5-Days: Wines, Wildlife & the West Coast
Day 1 – Cape Town Arrival & Exploration
Arrive in Cape Town and ease into your trip with a relaxed day. Depending on your energy, you could stroll along the Victoria & Alfred waterfront, enjoy a neighborhood café, sunset champagne cruise, or simply take in the mountain-and-sea views. It’s the perfect start to adjust to the slower pace of the Cape.
Day 2 – West Coast Wanderings
Head north along the rugged West Coast, a region known for its wild beauty. Depending on the season, fields of wildflowers may blanket the landscape, while charming seaside villages and remote beaches offer a chance to dip your toes in the ocean and taste fresh local fare. End the day with a relaxed sunset on the shoreline before returning to Cape Town.
Day 3 – Safari Adventure
Set out early for a day at a Aquilla game reserve, where you can experience a taste of safari within just a couple of hours of the city. Look out for iconic wildlife roaming the plains while soaking in the sweeping mountain and Karoo landscapes. Stay overnight in the luxury game lodge with an additional night drive to make sure you witness the after-dusk activity of the big five.
Day 4 – Wine Country Immersion
Return to Cape Town, and spend the day meandering through Cape Winelands, from Franschoek to Stellenbosch, exploring vineyards framed by towering peaks. Taste a variety of wines — from bold reds to crisp whites — and enjoy long, leisurely meals among vineyard gardens. Each estate offers its own charm, from historic architecture to modern tasting rooms. This includes a guided segway ride between the grows of vines.
Day 5 – Final Flavors & Farewell
On your last morning, visit a smaller wine valley or return to your favorite farm for one final tasting. Alternatively, enjoy a slow breakfast in Cape Town before preparing for your departure.
10-Days: Mountains, Markets & the Garden Route
Day 1 – Arrival in Cape Town
Touch down in Cape Town and take the day to settle into your accommodation. Depending on your energy levels, enjoy a relaxed evening stroll nearby or simply unwind and prepare for the adventures ahead.
Day 2 – Paddling with Penguins
Start the morning with a unique kayaking experience along the coastline, where you may spot the famous African penguins up close in their natural habitat. The afternoon is free for exploring at your own pace — perhaps a beachside walk or local café stop as you ease into Cape Town life.
Day 3 – Mountain Trails & Ocean Views
Today is for lacing up your hiking boots. Set out on one of Cape Town’s scenic trails, where the reward is sweeping views of the city, ocean, and mountains. The rest of the day can be spent at leisure, soaking in Cape Town’s easy blend of urban and natural beauty.
Day 4 – Markets, Shopping & Sunset on the Beach
Spend your morning browsing a lively local market — a chance to sample flavors, crafts, and handmade goods. Enjoy lunch while exploring the shops before heading to one of Cape Town’s beautiful beaches. As the sun sets, settle into the golden light and relaxed seaside atmosphere.
Day 5 – Road Trip to Mossel Bay
Begin your journey along the famous Garden Route. Arrive in Mossel Bay, where the adventure continues with a safari experience at a nearby game reserve. Look out for wildlife while surrounded by rolling hills and pristine landscapes.
Day 6 – Forest Canopies & Coastal Rivers
Drive east to Tsitsikamma, known for its rugged coastline and indigenous forests. Visit the Storms River mouth and, for those craving more adrenaline, try an exhilarating canopy tour through the treetops.
Day 7 – Knysna & Wilderness
Head toward Knysna, a charming lagoon-side town. Take in the stunning Knysna Heads by boat before continuing to nearby Wilderness, where you can enjoy a peaceful activity such as a nature walk, beach visit, or lagoon exploration.
Day 8 – Journey to the Swartland
Rise early for a drive inland to the Swartland region, a lesser-known gem dotted with olive farms, craft breweries and distillieries. Here you’ll dive into a hands-on food experience that celebrates local produce and slow living.
Day 9 – Wine Country Exploration
Spend the day exploring South Africa’s celebrated wine country. Visit a few distinctive wine estates, taste your way through bold reds and crisp whites, and soak in vineyard views that stretch to the mountains.
