Tour overview

This 9-day journey explores the food, landscapes and wildlife of the Western Cape in boutique hotels. An expert guide travels with the group, which numbers between four and sixteen. You stay eight nights in hand-picked hotels, with breakfast and dinner daily and six lunches, and gratuities included.

After a welcome reception in Cape Town, you follow the Cape Peninsula and Chapman's Peak with expert foragers, then travel into the Winelands to discover fynbos with a botanist and stay at Le Franschhoek.

Read more

In the Little Karoo you meet farming families, cross the Swartberg Pass and walk among cactus gardens under southern skies. You stand where two oceans meet at Cape Agulhas, then spend three nights in Hermanus with a day of your choice and a cruise in search of the Marine Big Five.

The physical rating is low. This journey suits travellers who want a slow, exclusive taste of the Cape.

Trip highlights

  • A welcome reception in Cape Town (Day 1)
  • Coastal foraging (Day 2)
  • The Franschhoek Winelands (Day 3)
  • The Swartberg Pass (Day 5)
  • Cape Agulhas (Day 6)
  • A Marine Big Five cruise (Day 8)

Your route

13 stops from Cape Town to Cape Town

9-day route: Cape Town – Franschhoek – Oudtshoorn – Swartberg Pass – Cape Agulhas – Hermanus
  1. Cape Town Days 1–2
  2. Chapman's Peak Drive Day 2
  3. Cape of Good Hope Day 2
  4. Franschhoek Day 3
  5. Montagu Day 4
  6. Oudtshoorn Days 4–5
  7. De Rust Day 5
  8. Prince Albert Day 5
  9. Swartberg Pass Day 5
  10. Cape Agulhas Day 6
  11. Hermanus Days 6–8
  12. Dyer Island Day 8
  13. Cape Town Day 9

Why choose this tour

Boutique stays and exclusive experiences. Gratuities and most meals included.

Best suited to

  • Travellers who value comfort
  • Food and wine lovers
  • Nature lovers
  • Couples and solo travellers
The winding Swartberg Pass

Day-by-day itinerary

9 days from Cape Town, South Africa to Hermanus, South Africa

  1. Day 1 · Cape Town Cape Town

    A welcome reception.

    Hotel
    The Winchester Boutique Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Chapman's Peak, Cape Peninsula Cape Peninsula

    Coastal foraging.

    Hotel
    The Winchester Boutique Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Franschhoek Winelands

    Fynbos and wine.

    Hotel
    Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Klein Karoo, Oudtshoorn Little Karoo

    Cactus gardens.

    Hotel
    Rosenhof Country House
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Swartberg Pass Little Karoo

    Farming families.

    Hotel
    Rosenhof Country House
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Cape Agulhas, Hermanus Hermanus

    Where oceans meet.

    Hotel
    Harbour House Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Hermanus Hermanus

    A day of your choice.

    Hotel
    Harbour House Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Walker Bay Hermanus

    The Marine Big Five.

    Hotel
    Harbour House Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Hermanus Hermanus

    The journey ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The marina at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront

Where you stay

  • Cape Town (2 nights) The Winchester Boutique Hotel
  • Franschhoek (1 night) Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa
  • Oudtshoorn (2 nights) Rosenhof Country House
  • Hermanus (3 nights) Harbour House Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 8 nights in boutique hotels
  • Meals 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 8 dinners
  • Private transport and transfers
  • Coastal foraging and botanical experiences
  • Marine Big Five cruise
  • Gratuities for local staff
  • Expert guide throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 1 lunch
  • Drinks
  • Optional activities
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Waves breaking on the rocks at Hermanus

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a land safari
  • You want a budget trip
  • You want an active holiday
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–9 · Lunch: Days 2–6 and 8 · Dinner: Days 1–8
A vineyard beneath the mountains of Franschhoek, South Africa

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £4,716 per person, twin share, tour only. 17 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £5,252 (single supplement from £536).

Offer Reduced prices on selected dates, shown with the regular price crossed out. Book by 16 Oct.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for South Africa?

No, UK citizens can visit South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport needs two blank pages.

Are gratuities included?

Yes, gratuities for local support staff are included.

What is the Marine Big Five?

Whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and great white sharks, seen from a boat out of Hermanus.

What is the day of your choice?

You choose from township visits, whale watching or wine, booked before travel.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available on request.

How many people travel together?

Between four and sixteen travellers, with an expert guide.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £4,716
See dates & prices