While in Cairns next Sept. we want to do either a Daintree or Cape trib tour with Trek North, which would be the best choice. We want to see as much as possible including animals.

Hi there
Usually the tours up there cover both areas as they are in the same area (the Cape Trib NP borders the Daintree NP), so pick a tour that suits you best. The tours usually include a river cruise on the Daintree river, a walk somewhere near Cape Tribulation in the rainforest and they end at Cape Tribulation beach. Please note that you normally won't see a lot of wild life in their natural environment (except snakes, forest dragons, lizards...). If you want to do an "animal tour" you should go to the Atherton Tablelands.
The standard tours (like Trek North) cover the best and most important areas. If you prefer to tailor a tour around your personal interests, you will be better off on a private charter.
Nice places to see animals in captivity are the Rainforest Habitat in Port Douglas or Hartley's Creek between Cairns and Port Douglas.
For more info about the area and links to tours see www.wonderfulaustralia.com
Hope this will help

silkismom - think you must have been looking at Trek North's website which indeed lists two separate tours to the area- one is 4WD to Cape Tribulation (tour CT1) described by myaustralia and the other is tour D2 which goes as far as the Daintree River but not beyond. The D2 takes in Rainforest Habitat, an excellent wildlife park, so you would see more animals on that one, albeit in an enclosed but natural appearing area.

Thanks for your help.

i would not bother with both we drove to cape tribulation only to find an empty beach and mangrove pretty disappointing, we also went on the daitree river tour and both time they told us the crocodile were not out because there was no sun what a coincidence. instaed drive from port douglas to the waterfall it is beautiful or just enjoy cairns and port douglas.

symphony1, what exactly were you expecting to find at Cape Tribulation -high-rise apartments and nightclubs?

waht a disspiontmint...

silkismom
we loved Cape Trib, pristine rainforest that meets the sea, boat trips out to snorkel over the coral with not another boat in sight, glimpses of bright blue Ullyses butterflies, we even got to see an elusive cassowary... don't be put off...go and enjoy the deserted beauty of it.

symphony 1 - you encountered no- one on Cape Tribulation beach? How awful for you. Would have thought that would be a bonus. Sorry you found the mangroves disappointing - those bordering and within Great Barrier Reef World Heritage system are some of the most pristine and diverse in the world and provide a critical contribution to the reef's existence. British naturalist David Attenborough described his time in the area as "one of the most magical experiences of my life".

Daintree operators do not entice crocs by feeding them for the amusement of tourists, silly practice as it encourages crocs to think of tourists as dinner. In this area, go to Hartley's Creek or Cairns Tropical zoos if you want to see jumping crocs, or a croc farm for about 20,000 of them. Can assure you there's plenty about, sun or no sun, that's why beaches both around Cairns and Port Douglas are often closed in summer. Only the other day a croc turned up in a Cairns city workshed.

symphony 1 - try Miami Beach or Bondi Beach, you will find more people there. Cape Tribulation is for those who want to see the beautiful and pristine rainforest, not crowds of people. If you want to see crocs (guaranteed) you just have to go to a croc farm. If you do some research, you will find that crocs mostly come out in the sun to heat up. Next, do more research, but don't turn off other people who appreciate nature.
SILKISMOM - go ahead and enjoy the beautiful and wonderful rainforest and the Daintree River. Even if you don't see one croc on the tour - it is a very scenic and enjoyable cruise!