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5 days - Cape Town, the Peninsula and the winelands

Cape Town, the Peninsula and the winelands

Five days in Cape Town, from the city tour and Table Mountain to a full day on the Cape Peninsula and a helicopter flight to the wine country.

1 Country
1 Stop
4 Nights
Medium to Luxury Service level
  • The storyThe headline tells the journey in a few lines, one after another.
  • At a glanceThe figures beneath it are the essential facts of the trip.

The journey

When to go

Cape Town weather
Cape Winelands
Cape Town weather Cape Winelands Avoid
January Primary window

Warm, dry and sunny; the south-easter can blow and the Table Mountain cableway pauses in strong wind. Hot, dry days; tastings are best in the morning and under the oaks at midday.

Warm, windy Hot, dry

The route

Cape Town
01

South Africa

Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula and a helicopter day to the wine country, returning to Cape Town each night.

Upon arrival in Cape Town, you’ll be greeted at the airport by an Iconic Expeditions representative and taken to your city accommodation. You’ll have the afternoon and evening to spend at your leisure, with our team only too happy to make restaurant recommendations and reservations.
We’ll spend today immersing ourselves in the beauty of Cape Town today with a half-day city tour and an afternoon cableway ride to Table Mountain for a bird’s eye view of the city. Your half-day Cape Town tour includes visits to the South African Museum, the beautiful Company Gardens, the parliament buildings, city hall, and the Castle of Good Hope. You’ll then head into the colourful streets of multicultural Bo-Kaap, where you’ll visit local landmarks including Signal Hill, Green Market Square, and Clifton. You’ll even have a chance to visit one of the local diamond factories. After your city tour is complete, you’ll board the scenic Table Mountain Cableway for a ride to the top of Cape Town’s most well-known landmark, from where you’ll have a spectacular view of the city.
We’ll head out after breakfast today for a full day exploring the stunning Cape Peninsula. Your day is one packed with isolated beaches, unspoiled landscapes, quaint villages, and the unique wildlife that makes the region so popular. Our day starts with the idyllic beaches of Clifton & Camps Bay before we head over to the bustling fishing town of Hout Bay. While here, you’ll take a boat out to Seal Island to spend a little time observing the playful mammals that lend the island their name. A visit to Cape Point to see firsthand where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet is our next stop en route to the highlight of the day: the penguin colony of Simon’s Town! These adorable birds call the nearby Boulders Beach home, and you’ll get a chance to see them up close. We’ll then make our way back towards Cape Town, breaking up the drive with a visit to the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens to stretch your legs and snap a few photos. Set at the foot of Devil’s Peak Mountain, it’s an absolutely gorgeous spot and well worth the visit. We’ll return to Cape Town in time for dinner.
We’re going on a wine tour with a difference today, as you’ll take a helicopter flight all the way to the beating heart of South Africa’s world-famous wine country! Soaring over the patchwork of landscapes sprawled out beneath you is the ideal way to start a day of world-class wine and delicious gourmet food in the twin wine towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. After a day of fine wine and fine dining, a private car will bring you back to Cape Town for a hearty dinner and a night’s rest.
After breakfast, an Iconic Expeditions vehicle will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the airport for your onward travel.

The detail

About this trip

Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, cosmopolitan Cape Town is a bustling cultural gem where countless cultures combine into one fascinating melting pot. A trip to Cape Town combines the city's glittering nightlife and world-class luxury accommodations with the natural beauty of places like Table Mountain, the spectacular Cape Peninsula, and nearby wine regions. This 5-Day Cape Town tour takes you to see the very best that the Mother City of Africa has to offer.

What is included

  • Cape Town City Tour – historic landmarks, Bo-Kaap & Signal Hill
  • Table Mountain – aerial cableway with panoramic views
  • Cape Peninsula – Hout Bay, Cape Point & Boulders Beach penguins
  • Kirstenbosch Gardens – scenic botanical landscapes
  • Winelands by Helicopter – exclusive flight & wine tastings

 

What is not included

  • International flights (From/ home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Increase in taxes and/or fees for parks set by the government
  • Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

How does the 5-day Cape Town itinerary work for getting around?
Everything is based in Cape Town. On day 1 an Iconic Expeditions representative greets you at the airport and takes you to your city accommodation. Days 2 and 3 are a half-day city tour with a cableway ride and a full-day Cape Peninsula tour. On day 4 you fly by helicopter to the winelands, and a private car brings you back to Cape Town. On day 5 a vehicle takes you to the airport.
When is the best time for Cape Town and the winelands?
January to April and October to December score highest, with warm, dry and settled weather, clear light over Table Bay and the winelands at their best. Harvest is in full swing in February and March. May and September are alternatives. June to August is cold and wet, when the cableway and boat trips are more often cancelled and helicopter flights can be grounded.
What does a typical day look like on this Cape Town trip?
Day 2 is a half-day city tour followed by an afternoon cableway ride up Table Mountain. Day 3 is a full day on the Cape Peninsula, starting at Clifton and Camps Bay, with a boat trip to Seal Island, Cape Point, the penguins at Boulders Beach and Kirstenbosch, returning in time for dinner. Day 4 is a helicopter flight to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek for wine and gourmet food.
What can be adjusted on the Cape Town itinerary?
The helicopter flight and cableway depend on the weather, and in the cold, wet months it helps to keep days flexible and use the gaps between fronts. Day 1 afternoon and evening are at leisure, and the team can recommend and book restaurants. Tell us your departure time so the day 5 airport pick-up fits. Dates are confirmed in your proposal.
Can you combine more than one country in a single trip?
Yes. Many of our journeys cross borders, for example Botswana with Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, or Cape Town with a safari and the Falls. Tell us the places you have in mind through the enquiry form and we will plan the route and transfers as one itinerary.
What meals are included on safari?
Meals depend on the camp or lodge and are set out in your itinerary. On safari they are usually taken at camp, with a picnic or packed meal on some days. Tell us about any dietary needs when you enquire.
Do I need vaccinations or medication before an African safari?
Health requirements depend on where you are travelling from and where you are going, and they change. Check your country's official travel health advice or TravelHealthPro (travelhealthpro.org.uk), and see a travel clinic well before you depart. Ask about malaria prevention early.
What should I pack for an African safari?
Lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs helps against sun and insects, in neutral colours. Bring comfortable closed shoes (boots if you will walk), a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards. Your itinerary lists any luggage limits for charter flights.
How do I stay safe on safari?
Your guides brief you on how to behave around wildlife. Follow their instructions, stay in the vehicle or camp area as told, and never approach or disturb animals. Conditions differ by country and change over time, so check your government's current travel advice before you book and again before you travel.

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Field notes

The practical detail that decides whether a trip runs smoothly.

Table Mountain cableway

The cableway runs only when the weather allows. Strong wind or cloud can close it, so keep day 2 flexible and ask us for the next available slot.

Cape Peninsula day

The route runs from Clifton and Camps Bay to Hout Bay, with a boat trip to Seal Island, then Cape Point, the Boulders Beach penguins and Kirstenbosch. Rough seas can cancel the boat.

Helicopter flight

Flights depend on wind and visibility. If the weather is poor, we move the day or arrange a drive to the wine country.

Wine tasting

Tell us about dietary needs before the day. Spit buckets are normal practice at tastings, and you can buy bottles directly from the cellars.

What to wear

Cape Town weather changes quickly. Pack layers, a windproof jacket and sunscreen.

Plan this journey

Make this trip your own

Every journey is planned around your dates and your party. Tell us who is travelling and when, and a specialist will come back with a tailored itinerary and a quote. Payment is by invoice.

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