Cape Peninsula Full-Day Tour: Penguins, Cape Point & Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive

Cape Town•easy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

8 hours

Fitness Level

Light fitness required; must be able to manage several short walks (up to 2 km) on uneven ground and stairs.

Overview

A private full-day circuit from Cape Town that pairs Chapman’s Peak’s cliffside drive with the endangered penguin colony at Boulders and the windswept Cape of Good Hope. Expect dramatic coastal views, short hikes, and intimate wildlife encounters—all with private transport and entrance fees included.

Cape Peninsula Full-Day Tour: Penguins, Cape Point & Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive

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Date

Thu, Nov 6

Travelers

A private minivan slips out of Cape Town before the city fully wakes, tires whispering along the Atlantic Seaboard as sunlight rims the Twelve Apostles. The first stop is Camps Bay, where palms lean and the ocean pulls at the horizon—an easy preview of the coastal drama to come. From there the route climbs and falls, exposing raw cliff faces and sudden bays until the road narrows and Chapman’s Peak unfurls: a 9 km ribbon of engineering carved into the cliff that refuses to let you look away.

Adventure Photos

Cape Peninsula Full-Day Tour: Penguins, Cape Point & Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive photo 1

Adventure Tips

Layer for wind and sun

Coastal weather changes fast—pack a light windproof jacket, sun hat, and sunscreen to handle both strong wind and bright sun.

Comfortable, grippy shoes

Walks at Cape Point and the boardwalk at Boulders involve uneven rock and sand—trail-running shoes or hiking shoes are ideal.

Bring a compact zoom or binoculars

A 70–300mm zoom or 8x binoculars helps capture penguins and distant cliffs without disturbing wildlife.

Keep to boardwalks and viewing platforms

The penguins are vulnerable—stay behind barriers and follow guide instructions to protect nesting areas and vegetation.

Local Insights

Wildlife

African penguin
Cape fur seal

History

The Cape Peninsula’s shoreline has been a maritime crossroads for centuries; Portuguese sailors named the Cape of Good Hope as a key waypoint for East-West trade, and Simon’s Town developed as a naval base in the 18th–19th centuries.

Conservation

The region protects unique fynbos and endangered species like the African penguin; visitors are asked to stick to paths and respect wildlife to minimize impact.