^GATEWAY^{AFRICA SAFARIS}
Home South African Travel Cape Town Day Tours Cape Point & the Cape Peninsula Tour Cape Town City and Table Mountain The 3 Renowned Wine Routes West Coast Flowers 5 Mountain Passes Cape Safari Experience Hermanus & the Whales Robben Island + V & A Waterfront Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens Historical Stellenbosch Township Tours Garden Route Tours Montague Tour - 2 Day Great & Little Karoo - 3 Day Garden Route - 4 Day Garden Route - 5 Day Garden Route & Big 5 - 7 Day	Day trips and Tours of Cape Town To make the most of your time in Cape Town you join various very affordable day-tours for some outings and make your own way for others. Full day Tours depart at approximately 8.30 - 9.00 from your Guest House / Hotel / Lodge and return at approximately 17.00 - 17.30 to the same, or any pre-arranged venue. Please note that this tour can be adjusted to your requirements and interests. This is merely a suggestion from endless possibilities. Cape Point & the Cape Peninsula Tour - "The Fairest Cape" - An exploration along the peninsula coastline to enjoy some of the most inspiring scenery South Africa has to offer, with the main feature being the spectacular Cape Point and the historical Cape of Good Hope. The Atlantic Seaboard: This curvy stretch of coastline, also informally known as the millionaire's mile, stretches along Sea Point, Bantry Bay, Clifton and Camps Bay where some of the best beaches of Cape Town can be enjoyed. The road we follow hugs the coastline with the formidable Table Mountain and the 12 Apostles mountain range close on our one side and the vast South Atlantic on the other. We pass the trendy café's in Camps Bay which are very popular venues to enjoy sundowners while viewing the magnificent sunsets over the Atlantic ocean. Picturesque Hout Bay literally translated meaning "Wood Bay", where the early Dutch Settlers collected timber to repair their ships after sailing along the rough seas of the Cape Coast. Our tour includes an optional stop at Mariner's Wharf, the original Waterfront of Cape Town, for a boat cruise to Duiker Island, home of the Cape Fur Seal, largest of all fur seals. Traveling through the quaint holiday and residential villages of Kommetjie and Scarborough, we enter the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, rich in historical significance and offering an abundance of natural beauty. This is home to more than 2200 plant species and various birds and mammals, including antelope, baboon, ostrich, land based- and seabirds. The impressive views of the vast Oceans towards the South and West, the Hottentots Holland Mountains across False Bay to the East and the Cape Peninsula to the North, can be seen from the lighthouse at Cape Point which is situated on the highest sea cliffs in South Africa. Our next stop is the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-westerly point on the African continent. Your exact location when standing at this point? 18º East and 34º South. A visit to the Boulders Beach introduces you to the charming Penguin Colony, all of them dressed in their "tuxedo outfits". Simons Town's long and illustrious naval heritage is visible everywhere in this town; including the statue of "Able-seaman" Just Nuisance, the only dog ever to be officially enlisted as a member of the Royal Navy. In the long shadows of the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain lies Kirstenbosch , the flagship of South African Botanical Gardens, with more than 9000 species of plants. This exquisite garden will leave a lasting impression of "the fairest Cape of them all". Suggested Lunch options are : Restaurant / light snack at Cape Point or Simons Town PS: Make sure to bring along something warm to wear as it is quite possible to encounter gale force winds at Cape Point. Cape Town City and Table Mountain - "The Mother City" - Explore Cape Town, one of the world's most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities, cradled in the amphitheatre formed by Table Mountain, Lion's Head and Devil's Peak. Rising 1087 meters above the "Mother City", the grandeur of Table Mountain can be seen 200 kilometers away from sea, and for centuries provided a welcome site to the exhausted sailors who visited the "Taverns of the Seas" after spending an average of 6 months at sea. The sight of Table Mountain with its flat top must surely be the most well known landmark in the Southern hemisphere. Weather permitting, we undertake a cable car ride to reach the summit from where one has the perfect 360º view of the "fairest Cape in the world" The Castle of Good Hope, oldest European structure in South Africa, was built to protect the early Dutch Settlers against possible attacks by other European powers. Walking through its formidable entrance one is transported back in time to the late 1600's on experiencing the cobblestone floors, sundials on the original walls and the beautiful balcony that was the stage from where the Governor made his important announcements. Aside from the Changing of the Guards ceremony that is still performed, the Castle today protects valuable collections of Chinese Porcelain, old Cape