6-Day Cape Nature Tour
Bursting with bio-diversity, this tour showcases the natural side of the Cape Peninsula and beyond, introducing you to fynbos, endemic birds, amazing marine life and animals both big and small. In conjunction with travel planner Where It All Began, this 6-day tour begins in Cape Town where highlights include hiking Table Mountain, bird watching at Kirstenbosch Gardens and combing the coastline at Cape Point.
The focus then shifts to the Overberg region for penguins and pristine fynbos and – if in season – migrating whales before ending with a day in the Cape Winelands and a five-star picnic at a Stellenbosch wine farm. Accommodation, transport and meals are all included and you can add on extra days that take you deeper into the Cape countryside. The detailed itinerary and bookings are available at Where It All Began but here’s a quick overview of the tour.
OVERVIEW OF 6-DAY CAPE NATURE TOUR
DAY ONE: WELCOME TO CAPE TOWN
Arriving at Cape Town International Airport, you are met & can sit back on a private transfer to An African Villa in Tamboerskloof, set overlooking the city bowl and with Table Mountain as its backdrop. You have the rest of the day to acclimatize and explore the city – the V&A Waterfront is a 10-minute drive away but you can walk to local restaurants and shops along fashionable Kloof Street.
DAY TWO: HIKE TABLE MOUNTAIN
Depending on interests, fitness and what the weather is doing, we’ll hike Table Mountain today. There are dozens of routes up – some challenging, some fairly easy – but the reward is a magical wonderland of fynbos and stunning views – plus a few surprises – and there is always the option of the cable car if you don’t fancy the huff and puff. Spend the night at An African Villa.
DAY THREE: BIRDS & BOTANY
Two of the best birding destinations are on the itinerary today: we start with the extraordinary birdlife of Strandfontein Water Treatment Plant before strolling around Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens for a completely different set of birds in stunning gardens and forests. Feathered highlights today include flamingos, pelicans, raptors and endemic mountain birds. The next two nights are at the Vineyard Hotel in Newlands.
DAY FOUR: THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
The day opens with the penguins at Boulders Beach near Simons Town before introducing you to the wildlife wonders of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. We’ll combine short walks and drives in different parts of the reserve, on the lookout for antelope, baboons and ostrich as well as tortoises and lizards. You’ll see marine life in rocks pools and on the beach as well as the chance to spot whales in season and the scenery is amazing.
DAY FIVE: DISCOVER THE OVERBERG
We’ll leave Cape Town today to explore the Overberg region and its coastline; there are thousands of penguins and cormorants to see at Betty’s Bay where we’ll also visit the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens for excellent birdlife and a mix of both formal and wild gardens. Depending on interests we could look for rare flowers in the Kogelberg Biosphere or stake out a birding hide over a wetland; either way we’ll finish the day at Oude Werf Hotel at the heart of Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands.
DAY SIX: RELAX IN THE WINELANDS
Time to see what the Cape Winelands are all about! You’ll have time to wander the oak-lined streets of historic Stellenbosch before sitting back on a private wine tour, taking in several local vineyards before enjoying a five-star picnic at famous Vergelegen Estate. The tour ends with your transfer to Cape Town International Airport that afternoon but you are welcome to add more days on – contact us for ideas and itineraries.