Endemic Birds in the Western Cape 11-Day Tour

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Cape South Coast – Garden Route – Small and Great Karoo – West Coast – Cape Town

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Scheduled Dates: 

• 12 – 22 March 2024

• 01 – 11 October 2024

Or alternate date on request.

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2024 Price: ZAR 56,750 per person sharing, with a ZAR 8,750 single supplement.

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Introduction:

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This 11-day endemic birds in the Western Cape tour will lead you along the Cape south coast from through the glorious Overberg region and along the spectacular Garden Route to Wilderness in the east. We will also explore the Kogelberg mountains and the region from Hermanus to Gansbaai. We then proceed through the Agulhas Plains to De Hoop, before heading to the flourishing coastal forests and lakes around Wilderness. We then head through several spectacular mountain passes into the Small and Great Karoo hinterland as we search for the semi-arid species in and around Karoo National Park and the even more barren and succulent Tankwa Karoo National Park. Next, we head further west through the Cederberg to the colder west coast Atlantic Ocean waters and fynbos habitats of West Coast National Park. Lastly, we direct southwards back to Cape Town and overlook False Bay from Simon’s Town from which we hope to experience its prolific pelagic birding numbers off Cape Point. The tour focuses on several different geographic areas and varied and special habitats that host a wide range of endemic and near-endemic species.

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We set a sightings goal of 270+ bird species in the summer months and 230+ bird species in winter, many of them resident endemics and specials. On the mammal front, we hope to see upwards of 45 species, with an array of reptiles, amphibians and butterflies also to be found amongst the many delightful wildflowers.

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Top 30 birds: Cape Rockjumper, Cape Sugarbird, Fynbos Buttonquail, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Protea Canary, Cape Eagle Owl, Forest Buzzard, Knysna Woodpecker, Ground Woodpecker, Knysna Turaco, African Penguin, Crowned Cormorant, Bank Cormorant, Damara Tern, Agulhas Long-billed Lark, Cape Long-billed Lark, Cape Clapper Lark, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Ludwig’s Bustard, Southern Black Korhaan, Karoo Korhaan, Victorin's Warbler, Namaqua Warbler, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Rufous-eared Warbler, Fairy Flycatcher, Karoo Eremomela, Tractrac Chat, Grey Tit and Southern Tchagra.

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Tour Highlights:

• The probability of seeing over 40 of the country's 69 endemic bird species, as well as many red-listed species and specials.

• Birding a multitude of varied habitats supporting diverse bird species including fynbos, thicket, rhenosterveld, lowland Afrotemperate forest, coastal forest, mountain passes, gardens, wetlands and riverine areas, lagoons and estuaries, sandy beaches and rocky shores.

• Savour the glorious scenic drive along the exceptionally picturesque Clarence Drive along the False Bay coastline and Kogelberg mountain range.

• Enjoy the biodiversity richness of the fynbos habitats and estuaries of De Hoop Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site providing safe breeding grounds for whales and so many more.

• Explore the evergreen and lake-filled coastal town of Wilderness for 2 nights, part of the famed Garden Route, and the extraordinary mountain passes and forests that surround it.

• Visit both the Small and Great Karoo to explore the fascinating Karoo National Park.

• Embrace the matchless wide-open spaces, big skies, tranquil silence and great vistas of the arid Tankwa Karoo, surrounded by its mountainscapes on all sides.

• Enjoy the splendour of the aqua marine Langebaan Lagoon and its many endemics in the surrounding West Coast National Park.

• We search the fields around Darling before heading south to glorious Cape Town, where we bird the leafy suburbs on the slopes of Table Mountain, and visit the magnificent Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

• We end off overlooking the spectacular False Bay from historic Simon’s Town and hopefully undertake an extraordinary pelagic birding experience off Cape Point, or alternatively tour southwards on land to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope before birding the wetlands of Rietvlei and Strandfontein.

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Daily Itinerary:

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The tour both commences and ends in Cape Town, Western Cape.

Endemics and near-endemics highlighted in bold red text.

