Cape Town & Winelands Explorer: Your Ultimate Guide to South Africa's Gems

What to Know when Visiting Cape Town or the Winelands

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Cape Town

If you haven’t been to Cape Town before, you sure have heard of it! It is one of our fav cities to explore in South Africa. Nestled at the foot of the well-known majestic Table Mountain, Cape Town beckons adventurers, hikers, foodies, beach lovers and culture enthusiasts alike. With its breathtaking landscapes, pristine beaches and incredible restaurants, this vibrant city offers a tantalizing blend of natural beauty and urban charm. There is so much to do here you will never get bored, so if you are lucky enough to have a day or two in this epic place, we have put together some personal suggestions on how to spend your time!

Let’s go have fun in Cape Town!

shopping etc

Kalk Bay

Nestled along the scenic coastline, this charming bay is a hidden gem booming with epic boutiques, quirky galleries, and artisanal delights waiting to be discovered. From handmade jewelry to vintage finds, every street holds the promise of something special and unique. So, wander through the colorful lanes, soaking in the relaxed vibes and seaside charm. Who knows what delightful treasures you'll unearth in this shopper's delight?

Visit the V&A Waterfront / Shop at The Watershed

You absolutely cannot visit Cape Town without at least popping in to the Waterfront! This bustling and iconic neighborhood attracts every tourist as it is a wonderful expression of South African culture and diversity with a whole host of things to get up to. Offering world renowned restaurants, brilliant shopping opportunities, live entertainment, art and design you will need to give yourself a few hours more than you think! The Watershed is a vibrant art and design space where you will find unique items to purchase and grab a bite to eat while you are at it!

Markets, history, arts and culture

The Oranjezicht City Market (Wednesday evenings, or Saturday/Sunday daytime)

Markets in Cape Town are so full of vibrancy, incredible buys, delicious food and beautiful people! This market is always busy but in the best way, so don’t get overwhelmed just go with the flow (of people) and while you might wait in line for your tasty food or drink just take in everything going on around you - the people, the smells and the atmosphere because man it’s cool!

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art

Recently opened in 2017, this is the largest museum of contemporary art from Africa. Located in the V&A Waterfront in the Silo District, it attracts art enthusiasts from around the world to see and appreciate its extensive collection. If you feel like getting those cultural juices flowing pop in here for sure!

Visit Robben Island

Known as the site of Nelson Mandela’s incarceration, this small island located just off the coast off Cape Town is a top tourist attraction. This UNESCO World Heritage Site bears witness to South Africa's tumultuous past, serving as a reminder of the human spirit's indomitable strength as you can have a glimpse into the lives of those who once lived here, alongside Madiba. You can visit his cell, as well at the island’s museum and lighthouse. Although a sad and scary history, this is a must do if you can!

Time Out Market (Sunday - Thursday Daytime)

Another epic market to visit, this one situated in the V&A Waterfront neighborhood. Situated in a cool warehouse. here you will come across well known-up and coming chefs and mixologists that will make it tricky for you to choose which way to turn!

Adventure and Outdoors

Visit Table Mountain by Cable Car

If you are visiting CT, you would have heard about Table Mountain! Seeing this mountain is one thing, but going up and seeing the rest of the city FROM the mountain is another! This is definitely something you won’t want to miss - a comfy cable cart that slowly lifts you up into the clouds, with the most amazing views the whole way up. This is bucket list stuff!

Hike Lion’s Head

Hikers and outdoor enthusiast’s paradise! Take your time or challenge yourself with a bit of pace but whatever you do just make sure you reach it to the top! You won’t want to miss out on the incredible 360 degree views from up there and of course a perfect Instagram story snap!

Boulders Beach Penguin Colony

Prepare to be charmed by these adorable waddlers as they go about their daily beach antics. These little guys are a crowd favorite, and if the weather is good then remember this is also a really good spot to go kayaking too! Because this beach falls under the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area it isn’t often crowded, it’s always clean and safe and there are wonderful rockpools for the kids to enjoy! No wonder there are 60 000 visitors here a year!

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, this beautiful location is a wonderful place to visit if you feel like exploring through windy paths surrounded by vibrant blooms with breathtaking scenery surrounding it. This is also a birdlife haven, and there are a couple of hiking trails too! If live music is your vibe, make sure to look up whether there are any shows on as while you are here as this one of the most sought after locations for weekend performances and what a location it is!

Let’s go! Winelands time

Wine, farms and tastings

Tastings, tastings, tastings

If you are a wine enthusiast, you have most certainly come to the right place! Most experts agree that if you are searching for world-calss wines, South Africa produces the best! Whether you prefer a bold red, a crisp white, or something in between, there's no shortage of tasting experiences to indulge your palate and on top of that, your jaw is going to drop when you see each of these wine farms - unmatched beauty!

