Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Black wildebeest · Bontebok
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 5,636 a night
Explore areas in the Western Cape
TownCape Town
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SuburbDe Waterkant
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ReserveGamkaberg Nature Reserve
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ReserveGondwana Game Reserve
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ReserveGrootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
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TownWolseley
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Birder Friendly stays in the Western Cape
Across the Western Cape
Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
Price on request
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Pietersfontein Conservancy
From R 1,155 a night
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Gemsbok · Greater kudu
Gives back to Wolwekraal Nature Reserve
From R 5,060 a night
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 14,985 a night
Oceans Away
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 34,972 a night
Lagoon Ocean Lodge
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 24,990 a night
Vine & Vale
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 34,972 a night
Lavender Dreams
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 24,990 a night
Azure Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,492 a night
Milk & Honey
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,492 a night
Tidesong
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 34,972 a night
Oceanique
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 24,990 a night
Sea Whisper
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,492 a night
Utopia
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 31,223 a night
Swallows Rest
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Southern right whale · Caracal
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 29,981 a night
Frog Mountain Getaway
Swellendam
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Boomslang · Bushbuck
Gives back to Cape Leopard Trust and 1 other
From R 1,950 a night
Tierhoek Cottages
Robertson
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 2,100 a night
Ouberg Private Nature Reserve
Montagu
Birder friendly · Succulent Karoo biome · Black backed jackal · Honey badger
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 350 a night
Bloukrans Off-Grid Cabin
Montagu
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Black backed jackal · Honey badger
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,500 a night
Avian Leisure
Simon's Town, Cape Town
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 2,100 a night
Beth-El 21
Fernridge, George
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
Price on request
Reflections Eco-Reserve
Wilderness
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 2,500 a night
In Toto Retreat
Sedgefield
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 2,200 a night
The Whale Coast
Next stop
Southern right whales, sea cliffs, and Hermanus's harbour town
See places that give backThe Western Cape is the birding province most visitors start with, and the fynbos is the reason. Cape Sugarbird and Orange-breasted Sunbird live almost nowhere else, and the mountain slopes, coastal reserves and wetlands within a few hours of Cape Town hold most of the region’s specials.
Read more
The Overberg wheatfields are Blue Crane country. The West Coast lagoons fill with waders in summer, and the river valleys around Stanford, Greyton and the Breede are quiet, easy birding. The stays here are hosts who manage their land with birds in mind; some carry BirdLife South Africa’s Birder Friendly accreditation, and each listing says which.
The fynbos flowers through the cooler months, when sunbirds and sugarbirds feed on it. The waders are at their best in summer.
Questions travellers ask
Where is the best birding in the Western Cape?
The fynbos reserves and mountain passes near Cape Town for the endemics, the West Coast lagoons for waders, and the Overberg for Blue Cranes and the coastal reserves around De Hoop.
When is the best time for birding in the Western Cape?
Winter and spring for the fynbos birds feeding on the flowers, summer for the waders and the migrants.
Will I see the birds a stay lists?
The species on a listing are what the host has recorded on or near the property. Birds move with the season and the weather, so treat a list as what is possible, not what is promised.