Avian Leisure

Avian Leisure is run by Patrick and Marie-Louise Cardwell from Simon's Town on the Cape Peninsula, just south of Cape Town. Founded in 1998, the outfit specialises in tailor-made birding and wildlife itineraries across South Africa, combining fully guided trips, self-drive options, and pelagic outings from Cape Town's productive shelf-edge waters. The Cardwells favour small groups, typically two to six guests, rather than set departures. Patrick has been birding since childhood and divides his time between guiding, training local bird guides and supporting seabird conservation. Avian Leisure also operates a self-catering birder-friendly guest house in Simon's Town that doubles as a convenient base for clients exploring Cape Point, the West Coast and the fynbos endemics of the Western Cape, with onward trips north to Kruger, Pafuri and Mashatu.