Experiences in Cape Town | Timbuktu Travel

Visit Cape Point and its dramatic views

It's not called Cape Point for nothing, jutting out into the icy Atlantic Ocean with panoramic views as far as the eye can see. Exploring the nature reserve can easily take the entire day, with hidden, white sand beaches and fynbos-clad hiking or biking trails. Keep your eyes peeled for speeding ostriches, various antelope and over 270 species of bird. Plus, listen out for the telltale bark of a chacma baboon (but don't share your lunch)! Travel via the 'Flying Dutchman' funicular to scenic lookout points and picnic spots - you may even see whales between August and October. Make sure you get a look at the Cape's original lighthouse (and a few snaps) before you go.

Go wine tasting in Constantia, Cape Town

Take a step back in time in the Constantia Valley and visit the iconic vineyards that have formed much of Cape Town’s history.

If the Cape Winelands aren't in your sights on this trip to South Africa, get a taster with a visit to a wine estate in idyllic Constantia Valley. In the suburbs outside of Cape Town, Constantia is home to a number of top-shelf vineyards with long histories from family establishments to renowned wine makers. Our favourites are Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia. Enjoy a tour of the winery, sample unique harvests and meet the wine makers. A few hours in Constantia makes a fantastic addition to your Cape Town itinerary and, if you visit in the afternoon, grab lunch before spending golden hour amongst the rows of grapes - it makes for some lovely photo ops.

Go wine tasting in Constantia, Cape Town

Head up Table Mountain

As a city surrounded by mountains, it wouldn't be a trip to Cape Town without seeing it from above. Lead by a seasoned guide or blazing your own trail (so to speak), enjoy one of the scenic hiking routes up the craggy escarpments of Table Mountain. The most famous are the winding Platteklip trail, Skeleton Gorge, where you can stop for a break by the reservoir, and Woodstock Caves - perfect for a picnic and a few beautiful snaps. Once you reach the flat-topped summit, there are plenty more trails to explore while soaking up views of the Twelve Apostles, Lion's Head and stunning Table Bay. If you'd like something less strenuous, the revolving cable car will have you at the top of the mountain in minutes (but be sure to book ahead!).

Meet the penguins at Boulders Beach, Cape Town

In any Cape Town brochure, you'll likely see images of tiny, suited penguins waddling over rocks and splashing in the water. On an excursion to Boulders Beach, you'll have the chance to marvel at this sight in person. Nowhere else in the world are you able to be this close to wild African Penguins, as curiosity leads them across the sand towards you. It's also a lovely spot for a swim when you'd like to cool off. If you're visiting between March and May, look out for eggs laid in nests beneath the boulders and bushes. There are around 2500 penguins at Boulders Beach and its an experience you won't soon forget.

Explore the Cape Peninsula with your own guide

Home of cheeky penguins, mind-boggling views and unique vegetation, an exploration of the Cape Peninsula is not to be missed.

As one of our all-time favourite days out in Cape Town, a tour down the coast to the Cape Peninsula is always top of the list. Join your seasoned guide for a drive down Chapman's Peak, one of the most beautiful coastal routes in the world, where you'll make as many photo stops as you like. Journey on to Cape Point, climb the steps to the lighthouse and feel the rush of the wind at what feels like the end of the world, stroll along the beach or hike through the reserve before marvelling at the African penguins of Boulders Beach.

Explore the Cape Peninsula with your own guide

Check out Cape Town's best food spots with a guide

Get a taste (quite literally!) of Cape Town’s history and culture on this ultimate food tour through the city’s most vibrant areas and restaurants.

Cape Town is famous for its stellar cuisine and on this tour, you'll leave the linen napkins at home and experience the best local delicacies. Take a culinary journey through Cape Town as you guide shares the secrets and history of South African cooking. Kickstart your tastebuds at a boutique coffee roastery in the city centre before tucking into a selection of South African staples: biltong and droewors – meat cured with an exotic blend of herbs, seasonings and salt – are on the menu, as well as samoosas. Sample traditional Cape Malay dishes in colourful Bo-Kaap. Indulge your sweet tooth with a chocolate tasting at an artisanal chocolate makers in the city before rounding things off with a craft gin tasting in a secret location. Throughout the day you’ll also have the chance to shop for the local and traditional foods that you’ve tasted - even browse the oldest spice shop in Cape Town!

