7 Days - Delectable wine and food paired with landscapes

Riebeek Kasteel

1 night

“Off the beaten track with down to earth hospitality, where you’re safe to take off your shoes”. The Swartland is strewn with wheat fields and vineyards and is building its already strong reputation as one of the most exciting wine and olive regions in South Africa. The area lies 60 kilometers north of Cape Town and further comprises the rolling hills, mountains and valleys between Yzerfontein on the coast, Piketberg in the north and Riebeek Kasteel in the west, where we will overnight. We spend our time meeting artists and wine makers, olive and olive oil tasting, eating at some of the extraordinary restaurants and soaking up the breathtaking views. Hiking Kasteelberg (Castle Mountain) is an optional activity.

Franschhoek

1 night

The stunning Franschhoek Valley lies stretched out between the Groot Drakenstein, Klein Drakenstein and Franschhoek mountains including Jonkershoek Nature Reserve and Wemmershoek Forest Reserve. Franschhoek (meaning “French Corner”) as we know it today was established in the 1680’s by French refugees that was given safe passage by the VOC after being persecuted in France. They brought with them their agricultural (especially wine making) skills and South Africa’s “food and wine capital” is still reaping the rewards today. Take a ride and visit local wine farms on the Franschhoek Wine Tram. Take your selfie at the prison gate where Nelson Mandela walked as a free man for ‘the first time’. Admire the exquisite collection of vintage cars at the Franschhoek Motor Museum and feed your foodie status merits at the award winning restaurants in town.

Hermanus

2 nights

From Franschhoek we travel scenic mountain passes and through rolling farmland to Hermanus, taking a detour via the southernmost point of Africa at Cape Agulhas. Hermanus lies along Walker Bay on the south coast of the Western Cape and is located about 115 km southeast of Cape Town. We are here for the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (which means “heaven and earth” in the Afrikaans language). This is a wine-producing area of Walker Bay. This valley is close to the coast and within it’s maritime climate produce cool climate wines made form Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but also Syrah, Pinotage and red Bordeaux blends. Hermanus has some of the best land-based whale watching in the world but when the season doesn’t allow for it you can go horse riding, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking or simply enjoy one of many gorgeous beaches. There are a lot of beautiful shops and art galleries in town and the restaurants are well worth a visit if you are a food lover.

Cape Town

2 nights

Cape Town (also known as The Mother City and Cape of Good Hope) was established in 1652 as the first permanent European settlement in South Africa. Not only is it the most popular international tourist destinations in South Africa but Africa as a whole. Once you see Cape Town with Table Mountain as backdrop, you’ll quickly understand why people are drawn here but we also want you to experience why this region is our wine and dine capitol! As a group we will spend 2 nights in culturally diverse Cape Town. Apart from world class cuisine and the oldest wine estates in the country, there’s so much to see. From Cape Point Nature Reserve to Robben Island to the spectacular view of the harbour and Table Bay from the top of Table Mountain. You will fall in love with Cape Town – guaranteed!

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Please select your start date on the calendar when booking your tour. We require a 35% deposit on confirmation of booking. The remaining balance is due 14 days before your tour date.

Minimum 2 travelers.

Upcoming trip dates:

Choose your preferred starting date on the calendar.

Trip direction: Circle Cape Town to Cape Town
Swartland, Franschhoek, Cape Agulhas, Hermanus, Cape Town

A single supplement of ZAR 3,000 will be added if you prefer your own room. This will bring your total amount to ZAR 31,995

Included in trip prices:

All accommodation. We are providing comfortable 3 and 4 star bed and breakfast accommodation. Two people per room. Rooms are en-suite.
Professional guides/driver for the duration of the tour and on-site guides and interaction with wine makers where possible and necessary.
All overland transport that is trip related (comfortable vehicle, fuel, tolls). If you decide to do activities on your own outside the tour/group, transport to do so will be for your own account (we do however help where we can to make things as easy as possible).
4 Meals (Lunches and/or dinner)
Wine tours and a couple of tastings
Olive and olive oil tasting
Entrance to Cape Point
Walking city tour in Cape Town
Table Mountain
Visit to Stony Point’s African Penguin Colony
Cape Town Ostrich Ranch
A San guided experience. The San will demonstrate their skills and share their ancient knowledge about oral history, tracking animals and identifying plants with you.