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 Day 1: Cape Town, Rooi-Els, Betty's Bay, Rooisand, Hermanus to Stanford 

On Day 1 we start our tour by departing Cape Town in an easterly direction and first stopping at the Paardevlei pan, which has previously offered us over 70 bird species in 2 hours, including endemics such as Jackal Buzzard, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Karoo Prinia, Cape Spurfowl, Cape Weaver, Cape Bulbul, Cape Grassbird, Fiscal Flycatcher and Grey-backed Cisticola, as well as others such as White-backed Duck, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, African Snipe, Black Sparrowhawk, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Pied Avocet, Black Crake, Cape Teal and Cape Shoveler. We then meander along the breath-taking Clarence Drive coastal road beneath the magnificent Hottentots Hollands Mountains on one side and the east coast of False Bay. This is the start of the Whale Route and one the most beautiful scenic drives in South Africa. We next stop at the hamlet of Rooi-Els, where our primary targets are Cape Rockjumper, Cape Sugarbird, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Ground Woodpecker, Sentinel Rock-Thrush, Cape Siskin, Cape Rock Thrush, Grey-backed Cisticola, Cape Bunting, as well as Verreaux's Eagle, Cape Eagle Owl, Malachite Sunbird, Yellow Bishop. We then head to Betty’s Bay to visit Stoney Point for its African Penguins and numerous other shoreline specials, including Crowned Cormorant, Bank Cormorant, Cape Cormorant, African Oystercatcher and Cape Gannet offshore. We enjoy lunch here and then advance to the productive Rooisand Nature Reserve and its extensive vlei environment in search of waders and rallids. Possible new additions here include Victorin’s Warbler, Cape Longclaw, African Marsh-Harrier, Western Osprey, Great White Pelican, Caspian Tern, Sandwich Tern and numerous other tern species, Red Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Greater Sand Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Marsh Sandpiper, Terek Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Great Egret and African Spoonbill. Should time allow we will pop into the Vermont Salt Pan as well.  We then head through to the glorious coastal town of Hermanus before proceeding to Stanford, where we spend our first night.

Accommodation: Misty Mountains Estate, Stanford (or similar)

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Day 2: Fernkloof, Kleinrivier to Platbos Forest

On Day 2 we set off early for the Platbos Forest Reserve, which conserves a Lowland Afrotemperate forest remnant and Agulhas limestone fynbos on the slopes of the Baviaanspoort Hills near Gansbaai. Along the way we stop to scan the Uilenskraal Estuary to survey for Antarctic Tern and others. Our main targets at Platbos are endemics such as Protea Canary, Knysna Woodpecker, Forest Buzzard, Southern Tchagra, Grey-winged Francolin, Cape Clapper Lark, Large-billed Lark, Swee Waxbill, Victorin’s Warbler, Forest Canary and Cape Siskin. Others to look out for include Olive Woodpecker, Cardinal Woodpecker, Olive Bush-Shrike, Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, Black Sparrowhawk, Verreaux’s Eagle, Black Harrier, Lemon Dove, African Black Duck, Southern Pochard, Tambourine Dove, African Olive Pigeon, Karoo Scrub Robin, White-backed Mousebird, Acacia Pied Barbet, White-throated Canary, Yellow Canary and Bokmakierie. Next we venture through the Agulhas Plains as we seek to add more endemics, such as Agulhas Long-billed Lark, Cape Clapper Lark, Southern Tchagra, Cloud Cisticola and Southern Black Korhaan. We then return to the remarkable Fernkloof Nature Reserve behind Hermanus to search for Protea Canary, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Swee Waxbill, Olive Thrush, Klaas's Cuckoo, Bar-throated Apalis, Cape Batis, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Speckled Mousebird, Red-faced Mousebird, Neddicky and African Paradise Flycatcher, while still getting a second look at many of the other endemics.

Accommodation: Misty Mountains Estate, Stanford (or similar)

 

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Day 3: Agulhas Plains to De Hoop Nature Reserve to Wilderness

On Day 3 we depart Stanford in an easterly direction as we again make our way through the farmlands and wetlands of the Agulhas Plains and proceed to the magnificent De Hoop Nature Reserve. The target birds we seek to add in this area are numerous, and include more endemics and near-endemics, such as Fynbos Buttonquail, Agulhas Long-billed Lark, Cape Clapper Lark, Large-billed Lark, Southern Tchagra, Cloud Cisticola, Southern Black Korhaan, Karoo Korhaan, Pied Starling, Victorin’s Warbler and Namaqua Warbler. While the other treats include Antarctic Tern, Damara Tern, Chestnut-banded Plover, African Grass Owl, Secretarybird, Denham’s Bustard, Cape Vulture, Blue Crane, Black Harrier, Martial Eagle, Booted Eagle, Lanner Falcon, African Fish Eagle, Capped Wheatear, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Acacia Pied Barbet, Wattled Starling, Long-billed Crombec, Southern Grey-headed Sparrow, Nicholson's Pipit, Plain-backed Pipit, Black Sparrowhawk, Lesser Honeyguide, Greater Honeyguide, Buff-spotted Flufftail, Red-chested Flufftail, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Ruddy Turnstone, Maccoa Duck, Blue-billed Teal, Streaky-headed Seedeater, Cape Canary, Brimstone Canary, Cape Batis and Red-capped Lark. Looking out to sea we may discover Cape Gannet, Subantarctic Skua and several others. We then depart to head into the spectacular Garden Route, where we make our way to the special holiday town of Wilderness.

