If you’re me, a born-and-bred boy or girl of the Mother City, then you’ll be as well aware as I am of the truth that Table Mountain scenery is where it’s at. But there’s a factor that adds a dose of serious kick to our Cape Town vacation schedule: the wildlife in our own backyard. Ja, you don’t need to hike out to Kruger for a bushveld high. From irreverent penguins walking along the shore to gigantic whales breaching out at sea, there are all types of nature just a short drive from here. And if you’re out of the way for the day, Bhoma Exclusive Tours has you covered with their customised excursions that bring you in close without the hassle.
I’ve been photographing these locations for years now, and believe me, it’s a lekker way to take a break from city life. What we’ll be discussing in this post is the best wildlife you get to see in and around Cape Town, where to see them, and a little advice on how to make your journey worth it. Whether you’re a tourist or local, planning your trip or weekend getaway, keep reading. You’ll see why such experiences become a speedy drive that you’ll remember forever.
Penguins Having Fun at Boulders Beach
Start with the stars: African penguins in Boulders Beach. These small black-and-white stars have taken over Simon’s Town since the 1980s, and they’re a joy to observe. Just picture this: families horn-blowing and swooshing into waves like children on a slip-n-slide. Belly-laugh comedy bites.
Drive 40 minutes south to False Bay beach in the city centre. Boardwalk trail runs through foamy granite boulders and gives you the best views without disturbing the colony. You’ve got approximately 2,000 penguins on show here year-round, so don’t try to plan it down to the minute. Just turn up early and get there before the crowds, particularly if you visit in summer when the sun is blinding in all its full-strength power.
For a glance, drop by the Two Oceans Aquarium penguin colony in V&A Waterfront. They have rescues from Boulders and present fascinating facts about conservation.
Antelopes and Ostriches Roaming Around Cape Point
Take the drive south again to Cape Point Nature Reserve, and you’re in antelope-dotted fynbos heaven. There, the continent’s tip is nuzzled by the sea, and the creatures go through their paces with due aplomb. Special notice must be taken of that chocolate-nosed bontebok, those eland the size of cars cropping the slopes, and those Cape Mountain zebra stripes flashing past afar.
Ostriches strut around like they own the place, strutting across the road just to get you to jump. Red hartebeest and grey rhebok bring up the rear, all roaming free in this enclaved portion of Table Mountain National Park. The South African National Parks (SANParks) website suggests that the reserve is also home to over 250 species of birds, but it’s the mammals that are the showstoppers for first-time visitors.
You pay around R400 to enter, and it’s every rand worth it on the funicular ride up to the lighthouse viewpoint. Bring a picnic and binoculars, but don’t feed the wildlife, boet. They’ve got it under control here.
Cheeky Baboons along Table Mountain Trails
No description of neighbourhood wildlife would be complete without the chacma baboons. These clever blokes rule the Table Mountain and Signal Hill rock outcrops. You’ll see troops sunning on boulders or hijacking picnic spots if you blink. Their soapie-like social behaviour, from grooming to high-level chases, is a show.
Do go up the Platteklip Gorge for the best photo ops, but on the trails, hey, please. The baboons are not protected, and feeding them is a big no-no with fines attached
For a clearer sight, walk an escorted distance away from the cable station. It is a safe way of defining their niche in the biosphere without losing a handbag.
Whales Breaching Off Hout Bay and Beyond
From December to May, our shore is a whale highway. Southern right whales lead the way, rolling and fluking tails just offshore from Hermanus or Hout Bay. Humpback and Bryde’s get in on the act, their song echoing underwater if you snorkel off.
Hout Bay Harbour boat excursions take them up close, and spotters call them in. It’s stunning when one breaches, spewing mist like an offended geyser.
Shore spotting is good too, from Chapman’s Peak Drive viewpoints. Take a thermos of coffee and park; patience pays off with these sea monsters.
Dassies and Birds in Unexpected Places
Don’t overlook the dassie, or rock hyrax, those sweet rock-hoppers with an elephant’s affection. They are everywhere on Table Mountain, sunbathing on shelves like tiny sentinels. Too much sugar, especially when stiffened and glaring at you.
Birdlife is plentiful in the photograph. Cape sugarbirds zip between proteas in Kirstenbosch Gardens, and African black oystercatchers whistle on the beach. Lonely Planet calls Cape Town a 250+ species hotspot, largely endemic to the fynbos biome. Pick up a field guide app for easy ID’ing in the field.
Tips for Ethical Wildlife Spotting
A word to the wise on how to get it right. Always stay behind, employ zoom lenses, and obey park regulations. Fynbos is fragile, so on paths to avoid trampling of native flora. Sunscreen and water are essential in our unpredictable weather, and driving, watch out for wildlife on roads like Ou Kaapse Weg.
For the family, Cheetah Outreach has close and intimate time with the big cats in a more leisurely fashion, including cub cuddling and cheetah trivia. It’s roughly an hour from Cape Town and a great addition to a Peninsula loop.
Wrapping Up Your Cape Town Wildlife Quest
Encountering wildlife in Cape Town is a reminder of why we regard this as home, with surprises coming at you from every corner. From parades of penguins to waves of whales, it’s here for your consumption. Reminds you to get the balance we have with nature, doesn’t it?
If you’d like to have it done with no strings of having to organise, Bhoma Exclusive Tours will help. Their Cape Peninsula Day tours have Boulders Beach penguins and antelope spotting at Cape Point as a hassle-free experience, with a seasoned guide and all the insider sites at their fingertips. See their Cape Town travel options and book your spot today. Or let them know by requesting a customised quote on their contact page.
Until then, go out and catch something wild. Cheering from the Cape.
