South Africa: Cape Escape

Name: South Africa: Cape Escape
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 5 (4 reviews)

Expert Local Guides

Award Winning Adventures

Nature First Adventures

Support Local Communities

On Offer:

Save 10% on all spring late getaways. Book by 14 February 2023. Learn more.

8 Days from

0 Days from

USD 2,799

5.0/5 from

Culture

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Private Group Adventures

Activity :

Culture

Activity Levels :

4 out of 7 - Moderate / Challenging

Group Size :

6 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

EZC

Fling yourself into Cape Town capers and venture to the Winelands beyond. There are adventures of the cycling and kayaking type to be had in these parts, but much more besides. Monumental scenery. Epic wildlife. Divine wines. Delicious food. See for yourself why people can’t resist returning to sensational South Africa time and time again.

Highlights

An action-packed and varied troop through the magnificent Western Cape
Experience the best of the region’s food and wine
The ideal pace, with just the right amount of time to savour experiences before continuing

Key Information

Seven nights in hotels and guesthouses
Airport Transfers

What's Included

All breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Visas and Vaccinations
Tips for leaders and staff
Flights

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips which improve life for the people and places we visit, and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People - How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

The use of a local guide means our customers will be well informed about local traditions, and cultural and social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally-owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and support of other local enterprise.
We use fairly small, family run and locally staffed establishments which ensures that we are benefiting local communities.
Our activity also benefits the rural village of Copey, which is nestled in the highlands of the Central Mountain Range. By passing through this area, seeing how the locals live and work and having lunch in a typical home, we are encouraging cultural exchange and providing valuable avenues of income here.
There is an option for clients to directly support local schools by packing a gift of educational supplies when we visit Copey area on this tour.
This is a small group tour, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people.
Our local operator is very involved in supporting community projects. On International Tourism Day in 2019 they took part in cleaning a beach at Guacalillo. They collected a total 150 Kg of waste and all the plastic lids collected were donated to the Fundación Proparques, for a project developing walkways to improve accessibility for people with mobility problems in the country's protected wild areas.
In 2017 Exodus Travels introduced the Inspiration Project, where we’ve worked with our partners to take more than 6,000 children in 30 countries on a day of adventure and exploration. Each inspirational day out is designed to introduce young minds to the wonders of our world and their place in it. From visiting cultural heritage sites to natural wonders, each trip has been packed with firsts – their first time leaving their own village, their first time seeing the sea, their first time visiting a busy city. We continue to operate these days out to inspire children to protect and preserve the world as they grow up.

Places - How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
Being a wildlife-based tour, we are very conscious of our effects on the environment and how we can reduce negative impact and aid conservation. We visit national and private parks, including the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the first community-managed reserves in the country. Our entrance fees also directly support conservation efforts in the areas we visit.
Our local operator has a policy of Animal Welfare that requests suppliers to comply with the minimum conditions of animal welfare.
Our local operator has been awarded by the Costa Rican Tourism Board for their sustainable tourism practice & dedication to improving sustainability standards. This means that efforts are made to rationally use water and electricity, provide adequate waste management, and positively impact communities, among many other actions.
Most of the accommodation and restaurants we visit on this trip use locally sourced food such as fruit which is always sourced locally and abundant. Esquinas lodge have their own policy whereby they produce their own organic vegetables and fruit, marmalade, juices, mayonnaise, bread, chocolate and seasoning.
Vegetarian options are available if notice is given which include a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, and rice.
To reduce our carbon emissions, we use a shared coach at the beginning of the tour to transport clients from San José to Tortuguero rather than an internal flight. During the trip, we travel responsibly using appropriate methods of transport; therefore, depending on group size, a minibus/coach will be used.
Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for re-usable bottles.

Planet - How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
An example of eco-friendly accommodation on this trip is the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, a model project combining conservation, environmental research and community development in a rural area. The plot is surrounded by approximately 3,000 hectares of untouched rainforest which acts as a carbon sink and the lodge itself is 100 % carbon neutral, meaning it will take action to remove as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they produce.

Exodus Edits - Adventure Travel. Edited.

Adventurous and active itineraries great for solo travellers, couples and friends.

