South Africa
Extension: The Best of Cape Town
Program No. 13597RJ
Gain a deeper understanding of South Africa as you explore Cape Town with experts, learning about apartheid, exploring historic sites and enjoying local wine and cuisine.
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
7 days
6 nights
11 meals
5B 3L 3D
1
In Transit to Program
Cape Town
2
Cape Peninsula, Boulders Beach
Cape Town
3
City Exploration, Free Time
Cape Town
4
Cape Winelands
Cape Town
6
Table Mountain, Program Concludes
In Flight
7
In Transit From Program
In Flight
At a Glance
Explore South Africa’s cosmopolitan city, Cape Town, on this optional post-program extension. Witness the spectacular scenery of the area from the top of Table Mountain and learn about the unique, indigenous fynbos vegetation at the Cape Peninsula and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Taste some of South Africa’s famous wines on an excursion to the Cape Winelands and visit historically important sites in the "Mother City."
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
I like to spend much of the day exploring. Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full. Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Visit the colorful Bo Kaap, Castle of Good Hope, and District Six, and learn about the history of apartheid in South Africa.
- Savor some of South Africa’s famous wines during a wine tasting in the beautiful Cape Winelands.
- Ascend Table Mountain and enjoy the spectacular view it affords, and stand at the southwestern-most point of the African continent at the Cape of Good Hope.
General Notes
This program may only be taken as an extension of "African Safari: A Close-up on Wildlife" (#13938). Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Suggested Reading List
(7 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Extension: The Best of Cape Town
Program Number: 13597
Cape Town, A Lonely Planet City Guide
A practical guide to the city and surroundings, featuring suggested walks, excursions and attractions. This surprisingly complete book also includes color photographs and a map.
Long Walk to Freedom
An unpretentious tale of an extraordinary life. Mandela recounts the circumstances of his imprisonment and ultimately his successful drive to end Apartheid.
South Africa, A Traveler's Literary Companion
Including short stories from some of South Africa’s best and most renowned writers, this collection accompanies readers to a recent, but altogether different South Africa, reflecting perspectives of both the oppressed and the oppressors.
Tomorrow is Another Country, The Inside Story of South Africa's Road to Change
Essential to understanding South Africa today, this comprehensive account shows the extraordinary developments that led to multiracial democracy in South Africa.
Cry, the Beloved Country
Considered one of the greatest works in South African literature, Cry, the Beloved Country details the state of racial affairs in South Africa through the story of a Zulu pastor, Stephen Kumalo, and the search for his son in Johannesburg who is accused of murdering the white social reformer Arthur Jarvis. Written before the implementation of the apartheid system, nevertheless, the novel would continue to carry profound resonance as a proxy for lessons concerning apartheid-era South Africa. Cry, the Beloved Country is a cry for South Africa; a cry for its land, people, and the hope for its freedom from hatred, fear, and poverty.
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
A harrowing look at life in South Africa under apartheid and country's lurching entry into a post-apartheid reality told through the prism of Trevor Noah and his family. Noah is the most successful comedian in Africa and is the current host of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning The Daily Show on Comedy Central.
Birds of Southern Africa: The Complete Photographic Guide
This brand new photographic field guide to the birds of southern Africa presents more than 2,500 images showing a wide selection of age and sex plumage variations, perched and in-flight birds, and color morphs where relevant, making it the most comprehensive collection of bird photographs of the region ever produced in a single volume.
Accompanying text focuses on identification, call, status, breeding details and diet. Also included for each species is a distribution map and a calendar bar indicating occurrence and breeding months.
About the author: IAN SINCLAIR is renowned in African birding circles for his field knowledge and expertise in identifying the region's many bird species. His vast experience has been gained in expeditions to every corner of Africa, as well as to the Himalayas, Antarctica and Marion Island. He has authored or co-authored several successful bird books, including the hugely successful Field Guide to Birds of SA and the equally successful Birds of Southern Africa.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
11 meals (
5B, 3L, 3D
)
2 expert-led lectures
3 expert-led field trips
2 flights during the program
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
Cape Town
Meals:
D
Stay:
Portswood Hotel
Afternoon:
As a group, we will fly from Livingstone, Zambia to Johannesburg at the end of main program #13938, African Safari: a Close-up on Wildlife. Upon a mid-afternoon arrival in Johannesburg, we will connect to our commercial flight to Cape Town for an evening arrival. Our Group Leader for the extension will meet us at the airport in Cape Town for our transfer to the hotel in the heart of the vibrant V&A Waterfront.
