Welcome to Western Cape
The splendours of the Western Cape lie not only in its world-class vineyards, stunning beaches and mountains, but also in lesser-known regions, such as the wide-open spaces of the Karoo, the nature reserves and the wilderness areas. Make sure you get out into these wild, less-visited areas for birdwatching and wildlife adventure, as well as pure relaxation under vast skies.The Western Cape offers a huge range of... Read More
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Western Cape activities
2-Day Western Cape Wildlife Game Drive and Route 62 from Cape Town
Day 1: Cape Town – Klein KarooLeave the bright lights of Cape Town behind and travel to the Western Cape by luxury minibus, enjoying dramatic scenery along Route 62 to the Klein Karoo -- a desert-like region in the heart of South Africa. The journey takes between five and six hours, so there will be plenty of stops en route at roadside restaurants and cafés. After your journey through the landscape of rugged plains and towering cliffs, reach Oudtshoorn – the region’s principle town.Your day continues to the Cango Wildlife Ranch on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn to see some of the world’s most endangered animals, such as Bengal tigers and white lions. Internationally recognized as the Western Cape’s most prestigious zoological park, the ranch is also home to big cats, snakes, crocodiles and more. After a tour, you’ll have roughly two hours to spend at your leisure.Leaving the ranch, your tour continues to a working ostrich farm. Learn about these flightless birds – the tallest and heaviest in the world. Your evening is spent at leisure back in Oudtshoorn, so either relax at your accommodation or head into town to discover the nightlife and local restaurants on your own.Overnight: 4-Star or 3-Star Guest House B&B or Backpackers budget accommodation option in OudtshoornDay 2: Klein Karoo – Cape Town (B)After an early breakfast at your accommodation, meet your guide and set off to meet the African elephants at a nearby game reserve. Under the watchful eye of your guide, get up close to these huge yet lovable creatures – easily the largest animals walking the earth today (own expense). Then head straight into the action on a 2-hour game drive to see most of Africa’s famous Big Five! The term ‘Big Five’ was coined by big game hunters who used it to refer to the most difficult animals to hunt on foot; today, it represents some of the most elusive and exciting animals to see on safari. With your experienced and knowledgeable game-ranger guide, hop aboard your 4x4 vehicle to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitats on a private game reserve. In addition to the animals that make up the Big Five, you’ll also see giraffes, kudus, zebras and wildebeests, to name a few!You’ll then be driven back to Cape Town, where your tour ends.
Vine Hopper: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour - Northern Route
The Northern Route wine tour in Stellenbosch operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.Be collected at any Guesthouse in Stellenbosch or at the Stellenbosch Tourism Information office at 36 Mark Street. You can decide when you would like to depart and how long you would like to hop on hop off along our route.The mini bus departure times from Stellenbosch town are at 9:45, 10:50, 12:10, 13:20, 14:30 and 15:40.Please be advised that the later you depart, the fewer estates you will be able to visit. The Northern Route has spectacular views of the Winelands where you can see all the way to Table Mountain in the distance and enjoy the splendour of the Western Cape. On this Route you have the option to visit the following farms:Bergkelder - The best wine experience in the Cape awaits you at Die Bergkelder, the famous “Cellar in the mountain” in Stellenbosch. Take a tour through the underground cellars in the mountain while tasting fantastic wines.Beyerkloof - Home of Pinotage. Beyerskloof has a small but modern cellar with a welcoming homely atmosphere. Here you can do a wine tasting or have a glass of wine along with a meal in our restaurant.Simonsig - Voted top South African winery in three prestigious competitions and bearer of numerous accolades, including South Africa’s top Shiraz, Simonsig signifies the ultimate in wine excellence. One of the founder farms of the Stellenbosch wine route and home of the famous Kaapse Vonkel. Cuvee Restaurant also is a perfect lunch stop for the fine food lover.Warwick - Set on the Simonsberg Mountain slopes, this highly regarded winery has become synonymous with the great winelands picnics tradition. Join Warwick for their delicious Gourmet Picnics, Big 5 Vineyard Safaris and historic Wines, the perfect ingredients for a memorable, lazy-day-out in wine country.Delheim - Seeing Sperling family members flanked by at least one Jack Russell each; watching the geese line up for lunch; marvelling at the vineyards in the foreground of the great Simonsberg mountain all make this farm worth a visit. The restaurant offers an la carte menu or you can order meat and cheese platters to be enjoyed with your wineMarianne - A young boutique estate on the foothills of the Simonsberg Mountain with fantastic views over the estate and beyond which complement the elegant wines of this estate. Enjoy a biltong and wine pairing or get a cheese platter to enjoy with your wine on the beautiful Panoramic deck terrace.After the tour, we will drop you off at your pick up location.
