SMALL GROUP JOURNEYOFFERS

The Cape Elegance & Historic Winelands

2026▾
10
Days
9
Nights
Private
Charter / Transfer

Table Mountain cable cars, hot-air balloons over mist-covered vineyards, and Southern Right Whales from a clifftop suite

See Pricing & Inclusions ↓
10 Days
Small Group
from $10,450 pp
Home  ›  South Africa  ›  The Cape Elegance & Historic Winelands

OverviewDesigned for luxury travellers who seek the perfect blend of natural beauty, world-class gastronomy, historic architecture, and exquisite wines. This package showcases the very best of South Africa's Cape region — from the dramatic cliffs and pristine beaches of the Cape Peninsula to the rolling vineyards of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, and the rugged whale-watching coastline of Hermanus. A journey of refined indulgence: a private luxury vehicle with a professional chauffeur-guide explores iconic landmarks, private wine estates, and hidden cultural treasures. Signature experiences include floating over mist-covered vineyards at sunrise in a hot-air balloon, dining under centuries-old oak trees, and a private cooking masterclass in the secrets of Cape Malay cuisine.

✦

Private crowd-free Table Mountain cable car ride — 360-degree views as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature

✦

Premium MCC sparkling wine sundowner from a private clifftop setup on Signal Hill at dusk

✦

Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point, and Boulders Beach's endangered African penguin colony in one spectacular day

✦

Private cellar tour and masterclass wine tasting at an ultra-luxury Franschhoek estate

✦

Sunrise hot-air balloon over the mist-covered vineyards of the Berg River Valley with a vineyard champagne brunch

✦

Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden private tour — over 60 bronze sculptures against the Stellenbosch Mountains

✦

Hermanus: the world's best land-based whale watching, Southern Right Whales visible from your clifftop suite

✦

Private hands-on masterclass cooking traditional Cape Malay curries and samosas with a cultural keeper

The Cape Elegance & Historic Winelands

Why Choose the Cape Elegance Road Safari

Private crowd-free Table Mountain cable car ride — no queues, just you and your guide

World-class private wine tastings at Franschhoek and Stellenbosch estates with expert sommeliers

Hot-air balloon over the mist-covered Berg River Valley vineyards — utterly unique in South Africa

Hermanus: the best land-based whale watching on Earth, June through November, from your suite

Boulders Beach penguin colony — endangered African penguins nesting among ancient granite boulders

Private Cape Malay cooking masterclass — a hands-on cultural and culinary deep dive

+−

South Africa

Cape Town · Cape Peninsula · Franschhoek · Stellenbosch · Hermanus

Day by Day

Your Itinerary

Cape Town, South Africa

Day 1 | Arrival in the Mother City

VIP assistance at Cape Town International Airport. private guide transfer to your iconic hotel — The Silo Hotel or Ellerman House — perched on the Atlantic coastline with sweeping ocean and Table Mountain views. Early arrivals enjoy a private city tour: the historic Company's Garden, South Africa's oldest garden established in the 1650s, and the Castle of Good Hope, a 17th-century star-shaped fortress and the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa. An intimate fine-dining welcome dinner overlooking the Atlantic.

The Silo Hotel, Cape Town
Dinner
Arrival in the Mother City

Day 2 | Table Mountain & Historic City Tour

A private crowd-free cable car ride up Table Mountain, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature — breathtaking 360-degree views of Cape Town, the Atlantic, and the surrounding winelands. Walking the summit paths with your private guide among over 1,500 endemic plant species. Afternoon: the historic Bo-Kaap neighbourhood with its vibrant colourful houses and cobblestone streets — the heart of Cape Malay culture since the 16th century. A premium MCC sparkling wine sundowner from a private clifftop setup on Signal Hill, watching the city lights flicker alive.

The Silo Hotel, Cape Town
Breakfast, Dinner
Table Mountain & Historic City Tour

Day 3 | The Dramatic Cape Peninsula

A spectacular coastal drive down Chapman's Peak — one of the most scenic coastal roads in the world. Dramatic views of the Twelve Apostles and the pristine beaches of Camps Bay and Llandudno. The Cape of Good Hope National Reserve at the southwestern tip of Africa, exploring the historic Cape Point lighthouse and clifftop walks where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean. Boulders Beach: a guided walkway among the endangered African penguin colony nesting in ancient granite boulders.