Accommodation: Reflections Eco-Reserve (or similar)

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Day 4: Garden Route National Park – Wilderness Section

We begin Day 4 with searching the riverine forest and forest fringes of the Touw River for Knysna Turaco, Knysna Woodpecker, Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Crowned Eagle, African Emerald Cuckoo (summer), Little Sparrowhawk, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, White Starred Robin, Forest Buzzard, Forest Canary, Swee Waxbill, Chorister Robin-Chat, Narina Trogon, Grey Cuckooshrike, Black-bellied Starling, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Olive Bush Shrike, Olive Woodpecker, Bar-throated Apalis, Terrestrial Brownbul, Green-backed Camaroptera, Streaky-headed Seed-eater and Black-headed Oriole. We next spend the afternoon searching the lake systems and estuaries of Wilderness National Park for the 4 kingfishers after which the bird hides are named, namely Half-collared Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher and Giant Kingfisher, and many other freshwater and estuary mouth species, such as Cape Weaver, Black-necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Purple Heron, African Marsh Harrier, Giant Kingfisher, Cape Shoveler, African Rail and African Spoonbill. On the quieter waterways we keep a keen eye out for the elusive African Finfoot and African Black Duck. At night we will listen out for African Wood Owl and Buff-spotted Flufftail.

Accommodation: Reflections Eco-Reserve (or similar)

 

Days 5 and 6: Wilderness to Oudtshoorn to Karoo National Park

On the morning of Day 5 we explore more of the magnificent forest trails to collect anything we may have missed. We then pass through the lovely city of George and push on up the breathtaking Montagu and Outeniqua passes to reach the Small Karoo and the ostrich town of Oudsthoorn. Along the way we will keep a look out for Karoo Korhaan, African Rock Pipit, Pale-winged Starling, Ground Woodpecker, Sickle-winged Chat, Karoo Long-billed Lark, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Blue Crane, Booted Eagle, Martial Eagle, Black Harrier, Secretarybird, Denham’s Bustard, Lanner Falcon and Black Stork (summer). We then continue and wind through the extraordinary Swartberg Pass, before emerging into the vast Great Karoo, while making our way to the unique Karoo National Park, where we also spend our Day 6. Along this stretch we will seek for more endemic treats and other special species, including Layard’s Warbler, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Ludwig’s Bustard, Pririt Batis, Fairy Flycatcher, Cape Penduline-Tit, Dusky Sunbird, Black-headed Canary, White-throated Canary, Grey Tit, Tractrac Chat, Karoo Chat, Karoo Eremomela, Rufous-eared Warbler, Namaqua Warbler, Lark-like Bunting, Sclater’s Lark, Karoo Lark, Karoo Long-billed Lark, Black-eared Sparrow-lark, Grey-backed Sparrow-lark, Spike-heeled Lark, Namaqua Dove, Lesser Kestrel (summer) and Greater Kestrel.

Accommodation: Karoo National Park Main Camp (or similar)

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Day 7: From Karoo National Park to Tankwa Karoo National Park

On Day 7 the impressive open plains and valley views of the Tankwa Karoo will reveal new birds that include a suite of endemics and near-endemics, including Karoo Korhaan, Tractrac Chat, Karoo Chat, Karoo Eremomela, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Rufous-eared Warbler, Grey Tit, Karoo Lark, Large-billed Lark, Spike-heeled Lark, Yellow Canary, and many others. A site we will visit is a canyon near Katbakkies which the bizarre, crevice-skulking Cinnamon-breasted Warbler calls home. This canyon is also full of other exciting species such as the dainty Fairy Flycatcher, Layard’s Warbler, Chestnut-vented Warbler, White-backed Mousebird, Pale-winged Starling, White-throated Canary, Mountain Wheatear, and a host of other rock- and mountain-associated species. Booted Eagle is relatively common here. As we continue northwards through the plains and increase our chances of finding Karoo Long-billed Lark, Tractrac Chat, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Lark-like Bunting, Dusky Sunbird, Greater Kestrel, Namaqua Dove, as well as the rare and declining Burchell’s Courser. Dry riverbeds in the area usually host Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Black-headed Canary, Pririt Batis, Namaqua Warbler and Long-billed Crombec.

