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We understand that many visitors don't have the luxury of spending time doing tours in and around the Cape over a couple of days. For those of you that would like to do some sightseeing between business meetings or on your final day before catching a flight back home, these full day tours are especially for you.
A sign that shows where the two ocean's meet at Cape Point.
The Route
Cape Town - Winelands - Hermanus - Aquile Private Game Reserve - Gansbaai
Departures
Tours depart as stated
Guests
Guest numbers may affect departures
Cape Point Tour
| Cost Per Person - R690 |
| (Valid from 01 November 2011 - 31 October 2012) |
08:15 - 18:00 (Every Day)
We enjoy the scenic drive along the coastal road of the Atlantic Ocean en route to Hout Bay. Once a fishing community, now a popular residential area, the harbour still has a charm of days gone by. Cruise to Seal Island (own account).
The tour continues over the famous Chapman's Peak Drive - if open, with a 200 metre drop on one side of the coach and a 200 metre rise on the other, as we make our way south, following the Atlantic Ocean until we reach Cape Point (Funicular for own account). Said to be the romantic meeting place of the two mighty oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian, Sir Francis Drake the Explorer once called it "the fairest Cape that we saw in the whole circumference of the Globe". And rightly so, it must be the highlight of any visit to the Mother City, if not South Africa.
We pass the naval base of Simons Town as we continue along the Indian Ocean, en route to see the Jackass penguin colony which has become well established at Boulders Beach (for own account). Our last stop of the day is at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, home of some 3500 species of Southern African fauna and flora having seen the best the Cape has to offer.
- Included - Cape Point Gate, Chapman's Peak and Kirstenbosch Gardens
- Excluded - Cost of Seal Island Cruise, Lunch, entry to the Boulders Penguin Colony and the Cape Point Funicular
- Children from 2-12 years are half price
- Children from 0-2 years are free
Winelands Tour
| Cost Per Person - R690 |
| (Valid from 01 November 2011 - 31 October 2012) |
08:30 - 17:30 (Every Day)
We head north to Paarl. Our first stop this morning is at Anura Wine Estate for a cheese and wine tasting. We make our way to Franschoek with a photo stop at the Groot Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela was released in Feb 1990. The village of Franschoek nestled amongst the mountains, can easily be mistaken as being in Switzerland. After a short tour of the little town, a second wine tasting will take place in Franschoek, followed by a lunch stop (optional - own account), and maybe a chance to try some of the fresh trout that Franschoek is known for.
After lunch the tour continues over the Hells Hoogte Mountain Pass to Stellenbosch. It is easy to understand why Simon van der Stel decided to settle a village amongst the mountains. The backdrop of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, the white gables Cape Dutch homestaeds and the oak lined streets and lanes all blend in to give this place a charm that will not be forgotten. Time permitting, we will include a third wine tasting. We return to Cape Town with amazing photos and fond memories.
- Included - Three wine tastings (3rd tasting time permitting) and one with a cheese and cellar tour
- Excluded - Lunch at Franschoek is optional and not included in the price
- No wine tasting under 18 years of age
- Children from 2-12 years are half price
- Children from 0-2 years are free
Cape Point & Winelands Combo Tour
| Cost Per Person - R860 |
| (Valid from 01 November 2011 - 31 October 2012) |
08:15 - 18:00 (Every Day)
Visit Cape Point and its nature reserve. We drive through the quaint Simons Town and view the Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach (own account). We then head out to the Winelands and enjoy a cellar tour and a cheese and wine tasting at Anura Wine Estate. A drive through the historic university town of Stellenbosch and onto the Spier Estate where you can touch a cheetah (own account), and if time permits our guide will choose a second estate for another wine tasting before heading back to your hotel. The combination may be reversed at the discretion of our office.
- Excluded - Lunch is not included in the price
- No wine tasting under 18 years of age
- Children from 2-12 years are half price
- Children from 0-2 years are free
Cape Town Cultural Visit & Robben Island Tour
| Cost Per Person - R680 |
| (Valid from 01 November 2011 - 31 October 2012) |
08:15 - 18:00 (Every Day)
Today we will visit the Townships - a tour that offers you an insight and interaction with different cultures, communities and individuals. Witness every day life in a harsh environment which tells of the struggles, hopes and achievements. See why 27 April 1994 was such an important day in South Africa (first democratic election). We start with a tour of District Six. See the oldest mosque in South Africa. District Six was once home to thousands of people of various cultures. We visit Langa, the oldest formal black township in Cape Town, and see the local market, an art and crafts centre, and we visit a traditional healer. Experience the warm hospitality of a local B&B. We visit a creche offering fun, and safe haven for the local children. We also visit Bontheuwel, Nyanga, Crossroads, Khayelitsha and Gugulethu where we see the Gugulethu Seven Memorial and the Amy Biehl Memorial.
Board the Robben Island ferry and enjoy spectacular views of Cape Town and Table Mountain as you sail across the bay to this island which is so full of history. Once you reach the island you will be given a guided tour and see the prison cell that held Nelson Mandela captive for so many years. Your return to your hotel is included.
