Wilderness Safaris Hawke’s Bay

Experience exclusive access to never before reached areas of the Cape Kidnappers Peninsula and Ocean Beach Wildlife Preserve, Hawke’s Bay’s most iconic landscape.

Nowhere else in New Zealand is it possible to see so much variety in one wildlife preserve. Tours weave along high coastal ridges and some of the finest dune systems in NZ providing magnificent views of Hawke’s Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

Highlights include sightings of ancient Moa Bones, a Maori Pa site, Little Blue Penguins & the Brown Kiwi.

Half and full day excursions are available with expert driver guides, catering for small groups in air conditioned Wilderness Safaris coaches or individuals in exclusive 4WD vehicles.

Activity Options

Half Day Wilderness Safari

• A four hour Wilderness Safari leaving from Clifton to the vermin proof fence and predator trap site.

• Drive to the dramatic Ocean Beach Summit before descending down the escarpment to the Ocean Beach dune system – traverse the perimeter past an ancient Moa Bones site and unique wildlife.

• Stop for morning or afternoon tea at the northern tip of the beach and discover a dramatic Maori Pa site. See the ancient kumura pits and old Maori walking track up the escarpment.

• A short walk takes visitors to the Little Blue Penguin box area, which have been installed by local conservationists to encourage nesting and breeding.

• Then take an inland track past neighboring sheep and cattle farmland to the ‘Rough Block’. A 180 hectare high country basin and the home of the endangered North Island Brown Kiwi release area.

• Learn about the Kiwi breeding and rearing program before heading home to Clifton.

Full Day Wilderness Safari

• A six hour safari enjoying everything the Half Day Wilderness Safari has to offer plus more!…

• Proceed to the tip of the peninsula and enjoy lunch with a view of the largest mainland gannet colony in the world at Cape Kidnappers.

• Set high on the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean, this dramatic landscape plays host to some 20,000 gannets in season (September – April).

• The gannets are members of the Booby family and feature an impressive gold crown and distinctive black eye markings.

• See the gannet chicks and adults nesting in serried rows and performing the recognition ritual known as ‘the dance of the gannets.’

• In the air above, these impressive sea birds swoop and dive for fish in the sea just off the coastline.

• The afternoon safari traverses riverbeds, broad rolling pastures, native bush & steep gullies.

• Enjoy afternoon tea at a spectacular cliff top with views to Hawke’s Bay and Mahia Peninsula to the north. Learn about the amazing geology of the area before heading home to Clifton.

Tour Times

Wilderness Safaris Hawke’s Bay operates seven days, all year. Departure times are as follows:

• Half Day Wilderness Safari: Morning: 8 am – 12pm. Afternoon: 2pm – 6 pm.
• Full day Wilderness Safari: 9am – 4pm

Note: exclusive tours can also be tailored to guest requirements. Prices and tour times on application.

Location

Summerlee, RD 2, Hastings, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.

Cape Kidnappers is located at Te Awanga, Hawke’s Bay. Tours depart from Summerlee. Visitors to Hawke’s Bay can follow the signs to “Cape Kidnappers” from Clive to Te Awanga. Once through Te Awanga village, cross the bridge and within 100 metres the Gannet Safari Overland sign and entrance are on the right.