Our final stop on this tour of South Africa’s wildlife is the Western Cape. We include this region for very good reason – it offers some spectacular sights of marine animals, specifically the Marine Big Five!
This famous five consists of whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, and penguins, altogether a fine assortment of sea life. From Cape Town to the smaller coast towns of Plettenberg Bay, Hout Bay, Hermanus, and Gansbaai, there are great opportunities to view the Marine Big Five depending on the time of year. June to December in Hermanus witnesses an influx of immense southern right whale! Plettenberg Bay is the dream destination for dolphins. ‘Plett’, as the town is nicknamed, is also home to modest concentrations of fur seal, along with Gansbaai, Hout Bay, and Cape Town. Gansbaai is commonly described as the shark capital of the world! And if you are keen to see some penguins, we can recommend Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town near Cape Town, and Stony Point near Betty’s Bay. Marine Big Five viewing is an excellent experience, whether as an add-on to a traditional safari or as part of a big beach break! Watching these animals is a real treat.
All in all, South Africa is simply wonderful for wildlife! If you’re tempted to consider a trip to any of the areas mentioned above, and you’d like to see any particular animal, just let one of our team members know here. They’ll be able to advise you on where to stay to make sure you get first-rate opportunities for viewing your chosen species! Alternatively, take a look below for more wildlife inspiration: