7 Day Cape's Finest Tour

On arrival in Cape Town, you’ll be met at Cape Town International Airport (or a city location) and begin a privately guided introduction to the Mother City. Weather permitting, ride the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway for panoramic views over the city bowl, Atlantic seaboard and Cape Peninsula. Time is set aside for easy walks on clearly marked paths across the summit, where you can spot fynbos and look out for local birdlife. Table Mountain is one of Cape Town’s defining landmarks and a highlight of any first day in the city.

After lunch, continue to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Stroll curated paths showcasing indigenous plants and enjoy the famous Boomslang canopy walkway. Kirstenbosch forms part of the Cape Floristic Region, recognized by UNESCO for its exceptional botanical diversity, and the visit pairs perfectly with your first day of nature and scenery. Your guide then transfers you to the V&A Waterfront area for check-in at Cape Grace.

Today is dedicated to the Cape Peninsula’s dramatic coastline. Travel the Atlantic seaboard and, if conditions allow, include Chapman’s Peak Drive—one of the region’s most spectacular marine roads—before continuing toward the Cape of Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park. Expect rugged scenery, rich plantlife and excellent viewpoints as you explore the reserve and enjoy time at Cape Point’s clifftop trails and lookouts.

Return via False Bay with a stop at Boulders Penguin Colony near Simon’s Town. Elevated boardwalks and viewing platforms offer an easy, responsible way to watch the endangered African penguins at close range while helping protect nesting areas. If time permits, add a brief visit to Simon’s Town’s naval heritage sites before heading back to Cape Town for your overnight at Cape Grace.

This morning you leave Cape Town for the Cape Winelands, traveling into the Franschhoek Valley framed by vineyards and mountain ridges. Explore the village atmosphere and its French Huguenot heritage, including key monuments and museums that explain how early settlers influenced farming and wine culture in the valley. The pace is relaxed and can be tailored to your interests, from history to galleries and cafés.

In the afternoon, visit a selection of Franschhoek wine estates for tastings that highlight classic Western Cape styles. Where available, include a cellar tour to understand the journey from vineyard practices to fermentation and maturation, then compare tasting notes across different producers. Your day ends with a short transfer to your luxury base, Akademie Street Boutique Hotel, for a restful evening in the heart of the Winelands.

Spend the day in and around Stellenbosch, renowned for its historic streetscapes and Cape Dutch architecture. Walk shaded avenues and browse local galleries and boutique shops, with time to appreciate how the town’s oak-lined character and heritage buildings shape its reputation as one of South Africa’s most scenic university towns. Your guide can adjust stops to focus on history, design, or simply relaxed exploration.

Later, visit two notable wine estates on the Stellenbosch Wine Route for tastings in beautiful vineyard settings. Compare varieties and blends, learn how terroir and cellar techniques influence style, and enjoy the slow rhythm of the Winelands. After your tastings, return to Franschhoek and unwind at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel, with the evening free for an optional fine-dining reservation.

After breakfast, depart the Winelands and travel east toward the Garden Route, passing through changing landscapes and small country towns en route. A scenic stretch brings you to Mossel Bay, often regarded as a gateway to the Garden Route, where maritime history comes alive at the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex. The Maritime Museum’s replica 1488 caravel is a standout feature and connects the town to early Portuguese exploration.

Continue along the coast toward the Knysna–Plettenberg Bay area, where forest, lagoon and ocean scenery define the region. Arrive in time to settle into Tsala Treetop Lodge—an iconic, elevated retreat that pairs beautifully with the Garden Route’s natural beauty. The evening is ideal for a relaxed lodge dinner (optional) and a peaceful night surrounded by indigenous forest.

Today focuses on the Knysna lagoon and the Featherbed Nature Reserve on the Western Head. Access is typically by boat, adding to the sense of occasion, and once ashore you can enjoy guided walks and viewpoints over the Heads and the meeting of lagoon and sea. Featherbed is widely described as a 150-hectare private reserve and is a classic Garden Route experience for scenery and gentle nature time.

In the afternoon, continue to Plettenberg Bay for a marine cruise experience. Seasonal conditions shape what you’ll see: dolphin encounters are common, and during whale season (often June to November) dedicated trips increase the chances of responsible whale viewing. Your guide then returns you to Tsala Treetop Lodge for another restful night in the forested hills.

After breakfast, travel toward Wilderness for a final taste of the Garden Route’s lakes, rivers and long beaches. Stop at the Map of Africa viewpoint for a memorable farewell panorama and enjoy time in the village atmosphere of Wilderness. The route offers plenty of opportunities for scenic photos and short, easy walks depending on your flight schedule and preferences.

Continue to George Airport for check-in and your scheduled flight to Cape Town, bringing the journey full circle. If your onward arrangements require, your guide can advise on timing for connections, luggage and airport procedures. With highlights from Cape Town, the Winelands and the Garden Route, you leave with a balanced picture of the Western Cape’s most celebrated landscapes and experiences.