Overnight Kiwi Spotting Tour - Kapiti Island Nature Tours

Posted by lenab10 from Germany on23 May 2026

arrow_back Overnight Kiwi Spotting Tour - Kapiti Island Nature Tours

lenab10 said... Kapiti Island Nature Tours My husband and I visited Kapiti Island on our honeymoon vacation in October 2025. We booked a two-days-tour organized by Kapiti Island Nature Tours and the whole island experience exceeded our expectations in everything! The staff was very friendly and open to all our questions. They told us about the bird life, the history of the island and the long-lasting process of exterminating the introduced predators causing danger to all the native birds as the kiwi. On day one we had the opportunity to hike up to a little summit from where you can see even the South Island. But for us the actual walk was the better part: the old forest with its tall tree ferns and moss was stunning; the constant twittering of the numerous singing birds (as the Hihi, Saddleback, Silvereye, White Head, Bellbird, Tui, North Island Robin) was the best soundtrack and the amusing encounter with the cheeky Kaka at the bird feeder (warning: do not even try to eat something there; the kaka will be watching and won’t hesitate to steal your food right out of your mouth or open the zipper of your backpack) took us longer to get up there. The lodge is located at the northern end of the island and we felt very welcome there. We booked glamping for us and really enjoyed our little big bedroom with just a tent wall between you and nature (and a natural “birdy” alarm clock very early in the morning). As the lodge is being run by a family business everyone of the staff takes care of the visitors to Kapiti Island to make sure they have the best time. We were served four meals in total (a lunch package and dinner on the first day; breakfast and a warm lunch on the second day) and it was all homemade and cooked with love. It was just delicious and we highly appreciated that service. Naturally, where’s food a kaka won’t be far off. So while dining a kaka flew into the building and sat at our table for a short while (he was chased out of course). But the highlight of the whole tour was probably the night walk around the lodge area with the slight chance to see a kiwi or blue penguin. One must have a lot of patience and be very silent if you want to see or hear one. We were lucky to see two kiwis and five penguins – and we certainly heard two more kiwis sniffing through the undergrowth. We were quite sad to leave this paradise-like place for watching birds and enjoying nature. It was really cute to watch a tui having a bath in the bird bath close to the veranda of the lodge. My husband probably took most of the pictures of the whole holiday on that island. Kapiti Island is definitely a good spot for people who like nature and hiking, but the best spot for bird lovers! Don’t hesitate and miss one of the best places I’ve seen in New Zealand and the whole world! It’s really worth spending the money on that tour – you earn so many unforgettable memories and moments! We are so happy to have experienced this wonder of nature!