The Silo Hotel, Cape Town
Breakfast, Dinner
The Dramatic Cape Peninsula
Franschhoek — La Residence or Leeu Estates

Day 4 | Journey into the Winelands

A smooth 1-hour drive to Franschhoek — the "Food and Wine Capital of South Africa," settled in 1688 by French Huguenots. French influence visible in the architecture, street names, and world-class winemaking traditions. Check-in at an ultra-luxury estate among rolling vineyards with views of the dramatic Franschhoek Mountains. A private cellar tour and masterclass wine tasting — terroir, fermentation, and aging, tasting the region's finest vintages. An elegant multi-course bonfire dinner under centuries-old oak trees.

La Residence, Franschhoek
Breakfast, Dinner
Journey into the Winelands

Day 5 | Floating Over the Vineyards & Fine Dining

Rising before dawn for a serene sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the mist-covered vineyards of the Berg River Valley — historic Cape Dutch homesteads and rugged mountain backdrops unfolding beneath you. After landing: a lavish champagne brunch set up in a private vineyard estate. Afternoon at leisure — spa treatment or a private pool overlooking the vineyards.

La Residence, Franschhoek
Breakfast, Lunch
Floating Over the Vineyards & Fine Dining

Day 6 | The Art & Sculpture of Stellenbosch

A dedicated day exploring Stellenbosch — South Africa's second-oldest town, founded 1679. Oak-lined streets of Cape Dutch architecture, some of the best-preserved examples in the country. Private contemporary art and sculpture galleries, including the renowned Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden — over 60 bronze sculptures of big cats, birds, and human figures against the Stellenbosch Mountains. A private art historian guide. Gourmet lunch at a top-rated restaurant.

La Residence, Franschhoek
Breakfast, Lunch
The Art & Sculpture of Stellenbosch
Hermanus — Birkenhead House

Day 7 | To the Whale Coast of Hermanus

A scenic drive over the Franschhoek Pass with breathtaking winelands and mountain vistas, descending toward the coastal town of Hermanus. Check-in at Birkenhead House — perched dramatically on the cliffs of Walker Bay with uninterrupted ocean views. Hermanus is the best land-based whale-watching destination in the world; from June to November, watch Southern Right Whales breaching directly from the hotel's clifftop decks. Afternoon exploring the town's charming shops and galleries.

Birkenhead House, Hermanus
Breakfast, Dinner
To the Whale Coast of Hermanus

Day 8 | The Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Route

Exploring the Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Route — "Heaven and Earth" in Afrikaans — famous for cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Boutique wineries in rolling hills with a private sommelier explaining unique terroir and winemaking techniques. A beautiful breakfast spread served on the cliff edge at Walker Bay, watching waves crash below and scanning for whales and dolphins. Afternoon at leisure with optional spa treatment.

Birkenhead House, Hermanus
Breakfast, Lunch
The Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Route

Day 9 | Exclusive Cape Malay Cultural & Culinary Heritage Tour

A deeply immersive private cultural experience with a traditional Cape Malay cultural keeper in the historic Bo-Kaap neighbourhood. The complex history of the Cape spice trade — cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves from the East Indies in the 17th century. Architectural heritage of the brightly painted houses and cobblestone streets. The highlight: a private hands-on masterclass cooking traditional Cape Malay curries and samosas, with oral storytelling about the community's history. Farewell multi-course dinner paired with vintage wines.

Birkenhead House, Hermanus
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Exclusive Cape Malay Cultural & Culinary Heritage Tour
Return — Cape Town

Day 10 | Return to Cape Town & Complementary Spa Day

A relaxed luxury breakfast overlooking the ocean, watching waves crash against the cliffs of Walker Bay. A smooth 1.5-hour chauffeur transfer back to Cape Town. Complementary spa session at your city hotel. A private city tour exploring the Company's Garden, Castle of Good Hope, and Bo-Kaap if missed on Day 1. International departure the following day.

