Cape Town is not like other African cities, this is somewhere special, with a rich heritage, a lovely city centre, pedestrian waterfront and a number of great beaches…There are a large number of property options in Cape Town in the city ranging from big 5 start hotels all the way through to small and personal bed and breakfasts and everything in between. Many South Africa itineraries will start or end in Cape Town, adding a completely different element to a safari holiday. The Winelands are just a short drive, around an hour, from Cape Town and offer yet another interesting destination to include in an itinerary, with world class food and wine this is definitely somewhere we like to spend a bit of time.
With such a fantastic combination it is easy to see why they are paired together either before starting off on a Garden Route itinerary or at the end of a safari. Our favourite part of the Winelands is probably Franschhoek, a smaller town with some great properties and fantastic wines, while there are some really nice options in Stellenbosh and Paarl, Franshhoek just has something about it, it might be the number of wineries per capita or the 28 great restaurants to choose from in such a small place, we cant put our finger on it but it is top of our list when we get the chance to visit.
Cape Town is the perfect place to go to escape the coldest darkest parts of our winter, with a lovely summer climate from mid Jan – Mar/Apr. Its winter can be cold and a bit rainy but this is interspersed with crisp sunny days that make the scenery sparkle, this is also the best time to visit when combining with a safari in the Kruger.
Easily reached from London by direct flights with South African Airways, British Airways and at certain times of the year Virgin Atlantic. On arrival we usually suggest a hire car if combining Cape Town and the Winelands, however if just visiting Cape Town this isn’t as necessary.
There is so much to do in this area, although you could be forgiven for spending a few days simply enjoying the food and wine. Cape Town itself is a great city to explore, from Table Mountain to its beaches and the winelands offer far more than simply wine tasting and eating, if you feel like taking a break from these simple pleasures.
Top Cape Town properties
Sea Five
Cape Town, South Africa
Perfect for a really great option close to the beautiful Camps Bay, a great place to use as a base to explore the Cape in the summer months.
Lanzerac Hotel
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Perfect for a country escape on one of South Africa’s most historic wine estates, enjoy simply relaxing in these beautiful grounds or explore the surrounding scenic towns and countryside.
More Quarters
Cape Town, South Africa
Perfect for a lovely boutique property in the heart of Cape Town, step out and walk to any number of top bars and restaurants, explore the Cape, the beaches.
Le Quartier Francais
Franschhoek, South Africa
Perfect for those that want to be in the heart of this lovely little winelands town, a great base from which to explore the surrounding vinyards and world class restaurants.
Top South Africa itineraries
Classic Safari
Duration: 7 nights
Guide price: £2,650