9 Days in South Africa: Cape Town and Timbavati Safari
This nine-day South Africa tour combines Cape Town's cultural highlights with the safari thrills and Big Five wildlife of Timbavati Nature Reserve.
South Africa
9 days / 8 nights
$5,000 /person
$5,000 /person
Your trip at a glance
Top Activities
Watching waddling, wild penguins at Boulders Beach
Tasting Cape Town’s top-tier gastronomy on a food crawl
Joining Timbavati safaris, where lions, leopards, and cheetahs run wild
Summiting Lion's Head for incredible views of Cape Town and its surroundings
Stepping into the immersive African bush on an exhilarating walking safari
Touring the Cape Peninsula: Seals, Penguins, and Fishing Villages
Overview
After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll meet your local expert guide for a full-day excursion to the utterly captivating Cape Peninsula. Today’s tour will touch on the area’s most iconic sites, starting with a drive along the Atlantic Coast toward Hout Bay. En route, you’ll pass the cosmopolitan suburbs of Green Point, Sea Point, Clifton, and Camps Bay, winding past gleaming waves and vast mountains. When you arrive at the charming fishing village of Hout Bay, you’ll embark on a guided boat trip with a naturalist to Seal Island, where you’ll have the opportunity to view and befriend Cape fur seals. From there, the road trip will continue via Chapman’s Peak until you stop again at Cape Point Nature Reserve. Here, you’ll ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular to a quintessential coastal lighthouse. After a short break for lunch, the tour will bring you to Simon’s Town. This naval site has garnered a reputation, not only for housing the South African Navy’s largest base, but also, crucially, for its resident colony of penguins; Boulders Beach houses a breeding colony of more than 2,000 endangered African Penguins, which you’ll have the chance to see for yourself. After this once-in-a-lifetime beach and wildlife stop, the tour will conclude in the late afternoon. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel, with the night free to spend however you'd like. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Highlights
Seal Island Cruise
All aboard the Seal Island boat cruise, which will lead you to the remote, aptly named Seal Island, where you’ll find a robust breeding colony filled with seal pups. With a trained naturalist as your guide, you’ll learn all about these playful seals, which birth thousands more each year. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a close peek at the newest seal pups in their natural habitat — and maybe spot some other birds and sea creatures, too.
Flying Dutchman Funicular
A ride with a view, the Flying Dutchman Funicular offers a fun and scenic way to break up the day. Rather than walk up a steep hill to a beloved, waterside view, you'll ride the funicular to the top of Cape Point, from which you can visit the famous lighthouse.
Boulders Beach Penguin Colonies
If you thought the seals were a once-in-a-lifetime site, get ready for Boulders Beach. During today's tour of Simon's Town, you'll stop at a protected penguin colony, where you'll find these black and white birds peacefully roaming sandy beaches. There's a penguin viewing area from which you can observe these endangered animals without disturbing their habitat, marveling at their mannerisms as they waddle, stand, and swim.
Accommodations
The Winchester Boutique Hotel (or similar)
Situated along the scenic Sea Point Promenade, with the majestic backdrop of Table Mountain, The Winchester Boutique Hotel boasts a rich heritage. Its iconic Cape Dutch architecture tells a story of luxury and a bygone era of romance, making it a popular retreat among both local and international guests. The hotel recently undertook major renovations, which have since yielded a contemporary look that pays homage to the building's history. Anchored by modern furnishings, intentional colors, and intricate details, the property encapsulates Cape Town's stylistic evolution — and promises a fitting home base for your time in the city.
Location:
221 Beach Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town, 8005
Phone:
+27214342351
How it works
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What's included
Included in the final price
- Roadbook with local tips and expert recommendations
- 24/7 on-the-ground support
- On-trip concierge service
- Personalized trip crafting
- Entry and exit information and assistance
- Accommodations for eight nights, with daily breakfast included
- All activities, entrance fees, and guided tours mentioned in the itinerary
- All ground transfers mentioned in the itinerary
- All meals and culinary experiences mentioned in the itinerary
- Everything else cited as included in the itinerary
Not included in the final price
- International arrival and departure flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not mentioned or listed as optional in the itinerary
- Domestic flights between Cape Town and Hoedspruit