Best of the Western Cape

This vibrant city begs to be explored and three nights is the perfect amount of time to uncover its captivating charm and stunning surroundings. Known as the ‘Mother City’, Cape Town boasts an enchanting culture and intriguing past; take a city tour and experience it for yourself, and head to Robben Island to shine a light on the history of the apartheid.

There’s simply no ignoring the breathtaking beauty of the landscape that surrounds Cape Town. For an incredible view that looks out over the city and the vast Atlantic Ocean, hike or take the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway to the top of Table Mountain. Just outside of the city, you’ll find the rugged cliffs and crashing waves of Cape Point. Why not take a tour and uncover the area’s fynbos vegetation and stunning wildlife?

En route back to the city, you might choose to stop at historic Simon’s Town and discover its beautiful buildings and Boulder’s Beach, home to a colony of African Penguins.

After spending your days exploring this magnificent city, we suggest staying at the Table Bay Hotel, sat at the heart of the Victoria & Albert Waterfront.

Two hours drive along the coast from Cape Town, at the heart of the Cape Whale Coast sits Hermanus. This quaint fishing town has so much to offer and we recommend spending two nights here to take it all in.

With the Atlantic Ocean stretching out from its shoreline, Hermanus is the perfect spot to relax, watch the waves crashing against the rocks, and spot the abundant marine life. This is one of the best whale watching destinations in the world, so setting off on a whale watching tour is a must while you’re here, or perhaps you’d rather take to the water by kayak and get up close to these majestic creatures. For thrill seekers, the area also offers the opportunity to see another of the ocean’s giants: sharks. Get closer than you thought possible, with only the bars of a cage separating you.

There’s plenty to experience back on dry land too. Soak up the South African sun as you relax on the town’s stunning beaches or wander along the cliff path, gazing out over Walker Bay and the frolicking whales that call the water home. Explore the town’s history and learn more about the whales its renowned for by visiting the Old Harbour, Whale House and Photographic Museums.

As evening draws in, sample Hermanus’ selection of great restaurants, serving up exceptional food. During your stay in Hermanus, we recommend the elegant Marine Hotel for its cliff path location overlooking the beautiful blue water of Walker Bay.

Set within the low lying expanse of Little Karoo, the malaria-free Sanbona Wildlife Reserve boasts remote and authentic bush adventures set amongst a beautiful landscape. Rugged terrain, a touch of tranquility and an array of flora and fauna awaits. With its elegant buildings and indiginous gardens, we recommend staying at Tilney Manor, but it's the spectacular wildlife that steals the show here, as well as the San rock art that dates back over 3,500 years.

Go in search of the mighty Big Five and see the majestic animals from another perspective as you cruise along the impressive Bellair Dam on a boat safari. Look out for buffalos, lions, leopards, rhinos and elephants, as well as a spectacular variety of birdlife. Head out on a game drive through Sanbona Wildlife Reserve and travel through three different biomes and an array of habitats, including the quartz fields of the succulent Karoo.

Travel to Cape Winelands, a region of hills and mountains adorned with endless vineyards. As well as offering world renowned wines, Cape Winelands boasts a rich cultural heritage and an abundance of natural beauty. We suggest spending two nights here in the Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, a tranquil haven that makes a perfect base from which to explore the stunning region.

Amongst the mountain vistas and wineries sits Cape Winelands’ charming towns. Stellenbosch, a town at the heart of the region’s wine industry, waits with an infectiously friendly atmosphere and a bounty of shops and art galleries to explore. A short drive away, you’ll find Franschhoek. This charming town is full of the classic Cape Dutch architecture that dots Cape Winelands’ streets and is renowned for its food scene, making it the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch.

Surrounded by such spectacular vineyards, no trip to Cape Winelands is complete without sampling some of the local wines. Ride the hop-on-hop-off Franschhoek Wine Tram and explore Franschhoek Valley’s wineries and cuisine, and tour the local wine estates and sample their produce.