South Africa holiday - guidance

[Audis5b9]

We're planning to head down to Cape Town in November 2023.

Our plan is approx 2 weeks in total, split up roughly as follows;

Cape Town 3 nights
Hermanus 1 night
Knysna 3 nights (staying with friends who live there)
Stellenbosch 2 nights
Franschhoek 2 nights
Somerset west 2 nights (staying with friends who live there)

Any thoughts if we are missing anywhere obvious to stay, or staying for too long/short in each location?

We are looking for a fairly relaxing holiday = good food/ wine and spas.

Edited by Audis5b9 on Tuesday 25th October 20:21

[bennno]

Camps Bay was nice, Franschhoek and Stellenbosh were a relatively short drive.

[Bezerk]

Have you been before?
If not, I would not bother driving to Knysna.
Lots to do closer to Cape Town and the winelands.

3 nights in Knysna is a bit much too. You might want a night or 2 at a game reserve over that way if you are interested in that.

[Audis5b9]

Bezerk said:

Have you been before?
If not, I would not bother driving to Knysna.
Lots to do closer to Cape Town and the winelands.

3 nights in Knysna is a bit much too. You might want a night or 2 at a game reserve over that way if you are interested in that.

Ive been on a safari further north never down to the south coast.

Knysna is mainly to see friends...

[AlvinSultana]

Audis5b9 said:

We're planning to head down to Cape Town in November 2023.

Our plan is approx 2 weeks in total, split up roughly as follows;

Cape Town 3 nights
Hermanus 1 night
Knysna 3 nights (staying with friends who live there)
Stellenbosch 2 nights
Franschhoek 2 nights
Somerset west 2 nights (staying with friends who live there)

Any thoughts if we are missing anywhere obvious to stay, or staying for too long/short in each location?

We are looking for a fairly relaxing holiday = good food/ wine and spas.

Edited by Audis5b9 on Tuesday 25th October 20:21

Two weeks in the Cape might be a bit too much.

Internal flights are cheap and there is so much to do in SA.

In the past (Xmas holidays) we have done Safari north of Joburg for 4 nights (Waterberg), followed by a couple of nights in Stellenbosch, then last couple of nights in Cape Town. (Air Bnb in the Waterfront)

Or the year we after we swapped Stellenbosch for Durban then to Cape Town. We even had a day at the Eng V SA test match.

All of this was pre covid, but I am really struggling to find a destination for this years trip that offers as much as SA.

Skyscanner is tempting me.

[RizzoTheRat]

Look up the Wine Tram in Franshoek, well worth doing but consider booking lunch at one of vineyards on route.
We flew in to Cape Town and out of Port Elizabeth, with a 1 way car hire which seems pretty popular, and did a night at Ado Elephant park which was good.

[Boringvolvodriver]

Audis5b9 said:

We're planning to head down to Cape Town in November 2023.

Our plan is approx 2 weeks in total, split up roughly as follows;

Cape Town 3 nights
Hermanus 1 night
Knysna 3 nights (staying with friends who live there)
Stellenbosch 2 nights
Franschhoek 2 nights
Somerset west 2 nights (staying with friends who live there)

Any thoughts if we are missing anywhere obvious to stay, or staying for too long/short in each location?

We are looking for a fairly relaxing holiday = good food/ wine and spas.

Edited by Audis5b9 on Tuesday 25th October 20:21

Having recently come back from SA for 16 nights so can add some thoughts.

We spent 4 nights in Cape Town and if you want to go down to Cape Point (which we did) then 4 nights is a minimum, I would do 5 if I went again.

Franschoek well worth it with the wine tram and again I would do 3 nights there and miss Stellenbosch..

I see you have friends in Knysna which would be the only reason I would suggest going there - Plettenberg Bay is nicer imo but again a long drive unless you are heading the game parks in The East. We had 2 nights at Addo and 3 in Shamwari (well worth the money) and flew back from Port Elizabeth.

Given part of the reason is to see friends and 14 nights then I would do

5 Nights Cape Town
2 Franschoek (you can do a day trip from CT or a taxi)
2 Night Somerset West
2 Nights Knysna
2 Nights at Addo or another Game Park near Port Elizabeth

If you didn’t fancy the game parks then have 2 nights at Plett to explore the garden route before ending up at PE to come back.

