Penguins can be found in the southwestern part of Africa, due to its proximity to Antarctica. One of the locations they can be found is in and around Cape Town. I visited Cape Town in December 2024, and visited two different penguin sanctuaries:
Boulders Beach
A popular and famous reserve, just an hour’s drive from the centre of Cape Town. A small white sand beach, with a picturesque backdrop of bright blue sea and distant mountains. Penguins gather in this sanctuary near Simons Town to nest, breed and catch fish. Expect big crowns especially in the summer months.
Stony Point
A sanctuary in Betty’s Bay, that’s approximately an hour and a half drive from Cape Town. If you prefer to avoid crowds, or you want the time and space needed for wildlife photography, this is the perfect option. Whilst the beach itself isn’t as picturesque, there’s more of a chance to see the penguins up close, with fewer humans. This being said, be aware that touching the penguins is not allowed.
African Penguin Facts
- There are only 3 mainland sanctuaries, two in South Africa and one in Namibia. The first nest was found in Stony Point in 1982.
- They are very strong swimmers, and forage for food in the sea up to 15km from their nest. They can swim up to 19km/h and dive up to 130m
- They are around 65cm tall and weight around 3-3.6kg.
- They live on average 10-11 years. The oldest penguin known to live was 27.
- Their diet mainly consists of fish.
- Adult penguins moult their winter feathers annually, normally in November and December.
- They breed at age 4-6, and generally stay faithful to their mate, usually until one partner disappears.
- They nest in bushes or burrows out of the sun.
- Eggs are incubated by both parents for 38-41 days, and the chicks are fed by their parents for 2-3 months
**all pictures are my own**