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Take the cable car up Table Mountain for beautiful views of the city.
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
Cape Town, Whales and Winelands Self Drive
Explore the sights and restaurants of vibrant Cape Town, before driving to the whale-watching mecca of Hermanus. Finish by escaping inland to the Cape Dutch architecture and quiet vineyards of Franschhoek, where you have the chance to sample some of South Africa‘s finest wines.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
1
2Whale Watching
Experience some of the best land-based whale watching in the world, in Hermanus.
3Wine Tasting
Visit one of the vineyards and sample an array of fantastic South African wines.
4Gastronomy
Dine at award-winning restaurants, with cuisines ranging from traditional to contemporary.
Why we like it
For those who love food and wine, but want the option to burn off some guilt – if not that many calories – this is the perfect introduction to South Africa. By combining city, winelands and the coast, this self-drive journey showcases the best of South Africa’s cape. Distances are kept manageable and each area comes with a lengthy list of options, ranging from very relaxed to slightly more active. And, of course, the dining options are superb throughout.
Explore our suggested itinerary
- Days 1-3Cape Town
- Day 4Cape Town - Hermanus
- Days 5-6Hermanus
- Day 7Hermanus - Cape Winelands
- Days 8-9Cape Winelands
- Day 10Franschhoek - Cape Town
Now for the details
Cape Town
Spend several days exploring South Africa’s most vibrant city, staying at one of Cape Town’s beautiful boutique properties. Choose between the V&A Waterfront – the city’s famous seafront – and the wilder areas of natural beauty just outside the city.
Explore Cape Town and the surrounding area. Ascend Table Mountain by cable car for spectacular views of the city, visit Robben Island for a poignant insight into South Africa’s dark history or visit the MOCAA for a taste of modern African art.
The city is also renowned for its gastronomy, with countless restaurants and cafes. Dine out on fresh seafood, brilliant French and Indian influenced dishes or menus inspired by the gardens of the cape.
Hermanus
Leave Cape Town behind and drive a short distance to the quiet coastal town and whale-watching mecca of Hermanus. Between June and September the waters fill with migrating humpback and southern right whales, leading to some of the best land-based whale watching in the world.
Stay within walking distance of the town’s famous coastal Cliff Path. Spend time spotting whales from the clifftop path, visit the penguins of Betty’s Bay and stroll on white-sand beaches.
Away from the coast and the attractions of the ocean, explore the Fernkloof nature reserve and wander through Hermanus’ bustling market.
The Franschhoek Winelands
Drive inland to the Cape Winelands. Here, rugged mountain peaks overlook beautifully laid out vineyards that produce some of the best wine in the country. Head to quiet Franschhoek with its elegant Cape Dutch architecture, local shops and excellent restaurants.
Explore the streets of Franschhoek, as well as heading further afield. Wine-related activities abound in this iconic region, with countless vineyards to visit and a number of wine-tasting options available.
This rural location also offers the chance to get out and explore. Walk, cycle or horse-ride through the fertile valleys, which lie beneath impressive mountains.
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £2,600 Per person
When to travel
South Africa in January
A great time to visit around Cape Town and the Garden Route, as it is hot and dry. Further north in the Kruger, it is also hot, but there is a much greater chance of rainstorms.
South Africa in February
Peak season in the Cape continues, and it is often the hottest time. It is worth booking well in advance to get your preferred accommodation.
South Africa in March
It is an excellent time to visit all parts of the country, as the weather is still warm and the rain eases in the north. In the Kruger, it is lush and green after the rainy season.
South Africa in April
Visitor numbers drop, and lower temperatures make for ideal hiking conditions in the Drakensberg mountains. It is warm and dry across the country, making it a great time to explore multiple regions.
South Africa in May
A quieter time of year and a good time to visit, especially if you are not looking for balmy heat. The north and especially the Kruger enters its dry season, with cooler temperatures.
South Africa in June
Midwinter brings the rainiest time in the Cape, but it is still pleasantly mild in the day with the sun shining. The dry season in the north makes for excellent wildlife viewing as animals congregate around watering holes.
South Africa in July
Clear skies and crisp sunshine dominate in the north, as it is the driest month. It is low season so parks are generally quiet and it is easier to spot wildlife around the sparse waterholes.
South Africa in August
A fantastic time to see KwaZulu Natal as is one of the warmest places in the country at this time. In the Western Cape, it is starting to dry out in time for whale watching season.
South Africa in September
The West Coast springs into life as the flowers bloom and temperatures rise across the country. A chance to spot newborns and it is prime time for whale watching in the Cape.
South Africa in October
A great time to see both the north and south, as it is relatively dry everywhere. Flowers carpet the countryside as temperatures continue to rise.
South Africa in November
The start of the rainy season in the Kruger and the north, as temperatures heat up. Impressive thunderstorms become more regular in the afternoon. The last chance to see whales in the Cape, and a good time to see inland areas before they toast in the summer heat.
South Africa in December
Summer approaches and with it visitor numbers rise, especially in the south. If you want to travel around Christmas and New Year, you should book well in advance to secure the best spots.
Holiday Inspiration
Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise sets us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary?
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