Cape Highlights & Grootbos Wilderness

Welcome to Cape Town, where your 7-day Western Cape guided tour starts! Upon arrival at the airport, you are met by your friendly guide and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city. Depending on your arrival time, you set off with your guide for a first introduction to Cape Town. Discover the historic District Six, the colourful Bo-Kaap and the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront before heading up Signal Hill. Here, watch the sun set over the city and enjoy beautiful views as Cape Town gradually lights up below you.

Afterwards, return to your hotel to freshen up before heading out again. In the evening, you can visit one of Cape Town’s many excellent restaurants and round off the first day of your journey at a leisurely pace (optional).

You spend two nights at the Queen Victoria Hotel.

Continue exploring some of Cape Town’s highlights today. Weather permitting, start the morning with a visit to Table Mountain and take the cable car to the top of the Mother City’s iconic landmark, rising more than 1,000 metres above sea level. From the summit, spectacular views stretch across Cape Town, the vast Atlantic Ocean and much of the Cape Peninsula.

Afterwards, the choice is yours. Take the ferry to Robben Island and join a tour of the former prison island where Nelson Mandela spent many years of his imprisonment. The ferry journey itself offers wonderful views of Cape Town from the water. Alternatively, visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. The garden showcases South Africa’s extraordinarily diverse indigenous flora. Stroll through the grounds with your guide, discover the remarkable variety of fynbos and proteas and walk along the “Boomslang” Tree Canopy Walkway for lovely views across the gardens.

In the late afternoon, return to the Queen Victoria Hotel for another night.

One of the Cape’s most beautiful coastal routes awaits you today. With your luggage on board, travel along the Atlantic coast and across the Cape Peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope. The wild, rugged landscape surrounding the legendary “Cape of Storms”, once feared by early seafarers, provides a dramatic contrast to the vast Atlantic Ocean. From the old lighthouse and various viewpoints along the way, take in magnificent views of the coastline and sea.

Continue to Simon’s Town and nearby Boulders Beach, where a colony of African penguins has found a sheltered home among the enormous granite boulders. Wooden boardwalks allow you to observe these endearing little birds at close range as they waddle across the beach, swim in the ocean or rest among the rocks.

Leaving the Cape Peninsula behind, your journey continues inland to Stellenbosch and the heart of South Africa’s best-known wine region, characterised by vineyards and historic wine estates. Your home for the next two nights is the iconic Lanzerac Hotel & Spa. In the evening, you can round off the day with dinner at one of Lanzerac’s excellent restaurants (at your own expense).

The Cape Winelands take centre stage today. Begin with a walk through Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s oldest towns. Explore its historic centre with its characteristic whitewashed Cape Dutch buildings and gain an insight into the long history of this lively university town.

From Stellenbosch, travel over the scenic Helshoogte Pass to neighbouring Franschhoek. Take some time to wander through the small town, with its cafés, restaurants, galleries and art shops. Together with its French heritage, they give Franschhoek its distinctive character.

Of course, no day in the Winelands would be complete without sampling some of the region’s wines. Visit an idyllic wine estate and discover a selection of local wines during a tasting. A delicious snack platter is served alongside the wines, with vineyards and impressive mountain scenery providing a beautiful backdrop.

Return to Stellenbosch in the late afternoon and enjoy some time to relax. In the early evening, head out once more to a beautiful wine estate in the surrounding area, where you can end the day over a delicious dinner accompanied by a glass of South African wine (dinner and drinks at your own expense).

Leaving the vineyards behind, your journey takes you back towards the coast. At Gordon’s Bay, you reach False Bay and continue along a scenic coastal road. Take your time along the way, stopping at viewpoints to admire the spectacular ocean views and dramatic coastline before continuing towards Walker Bay.

Your first stop is Hermanus, the best-known town on Walker Bay. Its many restaurants and shops, together with a beautiful coastal path, make it an ideal place for a leisurely stroll.

Afterwards, continue to Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, arriving in time for lunch at the lodge. Upon arrival, you bid farewell to your guide, as the lodge team will take care of you for the duration of your stay.

After lunch, you check in and receive an introduction to the different activities available in the reserve. You can then decide how you would like to spend the rest of the afternoon. In the evening, a delicious dinner is served at the lodge before you settle in for the night in your spacious one-bedroom suite at the Grootbos Forest Lodge.

Spend the day exploring Grootbos Private Nature Reserve at your own pace. Choose from a range of included activities, such as guided nature walks, 4×4 flower safaris, horse riding or an excursion to the coast and Klipgat Cave. During whale season, land-based whale watching may also be offered. Optional activities such as boat-based whale watching, shark cage diving, fat biking or scenic flights can be arranged at an additional cost.

Between activities, relax at the lodge’s swimming pool or treat yourself to a spa treatment (optional). Excellent food is also an important part of the Grootbos experience, with breakfast, lunch and dinner included during your stay and a strong focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients.

You spend another night at Grootbos Forest Lodge.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take in the beautiful views across the fynbos towards Walker Bay one last time. Depending on your departure time, there may still be time to join a final morning activity in the reserve before your stay at Grootbos comes to an end.

A transfer then takes you from Grootbos back to Cape Town, either directly to Cape Town International Airport or to an accommodation of your choice in the city, bringing your 7-day Western Cape guided tour to an end. Totsiens – until next time!