Do you remember my previous post: Swimming with dolphins in Kizimkazi? Well this time, I have decided to let you discover another great African destination: Boulders Beach, near Cape Town. However, the protagonists of today’s story are not dolphins. Rather, they are very cute little creatures: African penguins!
To lease
Boulders Beach is located in Simon’s Town, a little paradise near Cape Town. The area is protected by the Cape Peninsula National Park, one of the most fascinating tourist attractions in the city. It is home to one of the largest populations of African penguins, with an estimated 3,000 individuals!
African penguins or Jackass penguins?
In a variety of bird books, the little ones are known as Jackass penguins (and no, this has nothing to do with the famous American series on MTV lol)! Strange name, huh? Well, you see, the reason for this is due to their distinctive mating call which sounds like a braying donkey. Recently, however, scientists have changed its name because apparently other South American species make the same type of noise. Today, Jackass penguins are called African penguins.
Another name for the animal is black-footed penguin (quite explicit) or cape penguin.
Interesting Penguin Facts
– Scientific name: Spheniscus demersus.
– Description: Black above, white below (to camouflage against predators). Black horseshoe on the chest.
– Youth: plain grey/brown.
– Habitat: Breeds on offshore islands. Feeds strictly at sea, feeding regularly for 9 miles (15 km).
– Diet: Mainly fish (anchovies and sardines).
– Height: about 50-70 cm.
– body weight: between 2.1 and 3.7 kg.
– Speed: Although penguins are quite clumsy on land, they are excellent swimmers and can reach speeds of up to 15 mph (24 kmph). If you get a chance to see them underwater, it’s almost like they’re flying!
– Breeding season: mainly from February to May, but really all year. Just like humans (at least for most of us), African penguins are monogamous and will mate for life.
– nesting: Nests in small colonies. Digs nests in sandy areas or guano deposits under a rock or bush, or in a burrow. Lays 2 eggs, which hatch after 38 days. Both parents incubate and feed the chicks.
– Tidy: Restricted to Africa. Off the western coast of South Africa, Namibia, southern Angola and Mozambique.
– State of conservation: numbers that decrease by approximately 2% per year.
– International and South African Red Data Book Status: vulnerable.
My experience
There are two beaches in Simon’s Town: one where only penguins are kings (Foxy Beach), and the other where both people and penguins share the same space to sunbathe, bathe and rest ;). The two beaches are next to each other, so you can definitely plan to do both excursions on the same day.
On the one hand, Foxy Beach is accessible through a boardwalk that overlooks the place. The admission fee is relatively affordable (R25 for adults and R5 for children – prices may vary over time, of course). It is here that most of the colony resides, and immediate contact with the birds is not possible. A really nice panoramic view though and quite fascinating! It’s a perfect place to watch them swim, eat, breed, and preen almost without you noticing! I could look at them all day!
On the other hand, Boulders Beach is where the real action takes place. Here you can come face to face with these funny beings! However, I would not try to touch them (forbidden). Penguins can be quite ferocious with their sharp beaks and could cause serious injuries in a very short time. So please keep your distance!
The idea is to have a good time, while respecting the fact that these penguins are still wild animals!
Swimming is also possible, although you have to be more than brave to take a dip (the water temperature is freezing, rarely reaching 15 degrees Celsius). I tried it a few times, but it didn’t last long :).
As for swimming WITH the penguins: good luck! The little creatures are extremely agile and fast in the water; It’s downright impossible to keep up with him!
