloof Pass) to seek the near-endemic Protea Canary. In the same fynbos patches look for Victorin’s Warbler, Orange-breasted Sunbird, and Malachite Sunbird, and scan rocky outcrops for Cape Siskin or soaring Verreaux’s Eagle.
By late afternoon we arrive in greater Cape Town. If time permits, we can revisit Kirstenbosch Gardens for any remaining specialties—enjoying Cape Sugarbirds and sunbirds under Table Mountain one more time.
Accommodation: Airport-area hotel or original Cape Town guesthouse, followed by a farewell dinner reviewing our bird checklist. Driving: ~250 km with stops.
Day 8: Departure from Cape Town
After breakfast, it’s time to wrap up the tour. Those with later flights can optionally do a short morning outing to a nearby site (the eastern slopes of Table Mountain or a coastal wetland) for any last-minute birding—perhaps adding a few final species. Otherwise, we transfer to Cape Town International Airport, where the guide will bid the group farewell.
The 8-day adventure concludes with countless bird sightings, stunning landscapes, and a deeper understanding of South Africa’s Western Cape ecosystems. Safe travels!
Note: Itinerary can be adjusted to specific interests or weather conditions. For example, a pelagic seabird trip from Cape Town can be added on Day 2 or 3 weather-permitting, to seek albatrosses and petrels offshore. Minor sequence changes may also occur to maximize wildlife viewing.