Cape Town in 5 Days
A locally-designed five-day itinerary for private tours in Cape Town mountain, ocean, food and the corners locals love.
Five days is the sweet spot for Cape Town: long enough to slow down, short enough to feel every day. This is roughly how I shape private tours in Cape Town for travellers visiting for the first time.
Day 1 Table Mountain & the V&A Waterfront
Start with the mountain while you're fresh. Cableway up early, walk one of the gentler ridge paths, then a slow lunch in the Waterfront and a sunset stroll along the harbour.
Day 2 Cape Peninsula
A full day driving the peninsula: Chapman's Peak, Cape Point, Boulders Beach with the penguins, and a long seafood lunch in Kalk Bay. One of the most beautiful drives anywhere in the world.
Day 3 Bo-Kaap, Company's Garden & local food
A slow city day colour, history and food. The cobbled streets of Bo-Kaap, a Cape Malay cooking session, the museums around Company's Garden, and dinner somewhere local.
Day 4 Winelands
Out to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek for tastings, Cape Dutch estates, and a long lunch under the oaks. Home by sunset for one more night in Cape Town.
Day 5 Robben Island & the Atlantic seaboard
A moving morning on Robben Island, then a relaxed afternoon along Camps Bay and Clifton. Ends with a quiet farewell dinner on the coast.
If you can, add the Marine Big 5 June to December
If your dates fall between June and December and you have an extra day, I strongly suggest a Marine Big 5 whale watching tour around Gansbaai and Hermanus, about two hours from Cape Town. This is when the Southern Right whales come in close to the coast to give birth and raise their calves you watch them from a small boat alongside dolphins, seals, sharks and the occasional penguin. It is one of the most moving wildlife encounters in the country, and a perfect counterpoint to a land safari.
Add three or four nights on safari and you have one of the most complete tailor-made African holidays possible.