Splendorous South Africa

Day 03: Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour

Breakfast at the hotel. Full Day Private Cape Peninsula Tour with English speaking guide.

Hout Bay Harbour: Step into the working harbour of Hout Bay at the end of Cape Town’s Atlantic seaboard for an authentic fishing village experience from the colourful fishing boats moored on the dock to the range of fish markets, restaurants, street markets and shops set overlooking the bay. Indulge in fresh seafood, fabulous views, adventure activities and shopping experiences – everything from jewellery and maritime artefacts to seashells and more. The beach stretches from here to Chapman’s Peak in the east.

Seal Island Cruise (weather permitting): Nauticat Charters offers a unique maritime adventure in its glass-bottomed 22m Catamaran. Based in beautiful Hout Bay on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard from where the cruise departs and heads to the large seal colony living just off its coastline. The glass viewing windows below decks offer spectacular underwater views of the seals as well as a host of other marine life. The Catamaran can seat up to 140 passengers with 60 below decks and 80 on the open upper deck. There are full toilet facilities on board as well as a wood-panelled saloon with fully-licensed bar. The boat can handle any weather conditions.

Chapman's Peak (weather permitting): Locals call this famous scenic drive that winds its way between Hout Bay and Noordhoek on Cape Town’s stunning Atlantic Ocean coastline “Chappies”. The toll route stretches nine kilometres along the coast taking over 100 curves in a road carved out by prisoners of war in the mid-1910s over a seven-year period. On the one side are towering cliffs and on the other a steep drop to the ocean. A favourite with visitors and locals alike for scenic hikes, cycles and drives, as well as picnicking. 

Cape Of Good Hope: The famous Cape of Good Hope nature reserve, a World Heritage site, is set at the end of Cape Town’s south peninsula. Take a trip via funicular to the lighthouse at 286 metres above sea level (built to which warns ships they are approaching the feared “Cape of Storms”), stroll along the cliff paths or venture down the steep slopes to the stunning white-sand beaches below. The reserve is home to a variety of small wildlife and is a favoured picnicking, fishing (with a permit) and hiking destination with its rich plant biodiversity and inspiring landscapes.

Cape Point Funicular: The Flying Dutchman Funicular takes passengers uphill from the car park of the Cape Point Nature Reserve (a Natural World Heritage Site) to the old lighthouse sited at 249m overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The views from the lighthouse are spectacular and the air, coming off the Antarctic, is among the purest in the world. The funicular is believed to be the only commercial one of its kind in Africa and is named after a local legend of a ghost ship. The short three-minute trip passes through 585m of dense fynbos and over rocks to the upper lighthouse. The two cars can carry 40 passengers at a time and trips run continuously.

Boulders Beach (Penguins): The sheltered Simon’s Town beach of Boulders Beach is the home of an endangered land-based colony of African penguins (over 2 000 of them), as well as a favourite swimming and beach destination for locals and international travellers, particularly children. One can walk between the three pristine and sheltered beaches on boardwalks, which also link to the penguin-viewing area offering fantastic sightings of these unique and endearing animals in their natural habitat.

Kirstenbosch Gardens: Explore the diverse beauty of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which is set up against Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain looking onto the city. There are plenty of spaces to picnic among the rich and varied displays of southern Africa’s plant life (more than 7 000 species are planted out) and a restaurant on site. It is the first botanical garden to be included within a natural World Heritage site. Paths are set out throughout the garden allowing visitors to easily wander past the natural displays. 

Overnight at the hotel.