The Wine Tram

Climb aboard this charming tram and prepare to be whisked away on a wine-tasting adventure like no other., through the beautiful Franschhoek Valley. This is such fun to do if you enjoy wine but also want a bit of change of from a traditional tasting! On this trip you will wind your way through picturesque landscapes and stop at some of the region's most esteemed wine estates along the way. With each stop, you'll have the chance to sample world-class wines while learning about South Africa's winemaking heritage

Boschendal Farm

This farm offers timeless beauty and a sense of fun to those who visit. You can take a bike ride around the estate, or simply relax under the trees for a picnic, or sitting down for a world-class wine tasting experience. If you are here on a Friday night you will be faced with the hard choice of deciding whether to be here or at Babylonstoren - here you will also experience a vibrant atmosphere of a local food and drink market!

Visit Franschhoek, the town

Spend some time meandering through tree-lined, cobblestone streets that are full of beautiful boutiques, art galleries, quaint cafe’s and stunning retail shops. If you decide to visit this town, we recommend taking your time! It’s so wonderful to soak in the ambiance, amble your way through and let Franschhoek work it’s magic on you! If you are interested in the

Babylonstoren Wine Farm

A haven for foodies, wine lovers, and nature/outdoor beauty! If you want to escape to a world of rustic charm and culinary delights, you have come to the right place! Here you can spend the day exploring these beautiful gardens and orchids, popping into the little shops within the farm where you will find the most incredible treats from freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries to exceptional local olive oils, literally a feast for the senses at every turn. But don’t eat too much if you want to experience the farm-to-table dining experience at the Babel, where fresh, seasonal ingredients take center stage. You can also schedule a picnic lunch if you visit on a Saturday, go for a bike ride around the farm, do a wine tasting, or visit the Friday night food/music market. As you can see, a place with many talents!

Markets and Museums

Franschhoek Village Market

A good old Saturday farmer’s market awaits! Wander through this brilliant set up as you make your way through different food, drinks, local crafts all while listening to wonderful live music This market comes to life every Saturday, a wonderful way to start your day and a welcoming affair for you and the whole family!

Franschhoek Motor Museum

For all the car and history enthusiasts, this incredible museum showcases over a 100 years of automotive history. Impressively, this museum has over 220 vehicles that have been collected over time. An incredible experience that is both exciting and extremely informative. You can either wander around yourself or book a museum tour, whatever tickles your fancy!

Safari Dress Code: What to Wear On Your Safari

Dressing For a Typical Day on Safari

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Alright ya’ll, this is what you have been waiting for! Now, you may have done some googling or Instagram searching on what people usually wear on safari and it may feel overwhelming, but don’t fear, we are here! There’s absolutely nothing to worry about as you most likely have everything you need in your closet anyway, and potentially just need one or two more essentials before you are good to go!

For us, comfort is key, but if you would like to zhuzh it up a bit then by all means, go for it!

Okay, then let’s get chatting!

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Setting the scene…

You wake up to the beautiful sounds of nature in the wild, the bush is slowly coming to life, and you are getting excited to catch the first light…It’s time to get ready! It’s typically pretty cold first thing in the morning at this time (around 5:30/6am) and could be in the 50s-60s in an open vehicle, so be prepared.

Cool, let’s get dressed for the morning game drive

Up top:

Layer up by wearing a T-shirt or tank +  light zip-up fleece + warmer/puffer jacket. Great option is a Patagonia puffer. And for underneath the jacket, we like just wearing plain tees or tanks. There are some lovely linen tops or silky cotton tops from Athleta and Everlane. And if you like Everlane, these tops for the ladies are also cute!

*If you are visiting Southern Africa during their summer, from around October to March, then you will not need the added warmer layer.

Down below:

Long pants - we love a jogger or lightweight travel pant, (Ladies - something like the Athleta Brooklyn pant is ideal, or the cargo pant, and for the men - something like the Vuori Ripstop pant). Be comfy, remembering that you don’t want something TOO warm because once the sun comes up a during your game drive, it gets hot! If you do want to feel a little stylish, I am LOVING these wide leg pants atm. Also comfy and stretchy, and can be dressed up or down.

Any closed toe shoes (Blundstone boots are a win, but hiking boots or anything sturdy that you won’t mind getting dirty will work). Also, if you want to buy a pair of veldskoen (vellies) while you are here, the local ‘bush shoe’, let us know and we can point you in the right direction!

If your legs are still feeling a little chilly to start you can tuck yourself up in one of the blankets provided to you on the vehicle. As the drive goes on, you will be shedding those layers as the sun starts to heat up!

Back in Camp…

After brekkie, you will most likely spend the next while lounging around, so if you would like to change, it would be into something comfy and cool (most places do not have A/C). Ideas for this time could be a pair of shorts, a simple dress, or a swimsuit/coverup if hanging by the pool. (Generally, it can get up to 80s, or much hotter if in Southern Africa during their summer). You can put those closed shoes to the side for now and throw on your flip flops or sandals, let those feet breathe people!

Afternoon Game Drive Time

After a lovely couple of hours at camp relaxing, having a drink by the pool, napping, going through some cool pics from the morning, doing a bit of birding, whatever it may be, it’s now time to prepare for your afternoon drive! Kicking off around 3:30-4:30pm, you are going to want to layer up again but the other way around….

