Situated at the continent’s southern tip, Cape Town is known as South Africa’s “Mother City”. Relatively small by world standards, it is a modern and metropolitan city with attractive buildings, thoroughfares and shops. It is also the country’s oldest city, used from the 1600s as a halfway station between the Netherlands and the Far East. The central city area lies between Table Mountain and Table Bay, in the shape of an amphitheatre.
Cape Town offers a wide variety of fine hotels, restaurants, bars and a lively arts calendar. Its many near-perfect beaches are well complemented by its near-ideal Mediterranean weather. The region is ranked as one of the world’s six premier botanical divisions, far beyond proportion to its size.
The vineyards and hills of the Cape Winelands lie beyond the Cape Flats. Settled in 1679, Stellenbosch is situated 50 km north-east of Cape Town. This university town contains many fine examples of historic Cape Dutch buildings, especially around the town square. Situated in the Franschhoek Valley, 83 km from Cape Town, Franschhoek has strong French characteristics due to the early French Huguenot settlement. It also has its own wine route. Situated on the banks of the Berg River, Paarl is a wine region and is central to the history of the Afrikaans language.
Please note that all tours require a minimum of two passengers and operate on a pre booked basis with an English speaking driver/guide.
Cape Point & Peninsula (full day)
An awe-inspiring tour to the towering headland known as Cape Point. Magnificent beaches, breathtaking views, historic and picturesque coastal villages are to be seen along the way. Tour commences at 9:00. We travel along the Atlantic Seaboard via Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay, stopping at a Llandudno look-out point and continuing to Hout Bay, a quaint village and fishing harbour with magnificent mountain views and beach.
Optional: Seal Island boat trip (seasonal) (not incl. in cost).
Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve, which has a wide variety of plant, bird and animal life. After lunch at a nearby restaurant (not incl. in cost), we go on to Simon’s Town, a village with a naval base and a large penguin colony at the beautiful Boulders Beach. The tour ends at ± 17:30 after a visit to the well-known Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Cape Winelands (full day)
This delightful drive winds its way to the heart of the Cape Winelands, through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads. Tour commences at 8:30. A brief visit to historic Stellenbosch (Dorp Street and Oom Samie se Winkel). Wine cellar tour and tasting – choice between KWV (Paarl) or The Bergkelder (Stellenbosch). In Franschhoek, we visit the Boschendal manor house. Lunch in Franschhoek (not incl. in cost). Visit of and winetasting (winetasting not incl. in cost) at a Franschhoek wine estate. In Paarl, we visit the Fairview wine estate for wine and cheese tasting. The tour ends at ± 17:30.
Cape Riviera & Whale Sighting Tour (full day)
August to November is usually the best time to see the Southern Right Whale in our waters. Hermanus’ Walker Bay is an ideal place for whale watching. These mammals, which often come as close to 50 metres from the shore, are given to displays of breaching, lobtailing, spyhopping and courtship rituals. We leave Cape Town at 8:30 via Elgin, which is apple country. In Hermanus, we visit the Harbour Museum and spend time watching whales. Here, visitors will have a choice between winetasting at the Hamilton Russell wine estate or a visit to the Harold Porter Botanical Garden. The spectacular “Riviera of the Cape” coastal drive via Gordon’s Bay takes us back to Cape Town. The tour ends at ± 18:00.