With a range of habitats including forests, wetlands and coastal areas, the Cape provides an ideal environment for breeding and preservation of bird species across the peninsula.

Some of the Cape’s top bird-spotting areas include Cape Point Nature Reserve, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Boulders Beach, Table Mountain, Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve and Strandfontein Sewage Works.

Endemic species to be seen include Cape sugarbird, Sacred ibis, Hadeda ibis, Orange-breasted sunbird, starling, francolin, guinea fowl, Cape weaver, Cape sparrow, Cape robin, while migrating species include African marsh harrier,  African spoonbill, White pelican and darter, Malachite kingfisher, crane and Greater flamingo which are also found in wetland areas.

South Africa’s National Bird and one of the most elegant birds in the country is the blue crane, which is depicted on 5c coins and can be spotted across the Cape region and other parts of the country.

Birds of prey in the Cape region include Black eagle, Jackal buzzard, Rock kestrel, kite, Sparrow hawk, African Fish eagle and owls.

Cape Town is also regarded as the sea bird capital of the world, with over 20 species of pelagic bird species to be found along the coast. These include seagulls, penguins, Cape gannet, oyster catcher, cormorant and many others.

With such a prolific birdlife to be seen, Cape Town is a bird-watchers paradise which is not to be missed on a tailor-made African vacation.