7 Day Cape Town and Winelands Private Tour

Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met by your African Sky guide in the arrivals hall and transferred to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. This lively harbor precinct blends working docks with restaurants, craft markets, and heritage buildings, making it a natural first introduction to the city. Depending on your arrival time, your guide can weave in a relaxed orientation drive past key city landmarks and viewpoints, sharing context on Cape Town’s geography, neighborhoods, and maritime history.

After lunch at the Waterfront, continue with curated visits such as the Two Oceans Aquarium or the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (time and interest dependent). Later, check in at the Commodore Hotel and enjoy time to unwind before a Table Bay sunset cruise (weather permitting). From the deck you’ll take in classic skyline silhouettes—Table Mountain, Signal Hill, and Lion’s Head—while watching for seabirds and, at times, dolphins or seals. The evening ends back at the Waterfront, with your guide offering dining suggestions tailored to your preferences.

Today focuses on the celebrated Whale Route and the coastal landscapes east of Cape Town. Travel via Gordon’s Bay, then continue toward Betty’s Bay, where dramatic sea views and rugged mountains create one of the Western Cape’s most photogenic drives. A stop at Harold Porter National Botanical Garden offers a gentle walk through indigenous fynbos, forest pockets, and stream-fed pathways, with opportunities to photograph seasonal flowers and small waterfalls.

Arrive in Hermanus and spend time on the cliff-path promenade, renowned for land-based whale watching between June and November. Your guide will point out the best vantage points and explain local marine ecology and the seasonal movements of southern right whales. After lunch and optional browsing of small shops and galleries, return to Cape Town via the N2 and Sir Lowry’s Pass, pausing for viewpoints if conditions are clear. You’re back at the hotel in time to relax or enjoy a Waterfront evening.

This morning is dedicated to two of Cape Town’s natural icons: Table Mountain and Kirstenbosch. Weather and wind determine cableway operations, so the schedule is flexible to maximize your chances of reaching the summit. If conditions allow, ascend by rotating cable car for wide-angle views over the city bowl, Robben Island, and the Atlantic coastline. On top, follow short walking routes to several viewpoints while your guide highlights fynbos species and explains why this region is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom.

After lunch, visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. The garden’s curated sections showcase South Africa’s plant diversity, with highlights such as medicinal and fragrance plantings and the elevated Boomslang canopy walkway. Your guide can tailor the route to your pace, focusing on scenic lawns, mountain backdrops, and seasonal displays. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon with time free for shopping, a relaxed dinner, or an optional evening at the Waterfront.

After breakfast, depart Cape Town for the Cape Winelands, beginning with Stellenbosch—one of South Africa’s oldest towns and a centerpiece of the country’s wine heritage. Enjoy a guided walk through the historic core, including oak-lined streets and architecture that reflect Cape Dutch, Victorian, and Edwardian influences. Your guide will share context on early settlement history and how the region developed into a world-recognized wine-growing area.

Pause at Oom Samie se Winkel for a nostalgic browse of local goods, curios, and traditional products, then continue to selected estates for tastings and cellar insights. The choice of wineries can be tailored to style preferences, whether you enjoy bold reds, elegant whites, or a mix with food pairings. After tasting, travel onward to Franschhoek and check in at Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa. The late afternoon is ideal for a relaxed stroll, spa time, or an unhurried dinner in the valley.

We focus on Stellenbosch and the Stellenbosch Wine Route, widely regarded as the heart of South Africa’s winemaking heritage. Founded in 1679, Stellenbosch is the country’s second-oldest town, and its character is defined by oak-lined streets, historic water furrows, and some of the finest examples of Cape Dutch architecture in the Cape. Your guide will place the wine route in context, explaining how the surrounding mountains, river systems, and varied soils of the Eerste River Valley have shaped viticulture and settlement over centuries.

The afternoon is devoted to visiting a selection of wine estates chosen for their quality, heritage, and scenic setting. You’ll gain insight into how vineyard location, climate, and cellar practices influence different wine styles, followed by tastings that highlight a range of elegant whites and full-bodied reds typical of the region. The focus is on understanding balance, structure, and expression rather than individual labels, allowing you to appreciate the diversity of styles produced in the valley. After the tastings, you’ll return to the hotel in the late afternoon with time to relax and enjoy the vineyard and mountain surroundings.

Today explores Franschhoek and the wine route that surrounds this picturesque valley. The town’s French Huguenot story is central to its character, and a visit to the Huguenot Memorial Museum and Monument provides historical background on the families who brought winemaking traditions to the Cape. Your guide will connect the heritage narrative to the landscape—mountain slopes, river-fed soils, and the vineyard patterns that define the valley.

The afternoon is devoted to winery visits selected for quality, scenery, and tasting variety. Learn how vineyard practices, climate, and cellar techniques influence the final wine, then sample a range of varietals commonly produced in the region. Tastings may include classic reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, and Pinot Noir, alongside whites like Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon with time to enjoy the grounds and mountain views.

Your final morning begins with free time in Franschhoek to browse galleries and boutique stores along Huguenot Road. The town’s compact layout makes it easy to enjoy art spaces, handmade jewelry, and specialty food shops before departure. Your guide can help prioritize stops based on your interests and ensure timing aligns smoothly with your flight schedule.

Later, depart via the Franschhoek Pass, stopping at viewpoints to admire the valley from above. As the route descends toward Theewaterskloof, vegetation shifts toward fynbos-lined slopes and open dam vistas. Continue past orchards and farmland toward Grabouw, then travel onward to Cape Town International Airport for check-in assistance. This scenic finale neatly ties together the coastline, mountains, and Winelands character that define the southern Cape.