Where Two Oceans Meet the Wild
From Table Mountain's ancient summit to malaria-free Big Five safaris, world-class winelands and the Marine Big Five — Africa's most versatile destination.
Fully private, unhurried and all-inclusive — from a three-day taste of the Mother City to the seven-day Cape & Big Five combination. Every journey is crafted entirely around you.
Seven days of Mother City glamour and Big Five thrills
Five days of vineyards, mountains and Atlantic splendour
Four days of Cape Town's greatest icons
Three unhurried days in the Mother City
Sail across Table Bay to the island where Nelson Mandela spent eighteen of his twenty-seven years in prison. Every tour is guided by a former political prisoner whose first-hand testimony you will never forget — our most requested Cape Town experience, and one that sells out far in advance.
Return catamaran ferry across Table Bay and a guided prison tour led by a former political prisoner.
A half-day crossing to the UNESCO island with an expert-guided walk through the maximum-security prison.
Two Cape icons in one unforgettable day — the island prison and the summit of Table Mountain.
The island, District Six Museum, Zeitz MOCAA and Bo-Kaap — a full private day of the Cape's living history.
Cape Town is the jewel of the African continent — a city where dramatic natural beauty meets rich cultural heritage, world-class cuisine and extraordinary wildlife. Backed by the iconic Table Mountain (a New 7 Wonder of Nature), wrapped by two oceans and surrounded by the Cape Winelands, Cape Town offers the most diverse travel experience in Africa. What many travellers don't know: malaria-free Big Five safaris are just two hours away at Aquila and Sanbona reserves. Add the Marine Big Five (whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins) and you have a destination that combines bush, beach, wine and wilderness in a single journey. Cape Town is the perfect bookend to a Kruger or Sabi Sands safari.
Where the Cape story begins. Four private, unhurried safaris — malaria-free Big Five within two hours of the city, a safari of the sea, and two of the Western Cape's most storied luxury reserves. Each one crafted entirely around you.
A full-day malaria-free Big Five game drive just 2 hours from Cape Town. Open-vehicle safari with expert rangers, plus horseback and quad-bike options. See all Big Five before dinner — perfect for travellers with limited time.
Trade the Big Five on land for the Big Five at sea. Whale watching in Hermanus, shark cage diving in Gansbaai, seal snorkelling at Duiker Island and dolphin cruises in False Bay — Africa's most unique safari experience.
A 2–3 night luxury safari at Sanbona's Dwyka Tented Lodge in the Little Karoo. Malaria-free Big Five, ancient San rock art (130+ sites dating back 3,500 years) and vast Karoo starscapes. Where ancient human history meets Africa's greatest wildlife.
Luxury eco-lodge in the heart of the UNESCO Cape Floral Kingdom. Botanical safaris through 9,000+ plant species, Marine Big Five excursions, horse riding and conservation through the Grootbos Foundation. The only place where a UNESCO plant kingdom meets the ocean.
A mountain in the sea, a cableway to the clouds, and a peninsula that ends where two oceans collide. This is the Cape at its most iconic — Table Mountain, Cape Point, Chapman's Peak and the penguins of Boulders, all on one unforgettable coastline.
Twenty minutes from the city, the mountains open into a valley of Cape Dutch estates, oak-lined avenues and some of the finest cellars on earth. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Durbanville — tasted slowly, over a long vineyard lunch, exactly as they should be.
Cape Town isn't only about the bush. Along this coast live two of the ocean's most spellbinding giants — the great white shark and the southern right whale. We call them the Cape's Marine Big Five, and meeting them is every bit as unforgettable as a game drive.
The Cape wears its history openly — the fortress of Robben Island, the colour of the Bo-Kaap, the botanical splendour of Kirstenbosch, the rhythm of a township kitchen. These are the stories that give the Mother City her soul.
The greatest secret of the Cape: you can be on a malaria-free Big Five game drive within two hours of your hotel. Add the Cape by helicopter, a two-day highlights journey, or a family day built entirely around your children — the grand finale to any Cape Town stay.
Looking for more Cape Town day tours? Visit Gray Line South Africa — our sister company — for our full catalog of instant-book Cape Town experiences, from half-day city highlights to full-day peninsula adventures. Over 40 tours, live availability, and instant confirmation.
Browse Gray Line South AfricaThe great white shark. The southern right whale. The dolphin, the Cape fur seal and the African penguin. Cape Town is the only city on the planet where you can meet all five in a single coastline — a safari of the sea to rival any game drive on land.
The Mother City is the ideal start or finish to a great African journey. Fly north to the Big Five, east along the coast, or on to the Falls — we'll weave it into one seamless itinerary.
