best day tours cape town

The 6 best day trips from Cape Town

Apr 27, 2023 • 5 min read

Cape Town is hard to leave, but with day trip experiences like these you'll be glad you did © Ahturner / Shutterstock

Day trips from  Cape Town offer a taste of the Western Cape province’s sublime scenery.

Just a short drive from the city, hundreds of wineries lend a pretty finishing touch to an already exquisite landscape backed by jagged purple-grey mountains. Once you cross the eastern mountains, you’re met by undulating forest, eventually giving way to a ruggedly handsome coastline. Alternatively, take the scenic route down the eastern shore of False Bay, or head north through the Swartland ’s rolling fields to an accessible national park. 

Here are the best day trips from Cape Town, all within a couple of hours of the city.

1. Take a scenic cruise along Clarence Drive

Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Clarence Drive, the section of Rte 44 that skirts the mountainous Kogelberg Nature Reserve , is a coastal route equal to anything you’ll find on the Amalfi Coast or in California. The winding road hugs the vertiginous shore and offers hazy views across False Bay to  Cape Point . Meandering for 25 miles (40km) between Gordon’s Bay and Betty’s Bay, the road offers equally photogenic vistas of ocean and mountain. And from June to November, you stand a good chance of spotting whales in the bay. 

Stop for lunch at PitStop Lodge or Pringle Bay en route to Betty’s Bay, home to the beautiful Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens and the  Stony Point African penguin colony. We recommend the 3.75-mile (6km) Oudebosch hike up secluded Leopard’s Gorge from the biodiverse Kogelberg Nature Reserve to the botanical gardens.

How to get to Clarence Drive from Cape Town : This is a trip you need to do in your own car, stopping frequently to admire the views. Take the N2 east past the township of Khayelitsha and join Rte 44 at Somerset West.

2. Watch whales and drink wine near Hermanus

Travel time: 2 hours

Hermanus might be the world’s best land-based whale-watching destination and even has a whale crier and a festival at the height of southern right-whale season in late September and early October. The clifftop pathway affords awesome views of whales in winter and year-round vistas of the Overberg region’s mountainous coastline. Beyond relaxed Hermanus itself, seek out surrounding spots such as the Hemel-en-Aarde (“heaven and earth”) Valley, home to boutique pinot noir and chardonnay producers, including Creation and Ataraxia . After sipping all those whites and reds, grab a late-afternoon craft beer at The Brewery  or oceanfront Ficks Restaurant .

How to get to Hermanus from Cape Town : The fastest route takes you along the N2, up Sir Lowry’s Pass, and down to Walker Bay on Rte 43. Drive there (or back) on the more circuitous Clarence Dr (Rte 44) for scenic views along the coast.

3. Soar above the mountains on a zip-line tour

Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Outdoor adventures abound in Cape Town, though there’s nothing quite as exhilarating as the  canopy tour that swoops above the  Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve . A series of zip lines transports you across deep ravines, truly giving you the feeling of flying over the waterfalls and forests far below. Afterward, recharge at one or two of the apple-growing Elgin Valley’s cool-climate wineries, such as  Paul Cluver Wines or Iona Wine Farm .

To round off the trip, stop at the  Peregrine Farm Stall or Elgin Railway Market for tea and cake or a drop of local cider. While it’s only an hour back to Cape Town, you can still stock up on padkos – road trip snacks – such as biltong (dried, spiced meat), crunchies (oat-based biscuits) or a tasty meat pie.

How to get to Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve from Cape Town : The Cape Canopy Tour is a 53-mile (85km) drive from Cape Town via the N2, scenic Sir Lowry’s Pass and Rte 321.

4. Eat in Franschhoek, SA's culinary capital

Travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Franschhoek is best known for its centuries-old grape-growing culture, with elegant wineries surrounding the town in every direction (many of them visited by the Franschhoek Wine Tram). If you prefer grain to grape, there are also some excellent microbreweries serving innovative ales, such as Hey Joe Brewing Co and Tuk Tuk Microbrewery .

Franschhoek is often referred to as South Africa’s culinary capital, its main road lined with high-end restaurants, chocolate-centric cafes, coffee roasteries and hot spots run by local celebrity chefs. For contemporary tapas in a wine farm setting, reserve a table at chef Liam Tomlin’s Chefs Warehouse at Maison .  Boschendal estate’s deli offers picnic hampers for alfresco meals.

How to get to Franschhoek from Cape Town : Take the N1 east towards Paarl, then turn onto Rte 45 for a glorious drive between vineyard-clad mountains. Numerous tour operators offer wine-tasting day trips from Cape Town.

5. Go bird-watching at West Coast National Park

Travel time: 1 hour

You might not see the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino) at  West Coast National Park , but you will get quite a wildlife-watching experience. Bird life abounds here, particularly around Langebaan Lagoon, with more than 250 species sighted in the park. Summer (December to February) is the best season for both birding and taking a dip; the park is also renowned for its spring wildflowers – book ahead to access the flower-carpeted Postberg section in August and September. The cool, dry March-to-May period is great for hikes to spot zebra, ostrich and several types of antelope.

How to get to West Coast National Park from Cape Town : The park is a 56-mile (90km) drive north via Rte 27.

6. Experience the African bush on a day safari

Travel time: 2 hours 30 minutes

The wildlife-rich Kruger National Park is over 932 miles (1500km) away, but luckily there are safari options near Cape Town, too. We advise dedicating two nights to a spot like  Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the Little Karoo. If time is short, however, follow the N1 through the Du Toitskloof Mountains for a half or full-day safari at Fairy Glen Nature Reserve or Aquila Private Game Reserve , the latter offering expeditions by both open-sided vehicle and horseback.

How to get to Fairy Glen and Aquila from Cape Town : Fairy Glen is near the town of Worcester, about 72 miles (115km) northeast of Cape Town, and Aquila is 37 miles (60km) further along the N1.

This article was first published Aug 15, 2018 and updated Apr 27, 2023.

Explore related stories

Jul 22, 2020 • 6 min read

From Bonn to British Columbia, Cape Town to California, these are 8 of the world’s best vintage caravan hotels and Airstream parks.

Dec 11, 2019 • 5 min read

Mar 19, 2024 • 6 min read

Mar 10, 2024 • 5 min read

Feb 20, 2024 • 17 min read

Dec 6, 2023 • 5 min read

Nov 30, 2023 • 5 min read

Nov 27, 2023 • 7 min read

Oct 19, 2023 • 6 min read

Sep 11, 2023 • 6 min read

The 14 Best Day Trips From Cape Town, South Africa

• Last Updated: February 6, 2024

Our list of the top day trips from Cape Town, from hiking around Cape Point, to exploring Table Mountain National Park, to wine tasting, shark cage diving, and lounging on beautiful beaches.

There is so much to see and do when visiting Cape Town, but sometimes it’s best to get out of the city.

Within the famous “Mother City” of Southern Africa, you can spend days uncovering all the wonders of Cape Town.

But the beauty, history, and culture of this city go beyond the downtown area. Make the most of your time in the Western Cape by embarking on some of these day trips from Cape Town!

The entire Cape Peninsula is packed with unique attractions, like the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and the Cape Of Good Hope. There are also beaches, bays, and scenic drives.

As you head further inland, you’ll find world-class wine farms, wine estates, and even a wine tram. Those who love wine tastings will be in heaven in Cape Town!

Other amazing day trips from Cape Town include whale watching, hiking the iconic Table Mountain, and going on safari.

So whether you want to venture up the West Coast, explore the Cape Peninsula, or treat yourself to some wine tasting, have a blast on some of these day trips from Cape Town!

Check out our list of the best things to do in Cape Town for more ideas!

Table of Contents

1) Table Mountain

2) drive the scenic chapman’s peak drive, 3) cape of good hope, 4) klein karoo, 5) boulders beach, 6) muizenberg beach, 7) hout bay, 8) kalk bay, 9) hermanus , 10) gansbaai, 11) cape agulhas, 12) wine tasting in the cape winelands, 13) explore west coast national park, 14) take a day trip to a game reserve, renting a car in cape town, south africa, tips for driving in cape town, south africa, day trips from cape town, south africa.

There are so many amazing day trips from Cape Town that will help you explore the beauty and culture of the Cape Peninsula and the west coast of South Africa.

Ride a wine tram and tour a wine farm, go on a day tour of Cape Point, or road trip up the West Coast of South Africa. There are so many options for day trips from Cape Town!

A rental car is the best way to explore the outskirts of Cape Town, but we’ll link to some highly-rated guided Cape Town tours for those who would prefer not to drive themselves.

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

A visit to Cape Town would be incomplete without embarking on a day trip to the iconic Table Mountain, an emblem of the city’s natural beauty and a must-see attraction for travelers.

Rising majestically at the heart of Cape Town, Table Mountain stands as an imposing flat-topped mountain that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city, its coastline, and the surrounding landscapes of Cape Point.

The adventure begins with a thrilling cable car ride to the summit, where visitors are treated to an awe-inspiring spectacle of nature.

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a photography aficionado, or simply seeking a serene escape, Table Mountain National Park provides a versatile experience.

Hiking enthusiasts can explore a variety of well-maintained trails that lead to the summit, allowing for a more immersive and physically rewarding journey. Bird enthusiasts can delight in spotting a variety of avian species, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth.

Alternatively, those seeking a more leisurely experience can revel in the comfort of the cable car , which slowly rotates during the ascent, ensuring everyone enjoys uninterrupted vistas.

The summit itself offers ample opportunities for relaxation and exploration. Visitors can savor a picnic while taking in the awe-inspiring scenery of Cape Town, or embark on a guided tour to uncover the geological, ecological, and cultural wonders that make Table Mountain a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With its accessibility, diverse activities, and unparalleled vistas, visiting Table Mountain while you’re in Cape Town is an absolute must.

Combine Table Mountain with Cape Point and Boulders Beach on this epic Cape Town day trip !

Another one of the most incredible day trips from Cape Town is Chapman’s Peak Drive. Also known as R61, this scenic route is a captivating journey that unveils the sheer beauty of the Western Cape’s coastal landscapes.

Often heralded as one of the world’s most picturesque drives, Chapman’s Peak Drive winds its way along the rugged cliffs of the Atlantic Ocean, offering awe-inspiring views that transition from dramatic seascapes to towering mountain peaks.

The drive itself is an adventure, with a sinuous road carved into the mountainside, hugging the edge of cliffs and providing panoramic vistas at every turn.

As you navigate the twists and turns, the turquoise waters below and the expansive skies above create an ever-changing canvas of colors, making it a dream for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Chapman’s Peak Drive not only showcases the region’s natural beauty but also presents opportunities for exploration and relaxation.

Numerous pull-offs along the route invite travelers to stop and savor the scenery, capturing the perfect photograph or simply soaking in the salty breeze and the rhythmic crash of waves against the rocks.

Adventurous souls can choose to venture on foot, taking advantage of the hiking trails that offer unique perspectives of the Cape Town coastline.

At the journey’s end, the quaint fishing village of Hout Bay awaits, providing a delightful interlude to indulge in fresh seafood, peruse local artisan shops, or even embark on a boat trip to Seal Island.

The Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive is a true sensory odyssey that encapsulates the coastal beauty of the Western Cape, promising an unforgettable Cape Town day trip for all who traverse its winding path.

The best way to explore this part of the Cape Peninsula is by renting a car so you can drive yourself. Find information about road conditions and tolls on the official website !

Another option is booking a tour of the Cape Peninsula that includes Chapman’s Peak Drive in addition to Cape Point, Simon’s Town, and more.

For nature lovers, one of the top day trips from Cape Town is the southernmost point of the Cape Peninsula. Here you’ll find the Cape Of Good Hope and the eastern peninsula that sticks out into the ocean known as Cape Point.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cape of Good Hope is full of natural wonders, including the Cape Point Nature Reserve.

The rugged coastline, adorned with imposing cliffs and tumultuous waves, provides a stark contrast to the tranquility of the surrounding fynbos-covered landscapes.

Visitors have the opportunity to stand at the very edge of the African continent, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge in a breathtaking display of nature’s power.

Exploring the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve offers an immersive encounter with the region’s unique flora and fauna.

Meandering pathways lead through the fynbos, a diverse ecosystem of plant species found nowhere else on Earth.

Keep an eye out for indigenous wildlife such as ostriches, baboons, and antelopes that call this region home.

A hike or leisurely walk up to the old lighthouse atop Cape Point rewards adventurers with sweeping vistas, while the iconic funicular provides an accessible option for those seeking the same view.

Situated at the southwestern tip of the African continent, the Cape of Good Hope has long been a symbol of exploration and adventure, serving as a navigational landmark for seafarers and explorers throughout history.

With historical landmarks, awe-inspiring vistas, and a profound sense of connection to the past, a day trip to the Cape of Good Hope unveils the allure of the world’s end and the unending beauty that surrounds it.

There are plenty of tours you can book to Cape Point that are perfect for travellers in Cape Town without a car. You can even opt for a private tour if you want a more exclusive day of sightseeing on the Cape Peninsula!

A unique day trip idea from Cape Town is the Klein Karoo, full of stark beauty and hidden treasures.

Situated just beyond the lush landscapes of the Garden Route, this semi-arid expanse offers a striking contrast with its rugged terrain, vast open spaces, and majestic mountain ranges.

This desert region is scattered with interesting towns such as Swellendam, thought to be the oldest settlement in South Africa, and Calitzdorp, famous for the production of port wine.

Another charming town is Oudtshoorn, known as the ‘Ostrich Capital of the World.’ Here, you can explore the fascinating Cango Caves, an underground wonderland of awe-inspiring formations, or engage with these magnificent birds at ostrich farms, gaining insight into the area’s history and the significance of the ostrich industry.

Beyond Oudtshoorn, the Klein Karoo reveals its multifaceted allure through enchanting towns like Prince Albert, framed by the Swartberg Mountains.

This historic village offers a glimpse into the past with its well-preserved Cape Dutch style architecture and streets lined with art galleries, boutiques, and cozy cafes.

The Swartberg Pass beckons adventure seekers, winding through the mountains with breathtaking views that unfold at every hairpin turn.

For those seeking tranquility, the Klein Karoo’s vast open landscapes create a sense of isolation and serenity, making it an ideal spot for relaxation, contemplation, and connecting with nature.

From exploring geological marvels and engaging with local culture to driving through stunning vistas, a day trip to the Klein Karoo offers an enriching escape from Cape Town.

Read next: Top 10 Adventure Activities In South Africa

Located in Simon’s Town, also on the Cape Peninsula, is Boulders Beach. This gorgeous strip of sand is famous for its thriving colony of African penguins!

Not many people can say they’ve seen penguins outside of a zoo, aquarium, or wildlife sanctuary, so visiting the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony is one of the coolest day trips from Cape Town.

Nestled within a series of granite boulders that lend the beach its name, Boulders Beach offers visitors an intimate and unobtrusive encounter with these charismatic birds.

As visitors stroll along wooden walkways and sandy paths, they’re treated to the heartwarming sight of these tuxedo-clad creatures waddling, nesting, and frolicking in the turquoise waters.

Boulders Beach presents a rare opportunity to observe these endangered African penguins up close, fostering both a sense of wonder and a commitment to preserving the fragile ecosystems that harbor them.

Because Boulders Beach is located near Cape Point, most travellers in Cape Town choose to combine the two into one action-packed adventure.

Whether you book a guided tour that includes both or you drive yourself, a visit to Boulder Beach is sure to be a memorable day during your stay in Cape Town.

Muizenberg Beach is another one of the best day trips from Cape Town. This family-friendly destination is renowned not only for its golden sands and colorful beach huts, but also for its historical significance as a hub of beach culture.

Surfing enthusiasts, beginners, and experts alike are drawn to Muizenberg’s gentle waves, making it an ideal spot for learning to ride the waves or perfecting one’s skills.

The beach’s inviting atmosphere is further enhanced by the rows of charming and vividly painted Victorian-style bathing huts, creating a picturesque backdrop that is a favorite among photographers and Instagram enthusiasts.

Beyond its sandy shores, Muizenberg Beach offers a relaxed and inclusive ambiance that invites visitors to explore the nearby attractions.

A stroll along the famous Muizenberg Pavilion, a well-preserved historic building, immerses visitors in the area’s storied past.

The adjacent coastal promenade provides an excellent vantage point to appreciate the crashing waves, while eclectic shops, cafes, and eateries are scattered along the bustling main street.

Muizenberg has a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and recreational activities, making it an exceptional day trip destination for those seeking a taste of Cape Town’s coastal lifestyle.

Embarking on a day trip to Hout Bay from Cape Town promises a delightful escape into a coastal oasis that seamlessly blends natural beauty, seaside charm, and cultural exploration.

This picturesque harbor town, cradled between dramatic mountain ranges, greets visitors with its tranquil bay and bustling fishing port.

The vibrant Hout Bay Market welcomes wanderers with a treasure trove of local crafts, artisanal foods, and a lively atmosphere that captures the essence of the Cape’s creative spirit.

From here, the journey to Seal Island unfolds, offering the chance to witness playful Cape fur seals in their natural habitat, a spectacle that unveils the region’s rich marine diversity.

