Cape Town & Garden Route Scheduled Tour Itineraries
Please note for all tours, pick-up and drop-off at central areas is included. Please check when you book if your area is included.
All tours (unless otherwise mentioned) run daily – Some tours cannot run on specific dates due to public holidays or events – please check with us at the time of booking (e.g., Cape Point Tours cannot run on the days of the Cape Argus Cycle Tour or Two Oceans Marathon etc)
CITY TOUR, NOON GUN & TABLE MOUNTAIN
Departs daily at approx. 07h45 and returns at approx. 12h30 (morning tour) (excludes the cost of the Cable Way ticket)
Our drive to the city centre takes us past famous landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope built in 1666 by the Dutch East India Company and City Hall, a baroque building, and the Grand Parade. As we follow the city’s main thoroughfare, Adderley Street, we will see St. George’s Cathedral, the Anglican Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
We will pass the Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter [also known as the Bo-Kaap] which means “Above Cape” because of its location up against the slopes of Table Mountain. In the early 18th century, thousands of slaves from Java, Ceylon and other Far Eastern regions were brought to Cape Town. After slavery was abolished, their descendants, known as the Cape Malay’s, settled here.
Continue to join a sparkling tour, witness the art of diamond cutting and the careful craftsmanship of jewellery manufacturing by skilled experts at Jewel Africa. Discover the history of the Diamond and Gold Trade in South Africa.
We ascend to Signal Hill to witness the firing of the noon gun (except Sundays and Public Holidays).
You will be offered the option of being dropped at Table Mountain (end of tour), where you can ascend to the top [weather permitting and for own account) by the revolving cable car. Here, you’ll see wildflowers and the famous silver tree, and marvel at a birds eye view of the city and its beaches.
On a clear day it is even possible to see Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on one side and Cape Point on the other. Alternatively, you can be returned to your Hotel or dropped at the waterfront.
Excludes: Lunch and Table Mountain cable car.
HALF DAY CAPE POINT (mornings only)
Departs daily at approx. 08h00 and returns at approx. 12h30
Our tour begins with a scenic drive along the Atlantic coast, passing through the cosmopolitan suburb of Sea Point and Camps Bay with its glorious views of the Twelve Apostles, part of the Table Mountain range.
From here we travel to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, comprising over 17,300 acres of indigenous fauna and flora. Here we can see a variety of wildlife that includes baboons, Reebok, Cape Mountain zebra, bontebok and the elusive eland. The reserve is also one
of the world’s largest breeding grounds for tortoises. Birdwatchers, too, will find many fine species to observe.
The majestic coastline offers drama worthy of being called “Nature’s Greatest Show.” We’ll be able to see the union of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans (as per legend) and may even feel the brisk wind that is dubbed the “Cape Doctor” for its presumed curative powers.
Following the coastline along False Bay, we’ll return to Cape Town by way of the Simon’s Town (optional, own account & time permitting visit to Penguin colony), Fish Hoek fishing village and Muizenberg.
We return to Cape Town, passing the University of Cape Town, Rhodes Memorial, and the Groote Schuur Hospital.
Includes: Cape Point Gate and Chapmans Peak
Excludes: Lunch, Boulders Beach and Funicular
FULL DAY CAPE POINT
Departs daily (at approx. 08h00 and returns at approx. 17h00
Bring your camera; we’re headed for Cape Point at the southwestern tip of the Cape Peninsula, and the most spectacular views in the world. The drive there is just as inspiring, passing steep mountains’, secluded coves and sweeping beaches, as well as villages and fishing communities.
Our tour begins with a scenic drive along the Atlantic coast, passing through the cosmopolitan suburb of Sea Point and Camps Bay with its glorious views of the Twelve Apostles, part of the Table Mountain range.
We’ll continue to the fishing village of Hout Bay, one of Cape Town’s best-kept secrets. Here there is an option to take a short boat trip to Duiker Island (for own account & time permitting) to view the Cape Fur Seals, which inhabit the island.
From here we travel to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, comprising over 17,300 acres of indigenous fauna and flora. Here we can see a variety of wildlife that includes baboons, Reebok, Cape Mountain zebra, bontebok and the elusive eland. The reserve is also one
of the world’s largest breeding grounds for tortoises. Birdwatchers, too, will find many fine species to observe.
