Cape Winelands and The Mother City
Cape Winelands and The Mother City
6-day/5-night Cape Town and Cape Winelands
Escape to the wonderful Cape
Set at the south-western point of Africa and backed by the iconic Table Mountain, bustling Cape Town – lovingly known to all South Africans as the Mother City – presents an alluring combination of drawcards.
It is South Africa’s oldest city, with a heritage going back nearly four centuries. With its diverse cultures, its natural wonders and spectacular beauty, Cape Town masterfully captures the hearts of visitors.
Powdery white beaches, world-class cuisine, highly acclaimed wine routes and beautiful mountain trails surround an adventure-filled cosmopolitan hub.
At a Glance
Highlights
Sublime luxury
Some of the best wines in the world
Unforgettable cuisine
Endless choice of experiences
Beautiful scenery
Luxury farm stay
Art tours
Wellness
Location6-day/5-night Cape Town and Cape Winelands
Create your African story, your way
Does this itinerary inspire you to create your own unforgettable African story? Speak to your Travel Architect about curating your perfect African journey.Tell us the Africa you imagine. We’ll take you there!
Book a time to chat
This diverse metropolis is filled with superb shops and restaurants, extraordinary heritage monuments, a multitude of entertainment venues, and the spectacular and famed V&A Waterfront that is spread out around the city’s working harbour.
Just a few highlights include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCAA); Table Mountain's jaw-dropping views; Boulders Beach, where penguins might swim right up to you in the warm waters; the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, where you can walk along a treetop canopy among incredible native flora or watch an open-air concert at the base of the mountain; Robben Island, where visitors can see the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years; and wine tastings in the Constantia Winelands.
Ellerman House
Ellerman House is in Bantry Bay, an affluent and exclusive neighbourhood on the slopes of Lion's Head, perched on the rocks in one of the most exclusive bays on the Atlantic Seaboard. The renowned Clifton beaches and Saunders Rocks beach are a short distance away. The area, known for its wind-protected location (290 days a year in a city known for harsh south-easterly winds), is flanked by Clifton and Sea Point en route from the city centre to Camps Bay.
Ellerman House, situated in 0.4ha (1.5 acres) of landscaped, terraced gardens between mountain and sea, consists of a historic Cape Edwardian-style mansion (the original building) and two ultra-contemporary exclusive-use villas. The hotel is the quintessential 5* urban retreat for discerning luxury travellers seeking complete exclusivity and privacy in Cape Town.
It is renowned for its impressive private art collection of nearly 1 000 pieces, one of the country’s most important art collections, a recording and celebration of the spirit of the times, and the development of art and culture in South Africa.
The world-class guest experience is not limited to excellent hospitality – it includes a focus on food and wine, offering the best of local and seasonal flavours with a modern twist, interactive and experiential wine tastings from a vast collection of award-winning wines, and meticulously crafted multi-course tasting menus, ensuring that each dining experience is a culinary work of art.
Ellerman House recently received two Michelin Keys, one of only eight properties in South Africa to hold this distinction.
Situated within easy reach of Cape Town, the Cape Winelands are renowned for producing some of the world’s finest wines, cultivated from row upon row of grapevines – many first planted centuries ago. The region delights travellers with its magnificent scenery, where award-winning wine estates sprawl across lush, green slopes and gaze out over dramatic mountain landscapes.
Quaint towns, rich in historical charm, are characterised by classic Cape Dutch architecture and reflect the strong influence of early German settlers and French Huguenots. Franschhoek, meaning “French Corner”, is one such town and among the oldest in the country.
Its French Huguenot heritage is evident in the historic wine estates that bear French names and traditions. Surrounded by towering mountains, the Franschhoek Valley is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular wine valleys in the world.
The heart of this charming town is filled with craft boutiques, art galleries and museums, while its restaurants serve world-class cuisine. With many establishments celebrated both locally and internationally, Franschhoek has rightfully earned its reputation as South Africa’s culinary capital.
Visitors are encouraged to sample a glass of pinotage – a uniquely South African varietal created from a cross between pinot noir and cinsault. The unique Wine Tram is ideal and great fun for travelling between wine estates. Beyond its outstanding wines, the region also offers a tempting selection of locally produced cheeses and artisanal chocolates, adding to the winelands’ rich sensory appeal.
Babylonstoren Farm Hotel
This morning, you will enjoy a guided tour of the town of Franschhoek before continuing to Stellenbosch, the second-oldest town in the country, dating to 1679. The town is renowned for its oak-lined streets (it is known as the City of Oaks), a mix of historical Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings, and is home to one of the country’s most respected universities. Enjoy lunch at one of many vibrant restaurants.
Located in the foothills of the majestic Simonsberg mountain range, Babylonstoren Farm Hotel, surrounded by vineyards and gardens, offers an authentic 5* farm stay that is perfectly attuned to nature. It is a working farm with a luxury hotel, spa, winery, farm-to-fork restaurants that celebrate the garden’s seasonal bounty, farm shops, and a 5ha (12 acre) garden that includes the Healing Garden, the splendid Succulent House, as well as the Spice House, where tropical plants thrive, and a variety of trees of historical or botanical significance. The estate is renowned for its clivia nursery, where thousands of plants bloom every spring.