Vine Hopper: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour - Southern Route
The Southern Route wine tour in Stellenbosch operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. We collect at any Guesthouse in Stellenbosch or at the Stellenbosch Tourism Information office at 36 Mark Street. You can decide when you would like to depart and how long you would like to hop on hop off along our route.The mini bus departure times from Stellenbosch town are at 8:45, 10:15, 12:00, 13:30 and 14:40.Please be advised that the later you depart, the fewer estates you will be able to visit.The Southern Route highlights the differences in the types of farms Stellenbosch has to offer. You can decide if you would like to go to all 6 estates or spend more time at a few of your favourites. The Southern Route visits the following farms.Neethlingshof - Along with the awe-inspiring manor house, Neethlingshof is steeped in history which dates back to 1705 and distinguished by the beautiful avenue of stone pines. It’s a place where soil, climate and vines co-exist in perfect harmony. We’re blessed with 13 distinguishable terroirs and by choosing the correct site; we've been able to enhance the natural flavour and aroma of our range of wines. Our estate’s also a member of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI), highlighting our commitment to eco-sustainability. 28 ha of the 110 ha wine farm (under vine) is set aside for conservation and the replanting of the indigenous Renosterveld species with the aim of restoring the natural balance and encouraging wildlife, big and small, in this area.Van Ryn Brandy Cellar - The Van Ryn’s Distillery is housed in a beautiful building and a daily cellar tour shows of the Cooper, practicing his ancient art of Barrel making. After the cellar tour there are different options of brandy tasting pairings.Spier, is one of the biggest Wine Estates in Stellenbosch and is a destination in itself. Experience different wine tastings and pairing options, Restaurants, a Deli and the Cape Raptor Centre with its daily flying shows of birds of prey. Alto - Situated high on the slopes of the Helderberg mountain, the history of Alto Estate dates back to 1693 and has a special place in the wine loving South Africans heart. Fantastic red wines can be tasted here with views over the wine valley. Bilton - Tucked away in the foothills of the Helderberg, this boutique winery is a specialist producer of rare wines of distinctive character. Chocolate and wine pairing at this estate is a favorite. Kleine Zalze - Wine has been made at Kleine Zalze since 1695. the family-owned winery continues the tradition of producing wines of outstanding quality, receiving numerous awards, both locally and abroad.
3-Day Western Cape Splendor including Cape Point, Cape Winelands and Cape Agulhas Guided Tour from Cape Town
Day 1: Cape Point - Stellenbosch You'll be picked up in the morning by luxury minivan to the first stop at Hout Bay. Wander around the charming market or opt for an optional Duiker Island cruise (own expense) to see the Cape fur seals.Continue to the Cape of Good Hope and stop at Cape Point, a nature reserve within Table Mountain National Park. Observe wildlife in a fynbos landscape and walk to the lighthouse where the waves of the Atlantic Ocean crash against Africa’s southwestern tip. Head inland to spend the evening in Stellenbosch to enjoy local wine, food and buzzing nightlife (own expense). Overnight in Stellenbosch 4-star Roosenwijn or similarDay 2: Franschhoek - Cape Agulhas (B)Visit the township of Kayamandi to experience a taste of township life. With a local community leader to show you around, you’ll get an insider’s view of local life and learn about the Xhosa culture.Then, visit some of the popular wine estates that are scattered around the Western Cape towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Sample some of the country’s most acclaimed wines and ports, pairing them with locally produced cheeses and even chocolate! In Franschhoek, you’ll have time to spend at leisure, a perfect place for lunch in what many consider to be South Africa’s gourmet capital.Travel to Cape Agulhas to a stone marker at shore – indicating the most southern tip of Africa – a geographic extreme where the continent meets with the mighty Atlantic and Indian Oceans. A graveyard of ancient shipwrecks along this legendary 'Cape of Storms' reminds of many tragic and mysterious tales of failed expeditions.Overnight in Cape Agulhas at 4-star Agulhas Country Lodge or similarDay 3: Hermanus - Cape Town (B)Either rise at the crack of dawn to go shark cage diving (own expense), or depart slightly later to visit the popular whale-watching town of Hermanus. If you choose to explore Hermanus, you’ll have more time here independently. Perhaps enjoy some land-based whale watching along the famous cliff footpaths. Whale season from approximately June to November.If an adrenaline-pumping cage diving experience with sharks is more your thing, then join a ±2-hour cage dive with South Africa’s notorious great white sharks. All equipment is provided; just bring your bathing suit! After the dive, you'll also have some time to spot whales along the coast when collecting the group from Hermanus.On the way back to Cape Town, you'll pass the famous Betty's Bay penguin reserve to meet with a colony of African penguins in their natural habitat, before one final last stop at a Clarence Drive viewpoint. Arrive back in Cape Town between ± 6 pm.This package is part of a group tour and other customers may sleep at 4-star, 3-star or budget backpacker accommodation.