Take your day trip to the next level by diving into the bracing Atlantic Ocean on a  snorkelling tour  with the Cape fur seals! Jump on a quick boat tour to Duiker Island in Hout Bay and jump off with snorkel gear so you can frolic with the marine life.

There are other fun things to do in Hout Bay besides water activities as well. A hike up to the summit of the Sentinel Peak provides panoramic vistas of the bay and Cape Town area.

The working harbor teems with character, where the lingering scent of saltwater mingles with the sights of fishing vessels and seals basking in the sun.

Dining options range from delectable seafood feasts at local eateries to the quaint charm of waterside cafes.

Whether indulging in a leisurely boat tour, savoring fresh seafood, snorkelling with seals, or simply basking in the tranquility of the bay, a day trip to Hout Bay is one of the best ways to explore Cape Town and beyond.

Nestled along the rugged coastline of Cape Town, Kalk Bay exudes an irresistible bohemian charm that captivates visitors with its artistic flair, maritime heritage, and quaint allure.

This fishing village turned artistic enclave offers a delightful blend of old-world charm and contemporary creativity.

Stroll along the main road of the charming town to discover an eclectic mix of art galleries, boutique shops, and antique stores, each radiating a distinct character that speaks to Kalk Bay’s artistic heart. Or walk along the Kalk Bay Pier for lovely ocean views.

The vivid hues of fishing boats bobbing in the harbor complement the vibrant storefronts, while the scent of saltwater mingles with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee from the local cafes.

The historic Kalk Bay Harbor is a focal point of the village, where visitors can watch fishermen at work, purchase fresh catches of the day, and indulge in some of the finest seafood dining Cape Town has to offer.

The bustling harbor also serves as a launch point for boat trips, providing opportunities to spot playful seals and, occasionally, even dolphins.

Kalk Bay Theatre adds to the village’s cultural tapestry, hosting intimate performances in an inviting setting.

For nature enthusiasts, a scenic coastal walk along the Kalk Bay mountainside reveals panoramic views of the ocean, inviting moments of contemplation and relaxation.

Kalk Bay’s charismatic blend of artistry, maritime allure, and coastal beauty makes it a captivating day trip destination that beckons travelers to uncover its treasures at every turn.

It’s also just a 15-minute drive from Muizenberg Beach, so you can combine the two into one amazing day of exploring the beaches of the Cape Peninsula!

Hermanus, a charming coastal town situated a quick 2-hour drive from Cape Town, is renowned as one of the world’s prime whale-watching destinations and is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes and relaxed ambiance.

Perched along the shores of Walker Bay, Hermanus offers an unparalleled vantage point for spotting southern right whales that grace its waters from June to November.

The town’s famous cliff paths provide an excellent platform for land based whale watching, so keep your eyes peeled for these majestic creatures as they breach, spout, and play in the turquoise waters.

However, the best way to see the beautiful southern right whales up close is on a boat tour!

During whale season, it’s worth taking a day trip here just to jump on a whale watching tour . It’s truly one of the best places in the world to see whales at sea!

Beyond its marine wonders, Hermanus boasts a vibrant arts scene, with galleries showcasing the work of local artisans, and its bustling markets and boutiques offering unique handmade crafts.

Hermanus is not only a haven for whale enthusiasts but also a hub of outdoor activities and natural beauty.

Fernkloof Nature Reserve beckons hikers with its array of trails that wind through diverse landscapes.

Grotto Beach, with its pristine sands and azure waters, invites visitors to unwind and take a dip.

The town’s heart beats in the historic Old Harbour area, where fishermen continue their age-old trade and where visitors can indulge in freshly caught seafood at charming seaside restaurants.

Whether it’s embarking on a whale-watching excursion, sampling fresh oysters, or simply soaking in the coastal charm, Hermanus offers a range of experiences that make it a top day trip from Cape Town.

Editor’s Note – We personally recommend spending a night or two in Hermanus. It’s lovely!

Another one of the best day trips from Cape Town for marine life enthusiasts is Gansbaai.

This quaint coastal town holds the distinction of being a great destination for shark cage diving and marine wildlife encounters.

Gansbaai attracts thrill-seekers who are eager to come face to face with a shark.

The town’s well-regulated cage diving operations provide a responsible and educational way to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the ocean’s delicate ecosystem. You can also go whale watching here!

It was once known as the “Great White Shark Capital of the World,” but unfortunately a couple of Killer Whales came into the area and attacked some Great White Sharks. Since this event, the Great White Sharks have been coming to this area less.

You can still see Bronze Whaler Sharks which seem to be coming to the area regular. If you spot a great whale shark on your tour, you are a lucky one.

There are a lot of cape fur seals hanging out at Western Cape to check out also.

When we went on our Shark Cage Diving tour, we unfortunately saw not a single shark. This can happen. Most companies offer credit to go again in the future. Don’t forget to ask. We had to push our company and then they offered it right at the end.

Beyond the adrenaline-pumping encounters, Gansbaai’s pristine beaches, charming harbor, and rugged landscapes offer a serene backdrop for those seeking relaxation and exploration.

Gansbaai’s allure extends beyond its watery wonders. The surrounding area is rich with cultural heritage, captivating landscapes, and diverse wildlife.

The Walker Bay Nature Reserve beckons adventurers with hiking trails that traverse through lush hills, offering panoramic vistas of the bay and its surroundings.

For a cool Instagram photo, you can visit the Klipgat Caves and take a picture of your silhouette against the ocean backdrop.

The nearby Dyer Island is a sanctuary for seabirds, seals, and other marine life, making it a prime destination for birdwatchers and nature lovers.

Gansbaai’s friendly atmosphere, combined with its unique marine attractions and natural beauty, makes it a dynamic destination for travelers looking to immerse themselves in South Africa’s coastal wonders.

Taking a day trip from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas is a journey to the southernmost point of Africa, where the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean meet in a breathtaking display of geographical significance.

This remote and rugged region near Cape Town holds a unique allure as travelers stand at the convergence of two mighty oceans.

The iconic red-and-white striped Agulhas Lighthouse guides visitors to this point of maritime history, where the crashing waves and windswept landscapes evoke a sense of raw beauty and untamed wilderness.

Exploring the Agulhas National Park, visitors can stroll along the windswept beaches, observe the historic shipwrecks that litter the coastline, and marvel at the ever-changing dynamics of this dynamic environment.

Cape Agulhas isn’t just a site of geographical significance; it also offers insights into the region’s maritime history. The Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum offers a captivating glimpse into the perils faced by sailors navigating these treacherous waters.

Nearby, the quaint village of Agulhas exudes a quiet charm, with cozy cafes, local shops, and art galleries that invite travelers to linger and appreciate the area’s unique character.

A day trip to Cape Agulhas from Cape Town is an exploration of South Africa’s southernmost landscapes, where history, nature, and the sheer power of the oceans come together to create an unforgettable experience.

Read next: 10 Best Things To Do In Durban

If you want to indulge in some wine tasting on various wine farms and wine estates, the Cape Winelands are a top day trip from Cape Town!

Dive into South Africa’s vinicultural heritage, where rolling hills adorned with vineyards and historic estates beckon enthusiasts to savor the region’s finest local wines.

Just a short drive from Cape Town, this picturesque region encompasses renowned wine-producing areas such as Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl.

Visitors are welcomed into a world of elegant wine tasting rooms, charming cellar tours, and lush landscapes that create an ideal setting for indulging in the art of wine appreciation.

From the rich reds of Cabernet Sauvignon to the crisp whites of Chenin Blanc, the Cape Winelands offer a diverse range of varietals that reflect both the terroir and the expertise of the region’s winemakers.

Groot Constantia is the oldest wine farm in South Africa, so it’s well worth exploring this unique place as you meander around the Cape Winelands.

A wine tasting tour is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture here. Ride the Franschhoek Wine Tram for a scenic ride around the countryside where you can hop on and hop off at various vineyards and taste great wine.

Or go with a classic wine tour that includes 3 regions and 3 estates , plus wine tasting that includes a sample of 15 different wines. You can also opt for a private tour that includes wine tasting for just you and your group , or you can try an e-bike tour of South Africa’s wine country.

If you’d rather drive yourself, just make sure you monitor how much wine tasting you do so you can still drive home!

From guided tours that delve into wine making processes to leisurely picnics in vineyard gardens, the Cape Winelands offer a sensory tapestry that invites travelers to savor the flavors, colors, and stories of this enchanting corner of South Africa.

Riding the Franschhoek Wine Tram around vineyards is one of the coolest day trips from Cape Town!

Another cool idea for a day trip from Cape Town is West Coast National Park, which unveils a serene and diverse landscape that ranges from pristine beaches to vibrant wetlands.

As you venture north from the city, you’ll find yourself immersed in a unique ecosystem where the azure waters of the Langebaan Lagoon meet golden sands and picturesque rock pools.

The park’s Postberg section, which is open to the public only during the wildflower season (August to September), bursts into a kaleidoscope of colors as countless wildflowers bloom, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle that draws nature enthusiasts and photographers from near and far.

In addition to the floral spectacle, the park is home to an array of wildlife, including antelope, ostriches, and the vibrant birdlife that thrives in the lagoon’s tidal mudflats.

West Coast National Park offers a range of activities that cater to different interests. Relax on secluded beaches, indulge in a leisurely hike along well-marked trails, or embark on a scenic drive through the park’s diverse landscapes.

Geelbek Visitor Centre, a hub of knowledge and information, provides insight into the natural wonders and cultural history of West Coast National Park.

For those seeking water-based activities, kayaking, kite surfing, and birdwatching opportunities abound along the shores of the Langebaan Lagoon.

A day trip to the West Coast National Park is a rejuvenating escape from the city, offering an immersion into the unspoiled beauty and tranquility not far from Cape Town.

No South Africa trip is complete without going on a safari! Take a day trip to one of the fascinating game reserves scattered around Cape Town if you want to see some real African animals with your own eyes.

Aquila Private Game Reserve is an easy day trip from Cape Town and transfers are included. This 4-star game reserve is located two hours away from Cape Town to the northeast and spans 10,000 hectares.

Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve is another great option in the Karoo Region, just under 2.5 hours from Cape Town.

An even closer option is Buffelsfontein Game and Nature Reserve , a family-owned reserve located in the heart of the West Coast of South Africa. It’s about an hour from Cape Town.

No matter which reserve you visit, you’ll get to embark on a guided safari drive where you can traverse the wild landscapes and see majestic animals in a natural habitat.

Keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five, namely rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards, and buffalo. Though certain wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, you really have to get out in a game drive in South Africa. You will definitely see some amazing creatures and you may even spot all of the Big Five.

While visiting Cape Town, it’s super easy to jump on a day trip to a game reserve and immerse yourself in the wildlife and natural beauty of South Africa!

From wine tasting, to going on a day tour of the Cape Peninsula, to taking a boat ride on the Atlantic and searching for whales, there are so many cool day trips from Cape Town, South Africa.

A car is definitely the best way to get around, though there are some amazing tours that can help you go beyond the Mother City.

But if you are going to rent a car in Cape Town, here are some tips for driving in South African that may will help you stay safe and stress-free.

• Keep left – In South Africa, they drive on the left-hand side. Beware of this, especially when turning or pulling out on the road.
• Lock your doors while driving around Cape Town – This is something that is advised. Taxi/Uber drivers even did it when we entered the vehicle.
• Be mindful of speeding – We found that speeding is an issue in South Africa. We were overtaken at some dangerous spots by speeding cars, vans and small trucks. The speed limit is displayed on roads and highways so just do your thing and stick to the speed limit. Speeding is dangerous, especially if the roads are not in perfect condition which is a lot of the time. There are many police on the major roads watching this and you do not want to be pulled over by the police officer. Take note of the speed and stick to it.
• Keep in the left lane when on multi-lane roads/highways – The left land is for the the average flowing traffic and the right land is for vehicles to overtake.
• Have your driver’s licence or international driver’s permit on you – In case you are pulled over in Cape Town, the police will ask for your driver’s licence and may ask for your international permit. Have them in the car or on you so you are ready.
• Know where you are going before leaving – Know where you are going before you hit the road in Cape Town. If you have a passenger, get them to guide you to your day trip destination. Stick to major roads. You do not want to end up somewhere you do not want to be.
• Don’t pick up hitchhikers – You will see a lot of people in areas trying to hitch a ride. Sometimes they hold out money and their thumb. We advise not to stop or pick anyone up on your journey around South Africa.
• Always lock your car when you leave it – Even if you are at a lookout and are not too far from your car….. lock it. Keep your car and items safe and lock your car whenever you get out of it.
• Watch for wildlife – Around the Cape Town area, there are so many baboons! They are everywhere and all over the road sometimes. They are not safe to get close to so stay in the car and keep the windows up. They can cross the road unexpectedly so be prepared to stop.
• Always have some cash for toll roads – Most tolls do accept foreign cards when you are in a tourist area in Cape Town. But there are many toll roads in South Africa that don’t they do not accept foreign cards so have some cash on you just in case.
• Make sure to be back home by dark – It’s not advised to drive in South Africa after dark. We say plan out your trip and know your drive time and timing of activities. This is so you have an idea when you will return from your day trips from Cape Town accordingly. We recommend using Uber when getting around Cape Town after dark – it is so cheap. We did have an Uber driver who didn’t clock off our trip when we exited the car. It was only a tiny bit more but Uber messaged to see if we were ok. We hadn’t had that before.
• Only get out of your car in designated areas – If you need to stop while driving around Cape Town, look for designated areas. These are like a lookout, car park, designated pull over, restaurants or cafes.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Gabby Boucher

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

Love Travel?

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter for the best travel tips, ideas and deals!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

READ MORE...

The Ultimate 3 Days in New York City Itinerary (2024 Guide)

GoPro HERO 13 Review – The Ultimate Camera Guide [2024]

GoPro HERO8 Black Review – Is it Worth Buying in 2024?

Related Posts

The 28 best things to do in manitoba [2024 guide], visting yamakoshi, nagaoka – japan’s most picturesque village, northern vietnam motorcycle adventure, travel guide and things to do in iskanderkul, tajikistan, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Cookie policy

Wanderlust Movement | A South Africa Travel Blog

15+ Irresistible Day Trips from Cape Town

July 16, 2020 by Lauren Melnick

Last Updated on September 8, 2023 by Lauren Melnick

It’s hard to beat a trip to Cape Town .

I mean, what a place! You’ve got Table Moutain towering over one of the world’s most beautiful cities, a rugged coastline with pristine beaches and some of the best food in South Africa .

But besides the Mother City’s 12/10 attractiveness, one of the best things about Cape Town is the abundance of incredible day trips.

If you’re looking to shake up your Cape Town itinerary and escape the city, you only need to drive 30 minutes to two hours away to satisfy your craving for adventure, wine and nature.

Without further adieu, I’d like to present you with the best day trips from Cape Town!

Psst…Want more Cape Town travel inspiration? Check out these posts:

• The Perfect Cape Town Itinerary for One Incredible Week
• 10+ Best High Teas in Cape Town You Need to Try ASAP
• 12 Best Hiking Trails in Cape Town With Jaw-Dropping Views
• The Coolest & Best Coffee Shops in Cape Town
• 20+ Most Instagrammable Places in Cape Town
• 10 Delicious Things to Do in Stellenbosch for Hungry Foodies

Table of Contents

Cape Winelands

Boulders beach, garden route, klein karoo, matjiesfontein, best day trips from cape town.

• Distance from Cape Town:  70 km (1hr 20 min)
• How to get there:  Rent a car or organised tour

Cape Point is the gem of the Cape Peninsula. It’s captured the hearts (and a good couple of ships) with its stunning coastline and breathtaking views.

You could spend an entire day and not get bored. There are dozens of  short walks and hiking trails  that wind past shipwrecks, deserted beaches, and iconic historical monuments.

With plenty of viewpoints and photo ops galore – don’t leave home without a fully charged camera (maybe throw in an extra battery for good measure) and a bottle of sunscreen.

If you get bored of all the incredible nature (keep a lookout for the expansive floral kingdom), visit the  Cape Point Vineyards  for a wine tasting.

On your way back to the city, plan to stop at Champman’s Peak for sunset. It’s one of the most Instagrammable places in Cape Town and the views are phenomenal! 

Read More: The Ultimate Cape of Good Hope Hiking Guide

• Distance from Cape Town: 30-40 minutes
• How to get there: Rent a car, organised tour or the wine tram (toot toot)

The Cape Winelands are renowned around the world.

I’ve met so many internationals who think I’m some sort of wine goddess when I mention from Cape Town.

But back to the wine. Some of the wineries don’t ship in bulk to destinations all over the world. So if you want to experience the Winelands award-winning vintages, you’ll need to visit!

The only downside? Your liver has it’s work cut out for it.

The Cape Winelands are a bit like those choose your adventure books. 

You can sip your way through the wine routes in:

• Stellenbosch
• Franschhooek
• Durbanville

While you’re day drinking your way through the Cape Winelands, don’t forget to take in the luscious scenery. Picture well-manicured gardens with the backdrop of towering mountain ranges, decadent high teas , rolling hills and sparkling lakes (perfect for summertime picnics).