Day 10 – Farewell Cape Town
Return to Cape Town for your departure. Depending on your flight time, you may wish to squeeze in a final stroll or simply relax before bidding South Africa goodbye.
14 days: Cape to Garden Route
Day 1 — Welcome to Cape Town
Arrive in Cape Town, settle into your room, and allow the rhythm of the city to welcome you. If time permits, take a gentle afternoon stroll along the Seapoint promenade, Green point park, and V&A Waterfront to feel the pulse of the harbor and enjoy your first meal of fresh seafood or locally inspired fare.
Day 2 — Table Mountain: Hike Up, Cable Car Down
Start early and tackle a classic guided Table Mountain route — many visitors ascend via Platteklip Gorge or one of the scenic ridges (depending on fitness level), then ride the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway back down for a leisurely finish. The summit views over the peninsula are a spectacular introduction to the region’s dramatic topography.
Day 3 — Kirstenbosch & Constantia
Spend the morning wandering the world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, enjoying the indigenous fynbos and the treetop canopy walkway. In the afternoon, head to the nearby wine valleys in Constantia for relaxed tastings and a vineyard lunch. Use the City Sightseeing bus for no-fuss hop-on-hop-off convenience.
Day 4 — Hout Bay Seal Island Cruise & Chapman’s Peak Drive
Take a morning boat cruise from Hout Bay to see the seal colony. After the cruise, drive the scenic Chapman’s Peak route and finish the day with sunset at a coastal lookout.
Day 5 — West Coast Excursion
Head up the West Coast for a day of wild shoreline, small fishing villages, and seasonal wildflowers (spring). Sample local seafood at a seaside café, explore sleepy harbors, and return to Cape Town in the evening.
Day 6 — Markets, Makers & the City
Begin at Oranjezicht City Farm Market for artisan food and local producers, then wander the historic Greenmarket Square and the design/antiques spots in Woodstock. Finish with a relaxed dinner at the V&A Waterfront or a small neighborhood bistro.
Day 7 — Winelands Day: Stellenbosch / Franschhoek / Paarl
Devote a day to the Winelands. Choose two or three estates for tastings and a long lunch—each valley has its own character, from Franschhoek’s culinary focus to Stellenbosch’s historic oak-lined avenues.
Day 8 — Drive Out: Overland toward the Garden Route
Begin the drive east toward the Garden Route. Break the journey with scenic stops (mountain passes, small towns) and arrive near Mossel Bay or Wilderness for the night—an easy base for exploring the coast.
Day 9 — Garden Route: Mossel Bay to Knysna
Explore Mossel Bay (golf at the prestigious Pinnacle Point Golf Course, coastal walks, St. Blaize trail hike, local museums) then continue toward Knysna. In the late afternoon, enjoy a lagoon cruise around the iconic Knysna Heads or a quiet riverside walk.
Day 10 — Tsitsikamma & Storms River
Head into Tsitsikamma National Park for an immersive day in indigenous forest, suspension bridges, and dramatic coastal outcrops. There are canopy and treetop experiences available for those wanting a bit of adrenaline, plus quieter walks along the river mouth.
Day 11 — Wilderness & Lagoon Time
Spend a restorative day in Wilderness: canoeing or tubing on the lagoon, beach walks, and birdwatching. It’s a mellow counterpoint to the more adventure-packed days.
Day 12 — Safari Near the Garden Route / Private Reserve
Drive to a nearby private reserve for a safari experience. (Gondwana, Botlierskop, or Aquila Private Game Reserve) Enjoy afternoon and early morning game drives and a bush dinner.
Day 13 — Oudtshoorn (Optional) or Leisure on the Coast
Choose an inland detour to Oudtshoorn to explore the Klein Karoo (cave systems, local craft markets), and if you are brave enough, you can even ride on the back of an ostrich!
Day 14 — Return to Cape Town & Farewell
Drive back toward Cape Town with a relaxed morning stop at a vineyard or coastal town en route. If time allows before your departure, pick up last-minute textiles or souvenirs at the V&A Waterfront shops or one of the city’s curated design stores.