Guided Bike Tour of Stellenbosch
The tour starts at 9:00. Here each rider will collect a mountain bike and helmet to suite their size. The Guide will carry a backpack with snacks along the route for each rider which is included in the rate. Guide can also carry a few bottles of wine in the backpack if you would like to buy wine at one of the farms.Stellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement in South Africa and has the best preserved historical centre in the country. The tour stars with a cycle through Stellenbosch town and visiting some of these historic sites and places of interest along the way. Hear stories about the early settlers and see old Cape Dutch architecture before heading out into the scenic Jonkershoek Valley. This valley is part of a UNESCO world heritage site and a winding road through oak and poplar forests will take you to a wine estate nestled in the valley bottom, Here you can take in the stunning views of the Jonkershoek Mountains while doing a wine tasting of award winning wines.On the way out of the valley, the tour will stop at another wine estate which sports beautiful grounds and historic Cape Dutch architecture. Here a private cellar tour is included before a Chocolate and Wine pairing awaits that will make taste buds tingle.After the tasting the tour will head back into Stellenbosch Town via the famous Stellenbosch University Campus with its lively atmosphere and beautiful landscaping, before ending at approximately 13:30.There are some variations to the route, with varying levels of difficulty so the tour can be tailored to suite your cycling ability.
Vine Hopper: 2-Day Hop on Hop off Wine Tour Pass from Stellenbosch
With the Vine Hopper 2 Day pass, you are entitled to use the Vine Hopper hop on hop off service for 2 days. The Vine Hopper has 2 Routes, each of which will visit 6 different wine estates during the day. You will be collected at any Guesthouse in Stellenbosch or at the Stellenbosch Tourism Information office at 36 Mark Street on both days of your 2 Day travel pass. You can decide when you would like to depart and how long you would like to hop on hop off along our route..Please be advised that the later you depart, the fewer estates you will be able to visit.The Northern Route operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and has spectacular views of the Winelands. Here you can see all the way to Table Mountain in the distance and enjoy the splendour of the Western Cape. On this Route you have the option to visit the following farms:Bergkelder - Take a tour through the underground cellars in the mountain while tasting fantastic wines.Beyerkloof - Home of Pinotage. Simonsig - Voted top South African winery in three prestigious competitions and bearer of numerous accolades.Warwick - This highly regarded winery has become synonymous with the great winelands picnics tradition and winesDelheim - Well known and enjoyed by all who visit.Marianne - A young boutique estate on the foothills of the Simonsberg Mountain with fantastic views over the estateThe Southern Route wine tour in Stellenbosch operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and highlights the differences in the types of farms Stellenbosch has to offer. You can decide if you would like to go to all 6 estates or spend more time at a few of your favourites. The Southern Route visits the following farms.Neethlingshof - Along with the awe-inspiring manor house, Neethlingshof is steeped in history which dates back to 1705.Van Ryn Brandy Cellar - Daily cellar tour shows the Cooper practicing his ancient art of Barrel making.Spier - One of the biggest Wine Estates in Stellenbosch and is a destination in itself.Alto - Situated high on the slopes of the Helderberg mountain, the history of Alto Estate dates back to 1693 with a rich red wine culture.Bilton - Chocolate and wine pairing at this estate is a favorite. Kleine Zalze - Wine has been made at Kleine Zalze since 1695. The family-owned winery continues the tradition of producing wines of outstanding quality, receiving numerous awards, both locally and abroad.After the tour, we will drop you off at your pick up location.