Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
South Africa – Cape Town – Paternoster – Cederberg Natural Reserve – Franschhoek
100% customisable for you
After lots of daydreaming, counting down the days and checking the weather forecast, your South African adventure officially starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security, pick up a good read and settle into the lounge for some fizz and nibbles before boarding.
Your overnight flight to Cape Town takes around 12 hours, so queue up the films, fluff up the neck pillow and try to catch some Z’s before touching down tomorrow morning.
When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport and whisked away by private transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city – your base for the next three nights.
After all that travelling, there’s only one thing on the agenda: good food. Head out in search of your first South African feast (helped by your local Concierge who can share local recommendations and book you a table) then spend the rest of the evening as you please – whether that’s a dip in the pool or simply crawling into bed and calling it a day. Tomorrow promises plenty more excitement.
Rise and shine early this morning to beat the jet lag, then hit the streets of Cape Town and see where the day takes you. Perhaps start in the Green Point district, where there are plenty of indie cafés on hand to kick-start the day. Grab a coffee to go, then take a stroll through Green Point Park before marvelling at contemporary African masterpieces inside the Zeitz MOCCA. For a dose of nature, head to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, where indigenous gardens unfurl beneath the towering slopes of Table Mountain.
Raring to go? Lace up your best walking shoes and tackle the Pipe Track Trail, which delivers views across Camps Bay’s sparkling coastline and Cape Town’s City Bowl, where the city unfolds below in all its glory.
Visiting on a weekend? You’re in luck. Spend a few hours browsing the Oranjezicht City Farm Market, hopping between stalls piled high with local produce, fresh pastries and artisan goods. Come hungry – you’ll likely leave with lunch and a few souvenirs too.
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast this morning – you have quite the adventure ahead. With your private guide at the wheel, set off for a day exploring the Cape Peninsula.
Your first stop is Silvermine Nature Reserve, where the rolling vineyards of Steenberg give way to the rugged slopes of the Tokai Mountains. Continue to the peninsula’s west coast, visiting the wild shores of Kommetjie and Scarborough before heading to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and iconic Cape Point. Make sure to snap plenty of photos while you’re here – these views are holiday album gold.
On your return north, make a stop at Boulders Beach, where a beloved colony of African penguins waddle, sunbathe and splash alongside beachgoers. Follow your guide along lesser-known paths where you can observe these characterful residents from a respectful distance.
Then, stop for lunch in Noordhoek, before tackling the twist and turns of the legendary Chapman’s Peak Drive, winding past Hout Bay, Llandudno, Camps Bay and Clifton on the journey back to Cape Town.
After an action-packed day, leave dinner plans up to your Concierge – just tell them what you’re craving...
History buffs are in for a thought-provoking day. Meet your guide and hop aboard the ferry, setting sail for Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a sobering past. Over the decades, it has served as a prison, military base and hospital, though it’s best known for holding political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, during the apartheid era. Today, it stands as a powerful emblem of South Africa’s fight for freedom and democracy.
Back in Cape Town, pick up the keys to your hire car and hit the road for the two-hour drive to Paternoster, a charming village on South Africa’s west coast. When you arrive, check in to your beachfront villa – home for the next two nights.
The afternoon is all yours. Drop your bags, slip straight into sandals and take your pick between a lounger in the sun or a palm-shaded patch of sand – perhaps with a cocktail to celebrate your arrival?
The last few days have been wonderfully jam-packed, so today is all about embracing a slower pace. Sleep in, lose yourself in a good book and while away the hours in a shaded hammock before cooling off in the pool or treating yourself to a massage – very well deserved after all that exploring.
Come afternoon, wander along the golden coastline and watch local fishermen haul in the day’s catch. And as the sun begins to dip towards the horizon, follow the irresistible aromas past traditional thatched cottages and into one of the village’s local restaurants, sinking your teeth into some fresh lobster, best served sizzling off the griddle.
Bid dreamy Paternoster a fond farewell this morning before gearing up for the three-hour road trip east to Cederberg Wilderness Reserve. It’s an easy, breezy drive along the coast, so tune in to our destination-specific playlist, roll the windows down and let the singalong commence.
When you arrive, check in to your remote guesthouse – your home away from home for the next three nights. If you have energy to spare, spend the rest of your afternoon on a hike through Cederberg’s lunar-like landscape, where rust-red rock formations rise above vast swathes of wilderness. Keep your eyes peeled for South African icons such as baboons, dassies, grey rhebok and, if luck’s on your side, perhaps even an elusive leopard prowling in the distance.
This evening, tuck into another hearty dinner, then turn your eyes to the skies. With barely any light pollution here, the stars put on quite the show – who will be the first to spot Orion’s Belt?
The next couple of days are all about embracing the great outdoors. With no fixed plans and thousands of acres on your doorstep, don your explorer’s hat and see where the day takes you. Perhaps you’ll trace the river on foot, hit the trails on a mountain bike or bundle into the back of a 4x4 and bounce across the landscape in search of wildlife, keeping score of all the weird and wonderful rock formations you discover along the way.
After a day of discovery, cool off with a canoe trip on the water or retreat to a shady nook and soak up the peace and quiet. Then, as the sun begins to dip behind the mountains, feast on some regional favourites such as slow-cooked Karoo lamb, bobotie (a spiced mince dish topped with egg) and freshly baked roosterkoek (barbecued bread rolls), all best washed down with a generous pour of Western Cape wine. Does it get any better than this?
Set your sights on Franschhoek this morning and embark on the three-hour journey south, the scenery shifting from the rugged wilderness of the Cederberg to the vineyard-clad valleys of South Africa’s wine country.
When you arrive, check in to your cosy cottage, where you’ll be staying for the next three nights.
Cellar-hopping is practically a sport here, so spend the afternoon drifting between the nearby wine estates, discovering how a quick tasting has a funny way of turning into a full-blown love affair with your new favourite vintage. Whether you're partial to a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, a bold Pinotage or a velvety Syrah, there’s plenty to keep your glass topped up. Think of it as settling in, Franschhoek-style...
Fancy yourself a wine connoisseur? You’re in for a real treat.
Meet your expert guide this morning and venture into the heart of the wine country, calling in at wine estates in Stellenbosch, Constantia or Durbanville. Here, the glorious South African sunshine works its magic on every grape in sight, producing some seriously good Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. As you amble between the vines and cellars, you’ll learn about the region’s rich winemaking heritage, from pioneering vintners to time-honed techniques.
Of course, no visit would be complete without a tasting. Swirl, sniff and sip your way through a carefully curated selection before settling the all-important question: which bottle (or two) deserves a place in your suitcase?
All that exploring is bound to work up a hefty appetite. This evening, feast on traditional South African braai, piled high with flame-grilled meats and local specialties. Paired with your newly discovered favourite wine, it’s a foodie match made in heaven.
Today is all about slowing down and soaking up the laid-back Franschhoek lifestyle. Sleep in, roll out of bed, linger over breakfast and just see where the day takes you. Perhaps you'll spend it roaming around the village’s charming streets, browsing indie boutiques and local galleries.
For your final night in Franschhoek, leave dinner plans in the hands of your Concierge, who’ll know just the spot for a celebratory final meal. And as the sun sets over the valley, casting the vineyards in a golden glow, raise a glass to an abundance of magical memories made – cheers to that.
Time flies when you’re having fun and, sadly, your adventure in South Africa has come to an end.
Buckle in for one last road trip to Cape Town Airport, a one-hour drive away. Return your trusty hire car, stock up on any last-minute souvenirs and settle in for the journey home. All in all, you’ll spend around 12 hours in the air – plenty of time to start dreaming up your next big escape...
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
