5 Days South Africa - Cape Town Highlights Tour

Where the edge of the world meets the sea – that's where you find Cape Town, South Africa’s oldest and second-largest city, filled with endless highlights! From Robben Island and the Castle of Good Hope for history buffs, to Table Mountain and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden for nature lovers. Boulders Beach with its clumsy penguin colony and Hout Bay with its lazy seals melt your heart, and for cultural highlights, you'd best head to the colourful Bo-Kaap for a free walking tour. Afterwards, the V&A Waterfront is your place to be: not just for food and wine, but also for a shopping spree and a tour on the Cape Wheel... or even a sunset cruise with an invigorating glass of champagne!

Activities:

Robben Island visit by boat
Robben Island, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is best known as the prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years behind bars. Once a leprosy colony, a mental hospital and a military base, it now stands as a powerful symbol of South Africa’s journey to democracy. Visit the prison and see for yourself where Mandela, along with thousands of other freedom fighters, was incarcerated for so many years. Tours include a ferry ride from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, a bus tour across the island and a visit to Mandela’s former cell. Ferries depart daily (weather permitting), and booking in advance is essential. Prepare for a 3.5 to 4 hour tour through one of South Africa’s most important historical landmarks.

Champagne Sunset Cruise in the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
After an exciting day in Cape Town, it’s time to hop on a boat, watch the sun sink into the ocean and raise your glass of champagne to the Mother City's skyline. For about 1 hour, you marvel at Table Mountain and Lion’s Head covered in an extraordinary light and witness the city turn into a sea of lights. Please note that departure times change daily, meaning you can book your ticket in advance, but have to check the exact departure time on the day of your cruise. Before departure or upon return, explore the V&A Waterfront as it's THE place for shopping and fine dining. Get here early (or stay late!), spoil your taste buds and shop for exclusive gifts!

Accommodations:
Silver - City Lodge Hotel - VA Waterfront
Gold - Cape Heritage Hotel
Platinum -The Bay Hotel

Chapman’s Peak Drive – called “Chappies” by the locals – is one of the world’s most scenic coastal routes, stretching 9 kilometres between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. With 114 curves hugging the mountainside, this iconic drive close to Cape Town offers jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic coastline. Built during WWI, it winds along the cliffs of Chapman’s Peak, part of the towering Constantia Berg. Hout Bay, on the northern side of Chapman's Peak Drive, is a twenty-minute drive from Cape Town. This charming seaside town features a bustling fishing harbour, over 40 restaurants, quirky art and antiques shops and a lively weekend market. And on top of that, it's your gateway to Seal Island.

Activities:

Hout Bay and Seal Island Cruise
Expect breathtaking views of the famous Chapman’s Peak and the Sentinel Mountain, as you embark on an exciting, family-friendly 1-hour cruise from Hout Bay harbour to Seal Island, where you can view thousands of wild Cape Fur Seals close up in their beautiful natural habitat. There are departures at 10 AM, 10:45 AM, noon, 2:00 PM and 3:15 PM, but keep in mind that this activity is weather dependent. And should you be in Hout Bay during the weekend, make sure to pop in at the Harbour Bay Market (open on Friday evenings, Saturday and Sunday) - where the creative energy of Cape Town comes alive in an old fish factory!

Accommodations:
Silver - City Lodge Hotel - VA Waterfront
Gold - Cape Heritage Hotel
Platinum - The Bay Hotel

Discover the dramatic beauty of Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. On the way, stop at Boulders Beach to see its famous African penguin colony up close. Explore the pristine beaches surrounded by granite boulders (indeed, Boulders Beach), before you continue south towards Cape Point's rugged rocks. Ride the Flying Dutchman funicular to the old lighthouse for unforgettable views from towering cliffs. This full-day tour includes plenty of off-the-bus time to explore with an expert guide. Pick-up points include the V&A Waterfront and Long Street; booking your tickets in advance is recommended.

Activities:

Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Kirstenbosch is a UNESCO-listed botanical garden on the slopes of Table Mountain, showcasing South Africa’s unique flora like proteas (the national flower!), strelitzias and fynbos. Don’t miss the Boomslang (meaning tree snake) Canopy Walkway; this 12-metre-high walkway takes you from the forest floor into the trees, providing spectacular panoramic vistas. You can also visit the art garden and go for a short, sign-posted hike! And if you get hungry, there are three on-site restaurants to choose from. Free guided garden tours are available on weekdays at 10 AM, 11 AM, and 2 PM (weather permitting).

Accommodations:
Silver - City Lodge Hotel - VA Waterfront
Gold - Cape Heritage Hotel
Platinum - The Bay Hotel

All good things come to an end. This is your last day, and it's time to catch your flight home from Cape Town International Airport. Sad to leave…? Not to worry! You can also hop on a domestic flight to Johannesburg or Pretoria and add a few days to your holiday. How about meeting the Big Five (or Seven!) during a safari? Or relaxing at a picturesque beach? Let us know your wishes, and we will gladly organise a holiday extension to help you explore the other parts of South Africa.