South Africa

Cape Town Day Tours, South Africa
Pricing Valid until October 31, 2024

Cape Town, the Mother City, is historically, culturally, and visually, the most diverse, breathtakingly scenic and vibrant city you’ll have had the pleasure to visit! From its achingly beautiful natural attributes to its colourful culture; from decadent wine farms to captivating history and architecture - it’s tourist heaven. There’s no finer way to savour its pleasures than a guided day tour with Thompsons Touring & Safaris – from wonderful winelands and wine tastings, to riding the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, we’ll take you there in style, with great taste.

Please note the Scheduled Tour prices below have additional drop off and pick up points and will have other guests on board. The Private Tour pricing offers a vehicle and driver just for your use and allows more flexibility – please note that the venues visited will have other guests – it is just the vehicle and driver that is on a private basis. Pricing for both the scheduled and private options are per person based on a minimum of two people. Tours do get booked out quickly so to avoid disappointment we suggest booking well in advance of travel.

Cape Town City Tour - Half Day

Departs: Daily between 7:35am and 8:30am. Returns: Approximately 12:30pm.
Pricing: Scheduled Tour US$60 | Private Tour US$190 (both tours based on a minimum of two people, prices are per person.)

This tour is designed to orientate and give you a full-color insight into the extraordinary magic of Cape Town. First enjoy a cable car ride to the summit of the legendary Table Mountain (weather permitting) for panoramic views, including the City and surrounding layout of this southernmost tip of Africa (tickets are for your own account). Next up you will pass one of the country’s oldest colonial buildings, The Cape Castle and the Company Gardens. Then you’ll be driven past Parliament Buildings, City Hall which is where Nelson Mandela made his first public speech after his release from prison and the Slave Lodge. Next, it’s up the cobblestoned hills to the beautifully colorful homes of the Bo-Kaap in the Malay Quarter. The tour ends on a sparkling note, with a visit to a diamond works where you’ll watch a professional diamond cutter as he creates every girl’s dream stone. Perhaps you’ll be taking one home.

Cape Point Tour - Half Day

Departs: Daily between 7:45am and 8:45am. Returns: Approximately 12:30pm.
Pricing: Scheduled Tour US$200 | Private Tour US$290 (both tours based on a minimum of two people, prices are per person.)

The Cape Peninsula and Cape Point is wild, rugged, and undoubtedly one of the most memorable coastlines you’ll have encountered. The trip begins with a drive along Millionaires Paradise, eyeing the glamorous homes of Clifton Beach and Camps Bay which leave you in no doubt as to how it earned its title. From there, it’s on towards the charming coastal town and working harbor of Hout Bay - translated from Dutch it literally means Wood Bay. Then, driving over the legendary Chapman’s Peak Drive with its breathtaking views you’ll arrive at the Cape of Good Hope Section of the Table Mountain National Park and its rugged, intriguing landscape.

Next up is a visit to the delightful African penguin colony at Boulders beach (for your own account), before moving on to the historical naval port of Simon’s Town. It’s a wonderful half-day spent on the wilder side of this exquisite Cape coastline.

Stellenbosch Winelands Tour - Half Day

Departs: Mondays to Saturdays between 12:45pm and 1:45pm. Returns: Approximately 5:30pm.
Pricing: Scheduled Tour US$80 | Private Tour US$215 (both tours based on a minimum of two people, prices are per person.)

Stellenbosch with its Cape Dutch architecture, is the warm and wonderful heart of the Cape Winelands, and is surrounded by stunning wine estates. It’s truly the prettiest town, home to one of the country’s prestigious universities, and you’ll love exploring the fine art galleries, the architecture, the history, and the curious and quaint shops. You’ll be taken on a leisurely drive to acquaint you with the area, before being introduced to the wine-making process in a fascinating cellar tour. Of course you‘ll have a chance to taste the wine for which this area is renowned, and no doubt, you’ll leave with a favorite bottle or two under your arm. Stellenbosch is arguably one of the Province’s most beautiful towns. Please note not all galleries and shops are open on Sundays. Tour includes one wine tasting and one cellar tour.