With travel times of 30 to 40 minutes, the Cape Winelands are ideal for road trippers looking for short drives from Cape Town.

With that in mind, if you’re having a hard time finalising your itinerary, here are some of my favourite wineries:

• Babylonstoren
• Neethlingshof
• Groot Constantia
• Waterkloof Wine Estate
• Durbanville Hills
• Lanzarac Wine Estate
• Haute Cabrière

Read More: 10 Delicious Things to Do in Stellenbosch for Hungry Foodies

• Distance from Cape Town: 121 km (1hr 30 min)
• How to get there: Rent a car or organised tour

Think Chapman’s Peak is a gorgeous drive?

Prepare for your favourite to be de-throned.

Following the stunning R44, the Whale Route easily rivals some of South Africa’s most scenic road trips .

It meanders from Cape Town through Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve and its views over False Bay will leave you spellbound.

But the real gem of the Whale Route? Hermanus.

Recognised by WWF (World Wildlife Fund) as one of the top whale-watching destinations in the world – it’s a must-see for nature lovers.

The best time to catch a glimpse of these gentle giants (from the shore!) is to plan your Cape Town to Hermanus day trip between July and November.

Follow the cliff path in Hermanus and watch the newborn calves frolicking with their mom in the bay or sign up for a whale watching tour and see the action up close.

Read More: Staying at One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel in Hermanus

• Distance from Cape Town: 87km (1hour)
• How to get there: Rent a car 

If you grew watching Barbie and Disney movies and want to live out your princess hippy dreams – drive up the West Coast.

Plan your weekend road trip from Cape Town around September when the entire region erupts in colour as wildflowers cover almost every inch of land.

Here are some of the must-see spots along the West Coast:

Atlantis Dunes:  Sign up for a sandboarding adventure or hire a 4X4 to tackle the 50m dunes! Come here for sunset, and you’ll feel like you’re a world away from Cape Town.

Yzerfontein:  Yzerfontein is home to the longest beach in South Africa . Stretching across 25km, it’s the perfect day trip from Cape Town if you want to escape the crowds in Camps Bay.

West Coast National Park:  Come here if you want to experience the raw coastal beauty of the Western Cape. There are a string of secluded beaches, braai spots with epic views and plenty to see and do. Stop by Kraalbaai, Postberg, Preekstoel, and Langebaan . 

Paternoster:  Paternoster is one of the oldest towns along the West Coast. Plan a day trip here if you want to spot dolphins and whales from the shore or witness the millions of wildflowers turn the ground into a blanket of kaleidoscope hues.

Darling:  Darling is a firm favourite with locals. It’s a small town that plays host to one of South Africa’s largest music festivals, Rocking the Daisies , and the delicious Darling Brewery. 

Read More: 20+ Most Instagrammable Places in Cape Town

• Distance from Cape Town: 67 km (50 minutes)
• How to get there: Rent a car or take the train

Located only 50 minutes from Cape Town, Elgin is a colourful wine region complete with unique accommodation options and exhilarating adventure activities.

Each time I come here, I discover some new gem that makes Elgin one of my favourite self-drive day trips from Cape Town.

Here are some of the best things you don’t want to miss:

• Canopy tour through the Hottentots Mountain Range.
• Wine tasting at Southhill and Paul Wallace.
• Kloofing at Suicide Gorge.
• Brandy tasting at Oude Molen.
• Elgin Railway Market
• Glamping at Cherry Glamping
• Staying in a themed air-stream trailer at Old Mac Daddy

Don’t feel like driving? Take the  train from Cape Town to Elgin  every weekend.

Read More: Top 8 Things To Do in Elgin Valley

• Distance from Cape Town: 46km (45 minutes)
• How to get there: Rent a car, take the train or book a tour

It’s not every day you get to share your beach towel with penguins.

But before you jump in your car with the Happy Feet soundtrack blaring through your windows, you need to check the tides.

If the tide is high (Atomic Kitten throwback anyone?), you’re going to have very little beach and penguin action.

Time your day trip to Boulders Beach to coincide with low tide. You can scramble over a rock or two and get to a more secluded beach. 

You’ll see way more penguins, and you won’t have to fight for a spot on the beach.

Oh, and skip the weekends or public holidays if you can. It’s a popular spot, and the beach quickly reaches capacity.

Once you’ve soaked up enough vitamin D, check out these other nearby towns to complete your day trip from Cape Town:

• Kalk Bay : Have a drink at the Brass Bell or Cape2Cuba)
• St James : Snap a picture in front of the rainbow-hued beach houses)
• Muizenberg : One of the best spots to learn how to surf!)

Read More: How to Swim With Penguins at Boulders Beach in Cape Town

View this post on Instagram A post shared by HARRY STONE | Shark Photos (@harrystone_photo) on Jul 5, 2020 at 8:23am PDT

• Distance from Cape Town: 163 km (2-hours)
• How to get there: Rent a car or join a tour

Okay. Before we get into Gansbaai, here’s a disclaimer:

If you want to go on a day trip from Cape Town to scare yourself shitless with great white sharks, make sure that you go with an ETHICAL tour provider.

Most companies bait the water (which I think is wrong). It changes the sharks’ behaviour and makes them associate us with food.

Look out for operators that don’t guarantee a sighting. That’s how all wildlife activities should operate. You don’t want to support a glorified petting zoo.

That being said, if seeing a great white shark isn’t on your bucket list, spend the day at Walker Bay Nature Reserve . It’s a stunning coastal reserve that bird watchers will love.

Photo Op Tip:  Don’t miss out on exploring the Klipgat Caves! You can snap a pic of your silhouette against the backdrop of the ocean.

• Distance from Cape Town: 384 km (4-hours)
• How to get there: Rent a car

The Garden Route isn’t technically a day trip from Cape Town.

However, if you don’t mind an early morning wake-up call, you can reach Mossel Bay within 4-hours.

From there, you could get your adrenaline with the Mossel Bay Zip Line . It’s the longest over-ocean zipline in the world!

You can continue your drive up to George or the Wilderness and stop along the coast to explore the beaches before heading back to Cape Town.

Read More: An Epic One Week Garden Route Itinerary (Detailed)

• Distance from Cape Town: 218 km (2-hours 30 min)
• How to get there: Hire a car 

Swap Cape Town’s mountains and coastline for the dusty desert plains of the Klein Karoo. 

It’s an easy day trip from the Mother City and meanders along the famous Route 62 (another one of South Africa’s scenic roads). 

• Oudtshoorn:  Book a  meerkat tour  and hangout with Timon and his mates.
• Swellendam:  Visit the oldest settlement in South Africa!
• Klein Karoo Wine Route:  Sip your way through Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn, De Rust, and Herold
• Swartberg Pass:  Go on a drive up Swartberg Pass. The 23.8km stretch of road had breathtaking views and should take an hour to complete without stops.

Read More: Staying At Schoone Oordt Country House in Swellendam

• How to get there: Hire a car

Tulbagh is a small town situated in the “Land van Waveren” mountain basin. It’s flanked on three sides by towering mountains and is a haven for wine aficionados and those looking for a tranquil city escape.

While this is a list of places to visit outside of Cape Town for the day if you have the time book a night at La Bruyere Farm . You can stay in a dome right on the water’s edge and wake up to unmatched views of Tulbagh’s natural scenery.

Read More: 15+ Amazing Airbnbs in Cape Town for Your Next Getaway

• Distance from Cape Town: 176 km (2-hours)

Calling all hikers and astrophotography geeks! You don’t want to miss out on a day trip to Cederberg.

Only a 2-hour drive from Cape Town, the landscape is vastly different from the Mother City. Expect towering rock formations and dramatic natural scenery.

Spend your day tackling the iconic Wolfberg Arch hike , bouldering at Rocklands, swimming in rock pools or staying after sunset to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way .

Read More: How to Photograph the Milky Way (Step by Step!)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natalie Roos (@tailsofamermaid) on Oct 26, 2019 at 9:24am PDT

• Distance from Cape Town: 234 km (2-hours 30-min)

Matjiesfontein is an irresistible Cape Town day trip for history buffs. It’s a step back into time on the fringe of the Great Karoo.

The town was founded in 1884 and encapsulates old world charm with its historical attractions.

• The Old Post Office: In 1901, Edgar Wallace (a renowned war correspondent and thriller writer) transcribed the first report to the Commonwealth of Queen Victoria’s death from the post office.
• Pink Church: A stunning photo spot in Matjiesfontein and a good option for those searching for a quirky wedding venue.
• Flourmill and Mineral Waterworks: Here you’ll find the first artesian well in South Africa and the first windmill used to generate electricity.
• Lord Milner Hotel: The Lord Milner Hotel has beautifully preserved its Victorian-era style buildings. If you can’t spend the night, plan to have lunch at The Dining Room. Eat yourself into a food coma with a Victorian setting backdrop and period antiques.

• Distance from Cape Town: 70 km (1-hour)

Last but not least, one of my favourite short road trips from Cape Town is the glorious Kogel Bay.

This beautiful stretch of sand is only an hour from the Mother City, and it has absolutely killer sunsets.

Time your trip with the low tide if you want to explore Kogel Bay’s cave! Pack a picnic and enjoy a secluded beach day with jaw-dropping mountain and beach views.

Read More: 15+ Best Beaches in South Africa You Need to See Before You Die

Which of these day trips from Cape Town are you adding to your “must-see” list? Did I leave out any hidden gems? Hit ya gurl up in the comments below!

? If you like it, then you should put a pin on it! ?

About Lauren Melnick

Lauren Melnick is the founder of Wanderlust Movement, Wander to Here and is a South Africa travel blogger. She's been travelling the world as a full-time freelance writer since 2016 and has visited over 40 countries.

When she isn't typing up a storm, you can find her conquering overnight hikes around the Western Cape, rock climbing, and hosting sold out group travel trips around South Africa, Namibia and Morocco.

Reader Interactions

April 2, 2023 at 12:10 am

Just wanted to say thank you for protecting the critters when you say= (Most companies bait the water (which I think is wrong). It changes the sharks’ behaviour and makes them associate us with food. Look out for operators that don’t guarantee a sighting. That’s how all wildlife activities should operate. You don’t want to support a glorified petting zoo.) Thank you!! I wish more people lived by this ethical standard!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

15 Most Exciting Day Trips from Cape Town

Cape Town, South Africa has got to be one of the best places to be based. There are so many incredible day trips from Cape Town, I’m pretty sure you could live here for years and never make it to all of them . At least, I’m sure that’s what would happen to me because I’m terrible at exploring the place I live! Besides the fact that there is a lot to do in Cape Town, the amazing thing is the sheer variety : you can do infinite wine tasting in the Cape Winelands, go on safari at various game reserves, go snorkeling with seals, or explore desert landscapes. And all within a 2-hour drive from Cape Town!

Here are some of the absolute best day trips from Cape Town , things to do in each location, tips for visiting, and at the end I’ve also shared tips for having a safe South Africa road trip and tips for choosing a tour company in Cape Town.

As always, if you have questions, feel free to leave them in the comments and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Enjoy!

Best day trips from Cape Town

Before going into the giant list, these are my top three recommendations for Cape Town day trips , based on my experience traveling in South Africa!

These are the 15 best day trips you can take from Cape Town, South Africa, with my favorites marked as such. Pretty much all of these (except Robben Island) can be done by driving yourself, or alterantively can be done as part of either group or private bus tours. All of these locations can be reached within 2 hours of driving , except the Garden Route .

If you want to drive yourself, my tip is to book your rental car here and getting FULL INSURANCE. Driving in South Africa was an adventure, but we had no issues with the car at least 😂

Here are 15 day trip ideas for you to try out of Cape Town. Chances are you’ll love any one of them. Enjoy your trip!

1. Cape Peninsula

Distance: 70 km / 43 mi / 1 hour 20 minutes (to Cape Point)

Without a doubt, the Cape Peninsula is the most essential day trip you have to take from Cape Town . You have the chance to experience a kind of natural beauty unique to the Cape region, plus all the flora and fauna you simply won’t find anywhere else.

Famous explorer Bartholomew Diaz named this place the “Cape of Storms”, where sailors centuries ago fought against difficult weather conditions such as fog and lightning to reach the other side, often crashing against the rocky coast.

As a result, stunning rock formations and coastlines will be your companion as you wind along Chapman’s Peak Drive, considered by some to be the most scenic highway in the country. Beyond that, you can see the most famous point in the entire country: Cape of Good Hope . While most tours don’t make it all the way to the Cape of Good Hope (that’s further East), you’ll see Cape Point.

Cape Peninsula Tours

If you are not planning to drive yourself, there are quite a few highly rated day tours you can do from Cape Town around the Cape. My main recommendation is to, obviously, read the reviews well and make sure the stops you want the most are covered! These are the ones I found that hit all the main highlights and had enthusiastic reviews:

• Cape Peninsula: Full-Day Small Group Tour with Penguins – Drives over Chapman’s Peak Drive and visits the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point Nature Reserve. Also stops at the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Has over 200 very positive reviews.
• Cape Peninsula: Full-Day Private Tour – This private tour includes more than just the Cape Peninsula, it’s more like a full Cape experience including stops like Kirstenbosch Gardens, Signal Hill, Camp’s Bay, and of course…penguins. Really sounds efficient and with a rating of 4.9 / 5, you can tell people love it.
• Cape Peninsula and Cape Winelands Private Combo Tour – While I would definitely recommend spending a day each on the Peninsula and in the Winelands, if you are short on time, this tour efficiently combines both. Don’t worry, penguins are included 😉

Things to do on Cape Peninsula

• Chapman’s Peak Drive – The most scenic drive in the country. It’s not that long, but there are a number of excellent lookout points to stop at. Make sure to bring cash because this is a toll road!
• Cape Point – Enter the Cape Point National Park (which requires an entry fee) and make your way to Cape Point, one of the best places to look out over False Bay.
• Cape of Good Hope – If you’re in for climbing up some trecherous rocks, you’ll love the Cape of Good Hope! No, jokes aside, it’s a fun place to visit when you know the history, but be careful on the path to the top.
• Two Oceans Restaurant – Named because this is where the Indian and the Atlantic ocean meet each other. You’ll see many references to the two oceans throughout your trip to South Africa.
• Go for a hike – If you stop at the Buffelsfontein Visitors Center, you can get information about six different hikes available on the Cape. Besides hiking you can also go for a swim or have a barbeque, in typical South African style.
• New Cape Point Lighthouse – The New Cape Point Lightouse is the most popular place to visit on the Cape, although not at the southernmost location. Climb the stairs or take a funicluar to the top and walk down.

Check availability for Cape Peninsula tours

2. Boulders Beach Penguin Colony

Distance: 46 km / 29 mi / 50 minutes

While most people will combine the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony visit with a visit to the Cape Peninsula and Cape Point National Park, I thought it would be worthwhile to share a few more details about visiting these adorable penguins and things to do in the area on a day trip from Cape Town.

In short – yes, there are penguins in Africa. It’s awesome because they love surfing in the waves and seem totally at home even when it’s scorching hot outside! The important thing to know is there are two sides of the penguin colony , one with loads of tourists and loads of penguins, and the other is a more relaxed beach where you can just kind of chill out with the penguins. Besides this penguin colony, there are only two others known of in South Africa: one in Betty’s Bay and another in Hermanus .

Pretty much all tours of the Cape Peninsula will stop at this penguin colony! So it’s easy and logical to combine a trip to Boulder’s Beach with the rest of Cape Point National Park.

Check availability for tours to Boulders Beach Penguin Colony

You’ll definitely want to visit both sides of the penguin colony. Obviously you’re asked NOT to feed the penguins or touch them (they can bite, they are animals afterall) but you can get pretty darn close to these critters on the beach side. There are even families swimming in the water, though in my experience in December the water was FRIGID. No idea if it warms up or I’m just a gigantic wimp.

Entry to the penguin colony costs just 35 ZAR, or $2.30. Kids until the age of 12 cost even less.

3. Cape Winelands

Distance: 51 km / 32 mi / 44 minutes (to Stellenbosch)

The Cape Winelands are stunning in SO many ways. First off, the area is surrounded by beautiful mountains (especially Franschhoek), and in the valley you’ll find a sea of vineyards . The area started to become popular for producing wines back in the 17th century, when the Dutch founded Stellenbosch and the French Hugenots founded Franschhoek. Apart from their incredible wines, this region is considered the culinary capital of South Africa . A wine tasting will cost you about $3-5 and a cheese board fit for lunch for two people around $10. This place also has fantastic dining, you’ll find my top recommendation for food in Franschhoek below!

I totally encourage you to stay in the Cape Winelands for at least one night if you can (especially because going wine-tasting is apparently a morning activity!), but if you can’t, it is a completely worthy day trip. Easily tied for my favorite Cape Town day trip along with the Cape Peninsula!

One important thing to remember is that it is illegal to drink and drive , so unless you have a designated driver as part of your Cape Winelands trip, you’re going to want to join a tour that’ll take care of the driving for you.

This full-day wine tasting tour lasts 9 hours and is the best-selling tour of the Cape Winelands with a 4.8 of 5 rating amid over 170 reviews. You get to visit 4 wineries and lunch is included, all for well under $100 per person including transit from Cape Town. Do check it out if you and your travel companions all want to imbibe!