furniture, Artwork and Cape Silverware. The Malay Quarter, also referred to as the Bo-Kaap (when translated meaning Upper-Cape) is an extremely colorful area situated on higher ground than Cape Town itself and reminds one of the Mother City's days gone by. It boasts a distinctive Muslim flavor with beautiful small mosques, as many of the people who live in the Bo-Kaap are direct descendants of the former slaves from far away places like Malaysia, Java, Indonesia and the various Portuguese Spice Islands. The oldest garden in South Africa, the Dutch East India Company Gardens started as a fruit and vegetable garden to provide for the many sailors on their long journey from Europe to the Spice Islands in the East. The purpose was to reduce the number of people who suffered from scurvy. As the Cape developed and more farms was established, the Garden gradually changed into the botanical pleasure garden it is today, still frequented by many a Capetonian on their lunch breaks. Cape Town's link with the sea, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, is a result of reclaiming the historic waterfront of Cape Town, and reuniting the Capetonians with their heritage - the sparkle of the sea. The V&A Waterfront offers a wide variety of entertainment, present-day shops and restaurants to enjoy in Victorian style Suggested Lunch options are restaurants around the vibrant Green Market Square in the center of Cape Town with its flea market and interesting mix of "characters" or the V&A Waterfront with its endless choice of restaurants. The 3 Renowned Wine Routes - "Feast Your Senses" - For the Wine Lover. Explore the Westerns Cape's 3 most famous wine routes. A day tour to truly feast your senses enjoying some of the Cape's finest wines in breathtaking surroundings. The wine routes of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek have become legendary for the excellent quality wines and brandies they produce. Traveling along these three wine routes where the fertile green valleys are surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges, we visit a minimum of 3 leading wine estates along the Wine Routes; all of them carefully selected for their scenic beauty, historical significance and superior wines. Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa and wine capital of the region, is very popular for its oak-lined streets, beautiful Cape-Dutch architecture and excellent restaurants. Paarl is situated on the banks of the Berg River and is the head quarters of the biggest wine cellar in the world, namely KWV (mentioned in the Guinness Book of records as having the largest wine barrels in the world). This town has played a major part in establishing the Afrikaans language and boasts the longest main street in South Africa, beautifully flanked by oaks on both sides. Franschhoek, literally meaning "The French Corner", was the valley where the Dutch Governor Simon van der Stel settled the French Huguenots in 1688. Currently the town boasts a distinctive French flavor with more than 27 fine restaurants to choose from. (PS: Today this town even celebrates "Bastille Day"; even though you'll probably be greeted with a blank expression should you speak French to any of the residents!) Optional Cheese Tasting at a leading wine estate. Optional Cellar Tour on one of the Wine Estates Recommended Lunch options are: A restaurant in Franschhoek or a Gourmet Picnic Lunch Basket under giant stone pine trees on a wine estate near the Franschhoek Valley. PS: For those who would like to go easy on the wine, grape juice is available at most of the wine estates. West Coast Flowers - "Bokbaai Vygie Tour" - Springtime is flower time and this flower tour is offered from August to September when the West Coast is transformed into a wild flower wonderland. Heading North from Cape Town, our first stop is at Bloubergstrand where one can enjoy the postcard view of Table Mountain with the endless beaches of Table Bay in the foreground; the Bay frequented by colorful windsurfers on windy days. From here we head North to visit the arid and desolate West Coast. We reach the West Coast National Park, and pay a leisurely visit to Postberg, an ecologically sensitive area that is specially opened to the public during the brief flower season. Most of the time will be spent in this area so that the flowers can be enjoyed to the fullest. On route back to Cape Town, we stop at the Tienie Versfeld Flower reserve for a brief view of this transformed wonderland. Time permitting, we visit the seaside village of Yzerfontein, a popular holiday venue. Lunch is a gourmet picnic basket enjoyed in Postberg Nature reserve. 