Robben Island 

Departs: Daily, weather permitting. Ferries depart at 9:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Tour lasts approximately 3½ hours.
Pricing: Scheduled Tour US$60 |Private Tour US$300 (based on a minimum of two people, price is per person.)

Board the Robben Island Ferry at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and take part in a half day Robben Island tour (the ferry ride is scheduled even on the private option).

For nearly 400 years, Robben Island was a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment for political "troublemakers" and social outcasts. During the apartheid years Robben Island became internationally known for its institutional brutality.
Some freedom fighters spent more than a quarter of a century in prison for their beliefs. Nelson Mandela was one of them.
Those imprisoned on the Island succeeded on a psychological and political level in turning a prison 'hell-hole' into a symbol of freedom and personal liberation.
Robben Island came to symbolize, not only for South Africa and the African continent, but also for the entire world, the triumph of the human spirit over enormous hardship and adversity. Today, you will be escorted around the island, and given insight into the past and how the human spirit triumphs.

Bo-Kaap cooking safari - Half Day

Departs: Daily (subject to availability of the chef) at 10:30am Returns: Approx 1:30pm
Pricing: Scheduled Tour US$110 | Private Tour - Rates Available On Request (based on a minimum of two people, price is per person.)

Learn how to prepare traditional Cape Malay dishes (mixing spices, making a curry paste, making curry, samosa, and chili bites) and gain firsthand insight into this community. Enjoy the fruits of your labor at a 3-course sit down lunch (includes soft drinks ant spicy tea). A parting gift of spices and heirloom recipes allows you to recreate these memories at home.

Feathers and Fins - Half Day

Departs: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 12:45pm and 1:45pm. Returns: Approximately 5:30pm.
Pricing: Scheduled Tour US$100 | Private Tour - US$250 (based on a minimum of two people, price is per person.)

This entertaining, family friendly, trip includes a visit to the Hout Bay World of Birds where adults and children can get up close and personal with nature, with over 400 different species to discover including birds, reptiles, mammals - don’t forget to visit the walk through monkey jungle! The tour continues with some of the finest beach views on the coastal drive to the Two Oceans Aquarium in the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where a magical underwater world awaits. Learn about mysterious deep sea creatures, dangerous predators and see a real “happy feet” family. Touch pools and tidal walks are part of the fun while puppet shows and play areas are on offer for younger children. Older children are not forgotten, interesting facts, fascinating discoveries, shark encounters and the chance to discover what really lies beneath the blue! Bring your family on this fun tour to see, touch, learn and play....who knows, they may even find NEMO! Includes entrance to World of Birds and the Two Oceans Aquarium.

Sea Kayaking - Half Day

Departs: Daily, subject to weather.
Pricing: Scheduled Tour US$185 (based on a minimum of two people, price is per person. Please note the tour excludes transport to and from Simon's Town — transport prices available upon request.)

Weather dependant and excludes transfers – prices available on request.
One of the most unique places in the world - a penguin colony in suburban Cape Town! And the best way to see it is from the water. You’ll leave from Simon's Town Waterfront and paddle past the civilian and Naval Harbor and out to Boulder's Beach. After visiting the penguins, stop on a lovely semi-private beach for refreshments, swimming, and snorkeling (snorkels and bottled drinking water provided.) The double kayaks are very stable and perfect for those with no paddling experience.

Cape Town Tours - Full Day

Cape Winelands Tour

Departs: Mondays to Saturdays between 8:00am and 9:00am. Returns: Approximately 5:30pm.
Pricing: Scheduled Tour US$110 | Private Tour US$350 (both tours based on a minimum of two people, prices are per person.)

This is a superb day exploring the exceptional Winelands region with its heavenly scenery. The area is rich with history, and you can’t help but feel it as you visit this region. Experience a wine cellar tour, where you’ll learn all about the process of winemaking, and have the chance to savor the wines. Visit the charming little town of Franschhoek, pass by the impressive Huguenot Monument, and enjoy lunch (your own account) – the town is known as the gourmet capital of South Africa. After lunch, the tour takes you over the Helshoogte Mountain Pass to the pretty university town of Stellenbosch. You will have time to stroll through this little town, absorbing the quaintness, and enjoying the shops! A trip to the Winelands isn’t complete without a wine tasting, so you’ll visit two different wine estates. And of course, you’ll be able to purchase your favorite wine to take back home! Includes two wine tastings.