Dinner:
Dinner in flight.
Evening:
Our Group Leader will give us a brief orientation to the schedule for the next few days. The remainder of the evening is at leisure.
Day
2
Cape Peninsula, Boulders Beach
Location:
Cape Town
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Portswood Hotel
Activity Note
Full day field trip will take approximately 8 hours, with periods of sitting on the coach traveling between sites; approximately 85 miles driven. Getting on/off funicular at Cape Point, with set of steep stairs to reach the Cape Point lighthouse; spectacular views can still be had without climbing to the lighthouse. At Boulders Beach, the coach must park in a parking lot that requires about a 15-20 minute walk to get to the entrance to Boulders; the walk is on flat, paved surfaces.
Breakfast:
Taken at the hotel, breakfast will be an expansive buffet featuring a variety of cold cereals, fresh fruit, cold meats and cheeses, pastries and hot items such as bacon, sausage, tomatoes and mushrooms. Omelettes, eggs and waffles can be cooked on demand. Fruit juices, coffee, tea and water provided.
Morning:
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart toward Cape Point via the coastal route passing through South Africa’s famous beach resort town of Camps Bay, past the Twelve Apostle Range, through Hout Bay, and along Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most spectacular coastal roads to be found in Africa, finally arriving at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Cape Point, the southwestern-most point of the African continent, is one of the world’s most beautiful places – a stretch of rocky mountain jutting southward into the sea. We will board the Flying Dutchman funicular, which will bring us up to a viewpoint walkway on the peak, the lower station; the upper station, where the lighthouse is located, is accessible by stairs from here. At Cape Point we will find a myriad of pristine beaches, sheltered bays and coves, as well as a rich array of indigenous flora. The fynbos reserve (a unique vegetation type of the Cape Floral Kingdom) is home to a variety of wildlife and bird species. Whales (dependent on season), penguins and seals may be spotted from this point. Lecture: Fynbos.
Lunch:
We will enjoy a picnic lunch with bottled water, taken at a scenic spot on the peninsula.
Afternoon:
We will continue to Boulders Beach to view the resident African penguin colony. Our Group Leader will lead us to the beach, which is nestled in a sheltered cove between Simon's Town and Cape Point, and introduce us to the penguins. Boulders has become world famous for its thriving colony of African penguins and magnificent wind-sheltered beaches. Boulders is one of the few sites where this vulnerable bird (Spheniscus demersus) can be observed at close range, wandering freely in a protected environment. In the late afternoon, we will return to the hotel with time to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner:
Dinner will be taken at a local restaurant on the V&A Waterfront, and will consist of a three-course, set menu meal including water, coffee, tea; additional beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
City Exploration, Free Time
Location:
Cape Town
Meals:
B
Stay:
Portswood Hotel
Activity Note
City exploration will be done on motorcoach with chance to explore on foot in certain locations; walking up to 1 mile on paved paths, some inclines/declines encountered.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will embark on an exploration of the city with our Group Leader. Sites we will visit include: the Bo Kaap, a colorful and predominantly Muslim neighborhood; the Company Gardens, a lovely garden in the heart of city center that is surrounded by the Houses of Parliament; the Anglican Cathedral of South Africa, where Desmond Tutu was bishop; Greenmarket Square, an historic and vibrant meeting place in the business district; the Castle of Good Hope, a former fort that is the oldest building in South Africa; and District Six, which serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of apartheid.
Lunch:
Lunch will be on our own accounts to discover a local lunch spot.
Afternoon:
Free Time. On your own to see and do what interests you most in Cape Town. Our Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Activity options are many, including a hop on/hop off bus. There are also multiple museums and an aquarium in the city.
Dinner:
On one's own account to explore local fare in Cape Town.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Cape Winelands
Location:
Cape Town
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Portswood Hotel
Activity Note
Drive time between the city and Winelands is 1 hour each way; 40 miles. Minimal walking required.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning, we will depart for the Cape Winelands to spend the day exploring the wine-producing region around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. This area is not only the most important wine growing region in South Africa, but Stellenbosch is one of the oldest, most beautiful and well-preserved towns in South Africa. The vineyards form a patchwork in the fertile valleys and seem to be overshadowed by dramatic mountains. There is an almost European atmosphere with beautiful Cape Dutch architecture seen everywhere. We will partake in a wine tasting, complemented by a lecture on the area’s architecture, history and viniculture. We will have time to explore both Stellenbosch and Franschhoek today.