[Boringvolvodriver]

RizzoTheRat said:

Look up the Wine Tram in Franshoek, well worth doing but consider booking lunch at one of vineyards on route.
We flew in to Cape Town and out of Port Elizabeth, with a 1 way car hire which seems pretty popular, and did a night at Ado Elephant park which was good.

Agree on this! We had 2 nights at Addo which was fabulous, highly recommend Gorah Elephant Camp - not cheap but worth every penny

[djc206]

As above I wouldn’t bother with Stellenbosch and just stick with Franschhoek. Wine tram is a must. There are so many top quality restaurants in Franschhoek you’re spoiled for choice and being South Africa they’re dirt cheap vs similar restaurants here.

I don’t how old you are or rather how young you feel but there’s a zipline centre not far from Franschhoek, it was a good way to break up the endless excessive consumption of food and booze.

If you’re feeling up to it I would hike Table Mountain. There are a number of routes, not sure which is my favourite tbh, all beautiful.

It’s been 20 years since I last went to Addo but it was cool.

Restaurant wise my absolute favourite in South Africa, in fact my favourite restaurant in the world is the Reverie Social Table. Julia isn’t just a wonderful chef she’s a wonderful host and her staff are fantastic. If you’re into your grub make sure you take a look.

[RizzoTheRat]

djc206 said:

If you’re feeling up to it I would hike Table Mountain. There are a number of routes, not sure which is my favourite tbh, all beautiful.

Agree with that, but if you decide to just take the cable car up make sure you wear decent walking shoes and take some water. We walked up platenklip gorge and about 2/3 of the way up started passing people walking down who really didn't look like they were equipped for the walk. Turned out they'd closed the cable car because of the weather, and people who'd got the cable car up had to walk down. It was a hot and fairly still day at the bottom but the top has its own weather system and was foggy and windy.

The boat trip and tour of Robben island was decent too, and boulders beach is worth a look even if your wife isn't as obsessed with penguins as mine is.

[djc206]

RizzoTheRat said:

Agree with that, but if you decide to just take the cable car up make sure you wear decent walking shoes and take some water. We walked up platenklip gorge and about 2/3 of the way up started passing people walking down who really didn't look like they were equipped for the walk. Turned out they'd closed the cable car because of the weather, and people who'd got the cable car up had to walk down. It was a hot and fairly still day at the bottom but the top has its own weather system and was foggy and windy.

The boat trip and tour of Robben island was decent too, and boulders beach is worth a look even if your wife isn't as obsessed with penguins as mine is.

Very good point about TM.

I watched a penguin lay an egg there. It was traumatic.

[Audis5b9]

Thanks for all the advice so far.

I think we will try and do an elephant sanctuary while around Knysna, wife seems keen on that.

Will rethink staying in both Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.

[Aventador 700]

Tree tops hotel

Right by elephant sanctuary i think, one of the best we’ve stayed in.

https://tsala.hunterhotels.com/

Edited by Aventador 700 on Wednesday 26th October 16:04

[Imasurv]

We’re heading back in 5 weeks and I can’t bloody wait! Third time lucky hopefully following two covid aborted trips…..

Agree with what a lot on here have said, deffo Franschhoek ahead of Stellenbosch - the main attraction is the wine estates of which there are more around Stellenbosch, but they are 20 mins drive apart and Franschhoek has so much more in terms of excellent restaurants it makes it our favourite place to stay for 2/3 nights.

My other personal highlight has always been hiking Table Mountain. I’ve done three routes up and there are several more to explore. Watching the sun rise over Cape Town is magical.

We spent a couple of days in Knysna many years ago, enjoyed the beach around the corner at Brenton on Sea and spent a day at Tsitsikamma nature reserve and Storms River mouth which was lovely.

Be careful of the distances, as Cape Town, Franschhoek, Somerset West etc are all within an hours drive, another hour or so to Hermanus but then it’s a long way to Knysna and the areas around there!

You’ll have a great time!

[Audis5b9]

Imasurv said:

We’re heading back in 5 weeks and I can’t bloody wait! Third time lucky hopefully following two covid aborted trips…..

