South Africa
South Africa
A visit to South Africa is a true adventure—from the (very long) flight itself to the jaw-dropping sights within the country. I visited as part of my honeymoon, which included a safari in Botswana and an excursion to Zimbabwe’s side of Victoria Falls. South Africa has a lot to offer, though Cape Town is high on many tourists’ lists of places to visit. From relaxing beaches to the adrenaline-rush of scaling mountains, there’s a little something for every kind of tourist here. And that’s before we get to the wildlife: the shores off the coast of South Africa contain some of the most dangerous sharks in the world, while you’ll spot the Big Five in the country’s wildlife parks (including the renowned Kruger National Park).
South Africa Highlight #1
Explore the vineyards of Stellenbosch
Located a short drive outside Cape Town, Stellenbosch is known for two things: its excellent university and its equally-admired wine. While most people visit the region as a day trip, there are plenty of reasons to dedicate 2-3 days to exploring Stellenbosch.
This area is a Mediterranean climate zone, one of five regions around the world that are ideal for wine production due to their long, dry summers and wet, mild winters. The resulting wine is some of the best in the world—and they are particularly known for their Cabernet Sauvignon.
The home of over 150 wineries, we visited five during our quick, 36-hour stay. We stayed overnight at Alluvia Boutique Winery, a charming and cozy hotel with stunning views of the vineyard reaching towards the mountains. We also visited the lavish Delaire Graff Estate (a jaw-dropping estate with a combination of villas, hotel rooms, luxury boutiques, restaurants, a spa, and wine tasting rooms). Our sampling of wine (pictured right) was some of the best we experienced in Stellenbosch. Other stops included Thelema Mountain Vineyards (with incredible vineyard views and wine so delicious, we bought a bottle to bring home), Tokara (be sure to order an olive oil tasting to accompany your wine flight) and Waterford Wine Estate (chocolate and wine pairing, enough said). While the first four wineries are all located in close proximity to each other, Waterford is located in a different part of Stellenbosch. We hired a personal driver through our hotel, who brought us to Waterford and waited to bring us to our next hotel in central Cape Town.
South Africa Highlight #2
Drive alongside the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive
A drive along the Atlantic coast following Chapman’s Peak Drive is high on many South African tourists’ to-do lists. The winding coastal road stretches between Hout Bay (pictured left) and Noordhoek, with plenty of picturesque stops along the way. We hired a private driver to lead our expedition south, which included stops in Simon’s Town and the Cape of Good Hope.
There are numerous planned itineraries you can book via Viator or hotel operators; we opted to purchase a private tour in order to customize our trip. We stopped for a number of photos along the drive, enjoyed ice cream at an artisan market in Noordhoek, and spent over an hour watching the famous penguin colony in Simon’s Town. We then continued on to the Cape of Good Hope, which the sign proudly proclaims is the most southwestern point of the African continent. This nature reserve features picnic locations, a lighthouse lookout, and plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing. We immediately spotted a mother ostrich with her chick and a troop of baboons walking alongside the road.
Many tours also include a stop in Muizenberg, a beach town most recognizable for a row of colorful beach huts, though we opted for a quick drive-by on our way back to Cape Town. This itinerary is easily accomplished in a half-to-full-day outing, though there is an option to stay overnight at the famed Chapman’s Peak Hotel.
South Africa Highlight #3
Hike Lion’s Head—with a guide
While Table Mountain is easily the most defining landscape of Cape Town, Lion’s Head is a close second. We scaled the 2,200-foot-tall Lion’s Head with the help of a guide we found on Airbnb Experiences. Some tourists opt to climb this mountain alone, though the poorly marked paths, the threat of dangerous wildlife (our guide saw a venomous snake the previous day), and one portion of the path that requires a bit of technical know-how were reasons why we chose to hike assisted.
As we followed the winding paths around Lion’s Head, our guide pointed out the surrounding landmarks and local plants. The first portion of the hike was a slight incline around the base of the mountain, overlooking Table Mountain on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. The final ascent included a ladder and a few chains to hold for added stability. The rewarding view was truly spectacular: a 360-degree view of Cape Town, the surrounding beaches, and Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years).
The entire hike took between 3 and 4 hours, so allow for a half-day excursion to take advantage of the sights from the top. But time your trip carefully: you definitely don’t want to be climbing back down the mountain after dark.
Restaurant Highlights
Kloof Street House (Cape Town)
This restaurant is defined by its eclectic décor and location within an old Victorian house. Kloof Street itself is known as a trendy area for shopping and dining, and this refined restaurant is a standout in this part of town. The brasserie-style menu features a wide selection of food, and we enjoyed the ambiance as much as our meal.
Time Out Market Cape Town (V&A Waterfront, Cape Town)
While this popular market wasn’t open when we visited Cape Town, Time Out Market opened their first location in Africa in 2023. There are plentiful options, featuring both local specialties and worldwide cuisine, in an open-air location on the V&A Waterfront.
Gigi Rooftop (Cape Town)
The trendy rooftop restaurant was located on the sixth floor of our hotel. We received a welcome drink upon check-in, and we were quickly whisked up to a choice table in this bustling open-air eatery. A hotspot for Cape Town’s young and trendy crowd, we enjoyed people-watching as much as we enjoyed the beautifully plated meals and delicious cocktails.
The Neighbourgoods Market (Woodstock, Cape Town)
This weekend-only market deserves a spot on your must-visit list, as much for the artisan shopping and beautiful crafts as much as for the food scene. It is located in an old mill and a regular spot for locals and tourists to spend their Saturdays. We enjoyed sampling small plates and drinks and shopping the local goods (where I purchased a beautifully-crafted safari jeep and an elaborately woven clutch).
What to Know Before You Go
Getting around:
Cabs and Ubers are easy to find in Cape Town, though we largely relied on booking private transfers through our hotels. Prices were so reasonable that it often made more sense to have one driver with us for the day, as was the case with our day exploring Stellenbosch and our journey along Chapman’s Peak Drive.
Where to stay:
We split our time in Cape Town between the city center and the beach. Our first stay was at Gorgeous George, an industrial-chic hotel in a central location between the V&A Waterfront and Kloof Street. The hotel boasts a trendy restaurant, Gigi Rooftop, and a small rooftop pool.
We splurged for our second stop at The Marly, a five-star boutique hotel located directly on Camp’s Bay Beach. The hotel had a beautiful rooftop pool and bar overlooking the ocean, as well as a lovely spa where we enjoyed massages.
These distinct parts of Cape Town are divided by winding mountain roads, so while it is possible to enjoy a beach day and head back into the CBD, we chose to split our time between both areas.
What to eat:
As a coastal city with a Mediterranean climate, Cape Town’s seafood and wine are exceptional. Stellenbosch, located under an hour from central Cape Town, is known for producing high-quality wine, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. A true international city, there is no shortage of worldwide cuisines to enjoy.
When to visit:
You’ll find the warmest temperatures between December and March, during the southern hemisphere’s summer. This is peak season, and you’ll see tourists and local South Africans alike enjoying the beaches and sunny weather. Even in winter, temperatures rarely fall below 50° F, making this a great option for year-round tourism.