City Hotel, Cape Town (day use)
Breakfast
Return to Cape Town & Complementary Spa Day

Want to adjust the pace, swap a lodge, or extend this journey?

We are here for that. Every Finders & Keepers Safaris itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed departure — the pace, the lodges, the length, the dates and the party travelling can all be reshaped around you. Tell us what you would change and a specialist will rebuild the journey and price it honestly, before you commit to anything.

Tailor This Journey →
Safari experience
Your Accommodation

Three Exceptional Properties Across the Cape

The Silo Hotel or Ellerman House
NIGHTS 1–3 & 10
Cape Town

The Silo Hotel

★★★★★ — Iconic Atlantic-facing properties with sweeping ocean and Table Mountain views
View Details
La Residence or Leeu Estates
NIGHTS 4–6
Franschhoek

La Residence

★★★★★ — Ultra-luxury estate among rolling vineyards with dramatic Franschhoek Mountain views
View Details
Birkenhead House
NIGHTS 7–9
Hermanus

Birkenhead House

★★★★★ — Cliffside property at Walker Bay — the world's best land-based whale watching destination
View Details
Why This Journey

What sets this journey apart

Cape Town, the winelands and the Whale Coast in ten days, with private touches at every stop instead of queues.

01

Cape Town, crowd-free

A private Table Mountain cable car ride, a sparkling wine sundowner on Signal Hill, and Cape Point and Boulders Beach’s penguin colony in a single day.

02

Winelands, properly

A private cellar tour and masterclass tasting at a Franschhoek estate, and a sunrise balloon over the Berg River Valley’s vineyards with a champagne brunch.

03

Art and whales

A private tour of the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden, with more than 60 bronzes against the Stellenbosch Mountains, then a stay on the Whale Coast at Birkenhead House.

Best ValueJan – MaySummer rains in the bush, whale season on the coast
Peak SeasonMay – SepDry winter — prime Big Five viewing
Shoulder SeasonSep – DecSpring bush walks, mild coastal weather
Best forWine loversCouplesArt and design lovers
Plan this journey with us →

Inclusions & Pricing

Deposit Offer

Hold 2027 for half the usual deposit

Confirm any 2027 departure with a 15% deposit instead of the usual 30%, booked before 31 December 2026.

  • Your balance is not due until 60 days before departure.
  • The reduced deposit holds your camps, permits and internal flights at today’s rates, so a mid-year price movement does not reach you.
  • Applies to new 2027 bookings only and cannot be combined with a group discount on the same booking.
Solo Travellers

30% off the single supplement

Travelling on your own? We cut the single traveller supplement by 30% across selected 2027 departures.

  • The supplement covers the sole-occupancy cost a camp charges when a room sleeps one rather than two.
  • Available on selected camps and dates — your specialist will tell you which of your nights qualify before you commit.
  • Nothing changes about the journey itself: same guide, same vehicle, same rooms.
Group Offer

Bring three, the fourth travels free

Book four guests on a 2027 group departure and the fourth guest’s safari cost is on us.

  • The waiver covers the land portion — camps, meals, guiding and game drives.
  • International flights, visas, gorilla and chimpanzee permits and personal spending are excluded, as those are paid to third parties per head.
  • All four guests must travel on the same departure date and book together.
What's Included
  • private guide-guide with luxury vehicle throughout
  • VIP meet and greet at OR Tambo / Cape Town International Airport
  • All private charter flights or chauffeur transfers as specified
  • Luxury accommodation at all properties
  • All meals as specified — breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • All private guided game drives, tours, and tastings
  • All activities listed in the itinerary
  • All park, reserve and heritage site fees
  • Complementary spa session on final day
  • Private guide throughout
  • All transfers between airports and properties
  • Private crowd-free Table Mountain cable car access
  • Premium MCC sparkling wine sundowner on Signal Hill
  • Private cellar tour and masterclass wine tasting in Franschhoek
  • Hot-air balloon sunrise flight over the Berg River Valley
  • Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden private tour
  • Private Cape Malay cooking masterclass
  • ✓Travel insurance facilitated on your behalf (adjusted in your quote if you are already covered)
What's Not Included
  • International flights to and from South Africa
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Personal shopping and souvenirs
  • Premium imported alcohol beyond what is provided
  • Optional activities not listed
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Visa fees where applicable (most nationalities visa-exempt for short stays)

Package Pricing

Per Person Sharing$11,900
Single Traveller SupplementOn Request
ⓘ Price is per person based on two guests sharing. All accommodation, meals, wine tastings, hot-air balloon, and activities are included. International flights to Cape Town are not included.