Stellenbosch

Also known as a university town, Stellenbosch’s ultimate claim to fame is its wine industry. I don’t know about you but I’m not sure how I’d graduate from school if I was living in a town so famous for wine. No, just me? In any case, you can find famous wineries here like Spier Wine Farm and Vergelegen Wine Estate . The latter has an especially gorgeous view over the mountains. Many wine estates offer not just wine tastings, but also impeccable food.

Apart from wineries, Stellenbosch has some well-known sights to see. For example, you can walk down Dorp Street , which has old-timey Dutch buildings, and is often memorialized in paintings. I actually saw several pictures of Dorp Street in an art exhibit in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and it made me want to seek out the location. Otherwise, in Stellenbosch you can also see its famous church, Moedergemeente Stellenbosch , which is still in use to this day.

TIP – Some excellent wineries also allow you to stay at their guesthouses. For example, Spier Wine Farm (hotel link) has surprisingly good rates and a gourmet onsite restaurant you’d might want to visit anyways!

Franschhoek

I spent two days in Franschhoek so I can recommend quite a number of things to do in Franschhoek. The first thing to know about Franschhoek is that it was founded by the French Hugenots , who were fleeing persecution in Europe at the time. They came here, named all the streets in French, opened some nice French restaurants, and naturally – the wine followed. That’s how history works, right?

No but really, Franschhoek is soaked in its French past, and there are so many signs besides the fact that all the wineries have French names whereas in Stellenbosch all the wineries have Dutch names. If you’re charmed by Franschhoek, I’ve written a whole post on where to stay Franschhoek on just about any budget.

Best wineries in Franschhoek

Real quick, here are my top recommendations for the best wineries in Franschhoek based on the ones I visited. I surely haven’t been to all of them, so take it with a grain of salt!

• Babylonstoren – I wrote an entire post on visiting Babylonstoren , but the short version is they have really impressive gardens, a free daily garden tour, a fabulous farm-to-table restaurant, and if you have $500 to spend per night you can even sleep there! (I mean, I wish I did, but I don’t)
• Eikehof – This family-owned winery is too sweet. They sell the best peaches I have eaten in my life. Unlike big corporate (can I say that?) wineries, where the server will basically read you the label on the wine, you actually meet the owners! They’ll tell you real stories about why the wine tastes the way it does. Amazing. And the best cheese plate of the whole region.
• Boschendahl – Boschendahl is unique because it offers wine and chocolate pairings! This estate is so huge you need to drive to get from one end to the other. It’s a funny contrast to Eikehof but definitely enjoyable to visit. My favorite is when they instruct you how to properly pair the chocolate and the wine, and ask you to “look at the chocolate” first 😄

Things to do in Franschhoek

I wrote an entire article on things to do in Franschhoek , but the highlights besides drinking gallons of wine is that you can ride the Wine Tram between wineries (OK, maybe that is still wine) but also drive up the Franschhoek View Pass for a gorgeous view over the entire Franschhoek Valley. Another excellent place to get a view of the valley is Dieu Donne , also a winery but located a bit in the hills. Easy to access but provides a splended place to watch the sunset while you sip a glass of Chardonnay.

My favorite place for food in Franschhoek was a recommendation from the staff at our guesthouses, Haute Cabrière . As an alternative, Dieu Donne is also known for excellent food. In both cases, a reservation is a must!

Cape Winelands tours

I picked out the two best wine-tasting focused tours , one private and one group tour. The private tour is about 2x as expensive, but besides being private also takes you to Constantia . Each includes 3-4 wineries. However the group wine tour also includes an a la Carte lunch and cheese tasting, making it an excellent deal if you don’t mind sharing your tour with some new friends.

• Full-Day Shared Wine Tasting Tour – Visits Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek. Includes a la Carte lunch and cheese tasting. Great deal compared to the private tour if you don’t mind making new friends. Does not visit Constantia.
• Cape Winelands Full-Day Private Tour Private – Visits Constantia, Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek. Lunch is at your own expense, but you have the chance to go somewhere nicer (perhaps one of the recommendations I made above!).

No matter what you do, make sure at least one of your Cape Town day trips include plenty of wine, because that is what South Africa is known for!

Your privacy is important to us. Unsubscribe at anytime.

4. Hermanus

Distance: 121 km / 75 mi / 1 hour 30 minutes

Whales. It’s whales. That is the most famous thing about Hermanus. In fact, Hermanus is considered the best place in the world for land-based whale-watching . That’s because the whales come into the bay every single year around the same time to give birth to their calves, and can be seen even at a great distance.

And if you are lucky enough to visit Hermanus during the Winter (or at least, during the season where the Whales are in the bay from June to December). When we were there in early December, the last whales were just finishing their time in the bay and moved on. We didn’t see them, but another couple staying at the same guesthouse as us saw eight of them the previous day!

If you’re into whale-watching, there’s a Hermanus Whale Festival every September (the peak of peak season), where the town gets crowded with people arriving to watch the whales. For three-days you can eat street food, do family activities, listen to live music, and enjoy a bay full of whales.

A lot of people skip Hermanus and go straight to the Garden Route, but for that reason I think Hermanus is probably one of the most underrated day trips from Cape Town.

Things to do in Hermanus

• Whale-watching – Whether on land or sea, you have excellent options to go whale-watching in South Africa. Check below for a few excellent options for seeing whales in Hermanus.
• Cliff Path – This easy 10km hike is a beautiful way to wind along the sea, especially if you’re lucky enough to be there during Whale season. But it’s also wonderful if not.
• Eat oysters – Simply one of the finest places to eat oysters in the country. Stop by Lemon Butta and watch the sunset. Though if you want to go to the most famous place for oysters, you’re going to want to head down to Knysna .
• Breathe champagne air – The air in Hermanus comes up from Antarctica, making it some of the cleanest air in the entire world. At least that’s what the host at our guesthouse told us! If you concentrate, you’ll feel it too.

Tours to Hermanus and Whale Watching Tours

While Hermanus is the best place in the world for land-based whale-watching, that doesn’t mean it’s not better on a boat! Boats are allowed to get within 50 meters of the whales, both giving them space and making for a better viewing opportunity for us. Here are two options: one boat experience in Hermanus itself, and one day trip that will get you to Hermanus which does not include the boat trip. You can combine them together for the full experience, or watch them from land.

• Hermanus Boat-Based Whale Watching Experience – This tour gives you the chance to see whales from a boat! It lasts two hours, includes some basic snacks, and is even wheelchair accessible. Often you’ll see not only whales, but also seals and dolphins.
• From Cape Town: Full-Day Tour to Hermanus – This tour takes you from Cape Town to Hermanus through a number of coastal towns, like Gordon’s Bay, Pringle Bay, and Betty’s Bay. Price does not include a boat tour, which you’d need to book separately. You can combine it with the one above as long as you are mindful about the times (the tour page says to pick a boat tour that departs around 12:00PM to align the schedules).

If you decide to stay overnight in Hermanus, I definitely recommend The Nantucket . It’s a three-storey house with ocean views and the most gregarious host who will give you a million local tips for your time on the Garden Route.

5. Gansbaai

Distance: 163 km / 101 mi / 2 hours

Gansbaai is a great alternative to Hermanus when it comes to whale-watching. While not as famous, in Gansbaai you can take what’s known as the “ Big 5 Marine Safari ”, which consists of whales, great white sharks, dolphins, penguins, and seals. I’m not exactly sure how penguins became part of any “Big 5” family, but you’ll notice that in South Africa they really like to make groups of 5 animals and market them 😄

Things to do in Gansbaai

But the biggest thing that Gansbaai is known for is cage-diving with sharks . Now, it’s my responsibility to tell now that the practices used are NOT ALWAYS ETHICAL. Sometimes tour guides bait the sharks, which has been said to contribute to their association between food and humans. So please, if you want to do cage-diving with sharks (I know people who have done it and loved it), please please investigate the practices they are using.

This shark cage-diving tour from Cape Town explicitly states that they can’t guarantee a sighting (which is a good sign!), though even so this tour has excellent reviews. They drive through an area called “Shark Alley” which has a better probability of sightings.

While that day tour from Cape Town includes transit , you can also book the exact same tour without transit and save about $50. So, this experience is an option both for self-drivers and those who want to go on a tour from Cape Town as well.

Besides diving with sharks, you can check out the Walker Bay Nature Reserve , which is a coastal reserve with beautiful views and is a great spot for bird-watching. For a cool instagram photo, you can visit the Klipgat Caves and take a picture of your silhouette against the ocean backdrop.

6. Table Mountain National Park

Distance: Depends where you’re staying in Cape Town

Next on this massive list is Table Mountain National Park, an outing that deserves an entire day, especially if you’re planning to hike Table Mountain ! One important thing to know about visiting Table Mountain is that you need to keep an eye on the visbility from the top, which can change rapidly over the course of the day. Watch the official Table Mountain website for reports on visibility from the top.

One helpful tip is you can just book your cable car ticket online to skip the ticket queue . Most people who are standing in line are waiting to buy tickets, and if you buy them on your phone instead, you’re already half-way to the top! Alternatively, if you’d like to hike Table Mountain, it’s strongly recommended to hike in groups of four or more , owing to some robberies that have happened on the mountain. Of course, some people still hike solo or in pairs, but the official advice is against doing that. You can also join a guided Table Mountain hike for additional safety.

Be sure also to bring a warm jacket , it can be extremely windy at the top of Table Mountain and the last thing you want to do is get all the way to the top and then freeze your butt off because of the wind!

One thing not to miss is Kloof’s Corner hike , not to be confused with a much more difficult hike called the Kloof Corner Ridge . I made this mistake and missed out on this hike, even though it’s said to only take 10-15 minutes for a great view over the sea and the city!

(This photo isn’t taken from Kloof’s Corner, but there are many nice rocks where you can get a great view over other Cape Town landmarks like Lion’s Head)

7. Hout Bay

Distance: 21 km / 13 mi / 25 minutes

Officially, Hout Bay is a suburb of Cape Town. You’re most likely to pass by Hout Bay on your drive down the Cape Peninsula on Chapman’s Peak Drive, but there’s a good chance you wouldn’t stop for long besides snapping a photo and moving on. However, you’d miss out on a few unique activites you can do in Hout Bay. If you have some extra time and are self-driving along the Cape Peninsula, it could be worth your time to check into things to do in Hout Bay, such as going snorkeling, taking a boat cruise, or visiting the largest bird sanctuary in Africa.

Things to do in Hout Bay

• Go snorkeling with seals – Time to whip out that GoPro! Known as the ocean’s friendliest animal, the Cape Fur Seals are abundant on Duiker Island and you can go swimming with them. If you don’t own a GoPro, this tour even lets you rent one which is pretty awesome.
• Take a cruise to Duiker Island – If you don’t want to don a wetsuit, you can still take a cruise to Duiker Island to see the seals from land.
• Go on a scenic guided kayak tour – This tour is super affordable for its 2-hour duration, and gives you a chance to see the bay from a different angle. Seals included!
• Go to the World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park – World of Birds is the largest bird park in the whole of Africa, with more than 3,000 birds from 400 species represented. If you’re not driving a car, you can reach World of Birds with a Hop on Hop Off tour .

8. Robben Island

Distance: 30 minute boat ride

Robben Island is the location where Nelson Mandela, who later became president of South Africa, was imprisoned for 18 years (before he spent the rest of his 27-year sentence elsewhere). The prison island was first instituted in the 17th century when Dutch settlers held their own political prisoners there. Eventually, it came to house many of “society’s unwanted”, such as the mentally ill, homeless, and alcoholics. Around 1931, the island became a military base and was still in use until after World War II.

Coming back to Nelson Mandela – he was imprisoned as an anti-Apartheid revolutionary for his efforts to overthrow the white minority government. Today you can come to Robben Island to see the very cell he was held in, located in a maximum security block. Mandela was eventually released from prison and became the president of the African National Congress. He lived to be 95 years old!

Ferry to Robben Island

To reach Robben Island, you need to book a tour. The most legit way to do that is through the official Robben Island website , which has a link where you can buy tickets online, in advance. Do note, tickets can sell out! You should buy them in advance to be safe.

Robben Island experience

I personally didn’t make it to Robben island on my trip, but you can get tons of useful information about visiting Robben Island from this blog about doing the half-day Robben Island Tour . It includes information such as when you need to arrive for your boat, booking in advance, etc.

Just be mindful, some tours will charge you money to just take you to the dock on top of the default Robben Island tour. In that case, it’s way cheaper just to take an Uber to the dock, and buy the tour directly from the Robben Island website.

9. Garden Route

Distance: 380 km / 238 mi / 4 hours (to Mossel Bay)

I’ll be honest – the Garden Route is much less of a day trip from Cape Town than it is an entire itinerary itself. Some people spend a week or more along the Garden Route, and it’s no surprise why – this gorgeous stretch of land from Mossel Bay to Port Elizabeth is so jam packed with things to do. While I would definitely recommend spending more time on the Garden Route as part of your South Africa itinerary , if you don’t have another choice it’s doable if you start veeeeery early.

You won’t be able to stop at all the places on the Garden Route in just one day, especially if you start from Cape Town. Hence I’d recommend picking some highlights and targeting those! My personal favorites along the garden route were Knysna and Storms River Mouth .

Things to do on the Garden Route

You could probably spend a month on the Garden Route and not see it all, but here are some of the best places to stop along the garden route and the best things to do on the Garden Route in my personal experience!

• Eat oysters in Mossel Bay – South Africa is an affordable place to eat oysters, and nowhere is this truer than Mossel Bay. Grab an oyster snack while you overlook the sea and feel at one with the ocean.
• See the Knysna Heads from above – Known as the most dangerous ocean mouth in the world, you can see this scenic location from the Eastern Head viewpoint. It’s easy to reach and stunning to see.
• Soak up the sun in Plettenberg Bay – Known by locals as “Plett”, Plettenberg Bay is known for its great beaches and tons of things to do in the vicinity. A great place to base yourself if you stay in the area.
• Cross the suspension bridge at Storms River Mouth – South Africa has so many national parks, and one of the best for hiking and kayaking is Storms River Mouth.
• Go on safari at Addo Elephant Park – Addo Elephant Park was one of the highlights of my South Africa trip. They’re known for having huge herds of elephants. We also saw zebra, buffalo, wildebeast, and a number of other smaller animals.

Garden Route Tours

If possible, turn this one from a day trip into a weekend trip ! Especially if you’re renting a car, you have no excuse not to spend more time in the area. But if you are planning to base yourself in Cape Town because you won’t be driving, there are two tours that will handle the logistics for you and have EXCELLENT reviews.

• 6-Day Garden Route and Addo Safari – I loved Addo Elephant Park and it’s easily one of the best experiences I had in South Africa. This tour is seriously affordable for the fact that it’s 6 days and the cost per day ends up being less than $100. It covers all breakfasts and dinners, 5 nights of accommodation, transport, and core activities. You have lots of options to add on top of it as well.
• 4-Day Garden Route Tour – This Garden Route tour doesn’t make it all the way to Addo Elephant Park, but it does include a safari on a private game reserve. It’s 3 nights, so potentially a good option for you if your trip to South Africa is only a week!

10. Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Technically located within Cape Town, you can spend an entire day at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens if you decide to do some hiking – or you just like looking at flowers. Kirstenbosch is the largest botanical garden in all of Africa, and it’s not a surprise when you look at the sheer size it occupies on a map of the city. It’s even possible to hike down from Table Mountain into Kirstenbosch. The entrance fee for Kirstenbosch is just R40 ($2.70), and the park is open 365 days per year.

Besides enjoying the greenery, there are two main highlights you may want to see when you visit Kirstenbosch: Boomslang Aerial Walkway and the hike through Skeleton Gorge.

Kirstenbosch highlights

• Skeleton Gorge Hike – This hike can be rather long, but mid-way through you may be rewarded with a roaring waterfall, depending on whether there has been recent rain.
• Boomslang Aerial Walkway – The most famous sight in Kirstenbosch, this walkway bends over the canopy of trees and gives you a unique view over the city of Cape Town.
• Endangered plants exhibit – The Cape region is most famous for its fynbos , which literally means “fine bush” in Afrikaans. Many of these varieties are slowly going extinct in the wild, in some cases with just one specemin left. Many of these cases are documented in this exhibit.

11. Constantia

If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy the fabulous wine scene of Cape Town without traveling too far, look no further than Constantia . Officially a suburb of Cape Town, you can come here for mountain views, wine estates, outdoor markets, cellar tours, and wine tastings. Located in a valley, Constantia is a great alternative (or complement) to traveling to Franschhoek or Stellenbosch given its close proximity. You won’t sacrifice quality or experience by sticking closer to home! I’d still consider it a day trip from Cape Town even if it’s still within city limits, because you can spend a half or a whole day here.