Accommodation: De Zyfer Cottage (or similar)

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Day 8: Through the Cederberg to Langebaan

​On Day 8 we depart the Tankwa Karoo and head west to the cold Atlantic Ocean, first passing through Ceres and the Koue Bokkeveld, before navigating the mountain passes skirting the Cederberg Wilderness to Citrusdal. Along the way we will stop to search nearby patches of dry mountain fynbos for Cape Clapper Lark, Grey-backed Cisticola, and occasionally small family groups of Ground Woodpecker. We will also search for some fynbos endemics such as Protea Canary, Cape Rockjumper and Cape Siskin. Other species we will seek include Ludwig’s Bustard, Cloud Cisticola, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Grey-backed Sparrowlark, Sickle-winged Chat, White-throated Canary, Karoo Lark, Large-billed Lark, Chestnut-vented Warbler and Karoo Scrub Robin, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, White-backed Mousebird and Ant-eating Chat. We then descend the great escarpment as the lower west coast plains appear and the birdlife changes markedly. Here we will seek species such as Grey Tit, Cape Penduline Tit, Cape Long-billed Lark, Cape Clapper Lark, Southern Black Korhaan, Cape Spurfowl, Grey-winged Francolin, Bokmakierie, Cape Bunting, Karoo Prinia, Cape Longclaw, Acacia Pied Barbet, Black Harrier, Common Ostrich, Verreaux’s Eagle, Lanner Falcon, African Black Swift and . We pass through Piketberg and make our way to the salt pans and Berg River in Velddrif for some target birding of Chestnut-fronted Plover, African Rail, Red-necked Phalarope (summer), Black-necked Grebe, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo and many others. Before sunset we make our way through to the glorious leisurely coastal town of Langebaan with its exceptional lagoon views.

Accommodation: Glenfinnan Bed & Breakfast (or similar)

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Day 9: Langebaan and West Coast National Park

Our Day 9 is spent exploring the amazing West Coast National Park, before returning to Langebaan. Along the way we will search for any species we may have missed, including Black Harrier, Common Ostrich, Karoo Lark, Karoo Scrub Robin, Grey Tit, Cape Penduline Tit, Cape Long-billed Lark, Large-billed Lark, Cape Clapper Lark, Southern Black Korhaan, Cape Spurfowl, Grey-winged Francolin, Bokmakierie, Cape Longclaw, Acacia Pied Barbet, Karoo Prinia, Verreaux’s Eagle, Lanner Falcon, African Black Swift and Cardinal Woodpecker. At the lagoon and wetland bird hides we will search for African Oystercatcher, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, African Spoonbill, Black Crake, Caspian Tern, White-backed Duck, Eurasian Curlew, Marsh Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Common Redshank, Red Knot (summer), African Swamphen and others. Rarities include: Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Baird’s Sandpiper, Hudsonian Godwits, Wilson’s Phalarope, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Pectoral Sandpiper, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Greater Sand Plover, Lesser Sand Plover and Black Tern.

Accommodation: Glenfinnan Bed & Breakfast (or similar)

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Day 10: Langebaan to Simon’s Town to Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope

