Cape Town tours - Discover the Cape

Without a doubt, Cape Town is one of the most lively and most frequently visited cities in South Africa. This cosmopolitan city has something for everyone; no need to be bored here. Naturally, Table Mountain is the city's pride and joy. This mountain rises up from the middle of the city and offers an incredible view of the city. And what about the relaxing, trendy beaches of Camps Bay, the pinguins at Boulders Beach or the most southwestern point of the African continent: Cape of Good Hope. Each and every one of these places is special and definitely worth visiting. But there's more to Cape Town than sight-seeing alone. This city also offers countless bars and restaurants where you can enjoy an Amarula (African drink) after a day of taking in the sights. In the evening, you may even join in on a genuine African "braai".

This module includes a three-night stay in Cape Town, so that you'll have all the time you need to explore the city and perhaps to do some shopping in one of the many shopping malls. Naturally you can choose to lengthen or shorten this module if you have more or less time available to travel here. In other words, this is a fantastic city and the more time you have to spend here the better!

Today you'll arrive in Cape Town. When you land, you'll be greeted at arrivals by our friendly representative, who will talk you through your trip before you collect your rental car. Alternatively, we can book a transfer for you from the airport to your hotel/guesthouse and arrange for your rental car to be delivered the following morning. Just ask one of our travel specialists if you would prefer this option. 

There are three different guest house options to choose from in Cape Town, each of which are centrally located, near major attractions and only about 25 minutes from the airport. After you've had a chance to freshen up in the guest house, you'll have the entire remainder of the afternoon to have a look around Cape Town. The Waterfront is a wonderful place to visit, have a drink and enjoy the view. There are also countless bars, restaurants and a nice shopping mall nearby. If the weather is clear, you can even see Table Mountain from here; an incredible view. You'll also find Two Oceans Aquarium here, with hundreds of different types of fish as well as seals, penguins, sea horses and enormous sharks. 

If you enjoyed a day at the Waterfront yesterday, you can to spend today getting to know more about local culture while enjoying breathtaking views. This is the beauty of the rental car - total freedom of choice! 

Robben Island: you'll visit the prison where Nelson Mandela was an inmate for 27 years. For just a short while, walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela and experience what it's like to be 'exiled' to this prison island off the coast of Cape Town. He and many others with him were sent to Robben Island in the 60's for opposing the Apartheids regime. Several boats head towards the island from the waterfront each day. Tickets are for sale at the clock tower and the boat ride will take approximately 45 minutes (if you're prone to sea sickness, you may want to take a pill for nausea before boarding the boat). Once you arrive on the island, you'll receive a guided tour by an ex-inmate of Robben Island.  

Tip: These tours are quite popular and are quickly fully booked in peak travel season (December - January and July - August). That's why we suggest you book this tour right after your arrival in Cape Town. Whether or not the boats depart for the island, depends on the weather and at times their departure is delayed or cancelled; if this happens, your money will be returned to you. 

Table Mountain: A trip to the top of Table Mountain is an absolute essential to any visit to Cape Town. Along with Mount Everest, this is probably one of the most written about mountains in the world, as well as the centrepiece of the city. This mountain however is somewhat easier to climb than Everest though - in about 2 hours you'll be at the top of the mountain. For those who don't feel like climbing the mountain, there's a cable car with a 360 degrees rotating carriage for an increasingly more beautiful view. Once you reach the top, you'll be able to enjoy a view unlike any other of all of Cape Town. Sometimes you may be a bit out of luck if the mist doesn't pull up. Naturally, this mist is referred to as the Table Cloth. 

Note: If the weather in Cape Town is fine, grab the opportunity to get up Table Mountain while the sunshine lasts. Cape Town is notorious for changeable weather and the cable car closes at the first sign of high winds or heavy rain, so you need to take your chance while the going is good.

After an impressive day, why not recuperate with a cocktail on the cosmopolitan beachfront at Camps Bay? This beach is located behind the Table Mountain's 'Lion's Head' and the 'Twelve Apostles'. Coming from Table Mountain, you'll see the beach villas and beaches lying before you. With its many palm trees, beautiful beaches and happening restaurants, this place has been a favourite amongst Cape Town visitors for years. A walk on the boulevard is a perfect way to end the day. 

Chapman's Peak: after visiting two top Cape Town attractions yesterday, you may wish to spend the day exploring the area surrounding the city. One of the most famous trails in the world is the Chapman's Peak Drive. This route begins in Cape Town and passes by places such as Chapman's Peak, Cape of Good Hope and the penguin beach, Boulders Beach.

The trip begins in Cape Town from where you'll drive to the harbour town - Hout Bay. This small town lies in a 'bowl' and is surrounded by several mountains. You'll probably want to park the car and perhaps go on a seal tour here. Even while having a bite to eat at one of the friendly harbour restaurants, you'll likely spot quite a few seals. Next you'll drive on towards Cape of Good Hope. You'll drive through mountain roads around Hout Bay and you'll have a wonderful view of white beaches and the crystal blue sea. There are several places you can stop and park the car along the road to enjoy the view. 

Cape of Good Hope: About 2 hours later, you'll reach the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve where you can stand on the the most south-western tip of the African continent. There are several places to picnic in the reservce where you'll be surrounded by sea and mountains. Be aware of the baboons walking around the reserve, before you know it they will have stolen your lunch.... 
 

Boulders Beach: the last major stop along the Chapman's Peak Drive is Boulders Beach at Simon's Town - a penguin beach! Walk across wooden tiles onto this beach where you'll sea entire colonies of penguins waddling by. These penguins are also known as the  Jackass penguins. There are more than 3000 (!) penguins to be seen in this area.

After this long, yet impressive day, it's great to relax and unwind in the guest house pool before preparing for a lovely dinner. We suggest having dinner at 'Mama Africa' on Long Street where there's live music after dinner each evening. We really enjoyed the atmosphere in the restaurant and the menu is very diverse; you could even eat springbok, kudu or crocodile.... A great place to have dinner. Be sure to make reservations though, this restaurant is usually booked full. 

Would you rather see the sights with a guide? You can also book this tour as an excursion: Penguins and the Cape Peninsula.

On the last day of your stay in Cape Town, visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens. There's always something going on, all year round. You'll see the most beautiful flora and fauna here while you walk through the gardens. During the summer months you may even be surprised by an outdoor concert and you'll be able to sit in the grass and enjoy the music. Whether you visit the gardens in the summer or in the winter (on sunny days), this place is great for ending your visit to Cape Town with an outdoor picnic. If the weather doesn't cooperate you could have a bite to eat in the bistro or at the restaurant. This marks a wonderful end (or beginning) of your South Africa tour.