The majestic coastline offers drama worthy of being called “Nature’s Greatest Show.” We’ll be able to see the union of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans (as per legend) and may even feel the brisk wind that is dubbed the “Cape Doctor” for its presumed curative powers.
Following the coastline along False Bay, we’ll return to Cape Town by way of Simon’s Town, where we visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (for own account), Fish Hoek fishing village and Muizenberg.
Before our return, we’ll stop at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens (for own account). We return to Cape Town, passing the University of Cape Town, Rhodes Memorial, and the Groote Schuur Hospital.
Includes: Cape Point Gate and Chapmans Peak
Excludes: Boulders Beach, Seal Island, Funicular, Kirstenbosch, and Lunch
FULL DAY WINELANDS TOUR
Departs daily (except 25 Dec. & 01 Jan.) at approx. 08h30 and returns at approx. 17h00
While South Africa’s fertile valleys are world famous for their crisp white and classic French-style red wines, the area is also a treasury of rustic beauty and sprawling estates shaded by giant oak trees. Our drive today will include the country’s principal wine routes of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, with a stop en route for lunch (for own account).
Our day starts with a visit to Paarl where you will be struck by the beauty of the Valley, the pristine blue sky, the rolling vineyards, and the Pearl of Paarl set high above the valley. Paarl made headlines when President Mandela was released from the Groot Drakenstein prison (ex-Victor Verster), on the outskirts of the town, to freedom and the start of the new South Africa. We enjoy a wine, cheese, and cellar tour at one of the local estates.
From Paarl, we’ll continue north-west to the beautiful village of Franschhoek, near the Drakenstein Mountains founded in 1688 by French immigrants fleeing the Huguenot religious persecution in Europe. A memorial in the town commemorates the arrival of these early settlers who helped develop the wines sought after by Napoleon, Bismarck and royalty such as Edward VII, the Prince of Wales. Here we will stop for lunch (for own account) and another wine tasting at a vineyard.
We’ll then head to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa and the historic heart of the country’s wine region. In 1679, Dutch East India Company governor Simon van der Stel, recognized the fertility of this long valley on the banks of the Eerste River, as perfect for vineyards. The rest is history, which has been carefully cultivated in this
town. A gracious blend of 18th-century Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings is evident on Dorp Street, where massive oaks still shade original water furrows. Enjoy a final wine tasting before returning to Cape Town.
Time permitting; we will include a third wine tasting.
Includes: 2 x Wine Tastings (3rd one time permitting)
HALF DAY WINELANDS TOUR (afternoons only)
Departs daily (except 25 Dec. & 01 Jan) at approx. 13h30 and returns at approx. 17h00
This enchanting excursion begins with a tour through historic Stellenbosch, an architectural jewel that serves as the historic heart of the country’s wine region. We enjoy a wine, cheese and cellar tour at one of the local estates. A gracious blend of 18- century Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings is evident as we drive down Dorp Street, where massive Oaks still shade original water furrows, then enjoy a wine tasting in the Stellenbosch area. A second wine tasting will be included (time permitting), before returning to Cape Town.
Departs daily (except 25 Dec. & 01 Jan) at approx. 13h30 and returns at approx. 17h00
Includes: 2 x Wine Tastings
Excludes: Lunch
FULL DAY COMBO CAPE POINT & WINELANDS TOUR
Departs daily at approx. 08h00 and returns at approx. 17h00
TOUR MIGHT INCLUDE A TRIP BACK TO CAPE TOWN TO COLLECT ADDITIONAL GUESTS FOR 2nd HALF OF TOUR
This combination tour offers the highlights of Cape Point and the Cape Winelands. Our tour begins with a scenic drive along the Atlantic coast, passing through the cosmopolitan suburb of Sea Point and Camps Bay with its glorious views of the Twelve Apostles, part of the Table Mountain range. From here we travel to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, comprising over 17,300 acres of indigenous fauna and flora. Here we can see a variety of wildlife that includes baboons, rhebok, Cape Mountain zebra, bontebok and the elusive eland. The reserve is also one of the world’s largest breeding grounds for tortoises. Bird-watchers, too, will find many fine species to observe. The majestic coastline offers drama worthy of being called “Nature’s Greatest Show.” We’ll be able to see the union of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans (as per legend) and may even feel the brisk wind that is dubbed the “Cape Doctor” for its presumed curative powers. Following the coastline along False Bay, we’ll continue to the Stellenbosch Winelands. Stellenbosch is an architectural jewel with a gracious blend of 18-century Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings. We then head for a wine tasting session in the Stellenbosch area before returning to Cape Town.