Recommended Trips

Sequoias & SUP in California

South Africa: Cape Escape

Itinerary

You’ll be met at Cape Town’s airport and transfer to our hotel in town. You’ll meet your group in the late afternoon and head out for sundowners overlooking Camps Bay

Accommodation: City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront or similar

Table Mountain keeps watch over Cape Town, and you’ll get to explore this flat-topped mountain properly on your first full day. Shunning the cable car in favour of the more intrepid India Venster route (arguably the most scenic way up) you’ll hike and scramble up the mountain, stopping to admire the views over Camps Bay and Robben Island.

At the summit, there’s time to explore. Then you’ll head down the Skeleton Gorge path to the Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Accommodation: City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

You’ll leave after breakfast (but with a promise to return to the city in a few days) and drive via Camps Bay, Hout Bay and Chapman's Peak to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. This ruggedly beautiful area is home to the likes of springbok, baboon and ostrich.

Stretch your legs on a lighthouse walk and continue to the Cape of Good Hope where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans collide. Next, you’ll take to two wheels and cycle for two hours to Boulders Beach, home to South Africa’s 3000-strong penguin colony.

Accommodation: Simonstown Quayside Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

The adventure continues apace today, with an early walk to Simonstown harbour. You’ll kayak to Boulder’s Beach for another penguin encounter, this time on the water by kayak.

Around lunchtime, you’ll head to Stellenbosch, the heart of South Africa’s wine country. The afternoon is yours. Stroll around the oak-lined streets in this buzzy university town. Or maybe you’ll have some downtime in mind, and the pool at our accommodation could be just what’s needed.

Accommodation: San Gabriel Cottages or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

There’s a full day of wine tasting today, touring three estates. At the Waterford Estate, you’ll pair the region’s Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon with chocolate. Then it’s on to Middelvlei to pair their wines with delicious boerebraai tapas. Finally, there’s a cheese and wine pairing and cellar tour at the Jordan Estate. After today, you’ll be able to navigate wine menus back home like a pro.

Accommodation: San Gabriel Cottages or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Spend a day in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, to the southeast of Stellenbosch. You’ll follow a hiking trail through scenic mountains and fynbos, a heathland plants unique to South Africa’s Cape regions. Bring a swimming costume as there may the opportunity to go for a swim. The reserve is home to leopards, honey badgers and baboons, although they’re rather shy. Instead, you’re more likely to spot kingfishers, eagles and agama lizards.

For those looking for an adrenaline rush, there’s the option of going kloofing for the day instead. It’s the South African version of canyoning, following the Steenbras River through a canyon, abseiling, rock jumping and swimming in clear pools.

This evening there’s a traditional South African BBQ. It’s the perfect opportunity to swap stories of the day’s adventures.

Accommodation: San Gabriel Cottages or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning is spent cycling in West Coast National Park where will discover its beautiful and varied landscape. After a picnic lunch on the beach and a walk we will return to Cape Town. This evening, there’s a trans-African food experience at Gold Restaurant complete with live entertainment.

Accommodation: City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

On your final day, the choice is yours. A township tour? A visit to Robben Island to see where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated. Or perhaps just spending a little more time around the V&A Waterfront? There’s no bad way to spend time in this city.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

South Africa

Travellers from the UK, US and most (though not all) EU states normally do not need a visa to enter South Africa. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/south-africa
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/south-africa
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SouthAfrica.html

Please note, all travellers to South Africa who require a visa need at least two consecutive blank pages in their passport (ie a left- and right-hand page) to enable an entry visa to be issued.

Additionally, any child under 18 travelling to South Africa needs to be in possession of an unabridged birth certificate with the names of both parents. If a child under 18 is only travelling with one parent, they will also have to have an affidavit, no less than three months old, from the absent parent confirming the child can travel with the other parent; a court order granting full legal guardianship of the child; or a death certificate of the deceased parent.

Vaccination

South Africa

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, rabies and tuberculosis. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Malaria prophylaxis is essential if travelling in the greater Kruger area; seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic about which tablets to take. The rest of South Africa, including the Garden Route, has a low risk of malaria.

Dengue fever, a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, is also a known risk in places visited. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so we recommend taking the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts and one dinner
Vegetarians and Vegans can be catered for

Is this trip for you?

