OTHER TOURS AND ACTIVITIES
Cape Town and the Western Cape offer a myriad of ‘things to see, do and experience’. We all have our individual tastes and preferences, so here is an opportunity to select what you would like to experience when visiting. Select your preferences, send them to us and we will include them in your trip for you!
As the prices differ from season to season (some really great specials available in Winter) some prices aren’t printed here. Once we have received your list, we will fit them in to your trip plan indicating per item costing of each selection. You decide what you want to keep and what doesn’t quite suit your budget this time round, and we provide you with a final itinerary.
The options are divided into the following categories:
Famous sites; Activities; Cultural and Spoil Yourself!
Prices quoted are estimated. Exact prices will be confirmed on request.
To check availability and make a booking: please send an enquiry to info@winedesk.co.za
FAMOUS SITES
Table Mountain
Option 1 Cableway
All Day: Return – Adults R430; Children 4 – 17 yrs R215; One Way – Adults R280; Children R150
Afternoons from 1pm: Return – Adults R370; Children 4 – 17 yrs R185; One Way – Adults R280; Children R150
Prices valid until end June 2025.
Open 7 days a week. First trip up 08h00; Last trip up 18h00; Last trip down 19h00 (seasonal).
Purchase your tickets online and pay less
http://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=681080
3 minute cable car ride to the summit of the 1086m high,
flat-topped granite and sandstone feature which has become synonymous with the Mother City (weather dependent).
Option 2 Guided Walk – prices range from R1200pp to R1800pp (depending on chosen route)
Available 7 days a week. Prices valid until September 2025.
To explore Table Mountain on foot is the only way to fully appreciate this unique corner of Africa. So take the time, in the care of an experienced guide, not just to see but to smell, touch and hear all the wonders that are found right here in Cape Town. A range of routes are available from 3hr to full day walks.
Cape Point
R455pp adult; children (2 – 11) R225; Funicular (optional) R105 return/R90 single; children (6 – 16) R55 return/R50 single
Prices valid until end October 2025.
Opening times: Cape of Good Hope: 06h00 – 18h00 (Oct – Mar); 07h00 – 17h00 (Apr – Sep). Funicular: 09h00 – 17h00. Restaurant: 09h00 – 17h00.
From its rugged, rocky outcrops and sheer cliffs to the fynbos covered plains, ape Point holds much in store for visitors to these shores. You’re in for spectacular views; natural beauty and incredible vistas. For a guided day tour, please see the Cape Peninsula Tours.
Boulders Beach – Penguin Colony
R215pp; children (2-11) R105pp
Prices valid until end October 2025.
Open 7 days a week.
Opening times: Apr – Sep 08h00 – 17h00; Dec – Jan 07h00 – 19h30; Feb – Mar 08h00 – 18h30; Oct – Nov 08h00 – 18h30.
Visit the penguins at Boulders Beach in a penguin sanctuary for the African
Penguin, which has been listed as a vulnerable species. The sheltered beach is open to the public. The penguins are best viewed from the Foxy Beach boardwalks. For a guided day tour which includes a visit to the penguins, please see the Cape Peninsula Tours.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
R230pp; children (6_17) R40pp; Children under 6 free
Prices valid until end March 2025.
Open 7 days a week.
Opening times: Sep – Mar 08h00 – 19h00; Apr – Aug 08h00 – 18h00; Conservatory Mon – Sun 09h00 – 17h00.
Voted one of the top seven Botanical gardens in the world.
They specialise in indigenous plants..
Robben Island
R600pp; children under 18 R310pp
Private tours quoted on request.
Prices valid until end May 2025.
Ferries depart at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm, weather permitting, from Nelson Mandela Gateway, at the V&A Waterfront
Robben Island Museum is dedicated to maintaining the symbolism 
of peace and the triumph of the human spirit over hardship. Over 310 000 people visit Robben Island every year for an insight into past conditions on the island and also to view the famous prison which is now a museum. Some of the ex-political prisoners act as tour guides which gives a greater depth to the tour. Tours on the island include a visit to the prison, the limestone quarry, the Leper’s Church and a Kramat (muslim shrine). This trip will five you some insight into how far South Africa has come in the ten years of democracy and give you a greater understanding of where we want to be. A 30 minute catamaran trip leaves every hour on the hour from the Nelson Mandela Gateway near the Clock Tower at the V & A Waterfront.