Things to do in Constantia

• Groot Constantia – Its naming meaning “Great Constantia”, this is the oldest producing wine farm in South Africa. Today they offer wine tasting and gourmet food you can eat while sitting outdoors enjoying the beautiful South African sunshine.
• Go on a wine-tasting tour through Constantia – A wine tour is a great way for everyone you’re traveling with to enjoy tasting wine! This particular tour visits Groot Constantia, as well as two other wineries, and you get to taste a ton of wines in the process.
• Constantia Village Shopping Center – Loads of fashion boutiques and retailers, in case you forgot to pack something for South Africa! On the second and fourth sunday of the month, they also host an antiques market where you can pick up some unique souveniers.
• Zipline tours – One of the longest ziplines in South Africa can be done here! You have a couple of different options for ziplining in this area.

12. Buffelsfontein Game and Nature Reserve

Distance: 96 km / 60 mi / 1 hour

While most people tend to go East after visiting Cape Town, very few actually explore the area to the North. And the North is where you’ll find Buffelsfontein Game and Nature reserve , one of the few places you can go on safari close to Cape Town. Since this area is far less touristed than most places near Cape Town, there’s a good chance you’ll have a more intimate experience. There are very few tours even available to visit Buffelsfontein, but I did find a Buffelsfontein safari and wine- and olive-tasting tour . The group is small with a maximum of 7 members!

I personally didn’t visit Buffelsfontein, but that’s something I plan to do when I get more time to spend on the West Coast of South Africa! There are many more things to do in this area such as other national parks, renting a house boat, and South Africa’s longest beach.

13. Muizenberg Beach

Distance: 27 km / 16 mi / 30 minutes

Muizenberg Beach is famous for exactly one thing: its colorful beach houses that stand in a perfect row looking over the sea. But besides this ultra-instagrammable spot, there are more things to do in Muizenberg besides taking a few photos. Here are a few things you can do in Muizenberg, though you probably only need to spend half a day here to enjoy the place.

Things to do in Muizenberg

• Muizenberg Beach – Bring your camera and sunscreen! Take photos of the photogenic beach houses and then go for a swim.
• Surfer’s Corner – Considered one of the best surfing spots in the world, Surfer’s Corner is close the Muizenberg Beach. Whether you surf or just like to watch people surf, you can hang out here for a while.
• Learn to surf! – Speaking of which, there are some surf schools in the area if you’re up for taking your first lesson!
• Muizenberg Catwalk – This is a walk more than a hike, which can be done by people of all fitness levels. Pass by rock pools on this 40-minute walk (each direction). You may even see whales if you’re here in the right season!
• Go on an instagram tour – One way to reach Muizenberg is on this instagram tour around Cape Town. If you want to efficiently snap some of the most famous photos around the city, this could be a great option for you.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by South African Tourism (@meetsouthafrica) on Jun 6, 2019 at 9:55am PDT

14. Klein Karoo

Distance: 176 km / 109 mi / 1 hour 56 minutes

The Klein Karoo is known for two things: wine and ostriches. If that’s not a funny combination I don’t know what is. Stepping back for a second, Klein Karoo is a desert region in South Africa which can be reached as a day trip from Cape Town. Some of its best known towns include Oudtshoorn (famous for its Ostrich feather trade), Swellendam (famous for being the oldest settlement in South Africa), and Calitzdorp (the capital of Port wine). You’ll also drive along Route 62, considered by many to be the most scenic drive in South Africa.

Things to do in Klein Karoo

• Drive the famous Route 62 – Along this route you’ll find a number of towns serving up great wine or hosting ostriches!
• Go to an ostrich farm – One of my regrets in my South Africa trip that I didn’t get to visit an ostrich farm! Just please do not ride the ostriches , it puts the birds under stress.
• Follow the Klein Karoo wine route – Officially, the Klein Karoo wine route goes through Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn, De Rust, and Herold. Check out this website on the Klein Karoo wine route for suggested itinereries.
• Stop in Calitzdorp for a glass of Port – Our host in Hermanus explicitly recommended stopping at De Krans , though there are a number of different options in the area for port wine.
• Hike through the Swartberg Pass – There’s literally a valley in this area called Hell ! If you want to see a side of South Africa most people miss, you can do a guided hike through Swartberg Nature Reserve .
• Go on safari – If you only have a day away from Cape Town, you can still go on a big 5 safari in the Klein Karoo, the Big 5 being lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos. Naturally, on safari, it’s not possible to ensure what you see, but the Klein Karoo is the only area near Cape Town that has all of the big five!

Safari in Klein Karoo

There are two main reserves in the Klein Karoo, both of which are home to the big 5. If you drive yourself on this day trip from Cape Town you can save a lot of money on the transfer (which takes about two hours).

• Aquila Private Game Reserve (does not include transfer) – As you might know, sunset is one of the best times to see animals on safari. If you can, booking either a sunrise or a sunset safari a great idea, because that’s when the animals are most active.
• Inverdoorn Game Reserve (includes transfer) – You can go on a day trip to this game reserve, including a 3-hour game drive. Unlike many public drives, you only share the open-top jeep with up to 8 other people. Inverdoorn is unique because of its cheetah rehabilitation program!

15. West Coast

Distance: 87 km / 54 mi / 1 hour 3 minutes (to West Coast National Park)

As I mentioned before, while most tourists in South Africa tend to head East from Cape Town while exploring the region, many locals prefer to go North: Up the west coast, to locations like Langebaan , Yzerfontein , and the West Coast National Park . Especially in Spring, you can come North to see an impressive display of wildflowers all across the coastline. If you’re looking for something offbeat, you may be interested to try traveling up the west coast!

Personally I didn’t get a chance to go this part of the country, so I can just share with you some of the research I’ve done and look forward to your comments with more tips for my next trip to South Africa!

Things to do on the West Coast of South Africa

• Langebaan – A seaside town with highlights like Calypso Beach , where you can easily spend hours bathing in the sun, and famous for its seafood.
• Yzerfontein – Yzerfontein is the single longest beach in South Africa, stretching a total of 16 miles! You also run the chance of seeing flamingos.
• West Coast National Park – Besides visiting the national park, famous for its wildflowers, you can even rent a house boat here and relax for a weekend.

Safety tips for taking day trips from Cape Town by car

Before going by car on a day trip from Cape Town, I want to just share a couple of important safety tips in case you are planning to drive in South Africa. It can be perfectly safe to drive in South Africa, but you do need to take some precautious you might not be used to back home.

• Keep left! Don’t forget that South Africans drive on the left side of the road. It takes quite some getting used to. This also means that the driver is on the opposite side of the car, and you need to change the transmission with your right hand. Weird, but you can do it 😉
• Always have cash for toll roads. There are many toll roads in South Africa and they do not accept foreign cards! You will be in big trouble if you need to go look for an ATM in the middle of nowhere (been there, done that, do not recommend).
• Make sure to be back home by dark. In general, it’s not advised to drive after dark, so plan your day trips from Cape Town accordingly. We personally used Uber when getting around town after dark and it worked great.
• Watch for wildlife. Especially in the Cape region, you’ll see a lot of babboons! They are not safe to interact with, and can cross the street unexpectedly. Keep your eyes peeled.
• Be mindful of speeding. Speeding is a big problem in South Africa, and can be very dangerous, especially if the roads are not in perfect condition. You’d also rather not be pulled over by the police. Mind the speed limit!

Cape Town: When to go?

Cape Town’s high season is definitely in the Summer (starting in December, and in full swing by January), which is when the weather is the warmest but the prices are also at their highest. One interesting fact is that if you’re interested in going on safari, Winter is considered the best season for that because the bush has mostly died away, making the visibility of the animals that much better. And even though Winter is colder, it’s not nearly as cold as Winter in Europe or many places in the United States. You need to pack a jacket but your winter parka can stay at home. This makes both Summer and Winter great options for visiting South Africa!

Which Cape Town day trip would you take?

Leave your thoughts in the comments , I’d love to known which of these Cape Town day trips sparked your interest the most!

Like this post? Pin it for later!

About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

Follow along on Instagram , Twitter , Bloglovin , & Facebook .

You might also like...

15 important things that belong on your safari packing list

Awesome things to do in Franschhoek, South Africa

5 reasons you need to visit Babylonstoren in South Africa

14 Best Day Trips from Cape Town, South Africa

Last Updated on July 8, 2024 by Hannah Stephenson

Sure, there’s a ton to do IN Cape Town, but there are also some amazing day trips on offer!

From penguins to wine farms and world-famous scenic drives, Cape Town has a ton to offer visitors beyond its beautiful beaches and bustling centre.

I always say that Cape Town isn’t really a city that you need to escape, but it’s always fun to explore a little further afield, so here are my top picks for the best day trips from the Mother City. 

1) See the Penguins at Boulders Beach

Distance from Cape Town : 44 km / 27 miles How to get there: drive, tour

I think that visiting the penguins at Boulders Beach is the most wholesome day trip from Cape Town!

Boulders Beach is super scenic in its own right, but the adorable penguins waddling on the shore make this a must-visit destination for every visitor.

The penguin colony here has actually grown from just 2 breeding pairs in 1982 to over 3,000 birds today, which is pretty impressive if you ask me! 

To see the penguins, you can rent a car and drive there or take a tour. If you’re driving, it takes abut 45 minutes to get there, and I highly recommend going via Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive .

Alternatively, you can book this tour for R640. This price includes return transport, hotel pickup and drop-off, and gives you about 2 hours to see the penguins!

I’ve visited by myself and with a tour. Either way, you have to pay the entry fee on the day! The prices are as follows:

– R190 for international visitors – R95 for SADC citizens – R45 for South African residents

If you’re keen to make this day trip from Cape Town (and why wouldn’t you be?) then check out this detailed guide that contains absolutely everything you need to know.

2) Stellenbosch

Distance from Cape Town : 50 km / 31 miles How to get there: drive, tour

Stellenbosch (or “Stellies” as it’s affectionately known) is a scenic town in the Cape Winelands. It boasts beautiful, white Cape Dutch buildings and a ton of wine farms around. 

I LOVE visiting Stellenbosch. I recommend going to Simonsig to taste some of South Africa’s best bubbly, or the Waterford Estate is another of my favourites. They have a great wine and chocolate pairing. The staff were also happy to give us extra chocolates when ours melted due to the January heat!

The town itself is also incredibly charming, and there are lots of boutique bars where you can grab a crisp glass of Chenin while you watch the world go by. And for dinner, head to Post & Pepper for a gourmet meal in the historic post office building.

Stellenbosch is an hour’s drive from Cape Town. It’s easy to drive yourself, but if you want to get footloose and fancy fee with the wine tasting, it’s best to book a wine tour.

I think that this wine tour is fantastic for two main reasons.

One, it’s a private tour so it’s just you and your group. This menas can tailor the experience if you’ve got a particular Stellenbosch wine farm in mind. 

And two, the original itinerary takes you to some of the very best wine farms that Stellenbosch has to offer, including Spier and the Waterford Estate! It promises to be a brilliant day out. 

The tour costs R1,900 per person, or R1,500 per person for groups of 5+. This includes everything except food.

Click here to find out more and book !

3) Franschhoek Wine Tram

Distance from Cape Town : 75 km / 47 miles How to get there: tour

This small town of Franschhoek is perhaps best known for the wine tram, which takes you on a novel (and boozy) adventure through the gorgeous Franschhoek valley.

Franschhoek is just over an hour from Cape Town, but obviously you don’t want to drive back when you’re sloshed! And that’s precisely why I love the the wine tram explorer tour so much! 

I think it’s really great value for money at R695! This price includes return transport between Cape Town and Franschhoek, and a wine tram ticket. It’s a full day tour and you can visit up to 5 wine farms. Make sure to hop off at Bartinney, as I think that’s the most beautiful one! For more tips and info, check out my full guide to the wine tram.

You can book your spot on the infamous wine tram here, with free cancellation!

4) Paarl 

Distance from Cape Town : 60 km / 37 miles How to get there: drive, tour

Paarl is another winelands town. It’s not quite as famous as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, but it’s the third oldest town in South Africa!

It’s perhaps best known for the Paarl Spice Route , which is a big complex that’s an absolute paradise for basically anyone with taste buds. You can taste artisanal chocolate, craft beer, biltong, and of course wine along the way.

Paarl is about a 45 minute drive from Cape Town. You can easily pair a day trip here with a visit to Stellenbosch or Franschhoek – or both! I did all three on the Cape Winelands sightseeing tour .

On this tour, we started with wine, cheese, and a cellar tour at Simonsig in Stellenbosch, then took a quick walking tour of the town. We also went for a tasting at the Franschhoek Cellar, where we bought lunch on our own accounts.

Then, we finished the day with a wine and chocolate pairing at Rhebokskloof, and took lots of drunken pictures by the lake.   You can read my full review of the tour here but it costs R695. That’s such a steal for all that’s included – food, transport, and tons of wine!

Click here to find out more about this tour and reserve your spot!

5) Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope

Distance from Cape Town : 64 km / 40 miles How to get there: drive, tour

This one’s for nature lovers! Cape Point is a scenic promontory at the tip of the Cape Peninsula. There’s a lighthouse and a ton of cool wildlife around, including baboons and ostriches (just keep a safe distance from both). 

Then, the Cape of Good Hope is a dramatic headland that’s known as known as the southernmost point of the African continent (although as you’ll learn when you visit, this is not actually quite true). 

Regardless, it’s a breathtaking spot with rocky cliffs, crashing waves, and even more chances to spot local flora and fauna. And it’s so close to Cape Point that if you’re going to visit one, you may as well see both.

It takes about an hour and 20 minutes to drive from Cape Town to Cape Point, and then it’s another 5 minutes or so to reach the Cape of Good Hope. Entry to the Nature Reserve costs:

– R400 for internationals – R200 for SADC nationals – R100 for South African residents

I visited Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope as part of this tour , which also took us to Boulders Beach to see the penguins! It costs R545 per person minus the entry fees, so we basically paid for transport and a guide.

We had such a good time even though the weather was awful. You can read my full review here!

Click here to find out more about this tour and book your place!

6) Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive 

Distance from Cape Town : 21 km / 13 miles How to get there: drive

Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive must just be one of the most beautiful roads in the world. I love driving along the rocky red cliffs and gazing out at the Atlantic Ocean. Plus, there are plenty of places to pull over and stop for photos!

The 9-kilometre (5.5-mile) drive starts in Hout Bay, which is about 20 minutes north of Camps Bay. It ends in Noordhoek, where you can head to the Aegir Project for beer tastings and burgers afterwards. 

There’s a R61 toll fee to access the road. Make sure to keep your receipt for the drive back, otherwise you’ll have to pay twice!

It’s also a good idea to check the status of the road before you go, because it closes during high winds. I suggest saving this one for a sunny day, or even going at sunset!

7) Kalk Bay

Distance from Cape Town : 30 km / 19 miles How to get there: drive, Uber

Kalk Bay is a quaint seaside suburb that’s south of the city centre. It’s got a vibrant indie scene with lots of boutiques, art galleries, and cafes to check out, hence its nickname “the Lentil Curtain.” 

It really is the perfect place to spend a relaxed afternoon exploring. I usually bring my swimming costume as I love take a dip in the Dalebrook Pool on a warm day. Then, I head to the Brass Bell for a beautiful ocean view while you enjoy some top notch fish and chips. 

8) Constantia 

Distance from Cape Town : 18 km / 11 miles How to get there: the wine bus!

Constantia is a charming and peaceful suburb that’s filled with beautiful old buildings, including some of South Africa’s oldest wineries. And honestly, there are very few things that I love more than going wine tasting around here!

By far the best way to explore Constantia is the wine bus! I’ve got a full guide to it here , but basically, it’s a hop-on hop-off bus that takes you to three different wine farms, including the famous Beau Constantia.

You can book your ticket online and then head to the Aquarium for pickup. Jump on the Blue Route bus and then you’ll change to a smaller bus when you reach Constantia. This is the one that will take you to the wine farms!

I think it’s so much better to do it this way because it takes forever to get Ubers in Constantia. And let’s be honest, no-one wants to be the designated driver!

You can grab your tickets for the Constantia wine bus here!

9) Hermanus

Distance from Cape Town : 122 km / 75 miles How to get there: drive

Hermanus is a sleepy beach town that’s about two hours from Cape Town. It’s best known for being the ultimate whale-watching spot on the Western Cape; in fact, there’s even a whale festival held every year in September!

Winter is the best time to spot whales in Hermanus, but fear not: there’s still plenty of natural beauty to enjoy during the summer. There’s the famous Cliff Path , a 12-kilometre (7.5-mile) hiking route along the rugged coastline.

What’s cool about this route is that the majority  of the trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible, so everyone can enjoy the gorgeous ocean views!

And I really can’t talk about Hermanus without imploring you to go and get breakfast at The Station , either. I’ve had the pleasure of hanging out with The Station’s owner, Simon, a few times and I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone so passionate about food. So do yourself a favour and try his cheesecake or eggs benedict while you’re in town! 

10) Tulbagh

Distance from Cape Town : 121 km / 75 miles How to get there: drive

Nestled between three different mountain ranges, Tulbagh is a beautiful old town (the fourth oldest in South Africa, to be precise) where visitors can enjoy gorgeous vistas, visit wine farms, and eat farm-to-table cuisine.

It’s a 1.5 hour drive from Cape Town but there aren’t many tours that go there, so you’ll need to drive.