2027 Season Pricing

The same unforgettable journey, priced by season.

Jan – May Best ValueSummer rains in the bush, whale season on the coast
$10,450
May – Sep Peak SeasonDry winter — prime Big Five viewing
$13,800
Sep – Dec Shoulder SeasonSpring bush walks, mild coastal weather
$12,150

Flexible Payment Plan

1

Reserve today with a low early deposit to lock in your 2027 dates and pricing.

2

Spread the rest across convenient instalments, at a pace that suits you.

3

Final balance due one month before departure — nothing more to pay once you fly.

Speak To Us

Journey Details

Minimum Age

Varies by camp, activity and national park

  • Camps and lodges — Most safari camps accept children from six years, with shared game-drive vehicles usually from eight to twelve. Many properties will take younger children on a privately booked vehicle.
  • Walking safaris — Guided walking safaris carry a firm minimum of fifteen or sixteen years across most reserves. This is set by the licensing authority, not the camp, and is never waived.
  • Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking — Uganda and Rwanda both enforce a strict minimum of fifteen years. It is a national park regulation and there are no exceptions.
  • Hot-air balloon safaris — Operators generally require children to be at least seven, and tall enough to brace unaided in the basket on landing.
  • Family and exclusive-use camps — A number of our camps run dedicated family units, child-minding and tailored activity programmes, and will relax their usual age limit for a sole-use booking.
  • Talk to us first — Age limits vary from property to property and from activity to activity. Speak to our experts before you book, and we will pre-arrange the details with each lodge around the ages of the children travelling with you.

Safari Duffel

Duffel, safari hat, vest and hooded jumper

  • Your duffel — A soft-sided Finders & Keepers Safaris duffel, sized for the 15 kg limit on the light aircraft that move you between camps. Rigid suitcases cannot be carried on those flights at all.
  • What is inside it — A branded Finders & Keepers Safaris safari hat, a safari vest, and a hooded jumper for cold dawn starts and balloon mornings.
  • Yours to keep — The bag and everything in it is a gift, not a loan. Nothing is returned at the end of your journey.
  • Packing around it — Soft luggage, neutral colours, and layers. Laundry is included at nearly every camp, which is why 15 kg goes further than it sounds.

Note

Malaria-risk areas are limited and avoidable

Cape Town, the Garden Route and the Winelands are malaria-free year-round. Only the low-lying Kruger and northern KwaZulu-Natal reserves carry seasonal malaria risk — your specialist will advise if prophylaxis is needed for your specific route.

  • Early starts — Safaris begin very early in the morning. Your guide will confirm what time you will be collected from your camp or lodge.
  • Tailoring this journey — If you would like this package with more or fewer days, arranged for a group, a family or a solo traveller, or with add-ons, reach out and we will tailor it for you.
  • Route changes — Your guide or driver may alter the route in certain circumstances, but every destination set out in the itinerary will be covered.

Documents

Visa-free for most nationalities

  • Passport — Valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended departure, with at least two entirely blank facing pages. South Africa refuses entry over insufficient blank pages more often than anywhere else on our circuit.
  • Visa — Visa-free for up to 90 days for UK, EU, US, Canadian and Australian passport holders, and for most SADC nationals. Others apply in advance or through the eVisa system.
  • Travelling with children — South Africa enforces the strictest child documentation rules of any country we operate in. Every traveller under 18 needs an unabridged birth certificate naming both parents. Where a child travels with one parent, or with neither, a sworn parental consent affidavit is also required. Families are turned back at the airport over this every week.
  • We file it for you — Whether you are flying in from overseas or travelling from elsewhere on the continent, we complete and submit your visa application on your behalf. You hand us your documents once. We do the filing, chase the approval, and carry the confirmations in your travel pack so nothing rests on you remembering a reference number at a counter.
  • Most of Africa is open to you — The great majority of our African destinations are now either visa-free or issue a visa on arrival, so an embassy queue is rarely in your future at all. Where a visa on arrival does apply, we prepare and lodge the paperwork ahead of you — you reach the desk with a finished file rather than a blank form and a biro.
  • Before you travel — Entry rules change frequently and without much notice. Your specialist confirms the current requirements for every passport in your party at the time of booking, and checks them again before you fly.

