Cape Peninsula & Penguins Excursion, Cape Town

4.9 (20 reviews)
Start your South African adventure with a convenient pick-up from your Cape Town accommodation or a designated meeting point.
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Mark
Mark G.
Aug 16, 2026
Wonderful trip. Big thanks to our guide Andrew for creating a wonderful tour. Kayaking with the penguins was a particular highlight.
Marla
Marla G.
Aug 15, 2026
The Fynboss ecosystem and the Boulders Beach penguins are an absolutely unique and special part of South Africa! Our guide Storm was incredible knowledgeable and committed... Read more
Deborah
Deborah E.
Aug 10, 2026
Loved traveling down the Cape Peninsula and seeing the Boulder penguins and the other cute seaside towns along the way. Views of the Cape of Good... Read more
Bonnie
Bonnie M.
Aug 07, 2026
Though it was a cold and windy day, seeing the penguins made it all worthwhile!
A
Aimee D.
Jun 24, 2026
Just wow! The entire day was filled with beauty and fun! The penguins were so fun (and loud!). Our guide, Andrew, was a pro at planning... Read more
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Overview

Start your South African adventure with a convenient pick-up from your Cape Town accommodation or a designated meeting point. You can take a scenic journey to Boulders Beach, passing by notable sights like Muizenberg Beach and Simon's Town. At Boulders Beach, it's common to get acquainted with the African penguin before heading to Cape Point Nature Reserve to spot wildlife, including ostrich, zebra, and eland. Next, you might visit South Africa's third oldest lighthouse, Old Cape Point Lighthouse, and the remarkable Cape of Good Hope. Then, you may return to Cape Town, likely passing attractions like Cape Point Ostrich Farm, Kommetjie, and Silvermine Nature Reserve along the way.

Highlights

  • Watch the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach penguin reserve
  • Spot ostrich, zebra, and Eland at Cape Point Nature Reserve
  • Ascend the Old Cape Point Lighthouse for a 360-degree view of the national park
  • Hike from Cape Point to the Cape of Good Hope or opt for a scenic bus ride
  • Pass sights like Muizenberg Beach, Simon's Town, and Cape Point Ostrich Farm

Know before you go

Duration
8h
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Private

What you'll do

Your adventure begins with pickup from your accommodation in Cape Town or a designated meeting spot in the city. Buckle up as you embark on a scenic drive toward Boulders Beach. Along the way, you might glimpse the vibrant Muizenberg Beach, renowned as "The Surfers Corner," and Simon's Town, a Victorian village that houses the South African navy.

Once you reach Boulders Beach, you'll likely learn about the fascinating African Penguins and observe them in their natural habitat at the Boulder Beach Penguin Reserve. Following this delightful encounter, it's common to head to Cape Point Nature Reserve. This reserve is home to the legendary Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope and has an array of wildlife, including ostriches, zebras, and Eland.

Next, it's common to head to the Old Cape Point Lighthouse, the third oldest in South Africa. Here, you may opt for a leisurely walk or take a funicular (at your own expense) to the top for a panoramic view of the national park and discover the lighthouse's history. It was commissioned in 1860 and decommissioned 40 years later after dozens of shipwrecks.

From there, you may journey toward the Cape of Good Hope, a mystical locale shrouded in fascinating tales. Choose to either hike from Cape Point or ride the bus to soak in the natural beauty of this fabled destination. Finally, retrace your steps back to Cape Town, passing by the Cape Point Ostrich Farm, where you might catch sight of the quirky birds. Before returning to Cape Town, you'll also likely pass by Kommetjie, home to South Africa's tallest cast-iron lighthouse, Slangkoppunt Lighthouse, and the Silvermine Nature Reserve, with beautiful views over the Cape Peninsula. 

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Traveler photos
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Traveler reviews

20 total ratings, 16 with reviews
4.9
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
5.0
Food
4.5
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0
Transport
4.9
Mark
Mark G.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2026
Wonderful trip. Big thanks to our guide Andrew for creating a wonderful tour. Kayaking with the penguins was a particular highlight. Read more

Wonderful trip. Big thanks to our guide Andrew for creating a wonderful tour. Kayaking with the penguins was a particular highlight.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Marla
Marla G.
Canada | Reviewed on Aug 15, 2026
The Fynboss ecosystem and the Boulders Beach penguins are an absolutely unique and special part of South Africa! Our guide Storm was incredible knowledgeable and committed to the ongoing sustainability and vitality of the floral and fauna...he was really inspiring! A wonderful day trip from Cape Town...well worth the wander! Read more

The Fynboss ecosystem and the Boulders Beach penguins are an absolutely unique and special part of South Africa! Our guide Storm was incredible knowledgeable and committed to the ongoing sustainability and vitality of the floral and fauna...he was really inspiring! A wonderful day trip from Cape Town...well worth the wander!

