So, you’ve been to Cape Town and explored Table Mountain, got sunburnt on Camps Bay beach, eaten your way through Bree Street, visited the Silo and drunk wine in Constantia… And now you’re back – and ready for some new (and envy-inducing) excursions! Luckily for you, we’ve compiled this handy list of 10 of the Best Day Trips from Cape Town. Some of them are obvious choices, others less so, but all are within two hours of the Mother City and perfect for a leisurely day trip.
1. Swim with the penguins at Boulders Beach
Viewing the famous African penguin colony up-close is a must for visitors to the Mother City and if you missed out on your first trip, make a day of it the second time around. Even the drive alone is worth it! Head through Camps Bay, Hout Bay, the picturesque Constantia Valley, then Muizenberg before stopping for coffee and a pastry at the iconic Olympia Café in Kalk Bay. The penguins await just past the quaint village of Simon’s Town (also worth a visit) and you’ll find them chilling on Boulders Beach, completely unfazed by the human visitors – and more than happy to swim with them! In season, the beach gets quite busy, so make sure to get there early or walk right to the end of the main beach and climb through the rocks to reach the less-crowded alcoves…
2. Be wowed by the views at Cape Point
Cape Point may not be the southernmost point of Africa (that honour actually goes to Cape Agulhas, a little further along the coast) but it’s still a spectacular sight. Walk up to the top of the Old Lighthouse for exhilarating views over the Cape of Good Hope, then take the Flying Dutchman funicular back down. Feeling energetic? Tackle the 1.5-hour hike to the New Lighthouse or descend onto Diaz Beach, an unspoiled paradise of glistening white sand at the base of 200-metre high cliffs. But wherever you go, lock your car doors – the region’s infamous and rather bold baboons are always looking for their next snack! Two Oceans Restaurant is a lovely spot for lunch, or you could head to Noordhoek and the wonderful Foodbarn Restaurant before driving back to Cape Town along the fabulously beautiful Chapman’s Peak.
3. Wine-taste to your heart’s delight in Robertson
Located in the shadow of the majestic Langeberg mountains, with the pretty Breede River as its life blood, Robertson is the unofficial start of Route 62 and the Garden Route. The area is known for its many wine farms – and the best way to explore them is during the Wine on the River festival (26-28 October 2018) or Wacky Wine Weekend (7-9 June 2019). Much more than just wine tastings, these events are a coming-together of the region’s top wine farms, with plenty of activities for the whole family. In fact, there is so much to do that you might want to consider making a full weekend of it – and the best place to rest your head following a wine-fuelled day is the rather wonderful Robertson Small Hotel.
4. Experience the fabulous flower season in Darling
Come spring, the Cape West Coast’s floral plains explode into kaleidoscopic carpets of rainbow colours. It is arguably the greatest flower show on earth and one of the top spots to witness the spectacle is the Darling Renosterveld Reserve. The best time to admire the 1,200 species in bloom (a whopping 80 of which are endemic to the Western Cape) is in August and September, and budding horticulturists should time a visit with the annual, century-old Darling Wildflower Show in mid-September – ideally followed by a thirst-quenching craft beer tasting at the award-winning Darling Brewery.
5. Dine out in Paternoster
Reminiscent of a Greek fishing village, the quaint beach town of Paternoster is a popular weekend getaway for Capetonians who rate its undisputed foodie prowess. Unsurprisingly, seafood is the order of the day and there’s no better place for a taste of the sea than at Kobus van der Merwe’s iconic Wolfgat restaurant. A forager in the truest sense of the word, the passionate chef only takes 20 diners per sitting (booking is a must) for what he describes as a lengthy “eating journey”. Expect to be blown away by the regionally inspired seven-course menu, which features the likes of seaweed, seasonal veldkos, and whatever Kobus handpicks on the day. Too full to move? Save yourself the drive home and check into the glamorous Abalone House and Spa instead.
6. Go whale watching in the Overberg
The Overberg is renowned as one of the most thrilling whale-watching spots in the world – and Hermanus is its poster child. Experience an up-close and personal encounter with Southern Right Whales on a boat-based whale watching tour, or amble along the famous Cliff Path to Grotto Beach instead. For a chance to catch the “gentle giants” of the sea away from the madding crowd, head to nearby Onrus Beach and gaze out to sea, then quell your hunger pangs at Milkwood Restaurant. A short drive the other way, you’ll encounter the charming country town of Stanford, which is jam-packed with exhilarating outdoor activities. If planning ahead, make sure to reserve a table at Mariana’s – South Africa’s best country kitchen books up weeks in advance.
7. Eat and drink your way through the Hemel-en-Aarde
The ridiculously scenic Hemel-en-Aarde (“Heaven and Earth) Valley just outside Hermanus is one of the Western Cape’s lesser-known wine regions, yet one of its most beautiful. Think winding roads, soaring mountains and world-class wine. Our exploration of the Hemel-en-Aarde will introduce you to the valley’s cool climate wines, in particular Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, followed by lunch at the picturesque Creation Estate, also known for its innovative wine tastings (wine and chocolate pairing anyone?). In the afternoon, you’ll sabrage your own bottle of bubbles from the region’s only MCC-producer, Domaine des Dieux – it’s all in a day’s work!
8. Horse about in Tulbagh
Penguins, whales – and horses?! The Western Cape is an animal-lover’s paradise and the rural village of Tulbagh is the place to go to for a spot of gentle horse-riding. Book with Horse About Trails, who offer exciting horseback adventures in the scenic Witzenberg Valley, and choose from leisurely 1.5-hour meanders to more strenuous rides, or even the popular Moonlight Trail. Never been on a horse? Fear not – the experienced team caters for all levels and the horses are as friendly and patient as can be. If you’re totally hooked (and we wouldn’t blame you) book a room at the The Tulbagh Hotel – and then get straight back in the saddle the following day.
9. Zip and sip in the Elgin Highlands
Calling all adrenaline junkies! This gravity-defying zipline canopy tour in the Elgin Valley is sure to drive your heart rate up a notch or two. The experience involves soaring through the trees on 320-metre long slides surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, a previously inaccessible World Heritage Site. Once back on solid ground you’ll no doubt be thirsty – which is when you’ll find out why we are calling this experience “Zip and Sip”… Following lunch in a cosy country restaurant, your guide will take you for a well-deserved wine tasting of the cool-climate wines the area is famous for.
10. Discover the secrets of Swartland
Chances are you will have visited Stellenbosch and Franschhoek during your first trip to the Western Cape – now it’s time for something more offbeat. A well-known farming community 50 kilometres north of Cape Town, Swartland is still a bit of a mystery to most – which is where our Secretive Swartland tour comes in. You’ll be picked up by a private guide who will introduce you to some of the wonderfully eccentric winemakers who give the region its unique touch, and then help you explore the cellars and vineyards of some of the top estates. There is wine to be tasted (of course!), plus a home-cooked South African lunch and even a spot of shopping.