Check out Cape Town's best food spots with a guide

Learn about Cape Town’s history with a guide

Get to grips with South Africa’s rich, varied and sometimes turbulent past on this city tour of the Mother City and surrounding areas.

Known by many as the Mother City, Cape Town packs a historic punch. From colonisation by the Dutch in 1652, to the torrid apartheid years and the release of Nelson Mandela in 1994, South Africa has been through a lot and this tour of Cape Town offers an informative look at the country's past. Your seasoned guide will take you on a journey through the city where its history is told through the architecture, monuments and museums. Learn about the origins of colonisation at the Company Gardens and Castle of Good Hope, and discover the truths of apartheid at the District Six Museum. Take a step back a few thousand years at the Iziko South African Museum, where you'll learn about the country's original peoples, and walk beside the smartie-coloured houses of the Bo-Kaap, which tell yet another side of South Africa's history.

Learn about Cape Town’s history with a guide

Enjoy the white sandy beaches of Cape Town

If you're bound for Cape Town, you're sure to have heard of its coastline of idyllic and sun-bathed beaches. There are plenty to choose from but you can easily scatter these into your itinerary for a couple of hours (or entire days) spent beside the Atlantic Ocean. The most famous is Clifton, which has four white sand coves sheltered from south-easters by massive boulders (they aren't bad to climb either!). Whether it's surfing, beach volleyball or simply soaking up the sun while watching yachts bobbing in the lagoon, Clifton has a beach to suit. The palm-lined Camps Bay offers a taste of riviera life with a gorgeous beach, top-tier restaurants and stunning views of the Twelve Apostles range. For something more off the beaten track, head to Noordhoek Beach at the end of Chapman's Peak. While its rough surf doesn't allow for swimming, it has an edge-of-the-world look and makes for incredible photos. The colourful beach huts and Blue Flag status make Muizenberg a lovely option with warmer waters, great surfing conditions and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Experience life in the vibrant streets of Bo-Kaap

An explosion of colour and flavour at the base of Signal Hill, the Bo-Kaap was formed in the 1760s and has since become a tight-knit community with a whole lot of history. Stroll down Wale Street to see the oldest building in Bo-Kaap, where its museum is held with plenty of fascinating exhibits. Wander through the thriving food markets with homemade Cape Malay dishes for tasting - you can even have a cooking class to try a few at home. The houses were painted rainbow colours as a symbol of freedom and you'll learn your share of Bo-Kaap's history from the people themselves as you explore this unique little part of town.

Hike to the top of Lion's Head in Cape Town

Beside Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain, sits Lion's Head, a favourite for more casual hikes with the full package of incredible views. Set off with a picnic along the trail with the city, sea and peninsula laid out below, to reach the pretty summit within 90 minutes. Especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset, a hike up Lion's Head makes for a lovely way to start the day or end it with a few sundowners. Be prepared to encounter some challenging parts of the trail along the way, so this is not for the faint hearted and a reasonable level of fitness is required.

Go wine tasting in the winelands of Cape Town

Sip some of the best wines South Africa has to offer amid the enchanting scenery, culture and history of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.

Follow the scent of sun-baked grapes to the Winelands, where you'll enjoy a day of award-winning wines, glorious vistas and epicurean delights. Join your guide on a tour of the finest wine estates in the valley, where you'll sample rich pinot noirs and piquant chardonnays (and anything in between). Try your sommelier skills out with three wine tastings at picturesque estates, while dipping into the history of South African winemaking. You may even become a true connoisseur by the end of it!

Go wine tasting in the winelands of Cape Town

Cage dive with great white sharks in Cape Town

When you see the dorsal fin silently slice the clear water, you know a Great White Shark has arrived near your boat. Secured in a special steel cage, you then descend below the surface for a little one-on-one with this terrifying, beautiful creature - it's nerve-wrecking, yet extremely rewarding.