4-Day Cape Peninsula Nature Tour with Penguins and Scenic Drives

• Explore the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Encompassing 7,750 hectares of rich and varied flora along its 40 km coastline, it extends from Schuster's Bay in the west to Smitswinkel Bay in the east. Cape Point's headland consists of three promontories: the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Maclear, and Cape Point. Rising more than 200 m above the sea, the cliffs of Cape Point provide the perfect lookout spot for whales, which are prevalent between May and November.

• Have lunch and then visit Boulders Beach. This beach remains the only place in the world where one can get up close to African Penguins. Penguin viewing is made easier by boardwalks that lead visitors across the beaches as well as to an information centre managed by SANParks.

• Drive along Chapman's Peak Drive on the Atlantic Coast between Hout Bay and Noordhoek in the Cape Peninsula. This is one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world. Chapman's Peak Drive is affectionately known as "Chappies" and is a must for anyone who is passionate about the majestic scenery of Cape Town.

False Bay forms the backdrop to most of this day. It's a world of looming crags and cliffs, mountain passes, and many beaches - some secluded, others wide and panoramic - as well as an ocean visited by great white sharks, southern right whale pods, seals, and fish, including snoek, which is popular to eat. On the mountain slopes, sometimes within close range of homes, troops of wily Peninsula baboons roam, while kestrels, hawks, and buzzards fly in the skies above.

• For a fuller experience, choose one of these options:
  • A 40-minute boat cruise will allow you to see about 9,000 Cape Fur Seals, all sitting on a small island off the coast of Hout Bay. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery. This tour is not for people who suffer from seasickness.
  • Visit a working Ostrich farm - a must for all animal lovers.
  • Visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which showcase all the Southern African flowers and trees and also offer excellent shopping opportunities. This tour is ideal for nature and bird lovers.