The Real Cape Town: Winelands, Penguins & the Big Five
You can "do" Cape Town in three days and leave without ever really meeting it. We do the opposite: nine days at the city's own pace. Mornings on top of Table Mountain, lunch where Capetonians actually eat, evenings by the ocean — and room to breathe between the big days.
This is the best first trip to South Africa: the Stellenbosch winelands, the tip of the continent at Cape Agulhas, a Big Five safari, penguins, fur seals and the most beautiful coastal roads in the country. A Russian-speaking tour leader who knows Africa inside out is with you the whole way.
You choose the length: 9 days for the core programme, or 12 with the Victoria Falls add-on.
Highlights
- A safari in a private reserve, with a ranger — the Big Five at arm's length
- Stellenbosch: shady avenues, colonial architecture and a tasting at one of the most beautiful wine estates in the region
- Cape Agulhas: stand at the southernmost point of Africa and watch the Indian Ocean meet the Atlantic
- Table Mountain — the city, the ocean and the beaches from over 1,000 metres up
- Penguins on a secret beach, almost close enough to touch, and fur seals at play in the water
- Chapman's Peak Drive, one of the most scenic roads in the world, and the Cape of Good Hope
- A sunset picnic by the ocean and dinner at a family winery with your group
Your trip, day by day
Exact times are set by the tour leader on the spot and can shift with the weather, the sea and the wildlife. We meet every flight on day 1, and day 2 is kept free so that a late arrival misses nothing. Staying longer in Cape Town? Your departure transfer simply moves to your flight date.
Day 1Friday, 5 March
- We meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel — no hunting for a taxi
- Rest after the flight while we answer every question — your holiday starts the moment you land
Day 2Saturday, 6 March
- We keep this day free on purpose: if anyone's flight is moved or delayed, they catch up calmly and miss nothing
- Sleep in and spend the day your way, with our own Cape Town guide: trusted spas and massage, shops, galleries, the best coffee and places to walk. We'll arrange a transfer or taxi if you need one
- Optional whale-watching trip (extra charge)
- In the evening, the first dinner together at a cosy family winery: we get to know each other and tune in to the adventure ahead
Day 3Sunday, 7 March
- A slow walk through Stellenbosch: shady avenues, local cafés, art galleries and colonial architecture
- A tasting at one of the region's most beautiful estates — modern design and views that are hard to leave
- A second estate in a completely different style, for a stroll and photos
- Dinner at one of Capetonians' own favourite restaurants
Day 4Monday, 8 March
- Hermanus, the little town on the bay where whales have come for centuries to raise their calves
- Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa and a place of real power: here you see with your own eyes where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic
- Up the old lighthouse, a walk along the shore and seafood at a restaurant right by the water
- The water here is noticeably warmer than in Cape Town — bring your swimsuit
Day 5Tuesday, 9 March
- Into the heart of the country, to a private game reserve, in search of the Big Five
- Your ranger explains how the animals live, where they roam and how their populations are protected
- Animals you have only ever seen in photos — at arm's length
Day 6Wednesday, 10 March
- Morning on Table Mountain: over 1,000 metres above the city, the ocean and beaches below, a walk across the protected plateau
- Afternoon in the historic centre, where colonial façades stand next to modern buildings, and the colourful houses of Bo-Kaap
- Corners tourists rarely reach, and Cape Town as it lives today
- Dinner with an ocean view
Day 7Thursday, 11 March
- The Lion's Head hike — the most beautiful trail in town, and no special fitness needed
- Brunch on a historic square
- The Company's Garden, Cape Town's green heart and oldest park — once the vegetable garden for the East India Company's ships: we feed the squirrels and look into the museum of contemporary African art
- In the evening, a sunset picnic by the ocean
Day 8Friday, 12 March
- Chapman's Peak Drive, squeezed between the Atlantic and sheer cliffs — one of the most scenic roads on earth
- The Cape of Good Hope: up to the lighthouse and out to watch the local wildlife
- Penguins from two spots: a secret beach for a selfie at arm's length, and a viewing deck over the whole colony
- Fur seals playing in the water, then dinner at a seafood restaurant
Day 9Saturday, 13 March
- Check-out and transfer to the airport — or on to Victoria Falls
- Staying a few more days in Cape Town? We'll tell you where to stay, what to see and where to eat, and move your transfer to your flight date
Add-on: Victoria Falls (days 9–12)
If Cape Town feels like a warm-up and you're ready for the real jungle, carry on to the legendary falls — four African countries in one trip.
Day by day
Day 9Saturday, 13 March
- Morning flight from Cape Town to Zimbabwe
- Evening boat trip on the Zambezi among hippo families and crocodiles, then dinner on the riverbank
Day 10Sunday, 14 March
- A morning game drive for the Big Five, in the park with the largest elephant population in the world
- Lunch at an African safari lodge
- In the afternoon, into the boats: a river safari on the Chobe — hippos, crocodiles and elephants at the water's edge
Day 11Monday, 15 March
- The most powerful waterfall in the world, from both sides — Zimbabwe and Zambia
- Lunch at a restaurant where giraffes and zebras wander freely
- The true scale of the falls only shows from the air — an optional helicopter flight can be arranged (extra charge)
- Gin tasting and a farewell dinner: sharing stories and dreaming up the next trip
Day 12Tuesday, 16 March
- Transfer to the airport and the flight home — with a head full of memories and that African magic
Why travel with Africa Dream
- Russian-speaking guides who know Africa inside out
- Comfortable, characterful hotels — places you'll genuinely enjoy staying
- The best places for lunch and dinner: no tourist menus, only what locals love
- A balanced programme: activity alternates with rest — no rushing, no burnout
- A private group chat and support before, during and after the trip
- A written contract — everything clear and transparent
Prices
Per person, depending on the length of the trip and the room:
- 9 days — $4,300 in a twin room, $5,500 in a single room
- 12 days with Victoria Falls — $6,300 in a twin room, $8,000 in a single room
A $1,000 deposit secures your place; the balance is paid on arrival, on the first day of the tour.
What's included
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- All transfers in the programme, in comfortable new vehicles, with water and snacks on board
- Breakfasts
- Hotel accommodation in twin rooms (single rooms at the single price)
- The wine tasting and the dinner at the family winery
- A Russian-speaking tour leader throughout
- Entry tickets to all parks in the programme
- All activities in the programme
Not included
- Visa, international flights and travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners, except the winery dinner
- Optional extras: the whale-watching trip and the helicopter flight over Victoria Falls
- Personal expenses
Where you'll stay
Comfortable, characterful hotels, chosen each time from the best available. Past stays include Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof, Chapmans Peak Beach Hotel, High Timbers Lodge, Pepperclub Hotel and Silvermist Organic Wine Estate.
Together with her team, Marina designs small-group journeys that combine iconic destinations with hidden gems, allowing travelers to experience Africa not as tourists, but as welcomed guests. Her philosophy is simple: the most memorable journeys are not about checking landmarks off a list, but about creating moments that stay with you long after the trip ends.
Through Africa Dream, Marina helps travelers discover the beauty, wildlife, culture, and spirit of Southern Africa through thoughtfully crafted experiences across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana.
No payment now. The organiser confirms your request first.