Agree with what a lot on here have said, deffo Franschhoek ahead of Stellenbosch - the main attraction is the wine estates of which there are more around Stellenbosch, but they are 20 mins drive apart and Franschhoek has so much more in terms of excellent restaurants it makes it our favourite place to stay for 2/3 nights.

My other personal highlight has always been hiking Table Mountain. I’ve done three routes up and there are several more to explore. Watching the sun rise over Cape Town is magical.

We spent a couple of days in Knysna many years ago, enjoyed the beach around the corner at Brenton on Sea and spent a day at Tsitsikamma nature reserve and Storms River mouth which was lovely.

Be careful of the distances, as Cape Town, Franschhoek, Somerset West etc are all within an hours drive, another hour or so to Hermanus but then it’s a long way to Knysna and the areas around there!

You’ll have a great time!

Thanks.

Ok will only consider stellenbosch if there’s a particular hotel we want to stay out.

With regards to Table mountain, it’s definitely something we will do, but hiking is not our thing. Walking up hills is a Boot Camp activity for us 🤣

[Audis5b9]

Imasurv said:

We’re heading back in 5 weeks and I can’t bloody wait! Third time lucky hopefully following two covid aborted trips…..

Agree with what a lot on here have said, deffo Franschhoek ahead of Stellenbosch - the main attraction is the wine estates of which there are more around Stellenbosch, but they are 20 mins drive apart and Franschhoek has so much more in terms of excellent restaurants it makes it our favourite place to stay for 2/3 nights.

My other personal highlight has always been hiking Table Mountain. I’ve done three routes up and there are several more to explore. Watching the sun rise over Cape Town is magical.

We spent a couple of days in Knysna many years ago, enjoyed the beach around the corner at Brenton on Sea and spent a day at Tsitsikamma nature reserve and Storms River mouth which was lovely.

Be careful of the distances, as Cape Town, Franschhoek, Somerset West etc are all within an hours drive, another hour or so to Hermanus but then it’s a long way to Knysna and the areas around there!

You’ll have a great time!

Thanks.

Ok will only consider stellenbosch if there’s a particular hotel we want to stay out.

With regards to Table mountain, it’s definitely something we will do, but hiking is not our thing. Walking up hills is a Boot Camp activity for us 🤣

[Aventador 700]

Aventador 700 said:

Tree tops hotel

Right by elephant sanctuary i think, one of the best we’ve stayed in.

https://tsala.hunterhotels.com/

Edited by Aventador 700 on Wednesday 26th October 16:04

Theres another outside francen, i’ll try and find it… not quite as jaw dropping but was still very good, this was where the dutch settled right?

[Boringvolvodriver]

Rather than go to an elephant sanctuary, I would suggest going to Addo Elephant park where your wife can see lots in the wild.

Rather expensive but well worth it is Gorah Elephant Camp which is probably one of the best experience I have had.

Do one of their walking safaris - I shall never forget standing 12ft away as an elephants walked past us not when a 30 strong herd walked past within feet of the Land Cruiser safari vehicle we we in. So close that we could almost touch them!

[Boxster5]