You can even rent a bicycle from Vindoux Guest Farm and cycle around some of the local wine estates. The route includes Krone, which is one of South Africa’s best known champagne (or MCC) producers. 

And if you end up buying a ton of wine (which is likely) then there’s no need to worry, because you can attach a special carrier on your bike to make sure that none of your bottles get broken in transit. 

You should also take a stroll down Church Street while you’re in the area. Much of Tulbagh was destroyed by an earthquake in 1969 that killed 12 people. A massive restoration project was then carried out to restore the historic buildings that were damaged during the quake, and as a result every single house on this street is now a national monument – pretty impressive, huh?

11) Aquila Safari 

Distance from Cape Town : 176 km / 109 miles How to get there: tour

If you don’t have time to a full-on safari in the Kruger National Park, an Aquila Safari is the next best thing. And it’s only 2 hours from Cape Town!

I’ve done this safari twice and I loved it both times. It involves a 2-hour game drive, and each time, I saw a ton of amazing animals including lions, African elephants, black rhinos, giraffes, springboks, hippos, and zebras.

We got a buffet meal before the game drive and time to enjoy the resort afterwards. When I went during the summer, we brought our swimming costumes and went for a swim in the giant infinity pool. It was glorious!

The Aquila safari costs R2,895. This price includes pickup and drop-off, one or two buffet meals (depending on the time of year), and the game drive. It’s one of the pricier day trips I’ve done, but I thought it was well worth it.

You can book your spot here, with free cancellation!

12) Muizenberg 

Distance from Cape Town : 26 km / 16 miles How to get there: drive

A day trip to Muizenberg is a must if you want to go surfing in Cape Town! It’s a hippie town that boasts a long and sandy beach with gentle waves. Plus, the Indian Ocean on this side is a little warmer than the Atlantic, although you’ll still ned a wetsuit!

If you’ve never surfed here, I would recommend booking this private lesson ! For R400 – R490 per person (depending on group size), you get a 1.5-hour lesson with a qualified surf coach. I think this is a steal as the price also includes board and wetsuit rental! I absolutely loved learning to surf, even though I was terrible at it.

Meanwhile, Sea Point may have the promenade but Muizenberg has its own slightly more rustic version on offer: the Muizenberg Catwalk . It’s a 3-kilometre (1.9-mile) walk along the coastline that offers beautiful views and takes you past several historic monuments. 

13) Durbanville

Distance from Cape Town : 30 km / 19 miles How to get there: drive

Durbanville is less famous than Franschhoek and Constantia , but it’s still home to some excellent wine farms. In fact, this is the first place I ever went wine tasting!

I highly recommend a trip to De Grendel . The views of Table Mountain from the tasting room are fantastic, and I love the merlot here.

D’Aria and Klein Roosboom are also great! I would highly recommend grabbing some lunch from The Terrace at D’Aria. It’s casual but super elegant. We didn’t book but I recommend that you reserve a table online if you’re visiting during the festive season.

I guess the only problem with doing the Durbanville wine route is that there’s no wine bus or tram you can take here, so someone needs to be the designated driver. You can easily take an Uber to and from Durbanville, but getting between the wine farms might be tricky if you’re relying on ride hailing apps. 

14) West Coast National Park

Distance from Cape Town : 100 km / 61 miles How to get there: drive

The first time I visited West Coast National Park , it truly took my breath away!

The reason I love it so much is because it boasts a beautiful beach alongside the Langebaan Lagoon . And unlike the cold, choppy water at the Clifton Beaches in Cape Town, the saltwater lagoon is calm, warm, and absolutely perfect for swimming in.

Plus, the beach is much quieter than the beaches in the city!

We also went flamingo spotting, and there are hiking trails and lots of birdwatching spots in the park. But for me, the beach is what really makes the park worth the 1.5-hour drive from the city, and the R116 entry fee (R74 for locals).

For more fun things to do in and around Cape Town, check out…

• How to Hike Kloof Corner in Cape Town
• Oranjezicht City Farm Market: Guide to Visiting
• 15 Best Things to do at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
• How to Get from Cape Town Airport to the City 
• The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Table Mountain, Cape Town

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

STAY IN TOUCH

Things to Do

Accommodation, capetownmagazine.com, new experiences: unique day tours for exploring the cape.

• All Contact Details

Unwrapping Cape Town with you

There's something exciting going on in Cape Town every week. Be the first to know what's new with our newsletter:

Something nice. Something unique. Something you find out about from your best friends.

Last Updated:  17 December 2019

Free family city walking tours. Tracking the wild otters of Cape Point. Horse riding and wine tours for couples. And unique private tours and underground or Karoo adventures for big groups. This is our selection of exciting, unique and special day tours in Cape Town and the Western Cape.

A SPECIAL SUNDAY MORNING GOSPEL EXPERIENCE 

This has been one of our firm favourites for more than 15 years. Step outside of the city centre and into the vibrant heart of greater Cape Town and onto its lively township streets.

This authentic half-day gospel, church and township tour will lift your spirits, regardless of whether or not you're a church-goer. Don't miss the chance to join a local tour led by Khonaye's special team at Camissa Travel & Marketing .

Duration:  Half-day: 4 hours from 8:30 on Sunday mornings Best suited:  Young and old. Family, groups, couples. This tour has impressed anyone and everyone.  Price:  From R770pp (adults), R385pp (children under 12)

AWARD-NOMINATED CAPE TOWN EXPERIENCES WITH KIFF KOMBI TOURS

Living in the area in and around Cape Town means there is no shortage of travel adventures to be had. Kiff Kombi Tours is the perfect guide for locals to find the things they've never known about.

There are scenic road trips or the flagship Urban Safari tour that showcases street art and trendy neighbourhoods. The best are tours for foodies and wine lovers, such as the  Craft Beer Safari  and  The Gin Jol .

What’s great about the tours – besides the fact that there’s a LekkerLocal special of 20% off – is that some experiences can also be boosted with fun activities such as clay shooting, bubble soccer or paintball, which is ideal for bachelors or even corporate events.

Also check out the private high-end experiences offered by  Kiff Kombi Tours . Duration: 6–7 hours Best suited: Adults, groups, couples Price: From R990pp–R1800pp

DISCOVER THE CAPE IN A VINTAGE CAR

How fun does taking a sunset ride to Chapman's Peak, exploring the Cape Peninsula, or cruising around the Winelands in a 1959 Jaguar Mk.9 or 1967 Mustang Fastback sound? 

This classic chauffeur-driven car hire service utilises a network of privately owned classic and sports cars to provide the ultimate transport experience for your special day.

Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)63 208 4247 | [email protected] | website

SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE RIDE Cape Town is for exploring at your own leisure and pleasure. At AroundAboutCars you can  even rent a vehicle with a driver. Or, go it alone and still enjoy unlimited kilometres with no excess, and a 24-hr countrywide emergency backup.

Plus, all customers enjoy free delivery or collection of cars at all major airports and discounts on luxury accommodation at Cape Point Villa. It’s worth speaking to the team at AroundAboutCars .

SPOT THE MARINE BIG 5 Ever heard of an ocean safari? It's a thing and the best guides to help you spot the Marine Big 5 are Ocean Experiences.

The ocean adventures company runs boat trips daily, from scuba-diving to snorkeling with seals. They have a variety of experiences.The short and afforadble one to try is the 45 minute Table Bay Safari . 

Duration:  Various times, depending on tour type  Best suited: Family, groups, couples Price: Various. The Table Bay Safari, which costs R600pp, is discounted to R550pp and R450pp for CapeTownMagazine.com readers. To book phone +27 21 418 2870 and mention CapeTownMagazine.com or book online via our exclusive  Ocean Experiences deals page .

Shop 8 | Quay 5 | V&A Waterfront | +27 (0)21 418 2870 | [email protected]

BIG CATS AND WILDEBEEST On this game drive, you’ll see (among other animals) springbok, zebra as well as a herd of wildebeest while sipping on your choice of wine or grape juice (for the kids) and enjoying a cheese platter.

Your guide will tell you about each animal species and share anecdotes about the celebrity individuals on the farm. Then, you get a tour of Vredenheim’s vineyard, where youl’ll have access to wine tastings (also gin) and tours.

The tour culminates in a special feeding experience at Vredenheim’s big cats park . Meet the lions, leopard and Bengal tigers. Read more about the game drive at Vredenheim .  Best suited: Family Price: R225 for adults and R170 for kids under 11.

TAILOR-MADE ADVENTURE TOURS Go on an open-top safari, visit a waterfall, paddle up the Touw River or bungy jump at Bloukrans. Choose between a 3-, 6- or 10-day tour and have a unique and unforgettable experience visiting South Africa’s most beautiful sites through Off The Beaten Path and Wanderlust Backpackers . Duration: 3–10 days Best suited: Both adrenaline junkies and the leisure explorer

KAYAK IN A MARINE PROTECTED AREA AND KEEP THE OCEAN PLASTIC FREE Go paddling in an environmentally-friendly kayak in the Table Mountain Marine Protected Area, and see Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and Signal Hill appearing in a way that makes them seem a completely new.

You have the chance to see the Cape Marine Big Five (dolphin, penguin, sunfish, whale, seal) and other marine life at close range.

The endemic Heaviside dolphins (and in summer, their babies too) love to play in the Granger Bay area. Paddling at moonrise is just as breathtaking as a sunrise paddle. Get the experience and  kayak with Kaskazi Kayaks .

Duration: 2 hours+ Best suited: Family, couples and groups Price: R400 per person

FREE CAPE TOWN WALKING TOURS Put on your walking shoes and explore the colourful and vibrant streets of the Bo-Kaap, Cape Town’s historic sites and buildings, or St George’s Cathedral, the “apartheid benches” and District Six.

THE KAROO “FORGOTTEN ROUTE” TRAIN AND PRIVATE DAY TOURS Return to a bygone era. Travel aboard the Shosholoza Meyl train on a two-day adventure into the Karoo, retracing the steps of the early diamond explorers.

A THRILLING TUNNEL TOUR ADVENTURE The secret tunnels of Cape Town in a unique underground adventure. You’re given a torch and gumboots before descending into darkness, and then you’re ready for discovery.

15 Granger Bay Boulevard | +27 (0)82 482 4006 | [email protected]

THE CAPE TOWN CRAFT CRAWL A full day dedicated to exploring Cape Town’s emerging craft scene. That’s beer, gin, coffee, craft markets as well as local stores and hidden city gems.

MEMORABLE DISCOVERIES: PRIVATE FAMILY TOUR A fun family-filled private tour dedicated to exploring some of Cape Town’s best gems, tourist attractions and beautiful landscapes.

EXHILARATING SHARK CAGE DIVING ADVENTURE

Calling all thrill-seekers – get up close and personal with an apex predator. Dive the famous Great White Shark hunting ground of Gansbaai, a journey that starts at the crack of dawn. Also combine your tour with whale-watching, a scenic flight or a safari game drive with the White Shark Diving Company’s Gansbaai shark cage diving tours . Duration: Full day Best suited: Adults, groups, couples Price:  R2050pp

--- PLUS : Discover exciting new experiences  like wine-tasting in the middle of a lagoon and pirate-themed mini-golf to private fishing boat charters and picnics by the lake at  Benguela Cove . 

Walk with ghosts in a haunted village and hear chilling historic tales during  Simon’s Town Ghost Walks .

Get some fresh air and exercise, enjoy exquisite scenery and find some hidden gems in our collection of places 

Spend quality time  using our collection of things to do with kids , free and cheap things for the family and activities for couples around Cape Town .

Follow and like us on Twitter ❤ Facebook ❤ LinkedIn ❤ Instagram ❤ Pinterest for updates.

• Show Large Map
• Events Today

Join us in creating a DNA-changing impact on the province

Advertising on CapeTownMagazine.com

Free to affordable: Salsa dancing, crafting and more

Alcohol-free bar, classic pub grub, dog museum and more

CapeTownMagazine.com in the Media

Spend the entire weekend walking less than a kilometer up this inspirational ...

Classic cars, tiny merry-go-rounds & vintage tea sets

For teams big, small and remote, and every budget

Function Venues in Cape Town

Lower Kloof Street caters for all your lifestyle n

The Mother City’s finest stand-up comedy clubs a

top health spas and houses of beauty

Annual music festivals

Name your hood, Cape Town

Everything you need to know about work visa applic

Outdoor Restaurants in Cape Town and Surrounds

Cape Town specials to swoon even the staunchest pe

Budget Car Rental Cape Town

Get more of MOLO

Every month something you do not want to miss.

• In the Media
• Work with us
• Submit events
• Advertising
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of use

© 2005 - 2024 Cape Town Magazine PTY Ltd. All rights strictly reserved [2005 - 2024].

Curious to make exciting discoveries in Cape Town every day? "LIKE" us for a daily hidden gem. ▼

Your Cape Town adventure starts here!

Welcome to Cape Town Day Tours

Cape town day tours provides a personalised service, striving for excellence on every aspect of your holiday. let us take away the stress and help you plan your adventure covering all the majestic wonders cape town has to offer. we go that extra mile to make your stay in cape town a holiday to remember; with an excellent choice of private and schedule cape town tours as well as a wealth of extra kids and adventure activities we are sure we have something to suite everyone’s appetite and can provide you with some lifelong enjoyable memories. cape town day tours provide a friendly english, german, russian or polish-speaking qualified guide to help you experience the majestic wonders available in the ‘mother city’ of cape town.

Cape Town Private Tours

Cape Town E-Bike Tours

Cape Town Schedule Tour

Cape town most popular tours, our engaging tours offer a perfect blend of exploration and education, allowing you to discover the rich heritage and diverse culture of cape town. from the iconic landmarks to hidden gems, our knowledgeable guides will lead you through the city's most significant sites, providing fascinating insights and stories along the way..

Mother City Explorer Full Day Tour

Best Wine Tasting Cape Town Full Day Tour

Cape Town Whale Watching Tour

Shark and Whale Combo Full Day

Cape Town Package Tour - 7 Day's

Best of the Cape Full Day Tour

Testimonials, we have only recently setup our trip advisor page and we wish more clients would take the time to place reviews - we all know as soon as you get home, life soon returns to normal - but we do appreciate it if guests can make that little extra effort to tell us what we are doing right and more importantly what we are doing wrong - if any.

Great Tour Company Have booked with Cape Town Tours on two trips to South Africa and five tours total, plus airport pick ups. All of the tours have been excellent and I really appreciated the quick and informative communication during booking, timely pick-ups, clean vehicles, and great tours. I have booked private tours and they have been very knowledgeable and interesting, flexible on time when we wanted to stay at certain places longer or not, and we visited the best places. Highly recommend them and will be back to book with them again! Tierra S Trip Advisor Review June - 2023

“It was awesome” It was such an awesome experience! Thanks to our guide jamie, who made the trip very personalized and made sure everything was as smooth as possible. Capetown in itself is such a captivating city, coupled with the services of Cape Town Day Tours made this trip super memorable. A TripAdvisor Member Ms Forsberg, USA

I recently had the pleasure of booking a day tour with Cape Town Day Tours, and I must say that the experience exceeded my expectations. Our guide, Prem, played a crucial role in making the days memorable. Prem's expertise was evident throughout the tour. Her knowledge of the attractions and landmarks we visited was impressive, and she shared interesting and relevant information that added depth to the experience. Her patience and willingness to answer questions made the tour not only educational but also engaging. What stood out the most was Prem's helpful and accommodating nature. Whether it was assisting with logistics, providing recommendations, or ensuring everyone in the group was comfortable, Prem went above and beyond to make the tour enjoyable for everyone. In addition to the stunning sights and activities included in the tour, Prem's professionalism and genuine passion for guiding made this experience truly exceptional. I highly recommend Cape Town Day Tours, especially if you have the opportunity to be guided by Prem. Thank you for a memorable day! KR35H G0und3R Google Review - 13th-Jan-2024

• Indian Ocean Islands
• Cape Winelands
• Garden Route
• Kruger National Park
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Gorilla Trekking
• Great Migration
• Family Travel
• Accommodation
• Traveller’s tales
• The Bucket List
• Postcards From Africa
• Cape Town Restaurant Guide
• Cape Winelands Restaurant Guide
• Johannesburg Restaurant Guide
• Special Features
• Our Home Safari
• Africa’s Photographer of the Year
• Photography & Videos
• Let’s start planning

The 11 Best Day Trips In Cape Town

0    comments

So you’ve seen the photos of Cape Town’s perfect coves and the magnificent mountain that rises above them, you’ve heard that it’s one of the great foodie destinations in the world and the perfect add-on to an African safari. You’ve heard the hype and it sounds like just your type. But what exactly are the best ways to spend your days in this city of pretty bays? We’ve already made a list of the best things to do –  The Ultimate Guide to Cape Town: The 56 Best Things To Do . Now we’re going to tell you what the best day trips in Cape Town are, and who to do the activities with.

Due to Cape Town’s popularity, there is an abundance of tour guides and companies. But some stand out above the rest. The ones that do create experiences that perfectly fit your interests and personality. They’ll show you the best of the Cape in the easiest and most enjoyable way.

The 11 Best Day Trips in Cape Town

1. explore sideways in cape town.