This is an active trip with cycling, kayaking, canyoning (optional), and hiking, so you need to be reasonably fit and have a sense of adventure.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Linsey Miller

Reviewed March 2020

Fabulous Trip, Fabulous Country!

A great trip to a fabulous country – having never been to South Africa before it surpassed all my expectations; the landscapes were amazing, the food was universally delicious, and the people were friendly and welcoming throughout. Although I have been on several Exodus trips before, this was my first Exodus Edits trip, and although for us some of the itinerary was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, I would definitely recommend the trip. The itinerary was varied and packed a lot in to a short space of time, and included the very active (climbing table mountain) to the very relaxing (wine tasting in Stellenbosch), with the highlight for me definitely being visiting and kayaking with the penguins at Boulders Beach.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Penguins! Both the walk along Boulders Beach in Simonstown, and the kayaking the following day were fabulous, and despite all the uncertainty and concerns over Covid-19, seeing the penguins instantly made everything better! I also really enjoyed the wine tasting in the Stellenbosch area - Stellenbosch itself is one of the most beautiful towns I have ever seen, and the visits to the vineyards were great fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Adonia and Ernest were great - nothing was too much trouble, and when our itinerary had to change they found other places for us to go. They were also amazingly helpful and reassuring when we were informed we would have to leave early due to Covid-19 - and despite that, we all still enjoyed the holiday very much!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If travelling in March, I would advise taking a windbreaker as it is surprisingly windy in Cape Town and surrounding area! It can also get quite cool at nights, so take a jumper or jacket too. Walking shoes/boots are a must for Table Mountain, and I'd recommend maybe sandals or shoes you don't mind getting wet for the kayaking!

Suggestions

A fab trip!

Caroline Pryer

Reviewed March 2020

Fabulous trip!

A brilliant trip with a fabulous group of people!!

I was part of the first Exodus Edits trip to South Africa and I would hugely recommend it to everyone. South Africa is a great country with fantastic scenery, delicious wine, lots of fun outdoor activities to try and really friendly people.
From the moment we arrived and were met by our leader Adonia and driver Ernest, I felt at ease as everything was organised for us, we simply had to enjoy the next few days together. Adonia and Ernest were super friendly, very knowledgeable about the local area and by the end of the trip, we were all really sad to leave them.
During the trip, I was lucky enough to climb halfway up Table Mountain (sadly the weather was too windy to reach the top safely), explore the Kirstenbosch gardens, sample wine at three wine tasting sessions and most importantly, see hundreds of penguins at Boulders beach.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing hundreds of penguins at Boulders Beach was my top highlight but there were so many other great moments too. The wine tasting day was lots of fun and made me try wines I wouldn't normally feel brave enough to drink as I always stick to white at home. The evening dinners together were always great too. I got to enjoy delicious wine and food whilst learning more and more about my fellow travellers.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Adonia and Ernest were absolute legends. From the first day to our last, they were always smiley, full of interesting information about South Africa and genuinely felt like part of the group. I'm sure I can speak for the rest of the group when I say that it was a sad moment to leave them at the airport when we flew back home.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip and explore the highlights of South Africa with other people in their 30s and 40s. The weather up Table Mountain and at Cape Point can be really windy so make sure you pack an extra layer on these days.

Suggestions

This was my second trip with Exodus and I'm sure it won't be my last. If you're in your 30s and 40s and want to explore a new destination with like-minded people, I would hugely recommend Exodus Edits!!

Clare Radley

Reviewed March 2020

Amazing trip

Having never been to South Africa before, every aspect of our trip surpassed all expectation. From meeting everyone at the airport, all through the trip, it was well organised and our guides were great!
Our activities were well thought out and perfect for what we wanted from our trip. The scenery was beautiful and the South African people were so friendly and accommodating. Nothing was ever too much trouble.
We loved it, and would definitely do another trip like this.

