Cape Town Walking and Winelands

1-Join tour Cape Town
Our gastronomic adventure begins in Cape Town, one of the most beautifully located cities on the planet. Set before the iconic backdrop of Table Mountain, the city was founded by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, as a refuelling point along the trading routes between Europe and the spice rich lands to the east. Once we have had a chance to freshen up we’ll join our local guide on a hike up Table Mountain, heading up to 1,105 metres to enjoy one of the most spectacular views in southern Africa (there is an option to take the cable car up if you prefer not to walk). Heading back down the mountain, we then drive on to the attractive fishing port of Hout Bay, before returning to Cape Town by way of Boulders Beach, home to one of the only mainland colonies of Jackass Penguins anywhere in the world. Once back in the city there will be an option this evening to enjoy some tradition South African cuisine in the beautiful setting of the Moyo Kirstenbosch, set in the heart of one of the world’s great botanical gardens.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

2-Drive to Franschhoek
Departing Cape Town after breakfast we head east this morning, towards Franschhoek, the culinary capital of the Western Cape. Our drive takes us into the heart of the Cape Winelands, stopping off to enjoy a traditional lunch in the small town of Bosbou before moving on to pay a visit to the Solms-Delta Wine Estate. The original wine cellar dates back to the 1740s and the estate’s museum displays over 300 years of social and viticulture history, providing us with a fascinating tour this afternoon. If time allows we’ll also visit some other estates before completing our journey to Franschhoek, where we then plan to take a walk in the nearby Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. Part of the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve, Mont Rochelle provides us with some stunning views out across the Franschhoek Valley and we aim to hike for around three hours this afternoon before returning to the guesthouse.
Overnight: Comfortable Guesthouse
Single Room option available

3-Drive to Houw Hoek: walk through the fynbos and vineyards of the Groenlandberg
Continuing through the winelands today we head next for the Wildekrans Country House, a historic 19th century homestead situated in the Western Cape village of Houw Hoek. Lying at the foot of the Groenlandberg Mountains, the property offers us a charming base from which to explore the wine estates that lie scattered across these beautiful landscapes. After dropping off our luggage we will drive to the start of our walk and enjoy a hike through the mountain fynbos. This afternoon we then drive over to the Paul Cluver Wine Estate for a late lunch and a chance to sample some of their delicate and robust Pinot Noir vintages before returning to the Wildekrans Country House. We aim to adapt today’s walking to fit in with the interests of the group, to make sure we get the most out of our day.
Overnight: Comfortable Guesthouse
Single Room option available

4-Drive to Constantia; visit Cape Point
The Constantia Valley lies at the foot of the Constantiaberg Mountains, just outside Cape Town. Driving there today we’ll stop for lunch at the historic Groot Constantia Wine Estate, a perfect opportunity to taste some of their fruity Semillons and full-bodied Chardonnays. A vineyard has existed here since the latter years of the 17th century, when settlers arrived here from the Netherlands with the Dutch East India Company. During its auspicious history, wines from the Constantia vineyard have graced the tables of such luminaries as Napoleon Bonaparte, Sir Walter Scott and King William I of Holland. We’ll also drive out to Cape Point today, a narrow finger of land that occupies the southeastern corner of the Cape Peninsula. Part of the Table Mountain National Park, it is along this coastline that the cold waters of the Atlantic meet the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. To the south lie the vast waters of the Southern Ocean and Antarctica!
Overnight: Comfortable Guesthouse
Single Room option available

5-Drive the Swartland Wine Route to Darling
Today we drive into the farming country along South Africa’s west coast. Our destination is the small village of Darling, tucked away between fields of wheat and lush hills covered in vineyards. The wine estates around Darling are the first in the country to be accredited with membership of the Biodiversity Wine Initiative, a pioneering partnership between the South African wine industry and conservation groups that aims to unite conservation and agricultural development in the country. Our journey takes us via the historic town of Malmesbury, in the heart of the Swartland Wine Route, where we’ll stop at a local farm before breaking for lunch at the Chicory Cheese Cafe in Darling itself. This afternoon we then drive over to the Cloof estate to enjoy some more wine tasting, before an opportunity this evening to sample some of the locally brewed beers at the renowned Darling Brew Slow Quarter.
Overnight: Simple Guesthouse

6-Drive to the Langebaan Lagoon
This morning we’ll take a drive out to Darling Olives, just outside town, where we stop to enjoy some olive tasting before moving on to the Langebaan Lagoon. A salt water lagoon that stretches for some 17 kilometres, from Saldanha Bay to Geelbek in the south, the lagoon is home to over 300 species of birds and a number of bird hides provide the prefect setting for any birdwatchers amongst us. We’ll also have a chance to enjoy some walking and game viewing in the West Coast National Park and take a hike along the beach before dinner. We spend this evening aboard a unique Langebaan Houseboat, moored up on the waters of Kraal Bay and dinner this evening will be at the renowned Strandloper seafood restaurant, overlooking the waters of the Langebaan Lagoon.
Overnight: Simple Boat

7-Drive to Clanwilliam
Our drive today takes us along the Olifants River Valley, towards the western slopes of the Cederberg Mountains. Our destination is the hamlet of Clanwilliam, one of the oldest towns in South Africa and home to several national monuments including the original farmhouse of Jan Disselsvalleij, the town’s founder. This area is also one of the best places in South Africa to view ancient San (Bushmen) rock art and we’ll take a hike out along the Sevilla Rock Art Trail later today to visit some of these remarkable paintings, many of which date back thousands of years. There are ten separate sites located along the five kilometres trail, depicting a range of human and animal figures that include horses, gemsbok and elephants. It is also believed that some of the prints may have been made by the Khoi people, pastoral cousins of the native Bushmen.
Overnight: Simple Farmstay

8-Walks and wine in the Cederberg
After a morning’s guided walk we then make our way to the Cederberg Private Cellar, located amongst the spectacular landscapes of the Cederberg Wilderness Area. This unique estate can boast the Cape’s highest lying vineyards and falls within the Cape ‘fynbos’ region, one of the world’s six floral kingdoms. This award-winning vineyard has an impressive pedigree that has seen it win the coveted Veritas Double Gold medal, South Africa’s top accolade. Red wine constitutes some 60% of production and white wine 40%, with the focus being on Sauvignon blanc, Shiraz and Cabernet sauvignon. Our final evening will be spent on a guest farm located amongst the impressive backdrop of the Cederberg Mountains.
Overnight: Simple Farmstay
Single Room option available

9-Tour ends Cape Town
Following the R7 highway towards Cape Town we head back to the airport today, stopping off in Paarl to enjoy lunch and a final wine tour before ending our adventure back at Cape Town’s In-ternational Airport.

Tour includes:

8 Breakfast
2 Lunch
3 Dinner
Transport:
Minibus
Accommodation:
1 night Standard Hotel
3 nights Comfortable Guesthouse
1 night Simple Guesthouse
1 night Simple Boat
2 nights Simple Farmstay
Tour Staff:
Driver(s), Explore Tour Leader(s)
Group Size:
Generally 10 – 16

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