5 Mountain Passes - "The Pioneer's Challenge" - Sir Lowry's Pass, Viljoen's Pass, Franschhoek Pass, Du Toit's Kloof Pass & Bainskloof Pass - "An unforgettable scenic splendor, traveling over the majestic mountains of the South Western point of the African Continent. A day to cherish and remember, with unsurpassed photo opportunities in a tour of dramatic contrasting landscapes." Sir Lowry's Pass, originally known as the Gantouw Pass meaning "Pass of the Elands", so named by the indigenous Khoi-khoi people, provides beautiful views of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, Somerset West, False Bay, Strand and the Cape flats and Table Mountain in the far distance. Descending Viljoen's Pass brings you to the heart of "Apple" country and provides wonderful views over the many fruit orchards. These orchards produce the choice Cape Fruit that are enjoyed all over the world. Franschhoek Pass, originally known as the Elephant's Path in memory of the elephants migrating along this route, welcomes you to the Valley of the Hugenots and the heart of the wine lands with its beautiful vineyards and old Cape Dutch homesteads. Traveling over Du Toit's Kloof Pass we arrive in the Breede River Valley with its seemingly endless vineyards and fruit orchards. This is one of the most dramatic passes in South Africa with cliffs rising up to 2000 meters. Bainskloof Pass, built by legendary Pass builder Andrew Geddes Bain, is a rugged and dramatic scenic pass with views over the Wellington Region's wine lands and towards the North, the vast open wheat fields of the Swartland Region, the "bread basket" of the Cape. A Gourmet Picnic Lunch basket will be enjoyed on one of the many viewpoints. Cape Safari Experience - "African Heritage" - Traveling via the scenic Du Toitskloof Pass and beautiful wine lands, we visit a private game reserve that hosts amongst others, Giraffe, Leopard, Zebra, Springbok, Gemsbok (Oryx) and up to 172 different bird species. Traveling over Du Toit's Kloof Pass, we arrive in the Breede River Valley with its seemingly endless vineyards and fruit orchards. This is one of the most dramatic passes in South Africa with cliffs rising up to 2000 meters. The lush and beautiful Hex River Valley, originally discovered by Bushmen hunters coming from the barren Karoo when trying to reach the rich hunting grounds of the Boland, today produces 65% of South Africa's export grapes even though being only 22 kilometers long and 4 kilometers wide. Arriving on the private game reserve, we enjoy a welcome cocktail and some leisure time next to the swimming pool in summer or next to a roaring log fire in winter. Lunch at the game lodge restaurant or outdoor African Boma A 2 - 3 hour game drive with an experienced ranger. We also visit renowned San Bushmen paintings. Hermanus & the Whales - "A Tour for all Seasons" - Whether it is whale time or not, this is truly a tour for all seasons with spectacular coastal drives, dramatic mountain scenery & during July to November, Southern Right Whales frolicking in Walker Bay as close as 20 meters from the shore. Sir Lowry's Pass, originally known as the Gantouw Pass meaning "Pass of the Elands" by the indigenous Khoi-khoi people, provides beautiful views of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, Somerset West, False Bay, Strand, the Cape flats and Table Mountain in the far distance. Traveling through the "apple" country of the Elgin & Grabouw area, we stop at one of the favorite farm-stalls that offers a variety of fresh produce of the area. From July to November, Hermanus offers the best land based whale watching in the world (PS : On whale authority, this is apparently also the best sea based people watching spot in the world.) The Southern Right whales, which are as big as 10 large elephants, are seen up to 20 meters from the rocky outlooks. These gentle giants visit our shores to mate and calve in our relatively warmer and calmer waters and are the main attraction during the annual whale festival. Hermanus is one of the top holiday venues in South Africa during summertime and offers sunny weather, golden beaches, rock & surf and deep sea angling. The huge tidal lagoon is also a favorite venue for various water sports. Traveling through the coastal holiday village of Betty's Bay, we arrive at the Harold Porter Botanical Garden where we enjoy a short walk through the indigenous flora. Our route to Cape Town takes us along the scenic Clarence Drive which hugs the rugged coastline; our companions being the majestic mountains on the one side and the waves crashing on the sharp rocks on the other. Suggested Lunch stop is the village of Hermanus in one of the many restaurants to choose from. Robben Island and the V & A Waterfront - "Madiba's Magic" - A visit to South Africa is not complete without a journey to the birthplace of the New South Africa. Experience the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. A morning at own leisure at Cape Town's link with the sea, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. This waterfront is a result of reclaiming the historic waterfront of Cape Town, and reunites Capetonians with their heritage - the sparkle of the sea. The V&A Waterfront offers a wide variety of entertainment, present-day shops and restaurants to enjoy in Victorian style. After lunch, we catch the Ferry to Robben Island, previously used by the Dutch to house convicts and later as a leprosy colony. The real historical significance however lies in the use of Robben Island as a political prison by a previous "apartheid" government where the leaders of the struggle against "apartheid" were incarcerated. A guided tour on Robben Island will provide special insight to the conditions under which the political prisoners were held as well as interesting insight into the struggle against "apartheid". During the tour, the highlight will be a visit to the prison cell of the icon Nelson Mandela, later to become the first democratically elected president of South Africa. Suggested Lunch in one of the many restaurants of the V&A Waterfront. