Did you know that avitourism, more commonly known as “birding”, is one of the fastest growing sectors of ecotourism in the world? Thanks to the vast array of natural habitats found throughout South Africa, including grasslands, wetlands, fynbos, forests, coastlines and the open ocean, there’s a fantastic and diverse variety of birds to watch and enjoy – no matter where you are in the country.
According to BirdLife South Africa, South Africa is home to no fewer than 841 bird species (a figure that makes up about 8% of the world’s bird species), and 74 of these are endemic to the country, meaning that you cannot find them anywhere else in the world. The Western Cape, with its coastal and fynbos-rich sites, offers some beautiful birding opportunities – with sightings of endemic fynbos species, such as the Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Siskin and Protea Seedeater, each a truly memorable experience.
The popular Peninsula Birding Route, right on Steenberg Estate’s doorstep, is a birding and wildlife hotspot, home to 70% of Southern Africa’s endemic birds, and world-famous pelagic birding. Some of the country’s best birding sites are only a short drive away from the Steenberg Hotel, giving our birdwatching guests the perfect base from which to explore. With famous sites such as the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Robben Island (world-renowned for its breeding population of African penguin and the feral Chukar partridge), as well as Rietvlei Wetland Reserve, Boulders Beach (with nearly 1000 pairs of African Penguin), and many more, all within easy travelling distance from Steenberg Estate, Cape Town offers many wonderful birding opportunities.
Even if you’re planning on spending your days lounging around our beautiful estate, you’re bound to see a wide variety of birdlife right on our doorstep. Take a look at our Pinterest board to see some of the birds you could spot at our estate.
If you’d like to add a birding tour to your Cape Town itinerary, please don’t hesitate to ask us – we’d be happy to assist you in choosing the perfect tour. Call us on 021 713 2222.
