Regarded as the birthplace of modern South Africa and affectionately known as the “Mother City”, Cape Town’s vibrant culture is reflected in its architecture, cuisine, music, arts and dance. Combine this with the maternal presence of Table Mountain, the rugged Cape Peninsula and its famous penguin colony, iconic Robben Island and the scenic Cape Winelands, and our 5-Day Explorer promises a variety of memorable experiences.
Each of the daily itineraries can be modified and are interchangeable with each other.
This is a private journey and not a group tour. It can be further customised to suit the number of days you wish to travel and can also include other destinations.
Children under 12 receive a discount.
COST INCLUDES:
COST EXCLUDES:
ACTIVITIES
TRANSPORT
WHEN TO VISIT
South Africa is blessed with one of the most temperate climates in Africa. The seasons are generally the same as in other southern hemisphere countries, with spring/summer from October to April and winter/autumn from May to September.
In Cape Town, the seasons are opposite to the safari regions. Rain and cold weather can be expected during the autumn/winter months and dry, sunny weather in spring/summer. However it is worth noting that due to its location at the southern-most tip of the continent, the weather can be quite dramatic and can pass through the region very quickly. Some of the nicest days can be experienced during winter, though it can be preceded and/or followed by wet and windy weather. The city is a very popular destination in spring and summer for both locals and international visitors, who come for the pleasant climate which is warm but very rarely hot, as well as the nightlife, cuisine, scenery and beaches.
VISAS
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your time in South Africa, and it is a good idea to bring a few photocopies in case you lose the original. Whilst not a requirement, we also recommend parents of non-South African children under 18 years of age entering South Africa to bring a copy of the birth certificate should the child be travelling with just one parent or with parent/s who have a different surname to that of the child.
Although most visitors are not required to obtain a visa before entering South Africa, this is not applicable to all nationalities. Compass Odyssey does not issue visas nor can we complete visa applications for our travellers. While we will obviously assist our travellers with the documentation required for any visa applications, it is the responsibility of our travellers to investigate the visa requirements for their journey and to complete any necessary applications.
An immigration form sometimes needs to be completed when entering and departing South Africa. This form requests information such as passport and birth particulars, as well as the address of your accommodation. Prior to your safari, we provide you with a personal Safari Dossier that includes a swathe of information including the booking references, transport timings and contact numbers specific to your journey.
TRAVELLER’S HEALTH
Yellow Fever and malaria are the two major health considerations for travellers coming to South Africa.
Yellow Fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, and approximately 200,000 cases occur each year with the vast majority of these occurring in parts of Africa and Central/South America. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is not required for entering South Africa unless you are coming from – or you are in airport transit for more than 12 hours within – a country deemed to be infected with Yellow Fever. The World Health Organisation lists the southern African countries of Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe as being free from Yellow Fever. For further clarification on Yellow Fever, refer to tables 4-23, 4-24 and 4-27 on this page of the website for the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Malaria is present in the far north east of South Africa, but there is no risk of malaria in Cape Town. See here for further information. A number of other tropical diseases are present in South Africa but generally the biggest health risk you will face on your safari is usually an upset tummy (often caused by dehydration) or a cold. For complete peace of mind we recommend you visit your local GP or Travel Health Clinic.
You arrive at Cape Town International Airport and our local guide says amkela (“welcome” in the local isiXhosa language) to the Mother City. As you travel into the city, you fall under the watchful eye of Table Mountain and can look across Table Bay to Robben Island and beyond. Our guest house is located in the chic inner-city neighbourhood of Gardens, one of the oldest parts of the city and within a short, safe walking distance to vibrant and trendy Kloof Street and its southern extension, Long Street. All along here you’ll find restaurants, coffee shops and bistros along with a wide range of shops and markets peddling creative and authentic wares. Depending on your arrival time, your guide will be most happy to commence your exploration this afternoon should you wish.
Accommodation: Tintagel Guest House
Mid-range 4-star guest house located in Cape Town
Sheltering between ocean and mountain – with a national park at its heart – this spiritual city bears a soul influenced by a cultural melting pot of indigenous Bushman peoples, settlers of Dutch, Indo-Malay, French, British and German origin, and African Nguni tribes originally from the north, such as the Xhosa. Today we show off our Mother City with an insightful and enjoyable walk through the city’s historical heart followed by the dramatic ascension by cable car of Table Mountain. (Cableway closed for two-week annual maintenance in late-July to early-August). For nearly 400 years, Robben Island was a place of exile and imprisonment for those regarded as outcasts and troublemakers – the most famous being Nelson Mandela who spent 18 years of his life here. The 3½ hour tour includes a return boat trip across Table Bay, a visit to the Maximum Security Prison, interaction with an ex-political prisoner and a 45-minute guided bus tour of the island.
Accommodation: Tintagel Guest House
Mid-range 4-star guest house located in Cape Town
Meals:
Breakfast
A relaxing day awaits you today on a meander around the scenic Cape Peninsula with our Compass Odyssey guide. Leaving the city behind, you first visit the eclectic fishing village of Kalk Bay – recently announced in Forbes magazine as one of the world’s “coolest suburbs” – and the historical naval town of Simon’s Town and its resident colony of African penguins at nearby Boulder’s Beach. You then venture further south to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where the many legends and shipwreck stories that abound at the “Cape of Storms” are brought to life. After visiting both Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, you travel back to the city via the Atlantic coastline and the dramatic and picturesque Chapman’s Peak Drive..
Accommodation: Tintagel Guest House
Mid-range 4-star guest house located in Cape Town
Meals:
Breakfast
South Africa’s celebrated Cape Winelands region is not just internationally famous for its exquisite wines, but is also highly valued for its extraordinary beauty and diversity. Set in soaring mountains and sweeping valleys amidst the carefully preserved, natural bounty of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the Cape’s vineyards are rich in fascinating tradition, history and unique Cape-Dutch architecture, as well as exceptional wines and cuisine. Today offers a meaningful and inspirational visit to a number of vineyards, allowing you to enjoy the fine wine and good food on offer with the peace of mind that our hosts are committed to both the environmental and social welfare of this scenic and historical region.
Should the theme of this day not be of interest, you may prefer instead to visit the world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden or the many museums within the city. Or you may prefer a shark viewing excursion (additional expense and seasonal).
Accommodation: Tintagel Guest House
Mid-range 4-star guest house located in Cape Town
Meals:
Breakfast
Your guide returns you to Cape Town Airport today and assists with the departure procedures. Should your flight only depart in the evening, we can offer a number of additional options for today’s touring.
During your stay in Cape Town you will experience our natural beauty, fascinating history, iconic sights and renowned African hospitality. Thank you for choosing to visit us on this Compass Odyssey safari. Sizobonana msinya (“See you soon”).
Meals:
Breakfast