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens - "The Gardener's Delight" - Enjoy the unique and beautiful Cape Floral Kingdom, concentrated in the world-famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Resting in the long shadows of the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is one of the world's famous botanical gardens. The garden that takes up approximately 560 ha, has more than 9000 different species of plants and trees. One of Cape Town's most beautiful recreational areas, the upper part of the garden consists of evergreen indigenous forests and the lower slopes are cultivated with big lawns, ponds, streams and curving pathways. It offers peaceful and serene surroundings where one can replenish the soul and provides a spectacular backdrop for some of the popular summer sunset concerts including light music, jazz and carols by candle light. Our visit to Kirstenbosch includes an informative guided tour through the gardens, highlighting unexpected and interesting aspects along the way. Facilities at Kirstenbosch which can be enjoyed at own leisure includes the Coffee Shop, Restaurant, Souvenir shop, Book shop and the Conservatory housing all the plants of the desert and semi-desert areas. Historical Stellenbosch - "The Governor's Choice" - Visit the second oldest town in South Africa on one of our popular Cape wine lands tours. Stellenbosch is wonderfully picturesque with its beautiful Cape Dutch architecture, oak lined streets and world-famous University. In 1679 Governor Simon van der Stel was given the assignment of exploring the area beyond what is today known as the Cape Peninsula in order to establish more farms. This was needed urgently so that the Cape could be more self-sufficient and feed the growing local population as well as provide supplies to the many ships that anchored at Table Bay. He set out to the East and when he saw a beautiful fertile valley surrounded with mountains and a small river flowing through it, he made the choice that this valley would be the ideal place to establish farms and a settlement. He named it Stellenbosch after himself. Named after a well-known village in the south of France, we visit Lanzerac Hotel and Wine Estate, established in 1692 and situated at the entrance of the beautiful Jonkershoek Valley. Here we enjoy a wine tasting and an optional cellar tour. We pay a visit to Oom Samie se Winkel, literally translated meaning "Uncle Sam's shop". This shop takes you back to a bygone era and sells anything from tobacco rolls to mousetraps and every imaginable thing in between. At the back is a delightful coffee garden where one can enjoy a cup of tea / coffee with a traditional sweet. A quick visit to the Miniature and Toy Museum where the highlight is the extremely detailed lifelike miniature model of the Blue train. It travels from a miniature Stellenbosch, through the wine lands and the mountains to the Karoo where it passes Matjiesfontein before it returns home again. Consisting of 4 homes dating back to 4 different periods in the history of Stellenbosch, the oldest from 1709, the Village Museum illustrates life from the Pioneer days to the Victorian era. Driving through the town of Oaks, as Stellenbosch is also known, one is greeted by the rich inheritance of the beautiful Cape Dutch homes and the magnificent campus of the University of Stellenbosch. Suggested Lunch stop is a restaurant in Stellenbosch Township Tours - "Spirit of Ubuntu" - Cape Town - one city; many cultures. We believe that your introduction to the townships should be done by respected members of the community who can share the many insights with you from an "insider's" perspective. We therefore partner with a community based tour operator who specializes in these community uplifting tours.	Gateway Africa Safaris specialize in affordable, small group African travel. Besides the comfort and quality of our African safari tours, our landed prices are all inclusive. Safaris & Tours Overview Namibia Safari Packages Botswana Vacations Zambia Holidays Overland Camping Safaris Luxury Camping Tours Luxury Fly-in Safaris Luxury Wilderness Safaris Family Holiday Tours Tailor Made Safaris What to budget for a African holiday ? Because Africa is such a uniquely diverse and varied destination, there is no quick answer. Comfortable camping safaris are cheaper than staying in a luxury safari lodge, except when you are heading into remote wilderness areas - then safari travel logistics costs come into play. Certain mobile safaris operate on a scheduled departure basis at a fixed cost, while fly-in safaris or tailor-made safaris are planned specifically to meet your own personal budget and needs. Affordability of an African safari tour is in the mind of the beholder and the value of desired experiences is a personal matter.

