Africa's Most Romantic City
Cape Town Extension
Overview
The town where modern South Africa was born has a glorious location on the mountainous Cape Peninsula along the blue waters of Table Bay. There is much to see, from Table Mountain to the famous botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch, where 10,000 species are cultivated on 1,000 acres. Close by is Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine country and the Cape Point Nature Reserve, where the African continent ends. The itinerary can be customized as needed, please call for details.
Arrive: Cape Town, South Africa
Depart: Cape Town, South Africa
Highlights
- Visit iconic Table Mountain and the famed Kirstenbosch botanical gardens
- Explore wine country and Cape Point Nature Reserve, boat out to Robben Island
Itinerary
Arrive in Cape Town and transfer to The PortsWood Hotel, a centrally located hotel just a short walk from the seafood restaurants and artisan shops along the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (or upgrade to the Cape Grace Hotel)...Meals on your own
Travel the spectacular coastline past the beaches of Camp Bay to Cape Point for a dramatic view of the southwestern edge of Africa. Enjoy a hike to a lighthouse or ride the funicular to the peak, then visit Boulder's Beach, with its penguin colonies. Head back to Cape Town along the False Bay coast, where you can visit the charming seaside villages of Simon's Town and Kalk Bay, and later visit the impressive Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.Return to the hotel in the early evening.
Today's options include a city tour of vibrant Cape Town, with its natural wonders of Table Mountain and Lion's head. Later, enjoy a cultural visit to a nearby township and Bo Kap, the historic residential area of the Cape Malay Muslim community, or ferry out to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 25 years as a political prisoner. The island is a nature reserve and a poignant and fascinating memorial to South Africa's long liberation struggle. Another option is to spend the day in the renowned winelands of Stellenbosch, considered the unofficial capital of South Africa's wine country, and Franschhoek, a small town full of outstanding wineries and charming French influence. Overnight at hotel.
Morning at leisure in Cape Town. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your international flight...B
A visa is not required for U.S. citizens visiting
South Africa
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.