It is advisable to purchase your tickets directly online before your arrival in Cape Town as these trips are often fully booked a week or two before the trips. Prices are also less online http://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=76219
ACTIVITIES
Cape Malay Culinary Experiences
Option 1: Cape Malay Cooking Class
Available Mondays to Fridays starting at 11h00
R1000pp
Join Gamidah in her family home in the picturesque Cape Malay Quarter, Bokaap. Learn to make rootis, samoosas and a traditional Malay curry, then sit back and enjoy this scrumptious meal followed by traditional sweets (koeksisters) and cardomom tea. Available Mon – Sat, starting at 11h30, ending and 13h30.
Option 2: Culinary Tour with Cooking Experience
Available Mondays to Fridays starting at 11h00
R1250pp (excluding transfers); Private R1375pp (excluding transfers)
Includes a guided walking tour of historical heart of the Bo-Kaap with accredited tour guide and visit to to a spice shop.
Option 3: Cape Malay Snack
Available Mondays to Saturdays at 10h00
R400pp
Start your day off with Gamidah for a brief introduction to Cape Malay Cuisine and culture. Learn to make samoosas and chilli bites. And eat them! lasts approx. 1 hour.
Winelands Meander (choice of hiking, cycling or mountain biking) – private tours only
On a sliding scale of R3250pp based on a minimum of 2 persons. Inclusive of transport in air conditioned vehicle; DEAT qualified Tour Guide with relevant experience; Mountain Bike and helmets (where applicable); Picnic lunch; Entrance fees and wine-tasting Price valid till end Oct 2025.
Experience the historic Cape wine route with a personalised guide who will take you on a winelands meander. Guests have an option of either hiking, cycling or mountain biking in either Stellenbosch or Franschhoek.
Stellenbosch, home to the oldest wine route in the Cape. We start cycling from the historic Lanzerac wine estate, which is one of the oldest first farmed in 1695. We continue up the Jonkershoek Valley which is framed by a towering wall of rock, punctuated by the Jonkershoek Twins. The valley is a setting of fynbos, fern-lined kloofs and spectacular waterfalls. (The plantation offers a 10km ride for beginners and more demanding rides of up to 40km for the experienced mountain bikers.)
In Franschhoek, named after the French Huguenots who settled here in the 17th century and utilised their expertise to transform this landscape into a prime wine producing area we start cycling approx 20 to 40 km on secondary roads and cycle paths. We cycle past many beautiful wine estates with the Groot Drakenstein Mountains as a backdrop. We cycle through the historical town of Franschhoek to the Huguenot Monument. You might be tempted to pop into the many boutique shops and art galleries. For lunch we cycle back to one of the many wine estates in the region for a gourmet picnic lunch.
After lunch we depart we can either continue wine tasting over or visit other attractions like in the area, before returning to Cape Town.
What should you bring?
•Wear light weight & comfortable clothing suitable for cycling/hiking
•Shoes for cycling/hiking
•Sunscreen, sunglasses & cap/hat.
•Windbreaker
•Camera!
How to Pair Food and Wine
On a sliding scale of R3000pp based on a minimum of 2 persons
Join a well-known wine and food expert for a 3 hour wine and food combination session. Very entertaining and informative!
Horse-riding in the Vineyards (Franschhoek)
Hourly Rides R800pp per hour ie scenic tour, no wine
tasting OR R1700pp for 2½ hours with1 wine tastings OR R2200pp
for 4½ hours with 2 wine tastings
(valid until end September 2025)
Available Monday to Saturday 08h45 – 13h15 or 13h15 – 17h45
Maximum rider weight: 100 kgs. Children over 12 only (experienced and supervised)
Ride through the vineyards on horseback. You have a choice of booking
per hour (scenic tour only, no wine tasting), or there is a 4 hour ride
including 2 wine tastings. The stops at the wine farms for tasting are
around 45 minutes each. Experienced riders or novices are welcome.
Starting times: 09h00 and 13h30.
Golf on a wine farm
quote on request
Enjoy 9 or 18 rounds on South Africa’s exquisite golfing estates in the Winelands. Enjoy lunch at the turn.
Whale Watching Cruise
R1950pp (children under 12 R1410 and under 5 free) return transfers with shuttle bus from Cape Town R900pp return (optional).- available June to Dec
When you are going to experience something ‘life-changing’ like this then you need to do it properly and with the experts! Dyer Island Cruises offer Five Star Boat Based Whale Watching. “This 2½ to 3-hour journey takes us to Dyer Island and the adjacent coast. We frequently see Dolphins along the beach. Southern right whales come to the shallow water during their breeding season. Sightings are guaranteed from Jun to Dec. Our permit allows us to approach to within 50 metres, but curious whales often swim right up to the boat to look at us. At Dyer Island we look for interesting sea birds such as African Penguins, Terns, Cormorants, Petrels and Oystercatchers. A narrow channel known as Shark Alley separates Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, home to a colony of 60 000 cape fur seals. This is a world-renowned location for viewing and cage diving with Great White Sharks”.