^GATEWAY^{AFRICA
SAFARIS}

South African Travel

Cape Town Day Tours

Cape Point & the Cape Peninsula Tour

Cape Town City and Table Mountain

The 3 Renowned Wine Routes

West Coast Flowers

5 Mountain Passes

Cape Safari Experience

Hermanus & the Whales

Robben Island + V & A Waterfront

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

Historical Stellenbosch

Township Tours

Garden Route Tours

Montague Tour - 2 Day

Great & Little Karoo - 3 Day

Garden Route - 4 Day

Garden Route - 5 Day

Garden Route & Big 5 - 7 Day

Day trips and Tours of Cape Town

To make the most of your time in Cape Town you join various very affordable day-tours for some outings and make your own way for others.

Full day Tours depart at approximately 8.30 - 9.00 from your Guest House / Hotel / Lodge and return at approximately 17.00 - 17.30 to the same, or any pre-arranged venue.

Please note that this tour can be adjusted to your requirements and interests. This is merely a suggestion from endless possibilities.

Cape Point & the Cape Peninsula Tour - "The Fairest Cape" - An exploration along the peninsula coastline to enjoy some of the most inspiring scenery South Africa has to offer, with the main feature being the spectacular Cape Point and the historical Cape of Good Hope.

The Atlantic Seaboard: This curvy stretch of coastline, also informally known as the millionaire's mile, stretches along Sea Point, Bantry Bay, Clifton and Camps Bay where some of the best beaches of Cape Town can be enjoyed. The road we follow hugs the coastline with the formidable Table Mountain and the 12 Apostles mountain range close on our one side and the vast South Atlantic on the other. We pass the trendy café's in Camps Bay which are very popular venues to enjoy sundowners while viewing the magnificent sunsets over the Atlantic ocean.

Picturesque Hout Bay literally translated meaning "Wood Bay", where the early Dutch Settlers collected timber to repair their ships after sailing along the rough seas of the Cape Coast. Our tour includes an optional stop at Mariner's Wharf, the original Waterfront of Cape Town, for a boat cruise to Duiker Island, home of the Cape Fur Seal, largest of all fur seals.

Traveling through the quaint holiday and residential villages of Kommetjie and Scarborough, we enter the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, rich in historical significance and offering an abundance of natural beauty. This is home to more than 2200 plant species and various birds and mammals, including antelope, baboon, ostrich, land based- and seabirds. The impressive views of the vast Oceans towards the South and West, the Hottentots Holland Mountains across False Bay to the East and the Cape Peninsula to the North, can be seen from the lighthouse at Cape Point which is situated on the highest sea cliffs in South Africa. Our next stop is the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-westerly point on the African continent. Your exact location when standing at this point? 18º East and 34º South.

A visit to the Boulders Beach introduces you to the charming Penguin Colony, all of them dressed in their "tuxedo outfits".

Simons Town's long and illustrious naval heritage is visible everywhere in this town; including the statue of "Able-seaman" Just Nuisance, the only dog ever to be officially enlisted as a member of the Royal Navy.

In the long shadows of the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain lies Kirstenbosch , the flagship of South African Botanical Gardens, with more than 9000 species of plants. This exquisite garden will leave a lasting impression of "the fairest Cape of them all".

Suggested Lunch options are : Restaurant / light snack at Cape Point or Simons Town
PS: Make sure to bring along something warm to wear as it is quite possible to encounter gale force winds at Cape Point.

Cape Town City and Table Mountain - "The Mother City" - Explore Cape Town, one of the world's most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities, cradled in the amphitheatre formed by Table Mountain, Lion's Head and Devil's Peak.

Rising 1087 meters above the "Mother City", the grandeur of Table Mountain can be seen 200 kilometers away from sea, and for centuries provided a welcome site to the exhausted sailors who visited the "Taverns of the Seas" after spending an average of 6 months at sea. The sight of Table Mountain with its flat top must surely be the most well known landmark in the Southern hemisphere. Weather permitting, we undertake a cable car ride to reach the summit from where one has the perfect 360º view of the "fairest Cape in the world"

The Castle of Good Hope, oldest European structure in South Africa, was built to protect the early Dutch Settlers against possible attacks by other European powers. Walking through its formidable entrance one is transported back in time to the late 1600's on experiencing the cobblestone floors, sundials on the original walls and the beautiful balcony that was the stage from where the Governor made his important announcements. Aside from the Changing of the Guards ceremony that is still performed, the Castle today protects valuable collections of Chinese Porcelain, old Cape furniture, Artwork and Cape Silverware.

