12 Days – Culinary Wine Experience in the Cape Winelands

Welcome to South Africa!
Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you’ll be greeted by our local representative and transferred to your guesthouse. Spend the next two days exploring Cape Town at your own pace.

Cape Town is known for:
award-winning gastronomy
exceptional local wines
vibrant food markets
iconic natural beauty
On Day 2, take a short taxi ride (arranged through your guesthouse) to collect your rental car in the city centre.

Suggested activities:
Visit Cape Point / Cape of Good Hope
Coffee in the artistic seaside neighbourhood of Kalk Bay
See the famous penguins at Simon’s Town

After breakfast, drive east to Hermanus, a coastal town famous for its annual visit from southern right whales(typically August–December).

Hermanus also boasts a beautiful local wine route with 17 wineries offering tastings and exceptional dining. Scenic coastal walks, mountain trails, and pristine beaches make this an ideal stop to unwind.

Tip: The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is known for some of South Africa’s best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Your journey continues to Riebeek-Kasteel, located in the innovative wine region of Swartland. Unlike the classic wine towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, Swartland is known for natural, terroir-driven wines produced by small, forward-thinking winemakers.
Explore the relaxed countryside and nearby towns like Paarl and Wellington.

Food & Wine Suggestions
Brasserie Au Bouchon Rouge
Beans About Coffee (Riebeek-Kasteel)
The Wine Kollective
Noop Restaurant (Paarl)
Cape Brewing Co
The Wine Hive
Sadie Coffee Co

Continue your trip to the quiet and charming town of Tulbagh, tucked away in the Breede Valley. Tulbagh has its own wine route with historic family-run estates that have been producing wine for generations.
The area is known for its tranquillity, dramatic mountainscapes, and warm hospitality.

End your wine journey in Stellenbosch, one of the most renowned wine towns in South Africa. With over 200 wine estates, you can taste to your heart’s content—many farms welcome walk-in visitors. The lively student atmosphere, beautiful Cape Dutch architecture, and superb restaurants make this a must-visit region.

Top Recommendations:
Long lunch at Remhoogte Wine Estate
Wine tasting at VUUR – Goose Island, where all dishes are prepared over open fire (advance booking recommended!)
Strolling through Stellenbosch’s historic centre

Optional guided wine tour or gourmet picnic at a scenic wine estate
Your accommodation is a luxury guesthouse in elegant Cape Dutch style.

After a final breakfast, check out and drive back to Cape Town International Airport. Return your rental car and board your flight home with unforgettable culinary and wine memories.

Optional Extensions
More wildlife: 21-day South Africa self-drive from Johannesburg
Hiking adventure: 14-day walking safari
Another country: 14-day self-drive through Namibia