Drive east along the coast for forests, lagoons and Africa's prettiest road trip.
Fly up for a bush finale — the classic mountain-city-and-safari combination.
Pair the Cape's beauty with world-class Big Five viewing in a private reserve.
Add the falls en route to a wider Southern Africa journey.
Warm and dry with beach weather, outdoor activities, long days
20–30°C, sunnyPleasant weather, wine harvest season, quieter, excellent photography light
15–25°C, mildCool and rainy but peak whale watching, cosy wine tastings, lowest rates
8–18°C, rainyWildflowers bloom, warming up, whale season ending, fynbos flowering
12–22°C, warmingFrom an Edwardian art house above the Atlantic to a tented lodge in a private Karoo reserve — the finest addresses of the Cape, held for you by our concierge.
Cape Town's most exclusive address — a private art gallery, world-class wine cellar and Atlantic panoramas in an Edwardian masterpiece
Travel + Leisure World's Best, Condé Nast Gold ListUrban luxury at Africa's most iconic waterfront — Nobu, spa island and Table Mountain in one address
Leading Hotel of the World, World Travel AwardsBig Five in a malaria-free Karoo wonderland — ancient rock art and star-filled skies included
Leading luxury lodge in Western Cape safariAfrica's most meaningful eco-luxury — your stay directly funds conservation of 800+ plant species
World Travel Awards Leading Green HotelWhere ancient human art meets world-class wellness — 130 rock art sites in a mountain wilderness
Condé Nast Gold List, Relais & Châteaux, World's Best SpaBig Five on Cape Town's doorstep — the accessible safari proving you don't need a week in the bush
TripAdvisor Certificate of ExcellenceYes! Aquila Private Game Reserve (2 hours from Cape Town) and Sanbona Wildlife Reserve (3 hours) both offer malaria-free Big Five safaris. Aquila offers full-day trips, while Sanbona provides a luxury overnight experience. Both are excellent for families and travellers with limited time.
Cape Town's tourist areas are generally very safe, especially the V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay, Constantia and the Winelands. As with any major city, exercise standard precautions: don't flash valuables, use reputable transport and stay in well-known areas. Private guided tours offer the safest and most enriching experience.
Cape Town's summer (November to March) offers warm, dry weather perfect for beaches, Table Mountain and outdoor activities. Winter (June–August) brings rain but is peak whale watching season with lower rates. Autumn (April–May) offers pleasant weather and the wine harvest. Each season has unique appeal.
The classic combination is 3–4 days in Cape Town followed by 3–5 days in Kruger or Sabi Sands, connected by a 2-hour flight. This 'bush and beach' itinerary is South Africa's most popular and allows you to experience both the Mother City's culture and Africa's greatest wildlife.
The Marine Big Five are unique to the Cape Town coastline: Southern Right Whales (peak June–November), Great White Sharks (year-round), Bottlenose Dolphins (year-round), Cape Fur Seals (Hout Bay/Duiker Island) and African Penguins (Boulders Beach). No other destination offers all five marine species.
Yes, Cape Town and the entire Western Cape are completely malaria-free. This makes it an excellent safari destination for families with young children and travellers who prefer to avoid antimalarial medication. The nearby Aquila and Sanbona reserves are also malaria-free.
Stellenbosch (45 min), Franschhoek (1 hour) and Paarl (45 min) form the Cape Winelands — one of the world's most beautiful wine regions. Famous for Pinotage, Chenin Blanc and Méthode Cap Classique, with gourmet restaurants ranked among Africa's finest. The Franschhoek Wine Tram is a must-do experience.
A minimum of 3–4 days allows you to experience Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula, the Winelands and a safari day trip. For a comprehensive experience including whale watching, Hermanus, a multi-day safari and deeper exploration, 5–7 days is ideal.
A luxury Cape Town honeymoon typically combines: 2–3 nights at Ellerman House or One&Only (city luxury), a private Winelands day, a Cape Peninsula tour, 2 nights at Sanbona or Grootbos (luxury safari), and optionally 3 nights in Sabi Sands for the ultimate bush-and-beach romance.
Absolutely! Hermanus (1.5 hours from Cape Town) is the whale watching capital of the world. Southern Right Whales visit Walker Bay from June to November (peak August–October). Boat trips from R1,200 per person, or watch from the famous cliff paths for free. Cape Town harbour also offers seasonal sightings.
Tell us how you love to travel and we'll shape a private Cape Town experience around you — every entrance fee, every transfer, every detail taken care of. One dedicated concierge, start to finish.