Experience the highlights of the Mother city in this fantastic half day tour

The Tour includes a visit to the summit of Table Mountain with the most extraordinary views.

Highlights Include:

• Table Mountain (weather permitting) or Signal Hill
• A scenic coastal drive through Clifton & Sea Point
• Green Market Square
• A walk through the Company Gardens
• A scenic city tour passing the Houses of Parliament, City Hall, Castle & Slave Lodge
• The Bo-Kaap, traditional Malay Quarter
• The firing of the Noon gun – except Sun & public holidays

Table Mountain forms a natural amphitheatre around the city which is what make it unique and dramatic! You will discover why Cape Town is continually voted one of the top destinations in the world! Our first stop is to the Table Mountain cable station where we can ride the cable car to the summit (own account R195 and weather permitting). The views are spectacular, and our guide will point out all the most important places. Our tour continues over the mountain to the snowy white beaches of Clifton and Sea Point. The sharp cliffs plunge vertically into the ocean and magnificent mansions cling to the rock and seem to hang precariously over the edge.

We drive past Greenmarket Square with its vibrant flea market and souvenir stands, and we take a refreshing stroll through the Company Gardens in the shade of 160 year old trees.

The gardens are surrounded by old slave quarters, the Houses of Parliament and St Georges Cathedral, with its interesting history. We drive past the Castle and Slave Lodge, and the beautiful City Hall, and then we’re off to Bo Kaap, Cape Town’s Malay quarter with its quaint and picturesque houses and mosques.

Our tour culminates on a high with the firing of the noon gun up on Signal Hill (excludes Sundays and Public Holidays) and we can see the Cape Town Stadium from here, where some of the games were played during the FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010.

You’ll be dazzled by the sparkle of diamonds before we return you to your hotel.

This Tour offers a look into the beautiful Winelands with winding country roads, stretching vineyards, wine and cheese tastings

Afternoons only : Departs daily (except 25 Dec. & 01 Jan) at approx. 13h30 and returns at approx. 17h00

Highlights Include:

• Historical town of Stellenbosch
• Traditional Cape Dutch Architecture
• Wine, Cheese and Cellar tour

This enchanting excursion begins with a tour through historic Stellenbosch, an architectural jewel that serves as the historic heart of the country’s wine region.

We enjoy a wine, cheese and cellar tour at one of the local estates. A gracious blend of 18-century Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings is evident as we drive down Dorp Street, where massive Oaks still shade original water furrows, then enjoy a wine tasting in the Stellenbosch area. A second wine tasting will be included (time permitting), before returning to Cape Town

We don’t stop for lunch on a half day tour.
Included – 1 cheese and wine tasting and a cellar tour. We’ll include a second wine estate for a further wine tasting if time permits.
No wine tasting permitted for anyone under 18 years.

Collection early morning from your hotel in Cape Town,  and proceed towards Gansbaai – approximately 2 hours drive from Cape Town.

You will be met  at the Great White House in Kleinbaai before your trip. There are bathroom facilities, as well as a restaurant and gift shop here. Kleinbaai is a residential suburb of Gansbaai, with its own slipway.

Dyer Island is a 25 minute boat ride off shore.

What is a typical trip?

Breakfast (included in the price) is provided at the restaurant before the boat launch. Every trip is preceded by a brief introductory talk about the route and what to look to out for. Passengers are fitted with comfortable inflatable life-jackets. Safety is of the utmost importance. We have extensive public liability insurance.

We usually launch around 9:00 am in the morning (note that launching times may vary due to tide and weather conditions), arriving at the anchoring spot in 20 to 25 minutes. The anchor is lowered, the cage goes into the water, a scent trial is made, and we settle down. Final preparations for the diving are made, and the rest of the day is spent watching, diving and enjoying the day

After spending time with the sharks, we make our way to Dyer Island. At Dyer Island we can approach close enough to view African penguins, Cape cormorants and many other species. We also often spot giant petrels, Cape gannets, whitechinned petrels and storm petrels.

Neighbouring Dyer Island is Geyser Rock, home to 60,000 Cape Fur Seals. The stretch of water between the two islands is Shark Alley. We visit Shark Alley to view the seals. The colony is thriving and there is always lots of activity, especially around November time when the tiny pups are born.

At about 16:00, depending on the day, we head back to land. Should you wish to return to shore earlier, a transfer can be arranged.

After about 3 to 4 hours, depending on the day, we head back to land. Should you wish to return to shore earlier, a transfer can be arranged.

What should you bring? 

· Warm clothing as it is cooler at sea than on land.
· Sunscreen & cap/hat.
· Please use anti-seasick medication well in advance if you are prone to motion sickness.

Can sharks be viewed throughout the year?

Great white shark viewing is better at certain times of the year. When dealing with wild animals every day is different and even in low season it is possible to have amazing shark sightings. Boat trips are dependent on weather conditions and it is advisable to have more than one day set aside for shark viewing. We recommend serious shark enthusiasts and photographers/videographers book for a few boat trips.

Best sightings are May to September.
The chances of seeing sharks are 90% or more. During winter stormy weather is a fact of life, and this can prevent us from going out to sea.