Includes : Chapmans Peak, Cape Point entrance and 2 wine tastings Excludes: Lunch
HALF DAY TOWNSHIP TOUR
Departs Mon-Fri at approx. 09h00 and returns at approx. 12h30 or
Departs Mon-Fri at approx. 13h30 and returns at approx. 17h00
SAT/SUN & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS at approx. 09h00 and returns at approx. 12h30
Join us for a unique experience travelling through the three South Africa’s – The birth, where it all started, Apartheid South Africa, what happened then – the New South Africa, what is different since Nelson Mandela was released from prison.
Departing from Cape Town city centre, the first stop is in the Bo Kaap. Here we discuss the arrival of an expedition of Dutch sailors in 1652 that proved to be a monumental turning point in the South African history. Taking a short walk along the romantic cobble stone streets between the brightly coloured homes, your tour guide explains how the framework for racial segregation was established.
Passing some of Cape Town’s landmarks, a short drive brings us to District 6 where we elaborate on the next tier in the South African story i.e. Apartheid South Africa. Once in District 6, we drive through the now decaying ruins of what once was a flourishing mixed-race community where 60 000 people lived and worked but was demolished only to be reserved exclusively for white people.
The tour continues to Langa, the oldest Black African Township in Cape Town. Along the way we elaborate on the restrictive legislation introduced by the Apartheid regime to enforce racial segregation. On arrival in Langa, we have a photo stop at the site that commemorates the student uprising of 1976; discuss the Pass Laws and the barracks built for African migrant workers.
If conducted on a Sunday morning, the tour includes a short visit to one of the local churches. Here guests are immersed into the charisma and vibrancy of how religion is practiced in the townships.
While in Langa, we also share the miracle of our country when Nelson Mandela convinced us to forgive so that we can free ourselves. We also offer our groups a greater understanding of Shanty Town that exploded with the massive migration of mothers and children into the cities restoring black dignity at the end of Apartheid. The Sunday morning tour includes a visit to a church service in Langa.
Includes: District Six Museum (except Sundays)
Excludes: Lunch
NOTES:
District Six Museum is CLOSED on Sunday.
TOURS DO NOT RUN ON MOST PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
We can include 13:00 Robben Island Ferry (subject to availability) at an additional cost. Subject to weather, ferry schedule and seat availability.
Prepayment is required for Robben Island and is not refundable.
WHALES & WINE TOUR (Hermanus)
Departs Wed / Fri / Sun +/- 08h00 to +/- 18h00 July to November only There is no guarantee that Whales will be sighted although our guides make every effort to find the best viewing point.
The scenic coastal Clarens Drive offers spectacular views of False Bay. We arrive at the quaint holiday town of Hermanus and search the cliffs of Walker Bay for whales.
There may be an opportunity to join boat-based whale watching (for own account and subject to availability and weather).
Our tour continues into the beautiful Hemel en Aarde Valley (Heaven and Earth) to the Bouchard Finlayson Wine Estate where we are treated to tasting some of their delicious wines.
The estate is closed on Sundays, but a visit to the Stoney Point Penguin Colony will be included instead, if time permits.
Relax with a cup of tea (own account) at a farm stall where you can find natural preserves, jams with a difference, and delicious pastries.
We return over Sir Lowry’s Mountain Pass and enjoy the views of long white sandy beaches stretching along the False Bay coastline. On a clear day it is possible to see Cape Point.
Handy tip: Sun protection, protective clothing and preventative treatment against sea sickness are advisable when going on the boat trip.
Includes: Wine tasting at Bouchard Finlayson (or entrance to the Stoney Point Colony on Sundays).
Excludes: Lunch, tea and boat-based whale watching.