Cape Town, Hermanus and Winelands Self Drive

Welcome to Cape Town

On arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met by your guide and taken on a Cape Town city orientation tour en-route to your hotel. Depending on the arrival time, you’ll stop at the top of Signal Hill for a bird’s-eye view of Cape Town, Table Mountain, Table Bay and Robben Island.

Once checked in at your hotel in Hout Bay, the rest of the day will be at your leisure. Nearby attractions include the working Hout Bay harbour, boat trips out to Seal Island and the World of Birds, which happens to be the largest bird park in Africa.

Cape Point

After breakfast, your guide will collect you and take you on a tour of Cape Point. Tintswalo Atlantic is built at the start of Chapman’s Peak, so you are already on the scenic route the moment you exit the gate.

From the incredibly beautiful drive along Chapman’s Peak, the tour will take you through to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Here you will take a stroll to the lighthouse at the tip of the reserve, where the Atlantic and Indian Ocean supposedly meet. There is a vernacular that runs from the arrival area to the top viewpoint overlooking the rugged cliffs and sea. If you climb the stairs on the way up, then you’ll understand why we recommend you purchase a ticket for a tram ride down – the winding path is rather strenuous on the knees.

Next, it’s off to Simon's Town where you can visit the cheeky African penguins of Boulders Beach. Lunch can be enjoyed en-route, although the cost isn’t included in the day’s rate. A tour around Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is next on the agenda. Take a walk along the newly built treetop walkway that allows you to walk in the Arboretum, also known as the Enchanted Forest.

After a day of touring the Cape Peninsula, once back at Tintswalo Atlantic you may want to spend the rest of the day relaxing in the heated pool, Jacuzzi or getting a massage.

Whale coast

This morning your rental vehicle will be delivered to the hotel. Once you have checked out of the hotel, with the directions provided, you will make your way to Constantia. Here you will be able to drive yourself along an easy Constantia Winelands route. Groot Constantia, Steenberg, Buitenverwachting and Klein Constantia are highly recommended stops for wine tasting.

From Constantia, it is on to the seaside town of Hermanus. Weather permitting you’ll drive along the scenic R44 route and will be able to stop at the small coastal towns of Betty’s Bay, Rooiels and Pringle Bay along the way.

Overberg area

Between May and November in Hermanus Southern Right whales enter the waters to breed. Take an early morning walk along the Hermanus cliff path that runs the length of the town and count the number of whales and calves you see frolicking in the bay. If you’re eager to get out onto the water for a closer whale watching experience, there are boat and canoe trips we are happy to book for you.

Explore the lesser-known wine estates and breweries in the area for wine and beer tasting with the directions provided. If you would prefer not to drive we can book a private tour for you at an additional cost.

Once back at the hotel, the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Winelands meandering

Heading to Stellenbosch, the next two days will be spent in wine country at the luxuriously comfortable Cape Dutch inspired Babylonstoren Farm Hotel. The hotel is a wine estate with a remarkable restaurant on it, so you will be forgiven for spending the day relaxing and enjoying the surroundings.

The Babylonstoren garden, and its 300 varieties of edible plants, drew its inspiration from the Company Gardens of the Cape and the mythical garden of Babylon. The fresh produce grown in the garden is used in all the eateries on the estate. The garden walk is a not-to-be-missed meander seeing as they claim to have over 7 000 flowering clivias in the spring.

Go as you please

If you enjoy a particular wine cultivar, then you are in no better place to sample it. The area’s various wine estates often specialise in a particular wine and your journey specialist can suggest a route for you based on your preferences.

Mother city

Today it’s back to Cape Town soil, although this time you’re heading for the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront where you will stay for the next three nights. At a time convenient to you, we’ll arrange for your rental vehicle to be collected.

Township culture

After breakfast, it’s time for a taste of the local township culture. Once collected by your guide the half day tour is set into motion starting in District 6. Here you will visit the oldest Mosque in South Africa, before heading through Langa where you will visit a local market, art and craft market, as well as a traditional healer. The tour comes to a close after a visit to a local créche, which offers a safe haven to local children.

Cape Town at leisure

Today you have Cape Town to explore at your leisure. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is a great starting point with its world of shopping and local cuisine to indulge in. If you wish to see more of the city, the red City Sightseeing hop-on/hop-off bus tour lets you see the city and surrounding areas at your own pace.

Fly home

Depending on your flight details, you will be collected and transferred through to Cape Town International Airport for your onwards journey.

NOTE: This trip can be done on an exclusive self-drive basis, or with a guide accompanying you through-out.