Just out of Cape Town Experiences
1. Cape Winelands Wander
A full-day round-trip through the historic towns and vineyard estates of the Cape Winelands
Cape wine-making began some 350 years ago. This wine-themed experience offers options for serious wine connoisseurs, outdoor enthusiasts and those interested in history and cultural heritage – all of which the region boasts – from meeting local winemakers, viewing signature Cape Dutch architecture, to hikes, art excursions and much more. Here’s a taste of some of the Wineland’s many possibilities
- Visit Stellenbosch, South Africa’s second-oldest town, wine capital and university centre. Enjoy a walking tour of oak-lined streets, museums, galleries and rich architecture, with a chance to browse craft markets or sip a glass of local vintage at one of in its many cafes.
- In the beautiful Franschhoek Valley, named after French Huguenots who helped establish this area, visit L’ Ormarins estate to see a unique collection of over 100 vintage cars, from Model T’s to Mc Clarens. Lunch here or enjoy a meal in the town, regarded as South Africa’s gourmet food mecca.
- See the works of the celebrated landscape artist, JH Pierneef at an art collection at La Motte estate, and taste wines in their beautiful gardens.
- Choose from a variety of energetic Winelands adventures including hiking, horseback, bicycle or 4×4 routes through the region’s superb mountain and vineyard landscapes.
- At Solms Delta Wine Farm, meet workers who trace their descent to slaves who worked in vineyards here in the 18th Century. Today, they own part of this farm and conduct its wine tastings.
- Return to Cape Town through the Drakenstein Valley, past the town of Paarl (whose giant mountain boulders gleam like pearls) and famous as the birthplace of the Afrikaans language. Pause outside the old Victor Verster prison and a statue of Nelson Mandela, who after his last 13 months of imprisonment here, walked out of its gates to freedom.
2. Southern Coast & Whale Route
A full-day trip to whale-watching Hermanus through coastal flora and fauna, wine and fruit orchards.
The Cape South Western coast is known as one of the world’s best areas for seeing whales from May to November, but it is also a region of many splendours – with mountains that fall down to the sea, unique vegetation, a plateau of fruit orchards and the Cape’s newest wine route. Whale-watching is the ultimate experience, but there’s much more to enjoy, including:
- From Cape Town, a superb drive through the mountainside towns of Gordon’s Bay takes you along the coastline, past the settlements of Rooi Els, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay.
- At the Harold Porter Reserve, hike through unique coastal ‘fynbos’ vegetation, to learn about its plant species and how they support birds and animals like sunbirds, mongoose, porcupines, baboons and big-cat predators like karakal and even the rarely-seen mountain leopard. On the shoreline, you can see African penguins (which usually nest only on islands) at one of just 3 African land colonies.
- Marine species abound in these warmer, nutrient-rich waters. Adventurous visitors may choose a caged dive at Gans (Goose) Bay to see Great White sharks. But the real attraction, in the seaside town of Hermanus, is the Southern Right whale, which migrates in great numbers from sub-Antarctic waters here in summer. They can be viewed from a boat or, as easily, from the cliffs of the town.
- This area of the Overberg region is also a top coastal wine-growing area. Visit the vineyards of the Hemel en Aarde Valley to enjoy wines described as being unique for their fresh, light taste and ideal to enjoy with a plate of fresh-caught local seafood like lobster, snoek and Cape salmon.
- Just over the Overberg range are the green orchards of Elgin and Grabouw, South Africa’s famous deciduous fruit-growing area, that offers experiences like farm-stall stops to sample tastes like “tameletjie “( pressed dried fruit roll), jam, olives, and fresh fruit exported across the world.
- On our way home, from the mountain heights of Sir Lowry’s Pass, take in one of the Cape’s most breathtaking panoramas – on a clear day you can see the entire Peninsula with Table Mountain in the distance.