Private 4-Hour Tour
4 hours · Gannet Safaris Overland
from $704.30 Private tour, price is per group (the from-price covers the whole group). Check availability →
Private 4-Hour, Pickup Included
Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony Private Tour
from $688 per group
Check availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Meeting point
- Your accommodation
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- Gannet Safaris Overland
Overview
This private half-day trip from Gannet Safaris Overland takes you from your accommodation to the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers and back, with the whole run listed at four hours. A driver-guide collects you where you are staying, heads out through Te Awanga, and crosses the working landscape of Cape Kidnappers Station on the way to the birds. Because it is a private tour, the vehicle and the guide's attention belong to your group alone.
The route crosses about 2,500 hectares of sheep and beef farmland and passes a 200-hectare native bush conservancy, where kiwi and tuatara are among the wildlife. Along the way there are stops on the clifftops to read the geology below and take in views across Hawke's Bay. The headline stop is the largest accessible mainland gannet colony in the world, a setting made for close views; what is there depends on the season.
Morning or afternoon tea and coffee are provided, and you are dropped back at your accommodation at the end. It suits travellers who want a set departure from their door and a guided visit to the colony in a single half-day outing.
From$688 per group
Duration4 hours
Rating5.0 from 4 reviews
What's Included
Included
- Morning and afternoon tea/coffee provided
- Pick up from your accommodation
Run byGannet Safaris Overland
Itinerary
- Accommodation pickupThe guide collects you from your accommodation, so there is no meeting point to find.
- Drive to Te AwangaThe vehicle heads out through Te Awanga on the coast toward Cape Kidnappers.
- Cross Cape Kidnappers StationThe route travels across the station's 2,500 acres of sheep and beef farmland and past a 200-hectare native bush conservancy.
- Clifftop stopsYou stop on top of the cliffs to look at the geology below and take in views across Hawke's Bay.
- Gannet colonyThe tour allows time at the colony for close views, and what you see depends on the season.
- Return to accommodationThe tour ends where it began, with a drop-off at your accommodation.
Pickup: Included
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points will help you get the most out of the four hours.
- What to wear. Comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes are recommended. You will be getting in and out of the vehicle at clifftops and at the colony, so dress for standing around outdoors.
- Food and drink. Morning or afternoon tea and coffee are provided. Bringing snacks is also suggested, so pack something if you want more than a drink between stops.
- Group feel. This is a private tour, so it runs with just your party and the guide. Reviewers describe the experience as fun and informative, with guides happy to answer questions about the flora and fauna.
- Wildlife viewing. Expect close views of the colony; what you see depends on the season. The birds' eye markings and golden crowns are also worth a close look.
- Photography. The clifftop stops give panoramic views across Hawke's Bay, and the colony allows close shots of the birds. Bring whatever camera or phone you are comfortable carrying on foot for short walks.
- Duration and pace. The full tour, including pickup and drop-off, is listed at four hours. Time is split between travel and stops at the clifftops and the colony.
Common issues. No exclusions are flagged beyond what is stated, and the experience depends on the vehicle crossing farmland to reach the colony. There is no explicit accessibility information, so travellers with limited mobility should ask the operator before booking. No specific age or fitness restrictions are stated either.
Common Questions
Is Pickup Included?
Yes. The guide collects you from your accommodation and returns you there at the end of the tour. There is no separate meeting point to find.
How Long Is The Tour?
The full experience lasts four hours, including the drives out and back and time at the colony.
What Is Included In The Price?
Accommodation pickup and return, time at the gannet colony, and morning or afternoon tea and coffee. No additional fees are itemised.
What Should I Bring?
Comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes and snacks. Anything beyond that is up to you.
Can I Cancel If My Plans Change?
Yes, cancellation up to 24 hours in advance is allowed for a full refund. Inside that window, check the booking page for the terms that apply.
How Close Do You Get To The Gannets?
Close views of the colony, in season.
Browse And Book Gannet Tours
Live dates, times and prices are on the booking page.
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