Cape Peninsula Tour

Departs: Daily between 7:45am and 8:45am. Returns: Approximately 6:00pm.
Pricing: Scheduled Tour US$125 | Private Tour US$360 (both tours based on a minimum of two people, prices are per person.)

*Please note that this tour is different to the Lion World Travel Peninsular Tour as offered on certain packages*

On this tour you will see why the area earned the name of The Fairest Cape. Sit back and relax, as you’re driven along the exquisite stretch of coastline known as Millionaire’s Paradise – from Clifton to Camps Bay, to the exclusive beach hamlet of Llandudno – towards the charming working harbor of Hout Bay where you can embark on an up-close-and-personal Seal Island cruise lasting about 45 minutes if you choose to (for your own account). If you choose not to do the cruise you will have time to browse the shops and markets and perhaps enjoy a morning coffee at one of the restaurants at Mariners Wharf – the first harbor-front emporium in Africa.

You then wind your way along the legendary Chapman’s Peak Drive, hugging the cliffs and relishing the breathtaking ocean views. After a stop for lunch (your own account), visit the wild and beautiful Cape of Good Hope Section of the Table Mountain National Park, an integral part of the world-renowned Cape Floral Kingdom.

After, you’ll head back along the coast towards the City, visiting the historic naval port of Simon’s Town and the endearing African penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach (for your own account).

Next, you’ll head inland to the last stop of the day. In the summer months this will be at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. With the sun setting over the tall peaks of Table Mountain, the last rays sparkle on the trees and flowers. In the winter months (May 1st to Aug 31st), the last stop is at Groot Constantia where you’ll stop for a wine tasting and cellar tour of South Africa’s oldest wine estate.

Cape Town Tours - Evening Options

Sunset and Beach Dinner

Departs: Daily, September - May only. Between 5:30pm and 6:00pm. Returns: Approximately 10:00pm. 
Pricing: Scheduled Tour US$135 | Private Tour - Rates Available On Request (both tours based on a minimum of two people, prices are per person.)

Join your host and head out of the city before sunset. Savor a chilled glass of sparkling wine while overlooking one of Cape Town’s most beautiful beaches and taking in the sunset. You’ll be shown how to find the Southern Cross in the night sky (if the moon isn’t too bright!), before enjoying dinner at a sensational ‘out of town’ restaurant offering seafood and South African specialties.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion let us know and we can arrange request a separate table. As you return to the hotel, you’ll be able to enjoy the city lit up at night. Everything is taken care of – just enjoy!

Tailor made days out

We can also tailor make tours to match your interests or simply arrange for you to have a vehicle and driver available with no plan in mind to take you wherever you feel like going. Cape Town has so much to offer including Architecture, Art, and local clothing designers.

In addition to the beautiful Winelands, Cape Point and City tours, consider a family day out, to see seals, penguins, monkeys and butterflies; splash out on a hot shopping extravaganza; or indulge in a gourmet food and wine tour.

We can also arrange for you to go golfing, hiking cycling and sandboarding amongst other activities – please let us know if you would like more information on these activities!

All touring is based on using an air-conditioned 7-seater vehicle with a tour guide/driver.

Half Day Private Tours

Departs: Daily, on request. Trip can run from either 8:00am to 12:30pm or 1:30pm to 6:00pm and covers up to 150km (93 miles) of driving.
Pricing: Private Tour US$335 (based on a minimum of two people, prices are per person.)

Half day custom trip with private vehicle and driver/guide.

Full Day Private Tours

Departs: Daily, on request. pickup time of 9:00am, drop-off time of 5:00pm and covers up to 250km (150 miles) of driving.
Pricing: Private Tour US$545 (based on a minimum of two people, prices are per person.)

Full day custom trip with private vehicle and driver/guide.

Book a Day Tour