Guaranteed Departures

Private, tailor-made departures on your dates, or join a small group

  • Once confirmed, you travel — When your departure date is confirmed, it is guaranteed. We do not cancel, merge or reschedule a confirmed departure for commercial reasons, however the final numbers fall.
  • What confirms a departure — A departure becomes confirmed once the agreed number of travellers has been reached and paid for in line with the agreed payment schedule. Places held without payment do not count towards it.
  • If the minimum is not reached — Where a group departure has not reached its agreed numbers, we tell you early rather than late, and you choose: move to the next available date, continue at a revised small-group rate, or take a full refund of everything you have paid.
  • Solo journeys — Solo and tailor-made itineraries carry no group minimum at all. Your dates are confirmed the moment your deposit is received.
  • Visas — We prepare and submit your visa application on your behalf. Please note that the granting of a visa rests solely with the immigration authority of the country concerned, and is never guaranteed by us.
  • Medication — We arrange malaria prophylaxis, together with anti-nausea and anti-anxiety tablets, for your journey. Any prescription medicine should be confirmed with your own doctor before you travel — they remain the final authority on what is suitable for you.
  • Africa is not always hot — Despite the stereotype, Africa moves through distinct seasons and mornings at altitude can be genuinely cold. A hooded jumper is provided for cold conditions, and for every guest joining a hot-air balloon safari.
  • Dietary requirements — If you have strict dietary needs, please tell us at the time of booking. This includes vegans, guests in recovery, non-drinkers, and anyone following a prescription from their doctor.
  • Travel insurance — We facilitate travel insurance for our clients. If you are already covered, please say so during booking so we can take it into account in your final quote.
  • Tailoring your quote — Some of our inclusions — hot-air balloon safaris, for example — may not be what you want. Point these out and we will adjust your final offer accordingly.
  • The Maasai massage & spa recovery — Guests travelling the safari circuit by road rather than by air should expect long and tiring days. The rough terrain of the jungle gives the vehicle a constant jolting ride, known affectionately as the Maasai massage. A spa session is provided at the end of your safari to recover.
  • What to pack — Neutral colours are the rule on safari: khaki, olive, stone and brown. Avoid black and dark blue, which draw tsetse flies, and leave camouflage at home entirely — it is reserved for the military and illegal for civilians in several African countries. Bring layers for cold dawn game drives, long sleeves and trousers for dusk when the mosquitoes are out, closed walking shoes, a sun hat and sunglasses. Lodge dinners are smart-casual; nothing formal is needed.
  • Your safari duffel & kit — The duffel bag is used when flying into the parks, where luggage is limited to 15 kg per person. A branded Finders & Keepers Safaris safari hat and safari vest are also provided.

More Journeys

The Elegant Central Loop
SMALL GROUP JOURNEY

The Elegant Central Loop

10 Days · Min 7
Itinerary Windhoek → Sossusvlei → Swakopmund → Erongo → Okonjima → Windhoek
The Royal Volcanoes & Primates
FAMILY SAFARI

The Royal Volcanoes & Primates

10 Days · Min 4
Itinerary Kigali → Volcanoes National Park (Bisate Lodge) → Twin Lakes → Kigali
The Legendary Wildlife & Waterfalls
SMALL GROUP JOURNEY

The Legendary Wildlife & Waterfalls

10 Days · Min 7
Itinerary Harare → Victoria Falls → Hwange National Park → Zambezi Concession → Harare
The Botswana Wilderness Immersion
SMALL GROUP JOURNEY

The Botswana Wilderness Immersion

15 Days · Min 7
Itinerary Gaborone → Mashatu Reserve → Chobe National Park → Gaborone