Things to do in

Cape Winelands

Depart Cape Town by coach and head directly to the Franschhoek valley to join the Franschhoek hop-on hop-off wine tram and bus. The Franschhoek Wine Tram offers a choice of two hop-on hop-off lines (Orange or Purple) to choose from, operating in opposite directions. Each route visits eight wine estates showcasing a separate part of the Franschhoek Valley, including Noble Hill, Babylonstoren, Backsberg, Vrede & Lust, Plaisir de Merle, Allee Bleue, Boschendal, and Solms Delta. Realistically, you will be able to visit 5-6 estates in one day.  Enjoy transportation by a combination of tram and tram-buses around a loop. Each stop is at a different wine estate, allowing you to hop on and hop off at any of the estates. The tram or tram-buses pass each stop once an hour, so you can explore at your convenience to move from one estate to the next. Each of the lines has a wide selection of wine estates to visit, from boutique to marquee estates and each offers a unique perspective on the Franschhoek wine experience. At 4:00 PM, head back to the motor coach for your transfer back to Cape Town.

You will be picked up at your accommodation between 9:00 and 9:30 AM by a tour guide/driver in a luxury minibus and head off on an all-inclusive, full day Cape winelands tour. Follow the Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek wine route in all its splendor and enjoy lunch surrounded by vineyards. You’ll enjoy wine tasting at up to 5 wine estates, and will also visit monuments, enjoy a town orientation tour in Stellenbosch and explore the town of Franschhoek. Travel along the scenic N2 and stop at DeMorgenzon wine estate in Stellenbosch for the first wine tasting of the day. DeMorgenzon is unique in that they have musical speakers scattered across the vineyards from which soft classical music can be heard. They also produce one of the best Chenin Blanc wines in the region. From there, proceed to one of the oldest towns in South Africa, Stellenbosch, for a town orientation tour. Continue to Marianne Wine Estate in Paarl to experience biltong and taste their wines. Marianne believes that pairing different types of biltong with red wine enhances the flavors of their wines. Continue to Fairview Vineyards and Goats Cheese for a cheese and wine tasting. Purchase your favorite cheese and condiments from the deli, as well as wine from a choice of 3 ranges in the tasting room. As you follow along this route you’ll stop in front of Drakenstein Prison to see the Nelson Mandela monument. This prison is where Nelson Mandela spent his last days of incarceration before his walk to freedom. Next you’ll have a chance to explore the town of Franschhoek, known as the food and wine capital of South Africa. It is home to some of the finest restaurants and wine estates in the country. Learn about the French influence on the Cape winelands and explore a bit of the town itself. Take a break for lunch (at your own expense) and later visit the Mont Rochelle wine estate owned by Sir Richard Branson. Your last wine tasting for the day will be at Delaire Graff, known as the jewel of the Cape winelands. Afterwards, you’ll head back to Cape Town and be dropped off at your accommodation.

South Africa is known worldwide for making crowd-pleasing and award-winning wines. This half-day Winelands tour will take you to the cradle of this beautiful wine region. On the tour your guide will share with you the story of how the South African wine industry came to be. You will learn how the foundation was set by protestant refugees from France. They brought with them finely tuned and centuries old grape growing and winemaking practices. Applying these skills with immediate success in the newly established village of Stellenbosch they ultimately transformed the region into the centre of the present-day South African wine industry. You will begin your morning or afternoon tour with complimentary pick-up from your Cape Town hotel before being taken to Stellenbosch Wine Estate. There you will do a wine tasting, as well as a wine and cheese tasting. After, you will be taken on a guided tour of the charming town of Stellenbosch. It will highlight historical Dorp Street and DeBraak. Your next wine experience will be a guided cellar tour where you will take in the ambiance created by enumerable amounts of soon-to-be-wine ageing in barrels and tanks. You will then do a second wine tasting. When you have had your fill of touring and tasting you will have the chance to purchase the wine you have tasted and more. For wine enthusiasts of all levels, this outstanding tour and tasting experience cannot be missed.

Explore the “village of the oaks" with its shady oak avenues bordered by the water furrows of the Mill Stream. Admire the charm and harmony of the Cape Dutch Architecture and listen to tales about the colorful inhabitants across the four centuries of the town’s existence. Discover where Simon van der Stel, the town’s colonial founder, set up camp on the Eerste River, and where the river got its name. Perhaps you'll meet an angel at the "Angel Factory," or a ghost in the graveyard of the ”Moederkerk.” Amble The Braak, or village green, with its historical buildings surrounding it on 3 sides, and Dorp Street, the oldest residential street in South Africa. Learn about the famous graduates of Stellenbosch University, who include prime ministers and sportsmen alike. Over the course of the 1.5-hour tour, gain local insights into one of South Africa’s most historic towns.

