• Conservation

    Conservation and
    Sustainability

The Cape Sanctuary Donation Program

Gannet Safaris Overland have partnered with The Cape Sanctuary to plant more grasses and natives on Cape Kidnappers Peninsula to restore our amazing wildlife. Choose to become a part of the movement by giving back and contributing to sustainable living and carbon offsets โ€“ choose to donate $4 per person to The Cape Sanctuary when you book a tour with us. The Cape Sanctuary has an army of volunteers who have planted over 1.5 million native trees to date, and we are committed to plant many more.

Gannet Safaris Overland work closely with the Cape Sanctuary which is Aotearoa New Zealandโ€™s largest privately owned wildlife sanctuary. Their amazing team is made up of over 300 volunteers that are giving their time to restore our beautiful land and replant grasses and natives to support the return of our wildlife.

It all started in 2006, when the two joining farm owners, Mr Robertson and Mr Lowe, installed a predator proof fence which runs the width of the peninsular,10.6km, to keep wildlife predators out. This is the farmland that we cross on our safari, and we will teach you all about our wildlife and its challenges. Through the tireless and amazing effort and work of volunteers and staff, approximately 500 acres of sand dunes have been returned to their natural state. Invasive weed species that prevent the natural cycle of the sand movement have been removed and were replaced by native species.

18 different species have been translocated into the Cape Kidnappers Sanctuary since the fence went up. Some of the highlights include:

  • Petrels successfully nesting outside the heavily protected seabird site
  • Kiwi breeding without human intervention so we do not know the total population
  • Little blue penguins breeding after coming in on the sound
  • Cook Straight Giant Weta from Mana Island & Matiu Soames Island successfully reproducing, and the population is slowly expanding

As many businesses have been doing, Gannet Safaris Overland have been looking at what we can do to help contribute to our carbon offset and how our business contributes to sustainability.
Follow and support us on our sustainability and conservation journey, or contact Rachel Ward or Liz Lowe if you would like to become part of the volunteer program yourself.

 

This project started September 2022. (running total updated 28th February 2025)

Total Amount of
Donations Received: $10,060.40

Environmental Policies

Gannet Safaris Overland relies on the natural environment to be able to provide unique and amazing experiences for our customers who journey with us. Therefore it is important for us to do everything we can to protect our natural environment.

These policies shall apply to Gannet Safaris Overland LTD

Purpose

To identify the procedures in place and outline a code of conduct for staff that will enable us to continue to improve on the environmental sustainability of Gannet Safaris Overland.

Purchasing

  • Where possible Gannet Safaris staff will be encouraged to purchase biodegradable or recyclable products. I.e. Paper Cups, Plates, rubbish bags
  • Alternatives to single use plastics bottles will be used on tours where possible. Energy Conservation
  • Staff will be encouraged to turn off lights and appliances when they are not in use
  • Energy efficient lighting will be installed in the office spaces.

Waste Management

  • Recycling facilities are provided
  • Staff will be educated on how to correctly utilize the recycling facilities on site.
  • Staff are encouraged to recycle correctly. – Compostable Waste is taken off site to be composted.
  • Waste is to be collected in biodegradable rubbish bags
  • Paper is to be reused whenever possible.

Vehicle Fleet

  • Staff are required to schedule routes to minimize wastage and reduce carbon footprint
  • All vehicles are to be serviced and maintained to ensure their efficiency
  • Carbon emissions of the fleet will be monitored Nature Reserve
  • Staff are to be aware of threats to the nature reserve when touring the area and will work to minimize these threats.
  • Staff are to be aware of the potential risk of introducing predators to the Nature Reserve via the vehicles and will check the vehicles for harbored predators before departing the Base and entering the nature reserve.

Social Responsibility

Gannet Safaris will continue to research and understand the effects our business has on the environment, with the aim to further reduce out companies imprint.

Brochure

Gannet fact: These incredible seabirds can dive at speeds of up to 145 km/hโ€”faster than your morning coffee kicks in! โ˜•๐Ÿ’จ 

#GannetSafaris #CapeKidnappers #ExploreNZ #GannetFacts #HawkesBay
Rise and shine with the gannets ๐Ÿฆโ˜€๏ธ Our Sunrise Tour offers a front-row seat to nature's morning spectacle. Start your day with one-of-a-kind views and a gourmet breakfast on us. 

#GannetSafaris #SunriseTour #CapeKidnappers #ExploreNZ #WildlifeExperience
Cliffside colonies and endless ocean views ๐Ÿคฉ 

Video credit: @riteshpatel88 

#GannetSafaris #BirdWatching #OceanViews #WildlifeAdventure
Another glowing review from a happy guest! ๐Ÿ˜„ We love hearing about your unforgettable experiences with us. If youโ€™ve joined us on a tour, weโ€™d be thrilled if youโ€™d share your thoughts - leave us a review on Google or TripAdvisor and help others discover the adventure. 

#GannetSafaris #HawkesBay #CapeKidnappers #WildlifeAdventure #BirdWatching
Lifeโ€™s better with a view โ€” and a gannet or 2 ๐Ÿ˜ 

Photo credit: @alle_an_bord 

#GannetSafaris #HawkesBay #CapeKidnappers #WildlifeAdventure #BirdWatching
Donโ€™t miss out on this amazing opportunity! โณ 

The gannets are gearing up for their annual migration, set to soar overseas from late April to early September๐Ÿฆ Come see these magnificent seabirds in action before they take to the skies for the season! 

#GannetSafaris #SeasonEnding #CapeKidnappers #ExploreNZ #WildlifeAdventure
Itโ€™s #WorldWildlifeDay ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿฆ 

From soaring gannets to native blooms, Cape Kidnappers is bursting with life. Let's protect this place we are lucky enough to call home ๐Ÿ™Œ 

Video credit: @brenna_stewart

#GannetSafaris #WorldWildlifeDay #Biodiversity #CapeKidnappers #ExploreNZ
Explore the Ocean Beach Wilderness Area on our Cape Sanctuary Tour ๐ŸŒฟ 

Wander through scenic trails, climb towering sand dunes, and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Along the way, encounter rare birds like the takahฤ“, kฤkฤriki, & more๐Ÿฆ๐Ÿฆ…๐Ÿฅ 

Who do you think you'll spot? Let us know in the comments! 

#GannetSafaris #CapeSanctuaryTour #ExploreNZ #WildlifeAdventure
A day with gannets = smiles guaranteed ๐Ÿ˜ 

#GannetSafaris #HawkesBay #CapeKidnappers #ExploreNZ #WildlifeExperience
A beautiful and busy day spent out with @oceaniacruises Regatta group at the plateau! ๐Ÿฆ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ˜ #cruiseexcursion #nzmustdo #hawkesbay #capekidnappers #wildlifeadventure #explorenz
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
There has been a problem with your Instagram Feed.
top