December to March is considered the “low” season. Sightings can vary daily from very good to below average. With wildlife there are no guarantees.

Water and weather conditions

The water temperature can be anywhere between 12º C and 20º C.

Visibility is usually 6 – 8 m, but it can go up to 12 – 15 m on a good day and down to 2-3 m on a bad day.

The Cage

The cage is made out of a 25 mm galvanised mild steel frame and covered with 10 mm galvanised mild steel security mesh.

It has no sharp edges on which a shark can injure itself.

The cage is secured to the side of the boat. Buoys keep the top of the cage above the water surface.

The sharks do not try and attack the cages or try to bite the divers inside the cage. They do sometimes bite the cages in an exploratory manner, and sometimes also have a good look at the divers inside the cage. It is not in the nature of the shark to attack the cage or the diver inside.

How are sharks attracted to the boat ?

We strive toward zero impact diving, to enjoy the magnificent sharks, yet to be environmentally responsible. In order to attract the sharks to the boat it is necessary to lay down a scent trail for them to follow. Our “chumming” consists out of a bait bag (chumsicle) containing only fish products. This makes a very light scent trail for the sharks to follow. Fish is attached to a bait line to lure the sharks to the boat. The sharks are not fed as the bait is pulled away as they approach.

Photography and film making

We are particularly sensitive to the needs of serious underwater photographers and film makers, our crew is familiar with special requirements and always prepared to help get that special shot or footage.

We supply diving equipment however, serious photographers and filmmakers usually bring their own drysuits.

FREE PENGUIN VISIT

Guests are welcome to visit our African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary at no extra charge.

A light lunch or breakfast included before the trip, as well as home made soup and bread after the trip. Snacks and drinks provided on the boat trip.

This day offers a fascinating look at the different cultures of the Cape.

Highlights Include:

• Drive through District Six
• The District Six Museum – If open*
• Bo Kaap
• Experience a local community church on Sunday (optional)*

The Bo Kaap

Join us for a unique experience travelling through the three South Africa’s – The birth, where it all started, Apartheid South Africa, what happened then – the New South Africa, what is different since Nelson Mandela was released from prison. Departing from Cape Town city centre, the first stop is in the Bo Kaap. Here we discuss the arrival of an expedition of Dutch sailors in 1652 that proved to be a monumental turning point in the South African history.

Taking a short walk along the romantic cobble stone streets between the brightly coloured homes, your tour guide explains how the framework for racial segregation was established. Passing some of Cape Town’s landmarks, a short drive brings us to District 6 where we elaborate on the next tier in the South African story i.e. Apartheid South Africa.

District 6 and Langa

Once in District 6, we drive through the now decaying ruins of what once was a flourishing mixed-race community where 60 000 people lived and worked but was demolished only to be reserved exclusively for white people. The tour continues to Langa, the oldest Black African Township in Cape Town. Along the way we elaborate on the restrictive legislation introduced by the Apartheid regime to enforce racial segregation. On arrival in Langa, we have a photo stop at the site that commemorates the student uprising of 1976; discuss the Pass Laws and the barracks built for African migrant workers.

If conducted on a Sunday morning, the tour includes a short visit to one of the local churches. Here guests are immersed into the charisma and vibrancy of how religion is practiced in the townships. While in Langa, we also share the miracle of our country when Nelson Mandela convinced us to forgive so that we can free ourselves. We also offer our groups a greater understanding of Shanty Town that exploded with the massive migration of mothers and children into the cities restoring black dignity at the end of Apartheid.

Morning or Afternoon Tour Entrance fees to District Six Museum included [ Closed on a Sunday ]

Full Day Cape Point Tour

Our journey to Cape Point takes us along the scenic Atlantic seaboard coastal road. We pass the pristine beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay with their soft white sand and assure blue water.

The formidable 12 Apostles Peaks rise above the road on one side, while shear cliffs and incredible rock formations drop into the icy Atlantic Ocean on the other side. There is no doubt the coast of the Cape peninsula offers magnificent scenery with its great biodiversity.

Hout Bay

We arrive at the quaint fishing village of Hout Bay with its imposing Sentinel. Visit Seal Island (own account) or shop for souvenirs at the craft market at the harbor. Our tour continues over Chapman’s Peak which offers amazing photo opportunities, and onto the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.

Cape Point Nature Reserve

This area is home to magnificent ‘fynbos’, many different species of buck and birds, the Cape Mountain Zebra, and mischievous baboons. These creatures entertain guests enjoying lunch at the restaurant which has splendid views of False Bay.

Take the funicular (own account) to the lighthouse to see the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans at the Cape Point. A photo stop at the Cape of Good Hope is a ‘must’, and our guide will do his best to assist in capturing that special moment for you.

Boulders Beach Penguins

We visit Boulders Beach to see the Jackass penguins (own account) before arriving at the naval base of Simonstown, and then we venture inland to our last stop of the day at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. With the sun setting over the tall peaks of Table Mountain the last rays sparkle on the trees and flowers, and offer fitting end to a day filled with all the Cape has to offer.

We also offer a half day Cape Point tour: Details Here
Or what about combining a trip to Cape Point with a visit to the historic and beautiful Cape Winelands? Details Here