Shark-cage diving and viewing (near Gansbaai – min 2 hr drive from Cape Town)
R3050pp (children under 12 R1730), return transfers with shuttle bus from Cape Town R900pp (optional). Helicopter and Luxury Vehicle transfers available. Price on request.
Going Great White Shark Diving in South Africa is a combination of goosebump thrills, education and relaxation on a luxury boat in the company of experienced experts and researchers! They will show you how to distinguish between a male and female shark and how to identify a specific shark by its unique dorsal fin and scars. The 20 – 25 minute boat trip to where the activity is to take place, is by itself an exhilarating adventure.
The boat is custom designed for speed, stability, safety and space and can comfortably accommodate 40 passengers and the crew at a time.
On any given day, they also usually see at least two or more members of the Marine Big Five – sharks, dolphins, whales, seals and penguins, as well as several bird species.
What to expect:
At meeting point, guests receive breakfast or lunch and register their wetsuit size
Guests receive a pre-trip safety briefing about what to expect during the trip and a biological background on great white sharks.
Board boat.
Travel time to Dyer Island is approximately 20 minutes, with the shallows being a short 10 minute ride (anchor depends on where the sharks are)
On average, anchor is for 2 hours, but this depends on shark activity, conditions, as well as number of divers
Weather permitting, a quick trip through the infamous Shark Alley
Lastly, a debrief and a celebratory beverage to toast the occasion back at the meeting point.
The best time of the year to view the Great White Sharks in the Gansbaai area is between June and September when the visibility in the water is at its best.
However, a rule of thumb in nature is never to take anything for granted – especially when dealing with wild, unpredictable animals. Every day is different and amazing shark sightings are possible throughout the year – even during the so-called low season (December to February).
Hot air-ballooning in the Winelands
Available Nov – Apr
R4900pp (children same price – must be minimum 1.2m in height)
November to April are the best climatic months for this adventure. An early morning rise proves well worth it. A one hour ride followed by a Champagne brunch. Allow 4 – 5 hours for whole experience.
CULTURAL / SOCIAL UPLIFTMENT
Wine Desk Pebbles Project Wine Tours
1 – 3 pax R5500; 4 – 5 pax R6600; 6 – 7 pax R7700 Available Mondays to Thursdays only
A full day tour for the compassionate wine tourist who wants to experience more than just the fabulous wines of South Africa.
This tour introduces you to The Pebbles Project, a registered non-profit organisation that supports children living in the Winelands. Visit three wine farms and taste their delicious wines, but also spend quality time visiting the crèches and after-school clubs on each farm, and get involved with a range of fun activities with the children.
The Pebbles Project works with farm owners to develop their farm worker communities, focusing particularly on the education of the children. Services include: training for crèche and after-school club staff, supplying of all the educational resources and equipment, and taking the children out every month on an educational trip to local places of interest. Pebbles also offers workshops and support for parents living and working on the farms.
The Wine Desk actively supports The Pebbles Project and as with their other specialised wine tours, endeavours to offer the wine tourist the ‘off-the-beaten-track’ experience. Apart from tasting wines at the tasting rooms, the Wine Desk introduces visitors to the people behind the scenes – the winemaker, the cellar and vineyard workers, their families and children. Every attempt is also made to make the tour as personalised for each wine tourist as possible, taking into account ‘who they are’. On the Pebbles Wine Tour, experience life on the farm, interact with the children, and of course, taste the magnificent wines produced.
Township Tour
Small group tours: R720pp
Length: Half Day 09h00 – 13h00 / 13h30 – 17h00
Colourful”, “Vibrant”, “Busy”, “Welcoming”…. just some of the adjectives that describe township life!
This tour is a must-see, allowing visitors a unique journey through the history of South Africa by following a timeline starting in 1652 through to the present day democratic South Africa.
Join us as we explore the daily lives and culture of the Xhosa people living in townships. The streets are the lifeblood of our community. It is in the streets that our kids play soccer, where we trade, walk and talk, where boys and the girls meet, where we show off our new clothes and our new cars.
SPOIL YOURSELF!
Exclusive Shopping Tour
Quote on request (quoted per hour)
Save time and money. A shopping excursion will be designed for you. Take advantage of years of experience, passion and a deep knowledge of unique South African products. Products include property; leather; wine; jewellery; fashion; décor; artefacts and antiques.
