Start your safari in Cape Town

SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town has often been recognised as one of the world’s best cities — and for us, that comes as no surprise. It has always been our preferred place to begin a safari journey, and travellers from around the world continue to agree.

Why begin in Cape Town?

Regarded as the birthplace of modern South Africa and affectionately known as the “Mother City,” it is here that the full spectrum of this colourful country can be seen. Sheltering between ocean and mountain – with a national park at its heart – Cape Town’s history is long and complex, shaped by indigenous peoples, European settlers, and African tribes – and today, its cultural blend is reflected in the food, music, art, and warmth of its people.

Starting here offers travellers something invaluable: time to catch your breath after the long-haul flight, to adjust gently to a new rhythm and climate, and to absorb the first impressions of Africa before heading into the bush. We often say that by the time you leave Cape Town, your senses are awakened and your body is attuned – you’re ready for the early morning wake-up calls of safari life.

Exploring with our local guides

Local guide extraordinaire, Garth (left) with Chris at Cape Point

Our excellent local guides take great pride in showing their “home turf” to Compass Odyssey travellers. Travelling in and around Cape Town with our premier guide, Garth is often described by our travellers as “like spending the day with a really cool professor”. His fellow guides include Craig, Jennifer and Tim and they all know Cape Town not only by its landmarks but by its living stories.

Having a private guide also means there is space for flexibility. If a change in the weather suggests a different route, something which can often happen in the”Cape of Storms”, or if you decide that penguins at Boulders Beach are more appealing than a morning in a museum, your day can easily shift. This personal touch is what makes your Compass Odyssey journey truly unique.

Virginia at the famous Boulders Beach colony of African penguins

Experiences in the “Mother City”

There is no shortage of memorable experiences to enjoy in and around Cape Town. A few of our favourites include:

• Taking the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for sweeping views across the city and ocean.

Alice with the city (and the world?) at her feet from on top of Table Mountain

• Strolling through the cobbled, colourful streets of Bo-Kaap.

Ro and Shama exploring colourful Bo-Kaap

• Driving the dramatic Chapman’s Peak route to the Cape of Good Hope.

The Jacintho Family at the Cape of Good Hope

• Spending a day among the vineyards and villages of the Cape Winelands.

The McGuane and Humphrys families exploring the Cape Winelands

• Visiting Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his imprisonment. Recently renovated, the site is a moving and powerful part of South Africa’s story.

Yet Cape Town is as much about its atmosphere as its sights. It’s in the strolls along Kloof Street under the gaze of Table Mountain, in the laughter of its people, and in the food – where cultures meet on a plate. One of our favourite places to dine is Miller’s Thumb, a long-standing local favourite where the welcome is as memorable as the seafood.

Denise and Vicky enjoying a dockside drink at the V&A Waterfront

And there is so much more to discover. When we compile your itinerary, we’ll share our extensive guide to Cape Town’s experiences, so you can enjoy the “Mother City”  the way we know and love it.

A traveller’s reflection

Lou & Lon Harnish reflected on their time in Cape Town with us, and we loved hearing how they described their journey:

“Detail orientated and truly respected by owners/managers of lodges and guides. This was my #1 bucket list trip, and I’ve wanted to go to Africa since I was 14 years old. I’m now 68. To find someone to make all your dreams come true, one needs to use Compass Odyssey. It was five days in Cape Town, a stunning city and the surrounding peninsula. Garth Angus was our guide and his wealth of knowledge of not only the history of South Africa but the flora and fauna made that trip a highlight.”

From city to safari

After a few days in Cape Town, Africa already feels familiar – the smells, the sounds, the sense of place. From here, the transition to the bush is not a leap but a natural step forward. Soon you’ll be swapping ocean sunsets for savannah horizons, and the hum of the city for the early morning calls of lions and birdsong.

Ready to Begin?

Starting in Cape Town is more than just a stopover; it’s the foundation of your journey into Africa. If this sounds like the kind of experience you’ve been dreaming about, we’d be delighted to help you plan when the time is right.