It’ll still be lovely and warm now, but it will get cooler later on during your drive. So go ahead and change into your outfit similar to morning, BUT bring your layers with you for when the sun sets. Pop those closed shoes on again and be prepared to have your ankles covered (long socks over your pants works), to avoid being eaten alive by mosquitos during your sundowner .

Evening Attire

When you get back from your afternoon drive you can either change for dinner, or can totally stay in your same outfit. We actually rarely change before dinner, and if we do, it’s usually into cozy pants/leggings with a sweater or something chill like that, keeping our closed shoes on. Once again, we recommend being comfy….There is no need to dress up for dinner unless you wish to!

But What About a Walking Safari?

If you are going on a walking safari/bush walk, you can dress similar to what you would wear on an afternoon drive (tank top or tee, light jacket, long pants, and hiking shoes/boots (cover ankles with long pants or socks). Have your hat, some sunscreen and a water bottle handy - you will want it!

What Are Some Things I Should Always Take With Me On Drives?

• Water bottle

• Jacket (s)

• Hat/cap

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Camera/phone

• EXCITEMENT

Will I Have Enough Clothes to Last Me?

Yes! Remember that you will have LAUNDRY included everywhere on safari. You only need a few outfits that you can easily interchange (we try to keep everything neutral so that it’s easy to mix and match shirts and pants). You are going to want to pack LIGHT. It’s sooo much easier.

I Don’t Want to Leave Anything Behind!

We’ve got you, print out this packing list and tick your way through while you are packing so that you don’t leave anything off!

How About a Little Inspo?

Sure thing! Check out out Pinterest page here for some ideas!

Thrills and Spills: What to Expect on an Average Day on Safari

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Imagine waking up before sunrise to the sound of birds chirping and lions roaring in the distance. The anticipation of seeing majestic wildlife up close is almost palpable. This is just an average day on safari, and it's about to get even more exciting!

Early Morning Game Drive

As the sun begins to rise, you hop into a rugged 4x4 vehicle with a knowledgeable guide and tracker by your side. Your heart races with excitement as you set out into the wilderness in search of the Big Five - elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalos. The air is cool and crisp, and the scent of fresh grass fills your nostrils.

As you make your way through the bush, you spot a herd of giraffes gracefully munching on leaves high up in the trees. Your guide expertly navigates the vehicle closer to the herd, and you're amazed by their sheer size and beauty. You take plenty of photos, trying to capture the moment, but nothing compares to witnessing these creatures in person.

Mid-Morning Bush Breakfast

After a thrilling game drive, it's time for a break and a delicious bush breakfast. You park the vehicle under a shady tree, and your guide sets up a makeshift table with a spread of breakfast goodies. You sip on hot coffee or tea and indulge in fresh fruit, muffins, eggs, and bacon. The scenery around you is breathtaking, and you feel grateful to be in such a magical place.

Late Morning Game Drive

As you resume your game drive, you can't help but feel awe-inspired by the vastness of the wilderness. Suddenly, your guide brings the vehicle to a halt - there's a lioness stalking her prey! You hold your breath in anticipation as the lioness creeps closer and closer to a herd of impalas. Then, she pounces, and you witness an intense and enthralling scene. You can't believe how lucky you are to be in the right place at the right time.

Lunchtime

After an exhilarating morning, it's time to head back to camp or lodge for a well-deserved lunch. The chef has prepared a delicious feast, and you sit down to enjoy the meal with fellow travellers. You share stories and photos of your morning adventure, and your guide fills you in on more interesting facts about the wildlife you saw.

Afternoon Activities

After lunch, you have a choice of activities - you can take a nap, go on a guided nature walk, or visit a local village to learn about the culture and traditions of the area. If you're feeling indulgent, you can also enjoy a spa treatment or a dip in the pool.

Afternoon Game Drive

As the sun begins to set, you set off on another game drive. The lighting is perfect for photography, and you capture some incredible shots of wildlife silhouetted against the stunning sunset. As the sky turns dark, your guide turns on a spotlight, and you spot nocturnal animals like hyenas, civets, and genets.

Sundowners and Dinner

As the game drive comes to an end, it's time for a safari tradition - sundowners. You park the vehicle in a scenic spot and enjoy a refreshing drink and snacks as you watch the sunset one last time. After sundowners, it's back to camp or lodge for a sumptuous dinner. You savour every bite of the three-course meal or barbecue, enjoying the company of your fellow travellers and guides.

Bedtime

As the night falls, you retire to your comfortable tent or room. You fall asleep to the sounds of the bush - the hoot of an owl, the distant roar of a lion, and the rustling of leaves. You feel a sense of awe and gratitude for the unforgettable experiences of the day. As you drift off to sleep, you can't help but wonder what adventures tomorrow will bring.

In conclusion, an average day on safari is nothing short of thrilling. From the early morning game drive to the late-night bush sounds, every moment is filled with excitement, wonder, and a sense of adventure. With expert guides and trackers, you get to witness Africa's most majestic animals up close and learn about their behaviour, habitat, and conservation. With delicious meals, comfortable accommodations, and a variety of activities to choose from, your safari experience is sure to be unforgettable. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime in the African wilderness!