Most Inspirational Moment

The best part for us was the kayaking to see the penguins at Boulders Beach. It was a great activity and having never done sea kayaking before I, especially, was nervous, however I needn’t have been, the kayaks were easy to operate and the paddling was fine. The penguins were a pleasure to see, and watching them bob about in the waves not far from our kayaks was a real treat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Adonia was our guide and Ernest was our driver and they were fabulous. They were so friendly and helpful and had excellent knowledge of the area and history etc. By the end of the trip everyone felt like family, and we were sad to leave. Also, they were great when, through circumstances beyond their control, they had to make last minute alterations and organise things differently. 5 stars all round, thanks guys!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, it can be very windy! Especially at Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, so be prepared. :)

Suggestions

The food was delicious, and quite cheap compared to UK prices. We didn’t eat a bad meal at all, and the service was efficient, waiting staff friendly. The wines were also great too, I’m now a fan of Pinotage and a couple of good white wines as well! I wouldn’t hesitate to go back to this beautiful country, it was a truly memorable holiday! :)

Alex Reid

Reviewed March 2020

Cabarbet & Capers South Africa March 2020

An unforgettable trip that will live long in the memory. One that I would highly tecommend to anyone in their 30’s and 40’s who is short on time and keen to dip their toe into the best activities that the Cape has to offer.

This was the first ever Exodus Edits trip so it was a step into the unknown. Whats more, it coincided with the COVID-19 outbreak which ultimately led to it being cut short as we had to return to the UK. Nonetheless, the small amount of time spent in Cape Town with my fellow explorers and our fantastic tour guides Adonia and Ernest exceeded my expectations.

As a seasoned traveller and regular customer of Exodus, I knew that in spite of the uncertainty that came with travelling overseas as COVID-19 spread, I’d be in safe hands. After discovering on day 2 that the trip would be cut short, Adonia with support from Caroline and John from Exodus HQ who had joined us on the trip, provided regular updates and guidance on the fast-moving situation. This enabled me to make clear decisions on how and when I should return home before borders closed and airlines cancelled flights.

While the trip itself was reduced to 5 days, the activities that we were able to experience were hugely enjoyable. Hiking halfway way up Table Mountain in fierce winds and getting some amazing views of downtown Cape Town before (very sensibly) being directed by Adonia to head back down as it was just too risky to hike all the way to the top. Visiting the Cape of Good Hope and hiking up to Cape Point Light House in even stronger winds was quite an experience even for someone who grew up on the windy west coast of Scotland!

The accommodation across the 5 days was fantastic and leaned towards the 4 star in terms of quality. In Cape Town, the Grand Daddy Hotel was a one of a kind experience. Very quirky with Airstream style caravans on the top floor. Great rooms and very good breakfasts. In Simonstown, our hotel overlooked the gorgeous bay and offered great views of the sun setting. Last but not least, our farm stay accommodation on the outskirts of Stellenbosch offered great views of the surrounding vin yards and mountains on the horizon. Two separate swimming pools was also a welcome discovery.

Most Inspirational Moment

The natural beauty of the coastline from Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope will really stick in the memory. The eyes are seduced by the magnificence of the white sandy beaches before being confronted by the dancing white horses crashing into rugged coves. As I gazed out to the horizon and with nothing but churning ocean for thousands of miles to the left and to the right, I reflected on my good fortune in being offered the opportunity to put into perspective mankind’s place on the planet. While I tapped away on my iPhone taking picture after picture of the magnificent landscape, I knew that in spite of all of the technology at my fingertips, mother nature will always have the final word.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Adonia our tour leader and his able assistant Ernest were superb in very way. More so, in light of the challenges they were presented with on an hourly basis as the consequences of the South African Government's decision to impose travel restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 became apparent. At every turn, Adonia and Ernest kept us abreast of the situation and the implications on our scheduled activities. Where one activity was cancelled, an alternative was rapidly improvised. Too windy to hike to the top of Table Mountain. Ok, lets visit Signal Hill Nature Reserve instead. Bike hire company closed due to COVID-19? Let’s hike up to Cape Point Lighthouse. Highly knowledgeable, highly engaging and above all highly empathetic, Adonia and Ernest were there for us every step of the way. It really was sad to leave them in such abrupt circumstances.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are travelling on this trip towards the back of the South African summer, pack a windbreaker and a fleece as it can be really windy during the day and cool in the evening. Also make sure to pack a proper pair of waking boots as the hike up Table Mountain is largely on rocky steps so firm footing is required.

Read All Reviews

Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Availability

This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

View Trip Notes

Availability

View Trip Notes

Availability

View Trip Notes