Tips for future travelers

Go earlier in the day - the crowds seems to really be picking up as we were leaving various spots, from noon onwards.

Quality of Experience
Food
We particularly loved the coffee shop that offered a "drive-thru" for horses and their riders. Riders got free coffee!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ask for Storm - he has an academic and personal interest in the region and a heart of gold!
Transport
Deborah
Deborah E.
Bethesda, MD | Reviewed on Aug 10, 2026
Loved traveling down the Cape Peninsula and seeing the Boulder penguins and the other cute seaside towns along the way. Views of the Cape of Good Hope were fabulous. Enjoyed seeing the wildlife in the park along the way, including our first baboons and ostriches. Read more

Loved traveling down the Cape Peninsula and seeing the Boulder penguins and the other cute seaside towns along the way. Views of the Cape of Good Hope were fabulous. Enjoyed seeing the wildlife in the park along the way, including our first baboons and ostriches.

Tips for future travelers

Lunch at the Cape of Good Hope visitor center area was perfect. Great view overlooking the sea. And the food was pretty good too!.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Appreciated our guides insights and willingness to adjust the itinerary to meet our needs. He also insisted we see the penguins from the beach, not just on the path with all the other tourists, which was very cool.
Transport
Bryan
Bryan M.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Aug 07, 2026
The tour guide Mark was awesome, he took us right down to the Penguins on the beach and we got to climb over rocks and get up very close to the animals.
The trip to the cape was fun and get to have a picture taken to in front of the sign.
Over all the tour guide made a great experience Read more

The tour guide Mark was awesome, he took us right down to the Penguins on the beach and we got to climb over rocks and get up very close to the animals.
The trip to the cape was fun and get to have a picture taken to in front of the sign.
Over all the tour guide made a great experience

Tips for future travelers

Make sure you check the weather, it was very windy and cold out on the cape

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tour Guide Mark was great.
Bonnie
Bonnie M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Aug 07, 2026
Though it was a cold and windy day, seeing the penguins made it all worthwhile! Read more

Though it was a cold and windy day, seeing the penguins made it all worthwhile!

Tips for future travelers

Make sure to dress for the weather!

Quality of Experience
Food
Stopped at a great restaurant at the Point! Great fish and chips.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mark was knowledgeable and friendly.
Transport
A
Aimee D.
Minnetonka, MN | Reviewed on Jun 24, 2026
Just wow! The entire day was filled with beauty and fun! The penguins were so fun (and loud!). Our guide, Andrew, was a pro at planning our itinerary and getting us to the sights before the crowds. When we left the penguins it was literally a zoo. When we got there we walked right in and had time to get lots of videos and photos. Same for getting to the Cape of Good Hope. The entire drive along the coast was stunning. I think it’s a must do day trip! Read more

Just wow! The entire day was filled with beauty and fun! The penguins were so fun (and loud!). Our guide, Andrew, was a pro at planning our itinerary and getting us to the sights before the crowds. When we left the penguins it was literally a zoo. When we got there we walked right in and had time to get lots of videos and photos. Same for getting to the Cape of Good Hope. The entire drive along the coast was stunning. I think it’s a must do day trip!

Tips for future travelers

Make sure to get an early start!

Quality of Experience
Food
See post on Crofters Kitchen!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Andrew was great! Highly recommend him. Super knowledgeable and was easy to talk to and spend the day with!
Transport
He had a super nice vehicle and it were very comfortable.
Crystall
Crystall P.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Apr 01, 2026
Mark was our guide and he was amazing. It was a fun filled day and really started our trip off with a bang! The views were incredible! Read more

Mark was our guide and he was amazing. It was a fun filled day and really started our trip off with a bang! The views were incredible!

Tips for future travelers

This trip gives such a great overview of the area, the history and to see such incredible areas. It is a great activity to schedule early in your trip.

Quality of Experience
lol
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mark is amazing! He helped us take pictures at the beach and really went the extra mile!
Transport
Sushma
Sushma S.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Oct 22, 2025
Our guide was punctual and informative during our ride to the peninsula. Read more

Our guide was punctual and informative during our ride to the peninsula.

Tips for future travelers

Dressing warmer, was cooler at the point.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Meghan
Meghan D.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 02, 2025
Andrew was the best! He taught us so much and brought us to some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. We really enjoyed his company and we felt like this was a great day to help us see and experience so much of the Cape. Read more

Andrew was the best! He taught us so much and brought us to some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. We really enjoyed his company and we felt like this was a great day to help us see and experience so much of the Cape.

Tips for future travelers

Don't be afraid to ask questions and ask to spend time in places that are interesting to you.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Loved Andrew!
Transport
rhonda
rhonda c.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jun 01, 2025
Although it was a rainy day we saw the penguins and cape . Read more

Although it was a rainy day we saw the penguins and cape .

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

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