Our Team
Our Tour Experts
Heroes and Heroines
Robben Island
Visit this former prison, now a museum telling the story of the struggle against Apartheid.
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![Amy Waters snow biking]()
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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![William Dalrymple]()
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.
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![Liz Bonnin]()
Heroes and Heroines
The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
The Atlantic Coast, Cederberg and Winelands
Experience the diversity of South Africa’s Western Cape. Begin with the bustle and history of Cape Town, before continuing to the endless beaches of the windswept Atlantic seaboard and majestic beauty of the Cederberg Mountains. Finish amidst the vineyards of the winelands.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
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Wolfgat Restaurant
Dine at this award-winning restaurant, famed for its use of local ingredients.
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Rock Art
Visit the ancient rock art sites that litter the rock faces of the Cederberg Mountains.
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Namaqualand Daisies
Walk through these beautiful meadows of wildflowers, which bloom between August and September.
Why we like it
This journey encompasses the best of the Western Cape, showcasing a quieter, more authentic side to South Africa. As an alternative to the more commonly suggested Garden Route, this trip excels – offering the same wonderful gastronomy and scenery, but with a wilder twist that is brought by the rugged mountains and windswept Atlantic coast.
And, during August and September, there is the added appeal of the spectacular Namaqualand daisies – wildflowers that carpet the landscape in vibrant colours.
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Days 1-4
Cape Town
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Day 5
Cape Town - Paternoster
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Day 6
Paternoster
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Day 7
Paternoster - Cederberg
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Day 8
Cederberg
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Day 9
Cederberg - Cape Winelands
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Days 10-11
Cape Winelands
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Day 13
Cape Winelands - Cape Town
Days 1-4
Cape Town
Robben Island
Visit this former prison, now a museum telling the story of the struggle against Apartheid.
Day 5
Cape Town - Paternoster
Day 6
Paternoster
Wolfgat Restaurant
Dine at this award-winning restaurant, famed for its use of local ingredients.
Day 7
Paternoster - Cederberg
Rock Art
Visit the ancient rock art sites that litter the rock faces of the Cederberg Mountains.
Day 8
Cederberg
Namaqualand Daisies
Walk through these beautiful meadows of wildflowers, which bloom between August and September.
Day 9
Cederberg - Cape Winelands
Days 10-11
Cape Winelands
Day 13
Cape Winelands - Cape Town
More details
Cape Town
Friendly and welcoming, Cape Town is a city you can’t help but love. 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 explore the busy V&A Waterfront for a taste of Cape Town’s vibrant gastronomy.
To the south of the city are the picturesque golden beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay. Take a kayak trip to Seal Island, visit the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach or swim with Cape fur seals.
Paternoster
Leave the city for the scenic drive along the Atlantic seaboard. Stop at the West Coast National Park to see the pink flamingos and walk the boardwalks over salty lagoons. Further on, the quiet, traditional fishing village of Paternoster, replete with whitewashed houses and brightly painted boats, serves as an ideal base for the next few days.
Here, get out and about on a quad bike or horse, or an early morning kayaking trip to the penguin colony. There are many guided hiking trails and wine tasting can be done in nearby Darling. In the months of spring (August/September), the local area is carpeted by the bright colours of the Namaqualand daisies.
The Cederberg Mountains
Drive inland to Clanwilliam and through the flower fields of the Western Cape, then beyond into the rugged Cederberg Mountains. Seemingly erupting from the surrounding plateau, these mountains take their name from the cedar trees that once grew on their slopes – until colonists realised their suitability for building houses.
Stay in the private Bushmans Kloof Reserve, exploring the numerous hiking trails, visiting rock art sites and taking nature drives. Cape mountain zebras, elands, oryx, aardwolves and red hartebeests are all found here.
If the rain falls, the smell of rooibos will fill the air. The Cederberg is the home of this famous South African plant, from which the bark is stripped to make tea.
The Cape Winelands
Leave for a scenic drive through the fertile citrus valleys and fruit basket of South Africa, to the northern reaches of the Cape Winelands and the historic town of Tulbagh with its Cape Dutch townhouses.
Continue through the Bains Kloof Pass into the wine-growing regions of Stellenbosch and Wellington, your final destination. The quiet town of Wellington, on the banks of the Kromme, offers walks and horse rides into the valleys, as well as numerous opportunities to sample local food and drink.
Taste Italian mozzarella at Buffalo Ridge, sip organic wine at the Upland Estate, buy Swiss goat’s cheese at Foxenburg and sample Tuscan-inspired olive oil made by Reni Hildebran.
Accommodation
Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.
Twelve Apostles Hotel £££££
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City
A five-star, boutique hotel, The Twelve Apostles is dramatically poised on the slopes of the Twelve Apostles mountain range, just outside the hustle and bustle of Cape Town. The only hotel on this stretch of the mountainside, it has breath-taking views over the Atlantic Ocean and is the perfect location for Cape Town’s magical sunsets. The Twelve Apostles hotel has rooms to suit everyone and a host of friendly staff – who are very keen to ensure you remember your stay for all the right reasons. The free-flowing layout, set against the mountainside, enhances a feeling of homeliness. With plenty of small areas to find utter privacy, it is perfect for couples and families alike.
Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel £££££
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Boutique
Lying on the edge of quaint Paternoster, Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel looks out towards the Atlantic, with the windswept beach beginning metres in front of its ocean-facing suites. Formed from a cluster of whitewashed buildings, this relaxed hotel is perfectly located for exploring the west coast.
Grand Dedale £££££
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Boutique
An elegant upmarket country house, Grand Dédale is located in the Western Cape Winelands close to the town of Wellington at the foot of the scenic Bainskloof Pass. Set in the exclusive 380 hectares Doolhof Wine Estate, Grand Dédale offers stunning views of the valley as well as the Groenberg, Limietberge and Haweka 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 $2,590 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 set us apart. So too our curiosity. 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 once again?
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