3-Hour Sunrise, Pickup Included

Cape Kidnappers: Gannet Colony Exclusive Sunrise Tour

★ 5.0 3 reviews

from $604 per group

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 3 hours
Meeting point: 396 Clifton Road, Te Awanga
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: Gannet Safaris Overland

Overview

This sunrise trip takes a small party, no more than four guests, overland through a working farm to Cape Kidnappers, home to the largest accessible mainland gannet colony in the world. The vehicle is a 4x4 Range Rover and the tour runs for roughly three hours.

The drive itself is part of the experience. You cross Cape Kidnappers Station, a farm of about 2,500 hectares that also runs beef and sheep, and pass through a 200-hectare conservation area protected by a predator-proof fence stretching from coast to coast. Kiwi and tuatara live here, along with native birds that predators had previously wiped out. A cliff-top stop on the way gives views across Hawke's Bay to Napier and the distant Mahia Peninsula.

At the colony the tour is set up for close views as the light comes up, and what is there depends on the season. A one-on-one guide travels with you throughout. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which matters given the pre-dawn timing.

From$604 per group

Duration3 hours

Rating5.0 from 3 reviews

What's Included

Included

One-on-one guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Run byGannet Safaris Overland

Itinerary

Hotel pickupPickup from your hotel in the pre-dawn hours, with drop-off back at the end of the tour. This is included in the tour price.
Overland farm crossingThe 4x4 crosses Cape Kidnappers Station, a working farm of roughly 2,500 hectares, passing through a fenced 200-hectare conservation area where kiwi and tuatara live.
Cliff-top viewpoint stopA pause along the route for views across Hawke's Bay to Napier and the distant Mahia Peninsula.
Gannet colony at sunriseTime at the colony for close views of the birds in the early light: what you see depends on the season, and early November to late February is the best viewing window.
Return and drop-offThe tour finishes with drop-off back at your hotel. The whole outing runs about three hours.

Pickup: Included

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points help you get the most from a trip that crosses a working farm station before dawn.

View from the back seats of a 4WD looking out at a rutted farm track climbing across paddocks toward the sea cliffs

Very early start. Sunrise tours mean leaving your hotel in the dark. The East Cape sees the first sunrise in the world each day, so the payoff for the early alarm is watching light come up over the colony itself.
Dress warmly. No dress code is specified, but the cliff-top and colony stops are exposed coastal positions visited before and just after dawn. Layers and a windproof jacket are the sensible call.
Small vehicle. A one-on-one guide comes with the booking, so there is room to ask questions along the way.
Bring a camera. You come within meters of the birds, close enough to see their golden crowns and eye markings. The early light at the colony makes a long lens or a steady hand worthwhile.
Wildlife timing. The courtship dance and nesting chicks are presented as regular features of the visit. Wildlife is never on a schedule, so bring questions for the guide about what the colony is doing that morning.
No food listed. Food or drink is not included in the tour. Eat before pickup or bring something for the drive, since the outing lasts about three hours.

From$604 per group

Rating5.0 from 3 reviews

Check availability →

Common issues. Inclusions name a one-on-one guide and hotel pickup and drop-off; food and drink are not listed among them, so check the booking page. The vehicle carries a maximum of four people, so larger groups will not fit in one booking. Wildlife viewing depends on the birds, not the operator. Cancellation is possible up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are listed under what the tour includes. This matters given the pre-dawn departure time.

How Long Is The Tour?

About three hours, door to door. The vehicle is a 4x4 Range Rover carrying a maximum of four guests.

Where Does The Tour Meet If I Don't Use Pickup?

The meeting point is 396 Clifton Road, Te Awanga. Since hotel pickup and drop-off are included, most travellers never need this address, but it is available if required.

What Is Included In The Price?

A one-on-one guide plus hotel pickup and drop-off. Food and drink are not listed among the inclusions; check the live booking page before you head out.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children Or Limited Mobility?

No age or mobility restrictions are given, and no accessibility details are named either way. The transport is a 4x4 travelling overland through the farm station, so anyone with specific needs should ask the operator through the booking page first.