The Malay Quarter, also referred to as the Bo-Kaap (when translated meaning Upper-Cape) is an extremely colorful area situated on higher ground than Cape Town itself and reminds one of the Mother City's days gone by. It boasts a distinctive Muslim flavor with beautiful small mosques, as many of the people who live in the Bo-Kaap are direct descendants of the former slaves from far away places like Malaysia, Java, Indonesia and the various Portuguese Spice Islands.

The oldest garden in South Africa, the Dutch East India Company Gardens started as a fruit and vegetable garden to provide for the many sailors on their long journey from Europe to the Spice Islands in the East. The purpose was to reduce the number of people who suffered from scurvy. As the Cape developed and more farms was established, the Garden gradually changed into the botanical pleasure garden it is today, still frequented by many a Capetonian on their lunch breaks.

Cape Town's link with the sea, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, is a result of reclaiming the historic waterfront of Cape Town, and reuniting the Capetonians with their heritage - the sparkle of the sea. The V&A Waterfront offers a wide variety of entertainment, present-day shops and restaurants to enjoy in Victorian style

Suggested Lunch options are restaurants around the vibrant Green Market Square in the center of Cape Town with its flea market and interesting mix of "characters" or the V&A Waterfront with its endless choice of restaurants.

The 3 Renowned Wine Routes - "Feast Your Senses" - For the Wine Lover. Explore the Westerns Cape's 3 most famous wine routes. A day tour to truly feast your senses enjoying some of the Cape's finest wines in breathtaking surroundings.

The wine routes of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek have become legendary for the excellent quality wines and brandies they produce. Traveling along these three wine routes where the fertile green valleys are surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges, we visit a minimum of 3 leading wine estates along the Wine Routes; all of them carefully selected for their scenic beauty, historical significance and superior wines.

Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa and wine capital of the region, is very popular for its oak-lined streets, beautiful Cape-Dutch architecture and excellent restaurants.

Paarl is situated on the banks of the Berg River and is the head quarters of the biggest wine cellar in the world, namely KWV (mentioned in the Guinness Book of records as having the largest wine barrels in the world). This town has played a major part in establishing the Afrikaans language and boasts the longest main street in South Africa, beautifully flanked by oaks on both sides.

Franschhoek, literally meaning "The French Corner", was the valley where the Dutch Governor Simon van der Stel settled the French Huguenots in 1688. Currently the town boasts a distinctive French flavor with more than 27 fine restaurants to choose from. (PS: Today this town even celebrates "Bastille Day"; even though you'll probably be greeted with a blank expression should you speak French to any of the residents!)

Optional Cheese Tasting at a leading wine estate.

Optional Cellar Tour on one of the Wine Estates

Recommended Lunch options are: A restaurant in Franschhoek or a Gourmet Picnic Lunch Basket under giant stone pine trees on a wine estate near the Franschhoek Valley.
PS: For those who would like to go easy on the wine, grape juice is available at most of the wine estates.

West Coast Flowers - "Bokbaai Vygie Tour" - Springtime is flower time and this flower tour is offered from August to September when the West Coast is transformed into a wild flower wonderland.

Heading North from Cape Town, our first stop is at Bloubergstrand where one can enjoy the postcard view of Table Mountain with the endless beaches of Table Bay in the foreground; the Bay frequented by colorful windsurfers on windy days.

From here we head North to visit the arid and desolate West Coast.

We reach the West Coast National Park, and pay a leisurely visit to Postberg, an ecologically sensitive area that is specially opened to the public during the brief flower season. Most of the time will be spent in this area so that the flowers can be enjoyed to the fullest.

On route back to Cape Town, we stop at the Tienie Versfeld Flower reserve for a brief view of this transformed wonderland.

Time permitting, we visit the seaside village of Yzerfontein, a popular holiday venue.

Lunch is a gourmet picnic basket enjoyed in Postberg Nature reserve.

5 Mountain Passes - "The Pioneer's Challenge" - Sir Lowry's Pass, Viljoen's Pass, Franschhoek Pass, Du Toit's Kloof Pass & Bainskloof Pass - "An unforgettable scenic splendor, traveling over the majestic mountains of the South Western point of the African Continent. A day to cherish and remember, with unsurpassed photo opportunities in a tour of dramatic contrasting landscapes."