Lunch:
We will enjoy lunch today at a wine estate near Franschhoek. The three-course, set menu meal changes seasonally and is inspired by the variety of local ingredients available. Lunch will include one glass of wine per person and water; additional beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
We will continue our exploration of the Cape Winelands, returning to the city in the late afternoon.
Dinner:
On one's own account to explore local fare back in Cape Town.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Free Time, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Location:
Cape Town
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Portswood Hotel
Activity Note
Drive to gardens 20 minutes; 10 miles. Walk around the botanical garden can be up to 1.5 miles in length on paved paths, with small inclines/declines encountered.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Cape Town. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Lunch:
Lunch will be on our own accounts.
Afternoon:
We will visit Kirstenbosch Gardens, one of the world's leading botanical gardens. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of its setting, against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Kirstenbosch was established in 1913 to promote, conserve and display the extraordinarily rich and diverse flora of southern Africa, and it was the first botanic garden in the world to be devoted to a country’s indigenous flora. On display in the gardens is a wide variety of the unique Cape Floristic Region plant life, as well as plants from all the diverse regions of southern Africa; there are over 7,000 species in cultivation at Kirstenbosch, including many that are rare and threatened. In 2004, the Cape Floristic Region, including Kirstenbosch, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will walk around the garden in the company of our Group Leader and a local specialist, who will talk about the different plants seen.
Dinner:
Tonight's farewell dinner will be at a local restaurant and consist of a multi-course, set menu featuring traditional African food. Water, coffee, tea provided, with additional beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to pack and prepare for check-out in the morning.
Day
6
Table Mountain, Program Concludes
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B,L
Activity Note
Choice of different length paths to follow on top of Table Mountain, however minimal walking is required. Please note that the hotel room can be accessed for as long as needed into the evening, check out would be by 10:00am tomorrow morning.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will head to Table Mountain where a cable car ride up the steep granite slopes (weather permitting) will give us splendid views of the city and peninsula; it is perhaps one of the most magnificent views in the southern hemisphere. We will have the opportunity to explore our choice from the various walking paths on top of the mountain, where we may come across the unique rock hyrax, whose closest genetic relative is the elephant! In the late morning, we will descend in the cable car and return to the hotel.
Lunch:
Lunch will be on our own accounts.
Afternoon:
We will have the afternoon free to explore Cape Town on our own and pack. Our hotel rooms will be available until our departure this evening. Airport transfer will be provided for evening flight departures. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Day
7
In Transit From Program
Location:
In Flight
Morning:
Early morning arrivals back in North America.
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.
MEALS
11 Meals
5 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
3 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Nov 12, 2024 - Nov 18, 2024
Participant Reviews
Based on 13 Reviews
Sort By:
Cape Town is perhaps the most naturally beautiful city I have visited so far, between the coast lines and capes, the mountains, the fynbos covered slopes - it really is worth seeing. This extension covers most of the 'must visit' parts of Cape Town and gives a good perspective on the history and politics that created current-day Cape Town. Our guide was excellent and able to give us a lived-in perspective on the city. If you've not been to Cape Town before, this extension is absolutely worth it. Cape Town is a must see.
— Review left October 28, 2024
The African Safari: A Close-Up on Wildlife along with the Extension: The best of Cape Town, far exceeded my expectations. This trip was one of the nicest things I've experienced! Thank you Road Scholar!!
— Review left October 17, 2024
This trip was the perfect capstone to my adventure. I went for the penguins and found so much more. Cape Town is so very different from the bush. The accommodations were well appointed and in a fantastic location. Nothing like sitting on the waterfront and enjoying a people safari. Chantelle went above and beyond to make sure that we had a great time.
— Review left June 12, 2024
I give this extension a 5 star review. We were treated like dignitaries. Our guide Chantell was always approachable and informative. I have found that our Road Scholar trips can be rated by the guides we have had. With Road Scholar we have always had good guides, but Johann and Chantell were exceptional.
