Birding in and around Cape Town
Birding is big in the Western Cape. In Cape Town there is a great diversity of bird life to discover, if you know where to look. It is a known fact that 60 of Southern Africa’s 86 endemics and 42 of its 84 near-endemics can be seen in the Western Cape region.
We have detailed all the best birding spots in and around Cape Town for you below with a list of birds exclusive to that area or wetland. Enjoy!
- Table Mountain National Park
- Boulders Beach
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
- Strandfontein Sewage Works
- Rondevlei Nature Reserve
- West Coast National Park
Table Mountain National Park (formally known Cape Peninsula National Park)
Here you will find a habitat of coastal fynbos and rocky, sandy shoreline. Typically you will see the Cape Sugarbird, Orange-breasted Sunbird and Cape Siskin.
Specials
Hottentot Button-quail
Where to Look
The Cape Peninsula is the slim finger of land near the southern tip of Africa. Take the M6 out of Cape Town and drive along the coast via Sea Point, Camps Bay and Llundudno to Hout Bay. From Hout Bay, continue on the M6 along the coast in a Southerly direction. You will see Chapmans Peak Drive signposted. This road is a toll road. Continue along Chapman’s Peak Drive towards Noordhoek. From Noordhoek, the Cape Peninsula National Park can be reached via the M65 to the west or the M6 and M4 on the eastern side of the Peninsula.
Boulder’s Beach
Boulders is well known for the colony of African Penguins. Conservation projects have ensured the viability and continuance of this colony.
If you are a birding enthusiast, you will enjoy the beautiful beach setting of this birding experience.
Where to look
Take the M3 motorway right to the very end and turn right at the T-junction. At the next lights turn left (about 2 kms) up the mountain on Ou Kaapse Weg. This is a beautiful 12km long mountain pass. Keep going straight at the lights and over a hill until you reach a set of traffic lights at the sea in Glencairn. Turn right and Simon’s Town is 5kms away. Shortly after the town, you turn left into Seaforth Road where you will find a parking area and the Boulders beach Penguins Visitors Office. The beach is situated in a small cove, well protected from the wind by the granite boulders.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Specials
Cape Sugarbird, Orangebreasted Sunbird, Knysna Warbler
Where to Look
The Gardens are truly magnificent and the fynbos and forest vegetaion provide a perfect birding sanctuary.
125 species have been recorded. Look out for the African Dusky Flycatcher swooping down from the trees to catch flying insects. You may also see a Steppe Buzzard. There is a Spotted Eagle Owl which often sits near the Dell. You will also see Guinea Fowls, Egyptian Geese and Cape Francolin.
From the M3 (De Waal Drive) turn into the R63 (Rhodes Drive, which connects Newlands with Constantia and Bishopscourt). If you come from Rhodes drive, there are three entrances.
Two are in Newlands, the lower one takes you to the Silvertree Restaurant, a coffee shop where you can by souvenirs and books. A little further up, still taking the same exit from Rhodes Drive, will take you to the education centre and the nursery, a tea room and the hall featuring various art exhibitions.
The third entrance is at Ryecroft Gate in Bishopscourt if you are coming from Constantia.
Opening Times: Mon to Sun: 8.00-19.00 in Sept-March and 8.00-18.00 April-August
Entrance Fee: Adults R32, 20RStudents R20, Kids R10
Free Entry for Cardholders of the Botanical Society
Strandfontein Sewage Works (a functioning waste water purification treatment plant)
Specials
Waterfowl, African Marsh Harrier and Greater Flamingo.
Where to Look
It is possible to view over 100 species in a morning and is is rated as one of the top five birding areas in South Africa. Located on the north-western edge of False Bay it can be a little tricky to find. From the centre of Cape Town take the M5 in a southerly direction, turning onto the M17 towards Strandfontein. Take a right turn to Zeekoevlei where the road will end at the sewage works. There are some sand roads along Baden Powell Drive in the south so dont get stuck there and look out for the Kelp Gull nesting colony! You should see the Black-necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Great White Pelican, Greater Flamingo, South African Shelduck and Maccoa Duck, The Maccoa duck is usually in the deeper pans on the right hand side as you come towards the plant buildings from the Zeekoeivlei entrance. In the summer you will find the usual selection of Palaearctic migrants like the Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint and White-winged Tern. Around the ponds you should see African Purple Swamphen, Black Crake and Purple Heron. On the coastal pans, adjacent to Baden-Powell Drive, you may see some African Black Oystercatcher, and plenty of Cape Cormorants.
Rondevlei Nature Reserve
Specials
The Malachite Kingfisher, Ethiopian Snipe, Whitebacked Mousebird
Where to Look
From Cape Town follow the M5 for about 11½ km from the N2/M5 intersection in the direction of Muizenberg and then in Grassy Park turn left into Victoria Road. Follow Victoria Road across the major 5th Avenue intersection and turn right into Fisherman’s Walk. The Rondevlei Nature Reserve is well marked a few hundred meters down the road.
The Rondevlei Nature Reserve is located in Grassy Park and the bird sanctuary is about 2 square kilometres of wetland and there is also a large brackish lagoon. The nature reserve is a very important wetland for birds even though it’s very close to the heavily polluted Zeekoevlei.
You will find duck, heron, egret and grebe as well as the African Spoonbill, White Pelican and Darter.
The reserve is open every day of the year (except Christmas Day) from 7:30 to 17:00 (from December to February on Saturdays and Sundays until 19:00).
West Coast National Park
Specials
Chestnut-banded Plovers.
This area is a wetland site and home to many different migrant shorebirds. On the vast stretches of coastal shrubland you will find many endemic birds including Southern Black Korhaan, Black Harrier, Grey-backed Cisticola and Lesser Double Collared Sunbird. Each year, the tidal lagoon also attracts many thousands of migratory waders. You will also see lots of resident water birds.
Where to Look
Take the N1 (Paarl) on-ramp and pass Lower Church Street off-ramp. Take next the off-ramp – R27 (Marine Drive). Continue through Paarden Eiland and Milnerton. The R27 becomes the West Coast Road. Travel along R27 for ±120km (75 miles) passed Yzerfontein / Darling turn-off (11km / 7 miles). Turn left into West Coast National Park Gate.