Sir Lowry's Pass, originally known as the Gantouw Pass meaning "Pass of the Elands", so named by the indigenous Khoi-khoi people, provides beautiful views of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, Somerset West, False Bay, Strand and the Cape flats and Table Mountain in the far distance.

Descending Viljoen's Pass brings you to the heart of "Apple" country and provides wonderful views over the many fruit orchards. These orchards produce the choice Cape Fruit that are enjoyed all over the world.

Franschhoek Pass, originally known as the Elephant's Path in memory of the elephants migrating along this route, welcomes you to the Valley of the Hugenots and the heart of the wine lands with its beautiful vineyards and old Cape Dutch homesteads.

Traveling over Du Toit's Kloof Pass we arrive in the Breede River Valley with its seemingly endless vineyards and fruit orchards. This is one of the most dramatic passes in South Africa with cliffs rising up to 2000 meters.

Bainskloof Pass, built by legendary Pass builder Andrew Geddes Bain, is a rugged and dramatic scenic pass with views over the Wellington Region's wine lands and towards the North, the vast open wheat fields of the Swartland Region, the "bread basket" of the Cape.

A Gourmet Picnic Lunch basket will be enjoyed on one of the many viewpoints.

Cape Safari Experience - "African Heritage" - Traveling via the scenic Du Toitskloof Pass and beautiful wine lands, we visit a private game reserve that hosts amongst others, Giraffe, Leopard, Zebra, Springbok, Gemsbok (Oryx) and up to 172 different bird species.

Traveling over Du Toit's Kloof Pass, we arrive in the Breede River Valley with its seemingly endless vineyards and fruit orchards. This is one of the most dramatic passes in South Africa with cliffs rising up to 2000 meters.

The lush and beautiful Hex River Valley, originally discovered by Bushmen hunters coming from the barren Karoo when trying to reach the rich hunting grounds of the Boland, today produces 65% of South Africa's export grapes even though being only 22 kilometers long and 4 kilometers wide.

Arriving on the private game reserve, we enjoy a welcome cocktail and some leisure time next to the swimming pool in summer or next to a roaring log fire in winter.

Lunch at the game lodge restaurant or outdoor African Boma

A 2 - 3 hour game drive with an experienced ranger. We also visit renowned San Bushmen paintings.

Hermanus & the Whales - "A Tour for all Seasons" - Whether it is whale time or not, this is truly a tour for all seasons with spectacular coastal drives, dramatic mountain scenery & during July to November, Southern Right Whales frolicking in Walker Bay as close as 20 meters from the shore.

Sir Lowry's Pass, originally known as the Gantouw Pass meaning "Pass of the Elands" by the indigenous Khoi-khoi people, provides beautiful views of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, Somerset West, False Bay, Strand, the Cape flats and Table Mountain in the far distance.

Traveling through the "apple" country of the Elgin & Grabouw area, we stop at one of the favorite farm-stalls that offers a variety of fresh produce of the area.

From July to November, Hermanus offers the best land based whale watching in the world (PS : On whale authority, this is apparently also the best sea based people watching spot in the world.) The Southern Right whales, which are as big as 10 large elephants, are seen up to 20 meters from the rocky outlooks. These gentle giants visit our shores to mate and calve in our relatively warmer and calmer waters and are the main attraction during the annual whale festival. Hermanus is one of the top holiday venues in South Africa during summertime and offers sunny weather, golden beaches, rock & surf and deep sea angling. The huge tidal lagoon is also a favorite venue for various water sports.

Traveling through the coastal holiday village of Betty's Bay, we arrive at the Harold Porter Botanical Garden where we enjoy a short walk through the indigenous flora.

Our route to Cape Town takes us along the scenic Clarence Drive which hugs the rugged coastline; our companions being the majestic mountains on the one side and the waves crashing on the sharp rocks on the other.

Suggested Lunch stop is the village of Hermanus in one of the many restaurants to choose from.

Robben Island and the V & A Waterfront - "Madiba's Magic" - A visit to South Africa is not complete without a journey to the birthplace of the New South Africa. Experience the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.

A morning at own leisure at Cape Town's link with the sea, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. This waterfront is a result of reclaiming the historic waterfront of Cape Town, and reunites Capetonians with their heritage - the sparkle of the sea. The V&A Waterfront offers a wide variety of entertainment, present-day shops and restaurants to enjoy in Victorian style.

