Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony Tours
Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony Tours Hawkes Bay
Discover the World’s Largest Mainland Gannet Colony with Cape Kidnappers Safaris Overland Tours
An Unforgettable Wildlife Experience in Hawke’s Bay
Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony Safaris Overland tours offer a unique opportunity to witness the stunning world of the largest accessible mainland gannet nesting colony. From September to April, there are up to 20,000 gannets at Cape Kidnappers, making it one of New Zealand’s most fascinating wildlife sites.
Tour the Gannet Colony in Style
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind wildlife experience, look no further than Gannet Safaris Overland. We offer three tour options for discovering the wonders of the Cape Kidnappers gannet colony in Hawke’s Bay.
Furthermore, every tour provides a unique and ever-changing experience, with plenty of photo opportunities to capture the memories.
Additionally, the tours are conducted in comfort and air-conditioned 4WD vehicles, taking you through the stunning landscapes of Cape Kidnappers Station, including riverbeds, rolling pastures, native bush, steep gullies, and breathtaking inclines.
Learn and Explore
As you travel to the gannet colony, your tour guide/driver will provide a commentary on the farming operation of Cape Kidnappers Station, the wildlife sanctuary, and introduce you to the gannets.
Moreover, the 36km, three-hour trip includes a stop at a cliff top with panoramic views of Hawke Bay, offering a chance to appreciate the area’s unique geology.
Join us on an unforgettable journey into the fascinating world of gannets. We promise you and your family and friends will cherish the memories forever.
Cape Kidnappers Gannet Safari Tour Options:
Cape Kidnappers Gannet Safari’s – Daily Tours
Price: Adults $92 per person – Child: $46 pp
Departure Times: Daily 09:30 am & 1:30 pm (Except Christmas Day)
Gannet Season: between 1st September and 30th April
Tour Duration: Three Hours approx.
Discovering the Wonders of Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony
For over 50 years, Gannet Safaris has been offering daily tours to explore the world’s largest accessible gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.
This tour stands apart from others as it is the only one that takes you to within metres of the gannets without the need for walking.
Traveling in Style and Comfort
As you venture over the picturesque Cape Kidnappers Station in air-conditioned 4×4 vehicles, you will traverse riverbeds, rolling pastures, stands of native bush, steep gullies, and breathtaking views.
This 36 km, three-hour trip includes a commentary by your tour guide, who will introduce you to the gannets and the farming operation of Cape Kidnappers Station.
Moreover, during the tour, you will make a stop at a cliff top with panoramic views of Hawke’s Bay, where you can appreciate the area’s unique geology.
Relax and Refuel
At the end of your tour, you can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea at the colony, making your experience a memorable one. So, have an encounter with the birds anytime from sunrise to sunset and be a part of the fascinating world of Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony.
Cape Kidnappers Gannet Safari’s – Regular Tour & Transfers
Price: Adults $130 per person- Child: $65 pp
Pick up Times: Daily 08:45 am or 12:45 pm (Except Christmas Day)
Gannet Season: between 1st September and 30th April
Tour Duration: Four Hours approx. including transfers
With its convenient transfer options and unique access to the world’s largest accessible gannet colony, the Gannet Colony Safaris Overland tour is the perfect choice for bird-watching enthusiasts.
Our tour, which departs from one of the three i-Site centres in Hawkes Bay (Napier, Hastings, or Havelock North) at either 8:45 am or 12:45 pm, offers a comfortable and stylish experience with air-conditioned 4×4 vehicles that traverse through the stunning landscape of Cape Kidnappers Station.
What sets this tour apart from others is that it’s the only one with access through the wildlife sanctuary to the gannet colony and it drives you within metres of the remarkable birds, eliminating the need for any walking. Your knowledgeable tour guide will provide commentary on the geology and history of Cape Kidnappers, as well as an introduction to the gannets.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy several stops, including a breathtaking cliff-top lookout with panoramic views of Hawkes Bay. With over 50 years of experience in guiding visitors to the colony, Gannet Safaris promises a unique and unforgettable experience. And to top it off, a coffee or tea break at the colony is included.
Cape Kidnappers Gannet Safari’s – Private Range Rover Tours
Price: Private small group $769 suitable upto 4 persons
Departure Times: Choose time to suit when booking
Gannet Season: between 1st September and 30th April
Tour Duration: Three Hours approx.
Your private Tour:
An Unforgettable Experience with the Birds at Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony
Have you ever wanted to encounter birds up close and personal? Well, at Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony, you can have this amazing experience anytime from sunrise to sunset, with a maximum of 4 people and a duration of 3 hours.
As you embark on your tour, you’ll embark on an overland journey to the largest accessible gannet colony in the world through Cape Kidnappers Station, a sprawling 2,500-hectare land with a rich history.
In addition to sheep and beef farming, this station today features a 200-hectare native bush conservatory and a predator-proof fence running from coast to coast, as well as a luxurious lodge and a privately owned world-class golf course.
While stopping at the cliff top, you’ll be able to admire the remarkable geology of the cliffs and the breathtaking views across Hawkes Bay. The highlight of the tour, however, will be the gannet colony, where you’ll be able to get within just a few feet of these spectacular birds, with their eye markings and golden crowns. Watch as they nest, preen themselves, and perform their courtship dance.
And to make your experience even more enjoyable, you’ll enjoy coffee or tea at the colony. This will truly be an unforgettable experience that you won’t want to miss!
Cape Kidnappers Gannet Safari’s – Exclusive Sunrise Tour in Style
Price: Private Group $887 for upto 4 persons
Departure Times: 6:00 am
Gannet Season: between 1st September and 30th April
Tour Duration: Three Hours approx.
Enjoy a exclusive unique tour:
Enjoy a unique tour of Cape Kidnappers and watch the sun rise over the gannets. Travel in our 4 x 4 Range Rover (maximum four people) on an exclusive tour to this iconic site – the world’s largest accessible mainland gannet colony!
Have your encounter with the birds with the sun rising over the plateau. The East Cape of New Zealand is the first to see sunrise daily.
Your 3-hour personal tour
will take you overland through Cape Kidnappers Station, a working farm of approximately 2,500 hectares with a fascinating history. In addition to beef 
and sheep farming, the station boasts a 200-hectare conservatory protected by a predator-proof fence running from coast to coast across the peninsula.
The conservatory hosts introduced Kiwi and Tuatara along with a wide variety of native birds and wildlife which had previously not survived because of predators such as stoats, weasels, opossums etc.
A luxury lodge on the farm has a privately-owned world-class golf course. A cliff-top stop en route to the colony provides spectacular views across Hawke Bay to Napier and the distant Mahia Peninsula.
On arrival at the colony, you will be mesmerised by the spectacular birds with their eye markings and golden crowns. Within just a few feet of the adults and nesting chicks, see these remarkable birds preening themselves and performing their courtship dance ritual.
A light breakfast is provided with freshly brewed coffee on the sunrise tour.
Each Gannet Colony Tour Includes:
- Be accompanied by an experienced driver/guide who will provide a knowledgeable and insightful commentary throughout the tour
- Travel in air conditioned 4×4 comfort
- Experience some breathtaking scenery
- View a predator proof reserve
- Visit a New Zealand native forest
- View significant geological landscapes
- Visit a working farm of over 5000 acres
- View Cape Kidnappers’ International Golf Course
- Learn about local Maori legend
- And discover the largest mainland gannet colony in the world from your position at the brink of the cliffs edge – 100 metres above the ocean, whilst being served light refreshments as you enjoy watching the gannets perform around you.
All this will take approximately 3 hours and you need not take a step if you don’t want to!