If you want to delve deeply into the world-class wine regions of the Cape, then have a look at Explore Sideways. They really offer some of the best day trips in Cape Town. You can choose from over 20 curated tours and can also tailor your own experience with them. Their highly-qualified specialists will introduce you to the hidden gems of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Constantia, Cape Point, Hemel-en-Aarde and beyond. Some of the more interesting experiences Explore Sideways offer are the off-the-beaten track, immersive food and wine journeys in the Winelands, 4×4 Table Mountain safaris (that include local wines), sundowners on a power boat and sailing adventures in Table Bay.

Website: exploresideways.com

2. African Lynx

African Lynx offer ‘Cape Experiential Travel,’ which is based on three aspects; a private guide, a private Land Rover modified just for day trips around the Cape, and an experience crafted just for you that is drawn from the team’s lifelong knowledge of our beautiful region. Some of their popular activities are a veld braai in Cape Point overlooking the ocean, morning hikes with the researchers at Cape Leopard Trust in the mountains above Franschhoek tracking the elusive cats, and a backroads tour of the Winelands that ends with a fire made from old vines and a steak braai. Perks include their “coffee with a view” stops in the mornings and artisanal G&T sundowners on the way home.

Website: africanlynxtravel.com

3. Wine Fairy

Katie, ‘The Wine Fairy’, is one of our favourites and our travellers love her. She loves to share her passion for the Winelands and is the perfect companion to South African wines. If you want to learn about South African wines the WineFairy is the one for you as she will take you through tutored tastings and touring all the while having the time of your life. As she says herself, “Wine is often thought of as elitist and can be quite intimidating, I strive to demystify the mystery that is wine and just simplify the essence of what is in your glass and why you like it. You’d be amazed at how exciting it is when someone just ‘gets’ it.”

Website:  https://www.winefairy.co.za/

4. NAC Helicopter Tours

See the beauty of the Cape from above with NAC, who offer chartered or private helicopter rides in Cape Town. There are five different routes to choose from, all offering an unforgettable experience. The Cape Point Tour is the most extensive tour of the Cape Peninsula, flying around Table Mountain and over Camps Bay, Noordhoek, Simon’s Town, Muizenberg, and Constantia. There’s probably no better way to appreciate the Cape’s fair beauty than from a helicopter.

Website: https://www.nachelicopterscapetown.com/

5. Rhino Africa Private Guiding

If you’re wanting to tick off the best day trips in Cape Town then look no further than our very own Rhino Africa Private Guiding. From boat trips to Robben Island, seeing the penguins at Boulder’s Beach, visiting Franschhoek’s world-famous wine region to panoramic views from atop Table Mountain we’ve got you covered.

Our personal guides have over 20 years guiding experience, and have been guiding Rhino Africa’s clients for more than 10 years so they know every corner of the Cape and also instinctively know what is best for each guest. But don’t be fooled by their professionalism, these guys are incredibly friendly and warm-hearted, which is proably why they’re so popular!

Website: rhinoafrica.com

6. Woodstock Street Art Tours

Woodstock is a semi-industrial area on the outskirts of Cape Town’s CBD that has undergone a gradual urban renewal process over the past decade. It’s now a creative hub of the Mother City, with street art playing a major part in transforming the area into a safe and vibrant community. It’s this transformation that lies at the heart of artist Juma Mkwela’s street art tour, a 90-minute guided walk through the alleys and streets of Woodstock. Juma is a friendly and cheerful host with an in-depth knowledge of the art that adorns the walls and buildings of Woodstock, as well as the artists who created them. The array of work is as vast and diverse as the artists that created them, both local and international, young and old, unknown and world-famous, who have come to put their mark on the walls of Woodstock.

Website: https://townshiparttours.co.za/

7. Travel Designer

Ozzy creates personalised, tailor-made experiences that allow you to feel like a Capetonian and understand the city from a local’s perspective. Motivated by the artists, eateries and hotspots he supports, Ozzy’s passion for the people, the planet and good times is legendary. His ‘Cape Town Legends’ concept allows visitors to see the city through local eyes, whether that’s while in a cooking class with chef, Jade de Waal, or having a coffee with South Africa’s famous cartoonist Zapiro, or going on a thrilling drive along Chapman’s Peak in a sports car manned by experienced rally driver, Michelle Hambley-Grobler. You tell Ozzy who you are and what you like and he shapes an experience just for you that you won’t find anywhere else.

Website: www.traveldesigner.com/

8. Ilios Walk to Freedom Tour

This full-day bus tour helps visitors learn about South Africa’s past injustices and travel to various fascinating neighbourhoods throughout the city. Some of the points of interest include the colorful neighborhood of Bo-Kaap, a living cultural museum and site of the largest mosque in the Southern Hemisphere; District Six, a former inner-city neighborhood where more than 60,000 residents were forced to leave during the 1970s by the apartheid regime; Gugu S’Thebe Arts & Cultural Centre in the township of Langa where a local resident will also take you on a guided walk; and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for 18 years.

Website: https://ilios.co.za/tour/private-walk-to-freedom/

9. Free City Walking Tours

Use your feet to hit the street with Cape Town’s free walking tour. There are three walking tours that leave Greenmarket Square at different times in the day. The historical tour takes you to the Castle of Good Hope, Parliament, the old president’s house and the Company’s Garden. It works on a tip basis. You pay what you think is fair so the tour guides, who are locals, are sure to be enthusiastic and engaging while they share the Cape’s fascinating history with you. There is also a Bo-Kaap Tour and an Apartheid to Freedom Tour. Website: https://www.nielsentours.co.za/capetown/

10. Shark Cage Diving Tour

Known as the Great White Shark Cage Diving Hotspot of the world, Cape Town offers unrivalled encounters with one of the world’s most feared predators. Operating around the world famous Dyer Island near Gansbaai, Marine Dynamics offer a 2 ½ hour trip that will introduce you to the Marine Big 5 – whales, great white sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins. They boast the biggest and only boat with upper deck for great photography and surface viewing of the incredible apex predators. Sightings can be seasonal so we recommend you ask about the most recent sighting before booking. Website: sharkwatchsa.com

11. Seal Snorkelling Tours

Near the old fishing village of Hout bay there is an island called Duiker Island that is home to about 5,000 Cape fur seals. With Animal Ocean, you can take a boat out to them, plunge into the cool Atlantic Ocean and snorkel and interact the seals while they cavort around you like the ocean puppies they are. The seals are not fed or trained, they behave naturally and interact with snorkelers and scuba divers on their own terms. Visitors can always see seals in the water and due to a kelp forest, the shallow shelf and colder water, there are no sharks present. This is a memorable wildlife adventure that brings you mask-to-whisker with playful and inquisitive wild animals in their natural habitat. Read our blog on seal snorkeling here . Website: sealsnorkeling.com

Seal Island Tour at Hout Bay

If you prefer to stay out of the water, take a 40-minute trip to Seal Island to see the Cape fur seals sunbathe and splash from onboard the Circle Launches boat. It has ample seating outside on the deck and indoor cabin seating when the weather is on the rougher side. Perfect for children, be sure to allocate some time to explore the Hout Bay market and grab fish and chips at the harbour afterwards.

Website: www.circelaunches.co.za

The Best Day Trips in Cape Town – make it yours!

Now that you know what are the best day trips in Cape Town, come and live them! Let us make your journey to Cape Town memorable with passionate and responsible  consultants , giving everything you need with minimal fuss.

Plan your African Safari today

Opens our enquiry form

Based on 3000+ reviews

You May Also Like

These top 10 hotels for whale watching will blow you away, shucking in style with cape town helicopters, 8 best hikes in cape town.

About the author 

Matthew Sterne

Matt discovered a passion for writing in the six years he spent travelling abroad. He worked for a turtle sanctuary in Nicaragua, in an ice cream factory in Norway and on a camel safari in India. He was a door-to-door lightbulb-exchanger in Australia, a pub crawl guide in Amsterdam and a journalist in Colombia. Now, he writes and travels with us.

Session expired

Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page.

Privacy Overview

Touropia Travel

Discover the World

7 Best Day Trips from Cape Town

By Vanessa Holmes · Last updated on May 21, 2024

If you’re planning a vacation to South Africa, then you’ll almost certainly be spending time in Cape Town . Named for the Cape of Good Hope, and the southernmost city in Africa, Cape Town is an incredible destination. Surrounded by epic landscapes, beaches, cliffs and wineries, Cape Town is packed with outdoor attractions and scenery. However, the cultural mecca is also home to colorful neighborhoods like Bo-Kaap, the historic Robben Island and world-class museums.

While there is so much that you can enjoy while in Cape Town, it is also worth escaping the city for a day and seeing the surrounding region. From wineries to penguin colonies, here are just a few of the best day trips from Cape Town to enjoy.

7. Langebaan

A 90-minute drive outside of Cape Town brings you to Langebaan, a coastal town located on the shores of Saldanha Bay. The main reason to head to Langebaan is to experience a relaxed beach that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of Cape Town. There are still traditional heritage fishing villages along the coast, and small wooden fishing boats dot the blue horizon.

Restaurants located right on the beach let you dig your toes into the sand as you dine on fresh seafood that was caught earlier that day. Kitesurfing is also a popular pastime, and you can take kitesurfing lessons on the beach at Langebaan.

Getting to Langebaan

• Many people opt to take a guided tour, as this enables them to see as much of the Western Cape as is possible in just one day. As well as visiting the lovely villages of Langebaan and Yzerfontein, guests also stop off to taste delicious local produce along the way and view the beautiful birds and flowers found in the West Coast National Park. See prices

6. Great White Shark Cage Diving

If you’re a serious adrenaline junkie in search of the next big thrill, then great white shark cage diving may be the solution. There are several places around Cape Town where you can try this incredible experience. As the name suggests, you’re scuba diving within a cage, and great white sharks come right up to your protected space.

Gaansbaai, about two hours south of Cape Town, offers shark cage diving throughout the year. In the South African winters, or between June and October, it is possible to try great white shark cage diving in False Bay, which is under an hour’s drive from Cape Town.

Taking a Cage Diving Tour

• The only way to experience the thrill of Great White Sharks circling you is to take a cage diving tour; this really will offer unforgettable memories. After having been driven to Gansbaai, it is time to suit up and learn all about the huge predators from a marine biologist before entering the underwater world in your protective cage. See prices

5. West Coast National Park

Every year during the spring months of August and September, certain parts of South Africa burst into a kaleidoscope of colors with their impressive display of various wild flowers. The West Coast National Park is the perfect area for a day trip from Cape Town to see the wild flowers, as it is located right next to the town of Langebaan.

Outside the wildflower season, the white sand beaches and small islands in the Saldanha Bay are the top attractions in the park, and the whole area is a popular birdwatching destination. Plenty of hiking trails lead you along the coast, and there are countless vantage points beloved by photographers. You may even spot some local wildlife, which can include springbok, Cape mountain zebras, ostriches and wildebeest.

Getting to West Coast National Park

• A fun and friendly way to explore this wonderful part of the Western Cape is to take a full-day guided tour. This not only takes you to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the national park, but it also lets you sample some of the region’s fantastic local produce as you go. With stops at Langebaan, Yzerfontein, and Khwa ttu village also included, it is an action-packed day with loads for you to see and do. See prices

4. Boulders Beach Penguin Colony

Boulders Beach is a stunning destination just outside of Cape Town that offers beautiful scenery, but the main attraction is definitely the penguins. Just 20 years ago, African penguins settled in this area, and now the colony is large and uses Boulder Beach as its breeding ground.

You can often spot penguins throughout the coastal area, but a small fee can take you right to the heart of it all. There are only a limited number of people allowed on the beach with the penguins in a given day, so getting there early ensures you’ll get the chance to see them up close.

Getting to Boulders Beach

• As the lively penguin colony is located just outside of Simon’s Town, the best way to get there by public transport is to take a direct train from Cape Town; these take roughly an hour and ten minutes. Once you arrive, Boulders Beach is around a 40-minute walk away, so you can either take a taxi there or wander through Simon’s Town sightseeing as you go.
• If you don’t feel like driving or taking the train there yourself, you may want to consider taking a guided tour. As well as taking you to see the adorable African penguins, you’ll also pass along the beautiful Chapman’s Peak road and visit the Cape of Good Hope for some fantastic views over the ocean. See prices

3. Hermanus

South of Cape Town is Hermanus, a seaside town known for its spectacular whale watching opportunities. If you want to spot whales in their natural habitats, then Hermanus is the ideal place to do so. Southern Right Whales migrate along the coast annually, and they tend to make a stop at Hermanus to calve and to care for their young.

The best time of year to spot whales is from June all the way through to December. A boat trip can get you up close and personal with Southern Right Whales, Bryde Whales and Humpback Whales. However, it is also entirely possible to spot whales right from the shoreline, which is a cheaper option for travelers on a budget.

Getting to Hermanus

• To see whales up close in their natural habitat, many visitors to Cape Town take a whale watching tour to Hermanus, as whales breed just off of the coast. On your boat trip, you’ll have the chance to see whales, dolphins, and seals; catching a glimpse of the majestic creatures is exhilarating. After that, the tour culminates in a visit to Hermanus and a stop at a local winery to sample some of its delicious produce. See prices

2. Stellenbosch

Inland from Cape Town is Stellenbosch, which is located smack dab in the heart of Cape Winelands . While the region is home to countless wineries and vineyards, serious oenophiles know that Stellenbosch is the center of it all.

Wine tours are the number one attraction in Stellenbosch, or you can map out your own tour for tastings at each stop. As a major wine destination , the food in Stellenbosch is fantastic. On Church Street, in particular, you’ll find well over a dozen wonderful eateries, many of which have menu items paired specifically with local wines.

The city itself is also home to a large university, an abundance of Cape Dutch architecture and impressive nightlife.

Getting to Stellenbosch

• As most people visit Stellenbosch for its vineyards and wineries, the best way to see a number of them in one day is to take a guided tour. In addition to stopping off and sampling delicious wines at various estates, you’ll also get taken around the town itself and to Franschhoek – a lovely little village. See prices

1. Cape of Good Hope & Cape Point

At the southernmost tip of the Cape Peninsula is the Cape of Good Hope, a must-see destination on your Cape Town trip. As you get close, you’ll enter the Table Mountain National Park. From the Cape of Good Hope, you can look out over False Bay and perhaps even spot a few migrating whales.

On the cape itself is Cape Point, a spectacular destination with breathing views over stone cliffs, lush green valleys and beautiful beaches. Cape Point boasts miles of hiking paths, making it the perfect place to work up a sweat or snap some photographs.

Getting to Cape of Good Point

• An easy way to visit Cape Point is to take a guided tour of the Cape Peninsula. As well as seeing the Cape of Good Hope, you’ll also see penguins in Simon’s Town, seals at Hout Bay, and explore the delightful botanical gardens of Kirstenbosch. See prices

Map of day trips from Cape Town

Share this post:

Best Time to Visit Cape Town: Month-by-Month Guide

7 Best Food Markets in Cape Town: Flavors of The Mother City

15 Best Places to Visit in Western Cape

37 Top Tourist Attractions in Cape Town

Where to Stay in Cape Town: 10 Best Neighborhoods

14 Fun Things to Do in Durban

All Aboard the Franschhoek Wine Tram

The Ultimate Whale Watching Weekend in Hermanus

10 Best Places to Visit in South Africa

The 7 Best Things To Do On The Garden Route in South Africa

Reader interactions, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Africa Chevron

South Africa Chevron

Western Cape Chevron

Cape Town Chevron

3 Best Day Trips From Cape Town

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Cape Town is easily one of the world’s most beautiful cities, but it doesn’t exist in a bubble: Mother Nature kept her magic going far beyond the city limits. The surrounding regions seem made for road trips, with scenic routes that take you along jaw-dropping coastlines, craggy mountains, alluring vineyards, historic hamlets, arid deserts, and much more, all within a few easy hours from the heart of Cape Town. From a less-trammeled coastline to a whale-watching paradise to one of the world’s most exciting wine regions, any of these three destinations can be covered a quick day trip that will have you back in Cape Town in time for a sundowner. But if you have time to spare, we strongly recommend making a weekend out of any of them—they’re best explored at a leisurely pace that any South African would approve of.

While Cape Town isn’t lacking for beautiful beaches, they can get clogged in the summer months—so in-the-know locals prefer to head north to the quieter beach towns of the West Coast. Make your base at the quaint fishing village of Paternoster, known for a booming food scene centered around foraging along the coast, and venture into towns like Langebaan and Darling (bonus: if you go in the spring, you’re in for a riot of wildflowers).

Strandloper Ocean Lodge Arrow

Paternoster is a sweet little seaside retreat that deserves far more attention than it gets, and Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel is one of the best and most affordable options for exploring it. Strandloper is one of our favorite little finds in South Africa: an airy seaside escape that exudes beachy minimalism in the form of white linens, pale woods, animal hide rugs, and furniture. The interiors are simple, but plush, in order to maximize the focus on the exterior, and that's just how a beach hideaway should be.

West Coast National Park Arrow

West Coast National Park is just about an hour from Cape Town, but feels worlds away from the city's chaos. Anyone who knows about Cape Town beaches will tell you that the Atlantic waters in this part of the world are nippy at best, yet somehow, the coves and lagoons of this park feel at least a few degrees warmer than their counterparts to the south. It's rugged and beautiful, and a great slice of South Africa's distinctive natural landscape.