Wine Tasting

This tour focuses on the great wine that South Africa produces (but don’t forget the food and breathtaking scenery). With some of the best wines in the world being produced just half an hour’s drive from Cape Town, it would be a disgrace not to spend some days sampling some of these fine beverages. The wine country has a long history and strong culture stretching from 1679. It’s hard to decide where to stop for a tasting; we’ll explore wineries in the Swartland, Paarl, Franschhoek and Hemel-en-Aarde Valley as well as Cape Town area. Fortunately we have time for more than a few and we adapt the tour so you can sample the varieties you prefer.

Olive and Olive Oil Tasting

Foodies, assemble! If you have a sincere and unbridled love for all things delectable and delicious, then Het Vlock Kasteel is one Swartland destination that needs a space of honour at the top of our must-visit list! This is beautiful family farm in Riebeek Kasteel where you can revel in the discovery of more than 200 home-made products that have been developed and produced right there on their premises by the inimitable Ansie Vlok and her passionate team of artisans. We book with Ansie for a personal olive oil tasting on the stoep (patio) with a view that stretches for days!

African Penguins

Stony Point Nature Reserve is home to one of the largest successful breeding colonies of African Penguin in the world and offers us the chance to see these wonderful flightless birds up close. Walk the boardwalk through the colony and observe the penguins go about their daily activities in their natural habitat, without disturbing or disrupting them.

Horse Riding

No reason for a long face if you are a horse riding fanatic. Again you’ll have different terrain to choose from and two of our favorites would definitely be a ride in the mountains at Hermanus or on the beach at Noordhoek.

Stand Up Paddleboarding

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is still a relatively young sport and gaining participants with great momentum. Learn to SUP with easy, progressive and fun SUP lessons in Cape Town on calm water or in the waves at Muizenberg. You will learn how to safely SUP in waves in the shallow beach break in Muizenberg, internationally recognized ideal spot for learning Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Surfing.

Boat Trips

If boat tripping floats your boat there are a few outings to choose from. Take a boat trip to the seal colony on Seal Island in scenic Hout Bay or experience a close encounter with the gentle giants of the ocean on an informative and educational whale watching trip in Hermanus.

Skydiving and Tandem Skydiving Jumps

Experience free-fall over one of the most scenic drop zones in the world. Start the experience with a short briefing, then enjoy a 20 minute plane flight to 10,000 feet, over the Swartland and Western Cape coastline. The leisurely, scenic plane flight comes to an end and the adrenaline starts to pump as you exit the plane with your Tandem Master and experience the rush of a 35 second free fall at 200km/h with a view of Table Mountain.

Tandem Paragliding

Cape Town is one of the most spectacular places in the world to paraglide with astonishing views of Lion’s Head, Table Mountain and the Cape Town area. Tandem paragliding instructional flights are a great way of getting into paragliding or just experiencing the joy of flight.

Whale Watching Charters (in season)

Hermanus has the best land-based whale watching in the world but you can also get closer and in their own environment by doing a whale watching boat trip… an amazing way to experience these ocean giants. We can’t control these beauties but they have been around in July so fingers crossed we’ll get to chance to see them up close.

Surfing and Surfing Lessons

South Africa is a surf mecca! There are many breaks en-route and whether you choose to travel with your own board or hire on the spot we will be sure to catch some waves. If you have never surfed before and you want to try it, there are more than a few places where lessons are on offer.

Guided Walks and Hikes

Throughout our trip there are beautiful walks, hikes and mountain treks you can explore. You’ll have the option to hike up Table Mountain (or take the cable car) and we go for an informative and historical city walk in Cape Town.

San Guided Experience

Long before the first settlers arrived in South African, there were various groups of people who spread out sparsely across the land. The Khoisan, were skilled hunter-gatherers and nomadic farmers who lived off the land. In spite of their earliest presence in Southern Africa, they’re among the country’s most persecuted and forgotten people. During a tour the San will demonstrate their skills and share their ancient knowledge about oral history, tracking animals and identifying plants with you.

Kayaking

Explore the magic of our unique coastline with its abundant marine life up close and personal on a kayak in the company of an experienced guide. Glide across sparkling water while enjoying a view of the majestic mountain, sea cliffs and marine life.