As we return southwards to Cape Town, our first stop will be in the Darling area, where we are able to find a number of important species. The patches of fynbos harbor Cape Clapper Lark (in Spring), Southern Black Korhaan, Grey-backed Cisticola, Cape Penduline Tit, Cape Grassbird, Grey-winged Francolin, Bokmakierie, Chestnut-vented Warbler, and others. The farmlands will be birded for Blue Crane, Jackal Buzzard, Sickle-winged Chat, Pied Starling, African Hoopoe, Capped Wheatear, Red-capped Lark and Pearl-breasted Swallow, while we may discover the enigmatic Secretarybird striding through the veld. We will also stop at small wetlands to find the very difficult Red-chested Flufftail as well as African Rail and African Snipe, with others including Little Rush Warbler and Yellow Bishop. Upon arriving in Cape Town, we will make our way to the magnificent Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain, and will seek species we have yet to discover, including Lemon Dove, Swee Waxbill, Forest Canary, Cape Sugarbird, Forest Buzzard, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Cape Spurfowl, Karoo Prinia, Olive Thrush, Olive Woodpecker, Spotted Eagle-Owl, African Goshawk, Black Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon, African Olive Pigeon, Sombre Greenbul, Malachite Sunbird, Cape Batis, African Dusky Flycatcher, African Paradise Flycatcher and Bronze Mannikin. We then pause at Cecilie Forest to seek Cape Siskin, Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk and Common Chaffinch, before proceeding to our accommodation in historic Simon’s Town, overlooking False Bay.

Accommodation: Simon's Town Guesthouse (or similar)

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Day 11: Simon’s Town to Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope

A Cape Town pelagic is a spectacle that all birders should experience at least once in their lifetime. Many consider Cape Town to be one of the top pelagic birding destinations in the world. We head out in search of fishing trawlers that attract thousands of seabirds of a wide variety of species. Thereafter we will search through the commoner species, hoping to pick out the odd rarity or two.

Sea and Shore birds include: Salvin's Albatross, Wandering Albatross, Black-browed Albatross, Northern Royal Albatross, Southern Royal Albatross, Shy Albatross, Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Southern Giant Petrel, Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwater, White-chinned Petrel, Black-bellied Storm Petrel, Spectacled Petrel, Cory's Shearwater, Wilson's Storm Petrel, European Storm Petrel, Flesh-footed Shearwater, Sabine's Gull, Great-winged Petrel, Parasitic Jaeger, Sabine's Gull, Long-tailed Jaeger, Leach's Storm Petrel, Antarctic Prion, Pintado Petrel, Southern Fulmar, Brown Skua, African Black Oystercatcher, Cape Cormorant, African Penguin, Crowned Cormorant and Cape Gannet. 

Alternatively, we will spend the morning visiting the highly productive and bird rich wetlands of Rondevlei Nature Reserve and Strandfontein Sewage Works, followed by a visit to the renowned Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope on the peninsula. Here we should find waterfowl such as South African Shelduck, Cape Teal, Cape Shoveler, Maccoa Duck, and many others. There are a multitude of waterbird species to keep us entertained, including Greater Flamingo, African Spoonbill, Great White Pelican, African Oystercatcher, African Swamphen, Water Thick-knee, Spotted Thick-knee, various shorebirds, African Marsh Harrier, a host of heron and warbler species, and many more. Less-commonly seen species include Little Bittern (summer), Blue-billed Teal, Malachite Kingfisher and African Snipe. In the surrounding fynbos we may find Cape Grassbird, Grey-backed Cisticola, Yellow Bishop, Fiscal Flycatcher and Bokmakierie, as well as Red-faced Mousebird and White-backed Mousebird.

Accommodation: Simon's Town Guesthouse (or similar)

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Habitats: Each destination we visit en-route offers unique habitats, extraordinary scenery, and breath-taking beauty, providing you with fantastic photographic opportunities. Habitats we explore include fynbos, thicket, lowland Afrotemperate forest, gardens, wetlands and riverine areas, estuaries, sandy beaches and rocky shores. These host numerous regional endemics, threatened and endangered bird and mammal species, as well as great floral diversity that include a variety of orchids and proteas.

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Accommodation: We typically use very comfortable private lodges and country cottages, but should you prefer, luxury lodging options can also be arranged at an added cost.

 

Tour tempo: The tempo of our Birding and Wildlife Tours are typically medium-fast paced, with occasional mid-day breaks (advisable on hot days). If you are a keen photographer, well so are we, and we can offer many opportunities to capture the moments that will make you the envy of your birding photography friends.

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Expected weather conditions: The Mediterranean climate of this region is warm and temperate, with more rainfall received in the winter than in the summer. The temperature here averages 16.5 °C, while rainfall averages around 610 mm per year. The summers are warm, dry, and mostly clear; the winters are cool, wetter and partly cloudy; and it is windy much of the year except late summer. 

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Optional extension: An optional tour extension is available to also include:

• Northern Cape .

 

Please note: this set-departure tour is also available as a private or custom tour on request. Please submit an enquiry with your preferred dates and group size.

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