About the Tour
A wine-lovers tour of South Africa at a perfect time of year. Late summer temperatures and sunny skies in Cape Town are a perfect tonic after a long winter. For some of us, April usually means more snow, more cold, more ennui. What better time to fly across the oceans to South Africa's Cape Winelands? We’ll visit some of the country’s best wine producers, hang out with the winemakers, taste new wines in the cellar, eat at some exceptional places, and experience nature up close on an all-inclusive safari at game and nature reserve.
This tour is hosted by Tania Van Pelt, owner of Hi-Lo Beverage in Denver, CO.
You will visit wine regions on the Western Cape of South Africa that aren't usually featured on a typical tour of South Africa. We'll go to some of the more interesting and stunning areas of the Winelands. This tour includes 10 nights of luxury accommodations, most meals, wine of course, and all transportation.
THE PRICE
$6930
THE DATES
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March 30-April 10, 2025
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April 20-May1 2025
THE ITINERARY
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2 nights at Kalk Bay
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2 nights Hermanus
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2 nights in Franschhoek
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1 night Breede River Valley
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3 nights in Cape Town
Air-conditioned motor coach transportation
Meals on tour, including:
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Breakfast each morning
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9 dinners, 11 lunches, all tastings, and sundowners/drinks out
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All transport except in Cape Town and within the towns of Hermanus and Franschhoek
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All accommodations
This tour is limited to 10 participants.
We have chosen these dates at the end of March through April because they allow direct flights from Newark, NJ, Atlanta, GA, or Dulles Airport, Washington DC to Cape Town, significantly reducing travel time. We strongly recommend booking a direct flight to Cape Town. The tour dates include your travel days. The tour begins the evening of your arrival. We have also focused on April as the month to visit these wine farms and their winemakers because harvest will have just ended and we'll have their time and attention. Not to mention cellar tours with that year's vintage in tanks and barrels!
For the free evenings or days in Cape Town, we will follow up with a list of favorite spots to eat, shop, explore, and visit.
The Itinerary
DAY 1:
You'll land at Cape Town Airport in the late afternoon, after clearing customs and grabbing your bags we go to the charming seaside fishing village of Kalk Bay, close to Cape Town and the airport. We will pick you up at the airport & shuttle you to the coast. We will stay in town at a lovely guesthouse and walk to dinner at a local seafood restaurant that happens to be one of the best seafood restaurants in the Western Cape. Overnight in Kalk Bay
DAY 2:
Breakfast in Kalk Bay overlooking the sea. Leisurely morning in Kalk Bay followed by a scenic drive up the coast to Cape Point, see the penguins, lunch nearby, and a leisurely drive back to the guesthouse. Dinner at a local spot within walking distance. Overnight in Kalk Bay.
DAY 3:
Drive to Hermanus, lunch at Creation, followed by a bubbly tasting at Domaine des Deux. Sabrage for those who wish! We end the day back in Hermanus with a lovely dinner on the beach close by, a short walk through the dunes. Overnight in Hermanus.
Day 4:
Morning in Hermanus, breakfast, and then free time for a beach walk at Grotto Beach, a walk along the cliffs, or a hike along the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Drive to Elgin for a tasting at Iona, and lunch at a farm stall nearby. Return to the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde for a special Harvest dinner with the winemakers & crew at Creation. Overnight in Hermanus.
DAY 5:
Breakfast in Hermanus, lunch & cellar tour at Le Lude. Followed by mid-afternoon tasting with Clayton of Moreson Wines & LOKAIA & Craig of Stony Brook & LOKAIA at Stony Brook in Franschhoek. Dinner at one of our favorite French bistros in town.
DAY 6:
Breakfast in Franschhoek. We depart Franschhoek shortly after breakfast for a drive to Stellenbosch and a visit to Villiera with a tasting and cellar tour. Lunch at a wine farm near Villiera. For those who wish we can arrange an afternoon hike along the mountains surrounding Franschhoek. Dinner at a Franschhoek restaurant nearby.
DAY 7:
We depart Franschhoek shortly after breakfast for the Breede River Valley. And we go to Alvi's Drift for Braai. We stay at a beautiful guesthouse in the nearby town.
DAY 8:
Breakfast at the guesthouse, followed by a tasting at Bon Courage in Robertson. Then we drive the Mother City. Check-in at the guesthouse followed by sundowners (evening drinks) and dinner in town.
Day 9:
Breakfast in Cape Town, for those who wish we can hike the Pipe Track on Table Mountain in the morning, followed by lunch at one of the best restaurants in the world in nearby Constantia. Free evening to explore this wonderful city.
DAY 10:
Breakfast in Cape Town, free day in the city, followed by Sundowners at the beach and dinner at another top 20 restaurants in the world.
DAY 11:
Breakfast in Cape Town. Lunch at nearby Kloof Street restaurant, followed by a visit to Kirstenbosch. And then we drop you at the airport. You’ll have adequate time after check-in to stop for a bite in the terminal before boarding.
Safaris at Kruger Park and/or the Sabi Sands area can be arranged if you wish. Please let me know and I'll arrange everything, including transport. (Price not including in the winemaker tour.)
HOTELS ON OUR ITINERARY
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Kalk Bay: Sonnekus
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Hermanus: Whale Coast Inn
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Franschhoek: Maison d’Ail
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Worcester: Beckhuis
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Cape Town: Rosedene
Getting There: Flights to Cape Town
We recommend booking a flight from wherever you are on the same day as the direct flight from Newark to Cape Town (CPT). You will have plenty of time as these are always evening flights. If you are originating from another city, I can arrange flights that coincide with these flights. I can also arrange all your flights for you if you wish.
United offers the best schedule and fare with direct flights to Cape Town from EWR & IAD. Delta offers direct flights from ATL to Cape Town. I strongly urge everyone to book direct flights from the east coast to Cape Town for ease and efficiency.
Weather in Cape Town March & April
Expect ideal conditions with highs in the 80s, and lows in the mid-60s. It’s hard to imagine a better time to visit. As it gets into April we move into late summer, early autumn. Harvest will have just finished. April is my favorite time in South Africa.
Documentation
You’ll need a passport with at least 30 days validity from your departure from the country. No visa is required at this time. No vaccines are required.
Pricing
This tour is based on a maximum of 10 participants. Share cost, based on double occupancy, is $6930 per person. The single-room supplement is $400. The price does not include flights from the USA, but assistance in booking is available for anyone needing it.
Complete the online registration. Once that is done, a non-refundable deposit of $2000 is due within seven days of confirmation. The balance of the tour payment is due December 15, 2024.
What if I need to cancel my flight or tour?
Because payments are non-refundable, it’s strongly suggested that you consider travel insurance for this investment. The exception to this is if a replacement is found to take the place of a canceling party.
Both of the companies listed below have a policy rate calculator online. Enter the cost of your tour and personal data to receive a no-obligation cost estimate.
Two recommended companies are:
Cancellation insurance will range in price based on the cost of your travel and the age of the applicant. Get a quote at the websites above before making a purchase. If you have a pre-existing condition to cover, you usually must purchase your policy within 2 weeks of the initial deposit.
MAKE YOUR RESERVATION
If you have any questions about this tour, please contact Tania at tania@hilobeverage.com or by phone at 970.274.4523.