After lunch, we catch the Ferry to Robben Island, previously used by the Dutch to house convicts and later as a leprosy colony. The real historical significance however lies in the use of Robben Island as a political prison by a previous "apartheid" government where the leaders of the struggle against "apartheid" were incarcerated.

A guided tour on Robben Island will provide special insight to the conditions under which the political prisoners were held as well as interesting insight into the struggle against "apartheid". During the tour, the highlight will be a visit to the prison cell of the icon Nelson Mandela, later to become the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

Suggested Lunch in one of the many restaurants of the V&A Waterfront.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens - "The Gardener's Delight" - Enjoy the unique and beautiful Cape Floral Kingdom, concentrated in the world-famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Resting in the long shadows of the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is one of the world's famous botanical gardens. The garden that takes up approximately 560 ha, has more than 9000 different species of plants and trees. One of Cape Town's most beautiful recreational areas, the upper part of the garden consists of evergreen indigenous forests and the lower slopes are cultivated with big lawns, ponds, streams and curving pathways. It offers peaceful and serene surroundings where one can replenish the soul and provides a spectacular backdrop for some of the popular summer sunset concerts including light music, jazz and carols by candle light.

Our visit to Kirstenbosch includes an informative guided tour through the gardens, highlighting unexpected and interesting aspects along the way.

Facilities at Kirstenbosch which can be enjoyed at own leisure includes the Coffee Shop, Restaurant, Souvenir shop, Book shop and the Conservatory housing all the plants of the desert and semi-desert areas.

Historical Stellenbosch - "The Governor's Choice" - Visit the second oldest town in South Africa on one of our popular Cape wine lands tours. Stellenbosch is wonderfully picturesque with its beautiful Cape Dutch architecture, oak lined streets and world-famous University.

In 1679 Governor Simon van der Stel was given the assignment of exploring the area beyond what is today known as the Cape Peninsula in order to establish more farms. This was needed urgently so that the Cape could be more self-sufficient and feed the growing local population as well as provide supplies to the many ships that anchored at Table Bay. He set out to the East and when he saw a beautiful fertile valley surrounded with mountains and a small river flowing through it, he made the choice that this valley would be the ideal place to establish farms and a settlement. He named it Stellenbosch after himself.

Named after a well-known village in the south of France, we visit Lanzerac Hotel and Wine Estate, established in 1692 and situated at the entrance of the beautiful Jonkershoek Valley. Here we enjoy a wine tasting and an optional cellar tour.

We pay a visit to Oom Samie se Winkel, literally translated meaning "Uncle Sam's shop". This shop takes you back to a bygone era and sells anything from tobacco rolls to mousetraps and every imaginable thing in between. At the back is a delightful coffee garden where one can enjoy a cup of tea / coffee with a traditional sweet.

A quick visit to the Miniature and Toy Museum where the highlight is the extremely detailed lifelike miniature model of the Blue train. It travels from a miniature Stellenbosch, through the wine lands and the mountains to the Karoo where it passes Matjiesfontein before it returns home again.

Consisting of 4 homes dating back to 4 different periods in the history of Stellenbosch, the oldest from 1709, the Village Museum illustrates life from the Pioneer days to the Victorian era.

Driving through the town of Oaks, as Stellenbosch is also known, one is greeted by the rich inheritance of the beautiful Cape Dutch homes and the magnificent campus of the University of Stellenbosch.

Suggested Lunch stop is a restaurant in Stellenbosch

Township Tours - "Spirit of Ubuntu" - Cape Town - one city; many cultures. We believe that your introduction to the townships should be done by respected members of the community who can share the many insights with you from an "insider's" perspective.

We therefore partner with a community based tour operator who specializes in these community uplifting tours.

Gateway Africa Safaris specialize in affordable, small group African travel. Besides the comfort and quality of our African safari tours, our landed prices are all inclusive.

What to budget for a African holiday ?

Because Africa is such a uniquely diverse and varied destination, there is no quick answer.

Comfortable camping safaris are cheaper than staying in a luxury safari lodge, except when you are heading into remote wilderness areas - then safari travel logistics costs come into play.

Certain mobile safaris operate on a scheduled departure basis at a fixed cost, while fly-in safaris or tailor-made safaris are planned specifically to meet your own personal budget and needs.

Affordability of an African safari tour is in the mind of the beholder and the value of desired experiences is a personal matter.

GATEWAY AFRICA SAFARIS

South African Travel

Day trips and Tours of Cape Town

^GATEWAY^{AFRICA
SAFARIS}