- Included - District Six Museum (Closed on Sundays)
- Some of the venues may be closed on Public Holidays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Excluded - Lunch is not included in the price
- Handy Tip: Sun protection, protective clothing and preventative treatments against sea sickness are advisable. Subject to weather, ferry schedule and seat availability
- Children from 2-12 years are half price
- Children from 0-2 years are free
Hermanus & Whale Route Tour
| Cost Per Person - R690 |
| (Valid from 01 November 2011 - 31 October 2012) |
08:30 - 17:30 (*** From July to November only on Wed/ Fri/ Sun)
This tour operates during the Whale Season from July to November only. There is no guarantee that Whales will be sighted although our guides make every effort to find the best viewing point. The scenic coastal Clarens Drive offers spectacular views of False Bay. We visit the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden with its bird and plant life before arriving at the quaint town of Hermanus. There may be an opportunity to join boat-based whale watching (for own account and subject to availability). We stop at a farm stall where you can find natural preserves, jams with a difference, and delicious pastries, and enjoy a cup of tea (own account). We return over Sir Lowry's Mountain Pass.
- Excluded - Lunch is not included in the price
- Handy Tip: Sun protection, protective clothing and preventative treatments against sea sickness are advisable when going on the boat trip
- Children from 2-12 years are half price
- Children from 0-2 years are free
Aquila Private Game Reserve Safari
| Cost Per Person - R2030 |
| (Valid from 01 November 2011 - 31 October 2012) |
07:00 - 17:30 (Every Day)
This tour starts at 07:00 when guests will be collected from their hotel in Cape Town and then be transferred to Aquila Private Game Reserve (approx 2 hours). On arrival at Aquila at about 09:00 you will be served a welcome drink in the reception area. At 09:45 you will depart on a 2½ hour game drive (on a 4x4 safari vehicle with a ranger guide) where you will be on the lookout for the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard) as well as other wild game. You will also pay a visit to the Animal Rescue Centre. At 12:15 a buffet lunch will be served in the African boma restaurant. After lunch guests are able to use the pool facilities and are encouraged to browse the African curio shop. At 14:45 there will be an optional free visit and tour to the Karoo Ostrich Farm. At 15:30 you will depart Aquila and return to Cape Town where you will be dropped off at your hotel.
- Included - Transport, Welcome Drink, Light Breakfast, 2½ Hour Game Drive, Lunch
- Excluded - Beverages
Gansbaai Great White Shark Diving Tour
| Cost Per Person - R1650 |
| (Valid from 01 January 2012 - 31 December 2012) |
05:00/06:00 - 18:00 (Every Day)
Guests will be collected from their hotel in Cape Town early this morning and then start the drive out to Gansbaai (approx 2 hours) in luxury vehicles. A tasty breakfast will be served on board. Upon arrival in Gansbaai you will enjoy a hot cup of tea/ coffee before you board the boat and take the fast, yet safe 20 minute boat ride out to Dyer Island. Snacks, drinks and sweets are available on board the boat. You will also be given an educational presentation and safety briefing. Diving equipment and wetsuits are available at no extra cost. Non-divers are welcome to take part in this tour and just do surface viewing of the sharks from the boat.
- Included - Transport, Boat trip to dive, Packed breakfast, Tea/ coffee, Light lunch, Complimentary drinks with lunch, Use of diving equipment and wetsuits
- Excluded - Towel, Sea-sick tablets, Extra drinks and snacks, Optional extra purchases
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About the area and the dive:
Approx. 12km offshore from Gansbaai we find two islands situated next to each other. Due to a number of geographical reasons - one being the shallow and narrow channel that runs between these two islands - Dyer Island has become known as one of only two unique areas in the world, where the chances to view the great white shark, rises exceptionally high. A colony of approximately 40 000 Cape Fur Seals inhabit the smaller Island (Geyser Rock). Other wildlife species such as Cape Gannets, Cape Cormorants, African Penguins, whales and dolphins are also likely to be sighted.
Once anchored in the channel, we make use of a securely designed 6-man steel cage, which floats on the surface, with divers no more than 1m below the surface. Experienced divers are able to dive on scuba while inexperienced divers are able to enjoy the same experience on snorkel. Snorkelling is equally comfortable and safe.
White sharks are indeed surface feeders, providing brilliant surface viewing from the safety of the shark-viewing deck of the boat. Our shark handlers are trained to bring the sharks close-up against the side of the boat, with the head and jaws clearly visible. Each crew member is highly qualified in his/ her specific field and together have more than 15 years experience working with great white sharks.
For Sale:
DVD's video's, underwater camera's, t-shirts, caps and various other gifts will be on sale. You can also purchase a high quality copy of your own personal shark diving experience, after the tour (available on video or DVD).
Best Season:
Our tours run each and every day of the year, as Dyer Island is a good place to see the sharks all year round. The absolute best season is probably in our winter months, when sharks are particularly active in their feeding pattern. The following guide-line is based on tours we have done over the past 8 years and months may overlap slightly.
Peak Season: April - October (99% success rate) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
High Season: Nov & Dec (90-99% success rate)
Intermediate Season: Jan - March (80-90% success rate)
Water temperatures vary between 16°C and 20°C during our high season, and between 10°C and 16°C during our intermediate and low seasons.
What to bring:
Towel, warm weather proof clothing, sunscreen and hat, camera and binoculars, sea-sick tablets and dive card.
Upon return from a fantastic dive experience you will be served a light lunch with a complimentary beer and wine to accompany it. We then depart late afternoon and make our way back to Cape Town. In season (July - Dec) and time permitting we may have the opportunity to stop in the town of Hermanus where we can enjoy some land based whale watching. The tour ends with you being dropped off back at your hotel or Cape Town International Airport.
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