Planet Earth Three Filming Locations – Episode 1 Coasts

On the outskirts of Plettenberg Bay, you'll find the Robberg Peninsula, one of the most popular and scenic hiking destinations along the Garden Route. With exquisite views, prime whale and dolphin watching opportunities, wide stretches of beautiful beach and the chance to encounter a few Cape fur seals, it’s easy to see why visitors love their time here so much.

When you hike the full 11km circuit, you’ll come to one particularly special spot where you can peer down and look onto what appears to be a mountain of Cape fur seals. With 6000 seals, it’s an impressive sight!

Drive the stunning Garden Route, hiking, kayaking, whale and dolphin watching tours, diving, wine tasting, fishing, seafood restaurants.

Robberg Peninsula Wildlife:

Cape fur seal; loggerhead green;and hawksbill turtle; great white shark; humpback whale; humpback dolphin; Indian Ocean bottle-nosed dolphin; southern elephant seal.

Robberg Peninsula Birding:

Black musselcracker, African Black oystercatcher, Whitebreasted cormorant, Parasitic Jaeger, Northern giant petrel, African penguin.

Garden Route, Cape Town and South Africa Safaris for 7 nights start from £7,000 per person

Enquire Now>

Famous for the 1000 shipwrecks and animal bones scattered along the shoreline, the Skeleton Coast is the epitome of a remote and wild destination. Stretching 500 kilometres between the old German town of Swakopmund and the Angolan border, the coast is virtually uninhabited and thoroughly untamed. Lions, hyenas and other predators wander the hauntingly empty shore in search of maritime meals.

The highlight here is tracking the desert lions which have adapted to hunt seals and seabirds. These lions are much more resourceful, hunting a range of different prey species. Here in Namibia seals are the ideal meal, being slow on land and rich in fat. The area has 130-150 resident desert lions to see and with expert guides you can learn about each pride here.

Despite its unthinkably harsh conditions, there are some amazing wildlife spotting opportunities here including black rhino, desert adapted elephant and giraffe, zebra, gemsbok, springbok and hyena.

The Skeleton Coast National Park is also a rewarding destination to spot marine birds, and wetland birds in the river deltas. Migratory birds are here from November to April.

Fly-in-safaris, desert 4x4 safaris, quad biking, sandboarding, horse riding, boat safaris, sea kayaking, surfing, beach fishing, walking safaris, stargazing.

Skeleton Coast Wildlife:

Desert-adapted lion, leopard, cheetah, caracal, black rhino, hyena, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, Cape fur seal, elephant, shark, dolphin, black tail deer, baboon.

Skeleton Coast Birding:

Neon-pink flamingo, great white pelican, ostrich, black crake and black bustard, Jaeger and skua, Cape gannet.

Skeleton Coast Safaris – 7 night safari from £10,000 per person (peak season)

Enquire Now>

If you’re interested in marine life, then Península Valdés in Patagonia is a must-visit. Under the towering rocky cliffsides, large groups of seal and sea lion gather, lazing the day away and basking on the sands.

This is site of UNESCO global significance for the conservation of marine mammals. It is home to an important breeding population of the endangered southern right whale, as well as southern elephant seals and southern sea lions. The small local population of orca has developed a spectacular hunting method by intentionally beaching themselves to catch offspring of southern sea lion and southern elephant seals.

Peninsula Valdes is one of South America’s finest nature reserves and the gateway to this nature lover’s paradise is Puerto Madryn, a coastal city located about an hour’s drive from the peninsula. The dramatic coastal zone features rocky cliffs up to 100 metres in height, shallow bays and shifting coastal lagoons with extensive mudflats, sandy and pebble beaches, active sand dunes, and small islands. Joining the seals on the peninsula’s beaches from September to April are Magellanic penguins. The colony is at its largest around November when you can see cute, fluffy baby penguins taking their first steps.

Whale, orca and dolphin watching, kayaking with whales, drive the peninsula and photograph the wildlife, horse riding, stargazing, heli safaris, ice hiking, paddleboarding, flyfishing, white water rafting, climbing, mountain biking, jet boating, heli-skiing.

Peninsula Valdes Wildlife:

Peninsula Valdes Orcas; Southern right whales; Commerson’s dolphin; Dusky dolphin, Southern Elephant seal; Southern sea lion; South American Gray fox; Guanaco; Patagonian mara; Darwin’s rhea; big hairy armadillo; Southern mountain cavy.

Peninsula Vales Birding:

Magellanic penguin, elegant crested tinamou, burrowing owl.

Patagonia Safaris – 7 night safaris start from £8,000 per person

Enquire Now>

Sign up to our e-newsletter to find out more about Planet Earth 3 filming locations, sustainable travel, new luxury travel destinations and invites to events.

Our travel designers are specialists in wildlife safaris around the world. Have us plan your unique itinerary and begin exploring our world's wild places. Speak to us today to find out more about our wildlife holidays and the wonderful properties mentioned above.

UK & ROW: +44 (0)1604 628979
USA: +1-866-871-3829

Email: inspireme@journeysmiths.co.uk

Leave a message right here>

Subscribe to the Enewsletter>