Bit late to the party but here’s my twopennyworth (we’ve been twice and are back there next February).
First time we stayed Simons Town not far from Cape Town 3 nights and did Cape Point from there as well as Boulders Beach for the penguins, also Cape Town V&A Waterfront, then Hermanus for 3 nights followed by Knysna (Thesen Island) then Franschhoek for 5 nights before our final night in Cape Town.
From that we decided we didn’t like Knysna at all.
Apart from the marina area where you could be anywhere, there’s not a lot there. Knysna Heads is nice though.
Our second trip this February we stayed at an airport hotel Cape Town first night as our flight was a night time arrival then 5 nights Cape Town staying in Airbnb Atlantic Marina (very nice & easy walk to the V&A Waterfront), 3 nights in Wilderness (east of George) and a village feel with some great restaurants before heading back to Franschhoek for 6 nights (we love this place, some brilliant restaurants & very safe).
Some top tips - get a 2 day open top bus tour pass if staying in Cape Town which will take you to Groot Constantia (wine estate with some great restaurants, wine tasting 5 wines around £2!)), as well as Table Mountain but also around the coast to Camps Bay, Hout Bay (hop-off, hop-on).
As others have said the wine trolley in Franschhoek if you haven’t been is well worth it - very well organised with various “routes” to choose from. Our favourite estates were Babylonstoren and Boschendal. Off the normal wine route try Haute Cabriere - you must book in advance if you want to eat there but it is superb.
Also the Franschhoek Motor Museum is worth a visit but you need to book in advance (bargain £4 entry).
Personally speaking I would split the time between Cape Town and Franschhoek with a visit to your friends in Knysna (although I wouldn’t stay there too long). So something like 5 days Cape Town, 2-3 days Knysna. 5-6 days Franschhoek would be ideal. We drove through Stellenbosch on our way back to the airport from Franschhoek and we weren’t impressed at all (too big compared to beautiful Franschhoek which is basically one long street with lovely Dutch Cape architecture).
If you can try to drive through the Karoo on R62 via Oudsthoorn when travelling from Knysna to Franschhoek (if you go there) - stunning drive with little traffic then defend the Franschhoek Pass into Franschhoek (takes around 6 hours but we’ll worth it).
Also worth driving when in Cape Town is Chapmans Peak Drive (a toll road with stunning views).
We’re back there next February staying 5 nights Cape Town, 5 nights Hermanus then 7 nights in Franschhoek - can’t wait.
One thing you will notice - it’s brilliant value for money (a good 3 course meal with beer & wine approx £40)
We’re not bothered about safaris tbh - we can see that on TV without any danger from mosquitoes or rabid animals!
Hope this helps and enjoy.

[Audis5b9]

Boxster5 said:

Bit late to the party but here’s my twopennyworth (we’ve been twice and are back there next February).
First time we stayed Simons Town not far from Cape Town 3 nights and did Cape Point from there as well as Boulders Beach for the penguins, also Cape Town V&A Waterfront, then Hermanus for 3 nights followed by Knysna (Thesen Island) then Franschhoek for 5 nights before our final night in Cape Town.
From that we decided we didn’t like Knysna at all.
Apart from the marina area where you could be anywhere, there’s not a lot there. Knysna Heads is nice though.
Our second trip this February we stayed at an airport hotel Cape Town first night as our flight was a night time arrival then 5 nights Cape Town staying in Airbnb Atlantic Marina (very nice & easy walk to the V&A Waterfront), 3 nights in Wilderness (east of George) and a village feel with some great restaurants before heading back to Franschhoek for 6 nights (we love this place, some brilliant restaurants & very safe).
Some top tips - get a 2 day open top bus tour pass if staying in Cape Town which will take you to Groot Constantia (wine estate with some great restaurants, wine tasting 5 wines around £2!)), as well as Table Mountain but also around the coast to Camps Bay, Hout Bay (hop-off, hop-on).
As others have said the wine trolley in Franschhoek if you haven’t been is well worth it - very well organised with various “routes” to choose from. Our favourite estates were Babylonstoren and Boschendal. Off the normal wine route try Haute Cabriere - you must book in advance if you want to eat there but it is superb.
Also the Franschhoek Motor Museum is worth a visit but you need to book in advance (bargain £4 entry).
Personally speaking I would split the time between Cape Town and Franschhoek with a visit to your friends in Knysna (although I wouldn’t stay there too long). So something like 5 days Cape Town, 2-3 days Knysna. 5-6 days Franschhoek would be ideal. We drove through Stellenbosch on our way back to the airport from Franschhoek and we weren’t impressed at all (too big compared to beautiful Franschhoek which is basically one long street with lovely Dutch Cape architecture).
If you can try to drive through the Karoo on R62 via Oudsthoorn when travelling from Knysna to Franschhoek (if you go there) - stunning drive with little traffic then defend the Franschhoek Pass into Franschhoek (takes around 6 hours but we’ll worth it).
Also worth driving when in Cape Town is Chapmans Peak Drive (a toll road with stunning views).
We’re back there next February staying 5 nights Cape Town, 5 nights Hermanus then 7 nights in Franschhoek - can’t wait.
One thing you will notice - it’s brilliant value for money (a good 3 course meal with beer & wine approx £40)
We’re not bothered about safaris tbh - we can see that on TV without any danger from mosquitoes or rabid animals!
Hope this helps and enjoy.

Fab - thank you very much!