The estate offers immersive experiences to suit all interests. Enjoy award-winning wines and explore the library at the cellar, which features winemaking processes used the world over. Get a glimpse of farm operations such as olive oil blending, witness the essential oil distillery, take a guided garden tour, and enjoy a balsamic and olive oil tour.
The cellar tour includes the subterranean wine tunnel and the Story of Wine Museum, an interactive journey through centuries of making and storing wine, and culminates in a master tasting of 10 wines paired with delicacies sourced from Babylonstoren and surrounding farms.
The vast Babylonstoren Garden Spa, along with various facilities, also features a room made of pink Himalayan salt blocks and two authentic hammams (Turkish baths), a rare find in South Africa.
All too soon, it is time to bid Cape Town and the Cape Winelands adieu - but not farewell. There is just so much more to explore and savour at the southern tip of Africa and as surely as night follows day, you’ll be back.
Speak to your Travel Architect
Create your African story, your way
Does this itinerary inspire you to create your own unforgettable African story? Speak to your Travel Architect about curating your perfect African journey.
Tell us the Africa you imagine. We’ll take you there!
Why travel with Your Africa?
It starts with you
No two journeys are the same. We design each itinerary around who you are and how you want to experience Africa.
Seamless planning
Your dedicated Travel Architect handles everything. All you need to do is guide us on what your ideal African journey looks like.
Travel, your way
You decide how you want to explore Africa. This is your Africa, your story, your way.
Cape Winelands and The Mother City gallery
Cape Winelands and The Mother City FAQs
The best time is during Cape Town’s beautiful spring and summer months, from September to April. During this period, the weather is typically warm, sunny and dry, which is perfect for beach visits, mountain excursions and enjoying the gardens at Babylonstoren. The spring months (September-November) are particularly lovely as the Winelands are lush and green.
Yes, this itinerary is designed for maximum safety and peace of mind. You are staying in two of the most exclusive and secure properties in the region: Ellerman House in the sheltered, affluent suburb of Bantry Bay, and the vast, private estate of Babylonstoren. While it’s always wise to be sensible in any city, this itinerary ensures you experience the best of the region in a secure and protected environment.
This is a major advantage of a Cape-based holiday. This entire itinerary – Cape Town and the Franschhoek/Stellenbosch Winelands – is completely malaria-free. No anti-malarial medication is required, making it a wonderfully stress-free travel experience from a health perspective.
This luxury itinerary is built around your personal preferences. While a wealth of experiences are available, your Travel Architect will help you to tailor each day to meet your interests and energy levels.
Franschhoek is home to some of South Africa’s most acclaimed and popular fine-dining restaurants. To secure a table at these top-tier establishments, it is essential to make reservations several weeks, or even months, in advance, especially during peak season. Your Travel Architect can assist you with these important bookings.
Cape Town is famous for its “four seasons in one day” weather. The key is to pack elegant layers:
- For the city and the winelands: smart-casual attire is perfect. Think lightweight trousers, stylish tops and comfortable walking shoes for daytime exploring
- For evenings: pack a few more elegant outfits for fine dining experiences in both Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek
- Layers: always have a light jacket, a warmer sweater or a pashmina on hand, as evenings can get cool, especially by the coast, even in summer
The art collection is a defining feature of your stay. As a guest of Ellerman House, you have privileged access to what is essentially one of South Africa’s most important private art collections. The hotel has its own art guides who can provide you with a private, curated tour of the nearly 1 000 pieces on display, explaining the history and significance of the works. It’s an exclusive cultural experience woven directly into your accommodation.
Babylonstoren is an immersive destination in itself. The best way to experience it is to participate in the many activities on offer. A guided tour of the magnificent formal garden is a must-do to understand the farm’s philosophy. The cellar tour and master wine tasting is a world-class experience. Prioritise one of their farm-to-fork restaurants for a meal and allow time to simply wander through the different sections, from the Spice House to the Succulent House. Your stay is designed to be a deep dive into this singular world.
The currency is the South African rand (ZAR). Credit cards (Visa and MasterCard are most common) are widely accepted at all hotels, restaurants and formal shops. However, it is always a good idea to have some cash on hand for smaller purchases at markets and for tipping guides, drivers and hotel staff.
Michelin Keys are to hotels what the famous Michelin Stars are to restaurants: a prestigious global benchmark for the most outstanding hotel experiences. Receiving two keys signifies that Ellerman House offers an “exceptional stay”. For you as a guest, this is an independent validation that every aspect of your experience – from the unique architecture and world-class art collection to the impeccable, personalised service and overall character of the property – is officially recognised as being among the very best in the world. It assures you that your stay is not just luxurious, but truly extraordinary.