Die Strandloper Arrow

Die Strandloper is the low-key beach barbecue you wish you'd been invited to—you get all the laid-back fun without needing to lobby friends-of-friends to have you over. Kick off your flip-flops (they're called "slops" around these parts), bury your toes in the sand, grab a table with some shade, and line up for a classic seafood braai (South African for BBQ) with fresh fare cooked over open flames. In all, this is a great place to end your day and watch the sunset as you get your hands dirty.

Evita Se Perron Arrow

How does one describe a cabaret hall slash restaurant slash satirical museum slash garden slash den of political incorrectness slash everything quirky under the sun? Evita Se Perron has to be seen to be believed, as it's just one of those places that defies vocabulary—and words. Set in an old train station, the venue has theaters and a restaurant, and a garden that casts a satirical lens on South African history.

This coastal swath to the east of Cape Town is the stuff postcard photographers dream of, with quaint houses clinging to the edge of rugged cliffs as the ocean churns below them. And if good looks was all Hermanus had to offer, that could have been enough. But there’s much more going on: For half the year, the quiet town anoints itself the “whale-watching capital of the world.” Hundreds of southern right whales congregate in the waters off Hermanus to mate and calve, and the ensuing spectacle makes for some of the best land-based whale watching on earth.

One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel Arrow

Hermanus is the self-proclaimed whale-watching capital of the world, with some of the best land-based whale viewing anywhere. The location of One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel is what sold us: overlooking the water, and just steps from the Cliff Walk path that affords some of the best vantage points in town. If you come during whale season (June-November), you will most likely find your fellow guests are whale-seekers of all stripes.

Creation Wines Arrow

While most travelers associate South African wine with the Winelands east of Cape Town—Stellenbosch and Franschhoek—the Hemel en Aarde ("heaven and earth") region near Hermanus is quickly gaining notice among wine savants for its wines and views. At Creation Wines, you'll get the best of both: The tasting room is an elegant space with expansive views over the vineyards that surround it. Even though the main focus here is the wine, the food is also sublime.

Birkenhead House Arrow

This sprawling cream-colored villa is perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean, and the stunning vantage point is one of the hotel's finest features: Hermanus is known for its rugged natural beauty, and Birkenhead House maximizes that in all directions. Hermanus is a lovely add-on to any South Africa trip, and this is the best hotel in the area by far. If you're a serious whale watcher, it's a no brainer: You can't beat these views.

Hermanus Whale Cruises Arrow

Hermanus is the self-professed whale-watching capital of the world, and there's a huge industry built around the marine mammals. While the hamlet is known for its land-based whale-watching, a clutch of boat tours that offer super-close access have become very popular, too. Hermanus Whale Cruises is super-organized, with multiple tours a day turning whale-watching into something of a science. It's a huge-group tour, and reservations are pretty useful in peak whale-watching months.

Bientang's Cave Arrow

The view, the view, the view: You clamber down below the cliff's edge to Bientang's Cave, a restaurant built into the rock face. The vantage point is epic: You're hovering above the water. As for the cooking: It's not terrible, but it's perfectly mediocre. Still, you didn't come here for the food, did you? This is a great place to end a day spent whale-watching: a gorgeous setting where you can admire the sunset before you start plotting your next adventure.

The historic wine region east of Cape Town has become something of a staple half-day excursion on most cookie-cutter itineraries. But while it’s close enough for a quick jaunt, we recommend taking a more relaxed approach: Spend your days exploring the historic towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and all their galleries, museums, and restaurants in between tastings at some of the world’s best wine estates. While there’s plenty to do in the warm summer months, from cycling to Segwaying through the vineyards, winter is when the region is truly at its best, with cozy nights spent curling up next to fireplaces, wine in hand.

Leeu Estates Arrow

The Gallic-inflected village of Franschhoek has been transformed in recent years, most of it due to the efforts of a wealthy Indian businessman who fell in love with the town and began investing heavily in it. Leeu Estates, a 17-room hotel and winery on a 168-acre estate in Franschhoek, is just one manifestation of that love. The elegant manor house doubles as a private gallery filled with paintings and sculptures from some of South Africa’s top contemporary artists (a Lionel Smit painting in the dining room, a Beezy Bailey sculpture in the foyer, and Angus Taylor’s massive bronze and granite figure titled Reflective Resonance in the garden). Don’t miss a complimentary tasting at the Wine Studio: the estate’s Mullineaux & Leeu Family Wines are constantly hailed as some of the best in the country.

Coopmanhuijs Hotel Arrow

Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa—it was established in 1679—and Coopmanhuijs, in the heart of the quaint town, oozes history. It's surrounded by whitewashed Cape Dutch–style houses lining the narrow, oak-shaded streets, and you immediately feel like you're stepping back into time when you check in. The 16-room hideaway is sweet, intimate, and easy to get comfortable in—you'll find that everything is straightforward and seamless.

Chefs Warehouse at Maison Arrow

You're at a wine farm in beautiful Franschhoek, so at least you know you're in for a visual treat—but Chefs Warehouse doesn't just delight the eyes. Setting aside, Chef Liam Tomlin is a culinary wizard of note in the South African dining scene, with his dazzlingly inventive set tapas menu recasting him as something of a Picasso on the plate, creative with flavor as much as with presentation. To wit: There's steamed hake with Cape Malay dressing; springbok with beetroot lacquer and marinated daikon radish; and outlandish takes on the humble risotto, like a tandoori cauliflower and yogurt version with candied spiced cashews and deep-fried onions. All to say: If you don't think this is one of the best meals you've had in South Africa, someone will happily finish your leftovers. And, because you're on a wine farm—and a very popular one at that—expect plenty of great options, like one of Maison's reasonably priced wines by the glass.

Babylonstoren Arrow

To anoint a 17th-century farm as one of the chicest retreats in South Africa might seem like a misnomer, and yet here we are (the fact that it’s the passion project of a former editor of Elle Decoration South Africa certainly helps). Babylonstoren is a working farm with 22 suites, some of them set in former farmhand’s cottage. And as you might expect from a hotel on a farm, the food is stellar: the restaurants Babel and Greenhouse are about as farm-fresh as it gets, with produce sourced directly from the gardens, bread from an on-site bakery, honey from the house beekeepers, and more. Babylonstoren also has its own wines, and sipping a crisp Chenin Blanc in the airy tasting room with floor-to-ceiling windows giving ways to views of over the vineyards is a treat.

Delaire Graff Estate Arrow

Delaire Graff Estate is a designer winery with wraparound mountain and valley views. The panoramic vista out front encompasses the undulating vineyards, deep valleys, and towering mountains. In winter, the deep leather sofas around the fireplace are the best seats; in summer, snag an outdoor table under the trees. Either way, you’ll feel like you’ve arrived in an elegant hotel bar, one with an enviable art collection to boot—an apt setting in which to savor Delaire’s subtly nuanced, terroir-specific wines.

Recommended

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

Get us in your inbox

Sign up to our newsletter for the latest and greatest from your city and beyond

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Awesome, you're subscribed!

The best things in life are free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Los Angeles

The 10 best safari day trips and weekends from Cape Town

From a day-trip adventure to a weekend escape, find whales and the Big Five with these wild getaways in the Cape!

Can you go on a safari from Cape Town? It’s a question often asked by travellers planning a trip to the Mother City. Happily, the answer is 'Yes indeed', and while the Western Cape isn't quite in the same league as a bushveld escape to the Kruger National Park, you can certainly enjoy a taste of safari close to Cape Town. 

Just a short drive from Cape Town you can spot the 'Big Five' (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo) roaming the veld, learn about conservation efforts and spot whales breaching offshore. For those wanting to take a walk on the wild side, here are the best lodges and reserves for a safari day trip from Cape Town.

RECOMMENDED: 🏄‍♀️ The best   beaches in Cape Town 📍 The best   things to do in Cape Town 🏨 The best   hotels in Cape Town 🍽 The best   restaurants in the Cape Winelands

Alicia Erickson  is a travel writer based in Cape Town.   A t Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our  editorial guidelines  and check out our latest  travel guides  written by local experts.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

The best safaris near Cape Town

1.  aquila private game reserve.

At just over two hour's drive from the city, Aquila Private Game Reserve has earned a name for itself as a top safari experience near Cape Town. Whether you opt for a day trip or book a couple of nights, you can take a traditional safari in an off-road vehicle or choose to search for the Big Five from a quad-bike. While sightings of lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo are all but guaranteed, you'll be extremely lucky to spot the elusive Cape mountain leopard. After a day of wildlife thrills, soak in the infinity pool, refuel with some traditional South African cuisine or treat yourself to a spa afternoon. Accommodation ranges from rustic digs to plush cottages.

2.  Inverdoorn Game Reserve

A Big Five game reserve located around a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Cape Town, Inverdoorn Game Reserve is a wild escape into the arid plains of the vast, desert-like Karoo region. A home to lions, elephants, giraffe, zebras, hippos and wildebeest, Inverdoorn also hosts a cheetah rescue and rehabilitation centre. This conservation-focused establishment offers an opportunity to disconnect in the wilderness while searching for some of South Africa’s most exciting creatures. Rest your head in cosy, tented camps and relax in a pool with views over the veld and golden mountains on the horizon.

3.  Melozhori Private Game Reserve

This 2300-hectare predator-free wilderness is two hours from Cape Town, just off the highway to the ever-popular garden Route. Offering a choice of exclusive-use accommodation options, choose between contemporary pod houses to luxury treehouses offering idyllic romantic hideaways. The Lodge is a more lavish and exclusive option offering four expansive suites and a fully-catered experience.

Wherever you choose to stay, spend your days exploring Melozhori Private Game Reserve at your leisure. Because it’s predator-free – although elusive Cape leopards have been captured by camera traps here – you can hike, bike and walk in safety, while keeping an eye out for the 129 bird species and 38 species of game that call the reserve home. In the evening, you might be lucky enough to spot black-backed jackal and bat-eared foxes. If you’d rather not go it alone, guided nature drives are available.

4.  !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre

Less than an hour from Cape Town along the R27 ‘West Coast’ road, the !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre offers a fascinating insight into the history and culture of the San people of southern Africa, and the recent addition of luxury cottages and cabins has made it a perfect weekend escape.

But alongside the cultural insights you can also enjoy a ‘safari-lite’ experience here, with the 850-hectare reserve home to herds of eland, springbok, zebra, wildebeest and other small game. There’s plenty of birdlife too – keep a keen eye out for Yellow-billed kites and Jackal buzzards – and with no predators on the reserve you can happily hike, bike and run without worrying about toothy residents. Just keep an eye out for snakes. Or sign up for the 90-minute nature drives led by local guides, who will share the history of the reserve on an entertaining ramble that delivers superb views of the wild west coast.

5.  Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Stretching across 58 000 hectares, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is a pristine and unparalleled experience in the South African wilderness. A three-and-a-half-hour drive from Cape Town – taking in the stunning scenery of the R62 tourist route along the way – will get you to Sanbona, situated in the rugged and beautiful valley of the Little Karoo, just outside Montagu. Treat yourself to a weekend of wildlife viewings rooted in conservation, while unwinding in luxury safari tents or manor houses among the still plains. Elephants, lions and giraffes are all in the mix when you’re on a nature walk or a safari drive through the rolling hills and dramatic rock formations. If you fancy tracking down some visual wonders that are even easier to locate, the stargazing here is also pretty spectacular.

6.  Gondwana Private Game Reserve

Situated along the Garden Route in Mossel Bay, Gondwana Private Game Reserve is a little further from Cape Town (a four-and-a-half-hour drive), but certainly worth the journey if time is on your side. Eco-friendly camps and villas ooze luxury safari aesthetic, while also blending into the fybos-clad hills. From spotting elephants wandering the reserve and lions napping in the sun to learning about the native fynbos species and searching for sunbirds, falcons and cranes on a bird-centric safari, a weekend at Gondwana promises to be a wild ride.

7.  Nuwejaars Wetlands

No visit to the Western Cape is complete without a trip to Cape Agulhas, the southern tip of Africa. And on the Agulhas Plains hardy winemakers make full use of the ancient soils and cooling sea winds to craft remarkable Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Pinot Noir. But after a tasting at Black Oystercatcher Wines, be sure to book a guided nature drive through the nearby Nuwejaars Wetlands .

This remarkable conservation project has seen 25 landowners, and the historic mission village of Elim, work together to conserve over 46 000 hectares of delicate wetlands in the region. Guided morning and afternoon nature drives allow travellers to discover this unique conservation area, where you can spot eland, buffalo, bontebok and hartebeest, while the deeper wetlands are home to thriving pods of hippopotamus. Twitcher? The Nuwejaars wetlands are home to more than 200 species, including rare Southern black korhaan and Secretary bird.

8.  Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve embodies the meaning of ‘where the mountains meet the sea.’ Throw some forests into the equation, and you’ve got a spectacular eco-reserve. Just over two hours from Cape Town, Grootbos transports its guests deep into nature and offers an experience that’s notably different from a typical safari weekend. Set out from the elegant accommodation on a botanical walk to learn about endangered plants, look for over 20 species of mammal (including many types of antelope) and don’t forget to keep an eye out for whales appearing along the coast.

9.  Watch whales in Hermanus

Hermanus is one of the most popular tourist towns in the Western Cape's Overberg region, as famous for its seafront restaurants and clifftop walk as the annual visitors that flock here each winter. Whale watching is what brings the crowds, as Southern Right whales arrive to mate and calve from June through to November. You can spot them from the clifftop paths or join a boat tour and spend a day getting up close to these mighty marine mammals. Kayak tours offer another thrilling opportunity to see whales – and sometimes dolphins and seals – from the water.

10.  Goudkop Bush Camp

This low-key wildlife destination is found two hours north of Cape Town, close to the famous beaches of Elands Bay. Goudkop Bush Camp is a quiet cattle and sheep farm on Skrik van Rondom Farmstall, set in the heart of the Sandveld Nature Reserve. Stay in a thatched roof hut tucked into the slopes of the valley, hike along rocky trails, and look for kudu, eland and zebra and other wildlife on a game drive, or simply unwind and do nothing in this slice of nature. The on-site restaurant and farm shop will keep you happily fed and watered during your stay.

[image] [title]

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising

Cape Town Tours & Trips

• Choose from 100+ Cape Town tours
• 500+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
• 24/7 customer support

The best Cape Town tour packages

Compiled by

Melissa Cape Town travel expert at TourRadar

2 day Botlierskop Garden Route Glamping and Whale Coast Safari with Private transfers

The best wine tasting day tour, whale watching and penguin tour & private exclusive transfer, 3-day big five safari near cape town, private exclusive wine tasting experience in the cape winelands, garden route & addo group adventure - 6 days, 7 day garden route, cape point and winelands combo, 5-day group garden route & addo adventure tour (one-way), 3 day big 5 & bungy safari tour (return), customized cape town exploration, daily departure & private trip.

“The tour was very nice and very well organized.” francesca, traveled in January 2017

• Seasonal Hermanus land-based whale watching
• Go off-the-beaten track on a guided horseback safari
• Spot some of Africa's Big Five on a 4x4 safari

• Food & Culinary
• Christmas & New Year
• Enjoy wine and chocolate pairings in Stellenbosch
• Explore hidden gems in South African wines
• Discover Spice Route's craft brewery and tastings

• Explore Betty's Bay Penguin Colony
• Enjoy a premium wine tasting and cheese
• Return to Cape Town with scenic views

• Spot nocturnal wildlife on a twilight drive
• Enjoy a welcome drink at Aquila Lodge
• Explore Big Five on an afternoon safari

• Enjoy a gourmet cheese platter
• Discover Franschhoek's French charm
• Explore historic Stellenbosch town

“Loved the tour.” Simone Jarrett, traveled in January 2024

• Winner Tour of the Year Award 2019 - South Africa
• Spot colonies endangered penguins
• Relax in the seaside town of Hermanus

“Well organized in terms of scheduling and with nice accomodations, in particular the ones in Oudtshoorn and Addo.” Riccardo Giorgi, traveled in August 2023

• Sightseeing
• Wine tasting
• This combo package consists of different guided tours and unguided free-time to explore Cape Town on your own.
• Wine tasting on the world's longest wine route; the Route 62.
• Head deep underground to the illuminated wonder world of the Cango Caves

“The lodges/hostels we stayed at were great offering us every night a different local meal. I definitely recommend this tour!” Kim Scarpelli, traveled in June 2023

• Wildlife Trekking
• Visit Tsitsikamma Park's forests and coastlines
• Spot elephants in Addo Elephant National Park
• Taste wines on Route 62, the longest wine route

“The views driving around were amazing! I definitely recommend this tour.” Sarah Inglis, traveled in May 2022

• Visit the Elephant Sanctuary in Garden Route
• Go bungy Jumping in Knysna
• Cage dive with crocodiles in Oudtshroon

• Take a stroll through the streets of Cape Town to immerse yourself in local culture
• Visit Cape Peninsula to get up close with African penguins and seals
• Climb Table Mountain to overlook the whole Cape Town

Discover TourRadar