Get your adrenaline pumping with a tandem skydive in arguably South Africa's most scenic skydiving location. Marvel at panoramic views over the Cape Peninsula and Winelands, and upgrade your experience to include hotel pickup and drop-off from Cape Town CBD for maximum convenience. Upon arrival at the local partner's skydiving center, you'll get a full safety briefing before boarding their dedicated aircraft for a 20-30 minute plane ride to altitude. Then, jump out of the plane with your tandem instructor and enjoy a thrilling freefall for 30–35 seconds. Once your instructor has deployed the parachute, float back down to the ground as they talk you through all the local viewing highlights. On solid ground, have a look through the HD video and high-quality photos produced during your skydive and, if you want, purchase them to share your memories with friends and family.

Meet your guide at Huguenot Memorial Museum in Franschhoek, a village with centuries-old vineyards and historic regional architecture. Learn how to ride your e-bike, adjust the seat post, and grab a helmet. Cycle through the countryside following picturesque trails and roads. Take in the breathtaking scenery while avoiding the main roads. Visit 2–3 wineries and cycle through vineyards, tasting wine at each spot. Take pictures of lovely Franschhoek Village and the surrounding mountains from different angles. Listen as your informative guide fills you in on the rich history of the area.

Uncork the Cape winelands and get drunk on its rich history, culture, and scenic vistas on a full-day trip with a guide who takes the terror out of terroir. Your journey begins in the Paarl wine region, famous for its cheese and wine tastings and great views. You’ll then meander to the Franschhoek wine region – a historic French enclave and granddaddy of South African viticulture with stunning mountain views. Then on to student-settled Stellenbosch for home-cloned Pinotage and award-winning farms. Also included is a delicious a la carte lunch with vegetarian options. From full-bodied tales with complex twists – like a 1688 French-run slave farm turned 21st century community driven wine project - to light and fruity fables, Bruce and his guides will keep you entertained. Travel along Cape Town's high roads and back roads tasting and learning about South Africa’s bubbly Cap Classique, heady ports, sweet dessert wines and plenty of red and white wines.

Join this guided tour to explore the 3 wine regions of Paarl, Franschhoek, and Stellenbosch. Be treated to chocolate, a wine tasting, and a cellar tour at Rheboksloof wine farm near Paarl. Drive through Paarl and then enjoy a photo stop at the Drakenstein Prison. Arrive at Franschhoek and spend some time exploring the town on your own. Enjoy lunch or indulge in an extra wine tasting. Afterward, take a scenic drive over the impressive Helshoogte Pass to the picturesque town of Stellenbosch. Have a walk around Stellenbosch before heading off to Simonsig. Take part in an afternoon wine tasting with a cheese platter at Simonsig in the Stellenbosch region before heading back to Cape Town. Your wine guide will highlight points of interest along the way and will be on hand to answer any questions you have about the route or wine farms.

Discover well-known large estates such as Spier Wine Farm which has over 300 years of history dating back to 1692. Explore smaller, privately-owned Haskell Vineyards which is the residence of many of the most famous names in South African wines. For a change of pace, visit the Van Ryn’s Brandy Distillery. Housed in a preserved chateau-like complex on the banks of the Eerste River, it is the only local producer of brandy in the region. Learn about the origins of Van Ryn’s dating back to 1845. Situated high on the slopes of the Helderberg mountain, explore Alto Estate, world-renowned for its handcrafted red wines since 1922. Get a fantastic panoramic view of the region from Kleine Zalze Lodge, which is located alongside the first fairway of De Zalze Winelands Golf Estate. Along with the awe-inspiring manor house, Neethlingshof estate is steeped in history which dates back to 1705 and is distinguished by its beautiful avenue of stone pines.  With this pass, take your time at each location, and craft an itinerary suited to your interests and schedule.

Taste the local culture with this cellar tour. All wine tastings are paired with customized cheese, chocolate and cured meats. Visit 4 different wine estates in both regions: famous farms and some hidden gems known only to locals. Learn how wine is made, how to taste wine, what foods and wines pair best, and what bottles to order at restaurants. Enjoy a delicious light lunch served in the middle of the wine lands overlooking the Franschhoek valley.  Benefit from a diverse range of wine styles, local treats of cured meats paired with selected wines, artisanal chocolate and stroll down the beautiful main road of Franschhoek.