Few cities on earth sit in a setting like this — Table Mountain rising straight out of the Atlantic, beaches on one side, vineyards on the other. After the early mornings and dust of the bush, Cape Town is where a South Africa journey exhales: long lunches, sea air and some of the best food and wine anywhere.
An hour east lie the Cape Winelands — Stellenbosch and Franschhoek — where 300-year-old estates pour world-class vintages beneath the mountains. Most of our South Africa journeys pair three or four nights here with the Sabi Sand: Big Five in the morning, fine dining by the weekend.
Highlights of Cape Town & the Winelands
Table Mountain
Ride the cableway or hike up — the view over the city and both oceans is unmatched.
The Cape Peninsula
A day’s drive past Camps Bay and Chapman’s Peak to the penguins at Boulders Beach and Cape Point.
The Winelands
Stellenbosch and Franschhoek — historic estates, tastings and celebrated restaurants.
Robben Island & history
The ferry to Nelson Mandela’s former prison, guided by former inmates.
Recommended lodges & camps in Cape Town & the Winelands
Where you stay shapes your whole safari. These are properties we know personally and return to again and again — chosen for their location, their guiding and the way they make you feel. Tell us which appeal and we’ll build your journey around them.
Victoria & Alfred Hotel
A converted 1904 warehouse in the heart of the V&A Waterfront — harbor and Table Mountain views, with the shops, restaurants and boat departures of the Waterfront on your doorstep.
Ellerman House
A relais of just 13 rooms above the Atlantic with South Africa's finest private art collection and a legendary wine gallery.
The Silo
Glass-pillowed suites above the Zeitz MOCAA museum — the city's most striking hotel, steps from the waterfront.
La Residence
Theatrical suites amid vineyards and mountains — the place to slow down for two nights of long lunches and cellar visits.
These are a few of our favorites — we work with many more across every price point. Have a specific lodge in mind? Tell us in your enquiry and we’ll secure it.
Know before you go
The practical details we handle for you — flights, entry, health and money — summarized here so nothing surprises you. Requirements can change, so we confirm everything when you book.
Getting there from the USA
United and Delta fly nonstop from Newark and Atlanta to Cape Town (about 15 hours), or connect through Johannesburg. From the Sabi Sand reserves it is a two-hour scheduled flight.
Visas & entry
US citizens visit South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days; passport valid six months beyond travel with at least two blank pages. New from July 2026: all travelers entering or leaving South Africa must submit a free online SARS traveller declaration (sars.gov.za or the SATMS app) within 24 hours before their final flight — we send you the link and walk you through it.
Complete the SARS declaration ↗Health
Cape Town and the Winelands are malaria-free — no prophylaxis needed for this leg. Tap water is safe to drink.
Money & tipping
The US dollar goes far against the rand. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; tipping is at your discretion — around 10–15% in restaurants.
Best time to visit
Cape summer — warm, dry beach and vineyard weather. December–January is peak season.
Shoulder months — mild, quieter and beautiful light. Whales appear from July to November.
Planning & cost
Usually three to four nights within a South Africa journey from $7,500 per person all-inclusive.
Fly into Cape Town International (CPT). The city pairs naturally with the Sabi Sand — a two-hour direct flight — and with a beach finish in Mauritius or Mozambique.
Every journey is private, all-inclusive and tailor-made — your own guide and vehicle, the finest lodges, and a specialist on call throughout.
Continue exploring
Cape Town & the Winelands FAQs
Three to four nights is right for most travelers — enough for Table Mountain, the Peninsula and a full day in the Winelands without rushing.
Most guests finish with Cape Town — it eases you back toward home comforts after the bush, and flight timings from the reserves work in that direction. Either order works.
The areas our guests stay and tour — the V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay, the Peninsula and the Winelands — are well established and visited by millions each year. We arrange private transfers and guides throughout, and share the same common-sense advice we would for any major city.
Let’s design your Cape Town & the Winelands journey.
Tell us how you like to travel and our experts will craft your private, tailor-made itinerary — no obligation.
Enquire now