— Review left February 24, 2024
We decided to to the extension to Cape Town after doing 2 other programs and thought this would be a good wind down to our time in Africa.. I will say being in a large metropolitan city after spending 4 weeks out in the vast wilds of various parts of Africa was a little overwhelming at first.. Our guide, Chantel, was awesome and we discovered so much about Cape Town, it's history, good and bad and saw so many different areas outside of the city that it seemed like we weren't in a city at times. Such dramatic geography all over the cape region with mountains, oceans, beaches, vineyards and small towns.. We explored the townships, the apartheid history and ate in some really good restaurants.. Chantels personal history being raised in Cape Town really helped us understand the cultural, racial & historical value of the area and she made it fun at the same time... We had just enough free time to explore on our own and find some interesting places, museums & galleries. Unfortunately we bought tickets to to out to Robbin Island the day before we left and they were canceled that day due to weather so hint don't buy tickets on your last day buy early so you can reschedule if necessary.. I'm looking forward to going back already ..
— Review left August 28, 2023
The Cape Town was really worth the extension. Not only is the city beautiful, but it is full of history. Everyone should see Table Mountain, South Arican penguins, and experience African food and dancing at the closing dinner. I highly recommended if you spent all the time and money to go to Africa, don't miss it.
— Review left May 12, 2023
Cape Town is a wonderful city, worth the time spent, and our tour guide, Chantell, was absolutely fabulous. We were feeling somewhat worn out after our Road Scholar safari tour (although that was also fabulous), so leading up to the Cape Town extension, we were grumbling to ourselves questioning why we had signed up, as we were feeling ready to go home. However, once we were on the tour, our grumbling ceased- the experience was definitely worth hanging around for, and a great way to wrap up our Africa trip.
— Review left April 22, 2023
The Best of Cape Town Extension is a great add on to the Wildlife adventure. In just a few days you see and experience so many dimensions of this beautiful city and its environs. You see the entire city from the top of Table Man., you explore different areas, you go to Cape of Good Hope and see penguins and seals and ostriches; you go to Stellenbach wine country and taste delicious wines and foods; you learn and see the history of Apartheid, you taste diverse cuisines. I could go on and on. And the price was right@
— Review left April 16, 2023
Cape Town is a jewel of a place. As a point of reference for those in the U.S., think of spending 2 weeks in Yellowstone and the Badlands and then topping it off with 6 days in San Francisco. It provides the perfect bookend to the wonderful safari experience and I’m SO glad we did it.
— Review left October 24, 2022
Three of us took advantage of the Cape Town extension and we so happy that we did. The beauty and cultural experience of the Cape Town area were contrapuntal to our southern African bush and village experience, so we felt like together they were bookends. The Cape Town extension also provided us with a much deeper dive into the tragedy of Apartheid. Our guide, Chantell, was absolutely perfect. Easy-going, knowledgable, humorous, friendly and extremely helpful, she was thoroughly enjoyed by each of us. If one is going to journey this far from home taking advantage of the extension is a must.
— Review left October 17, 2022
This extension was somewhat disappointing. Our hotel was very good and in a good location. Our biggest disappointment was a schedule change to avoid the city tour on a weekday to avoid traffic and have better parking opportunities. The day we were most excited about, the peninsula tour, was swapped with that day, which ended up being rainy, windy and cold and we couldn't appreciate the views because we could see them due to weather. To change the itinerary for more favorable traffic and parking did not get the trip off to a good start. The vehicle provided was not comfortable as we had to crawl in and out of the backseat continually. Our guide was very good, except for making the schedule change. We were able to go to Table Mountain which was wonderful.
— Review left June 25, 2022
We highly recommend this small group extension to the African Safari trip - so much to see, learn & experience in the Cape Town area: Peninsula drive, Table Mountain, Kirschenbosch Garden, Original Teabag Designs, District Six Museum, Boulders Penguins, & more. Even the Protea Hotel was unique. You've come this far - be sure to include this extension adventure. Freetime gave us additional options; we chose to visit Robben Island, Waterfront area & Two Oceans Aquarium. Everything was great!
— Review left March 27, 2020
Experiencing the life of cultures close to me was great. Hospitality was great and the love of Cape Town with our guide was great. Alex, my companion and I were very thankful the tour was not canceled due to only we being the only tourists. But that being said, we had a better and closer involvement with our tourist guide Chantell, who was great. Continue to involve trips that connect with the poverty stricken nations and how they live and the part they played in our nation as it is today.
Thank you
Frances (Frannie) Pratt
— Review left November 16, 2019
