Private Cape Town Tours

A Private Cape Town Tour is a must-do during any trip to Cape Town. It includes some of the most beautiful coastal areas in the Cape, as well as popular seaside towns and attractions along the way. A Cape Town excursion should take you from the vibrant V&A Waterfront to a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Cape Peninsula’s southernmost tip, and then back via the charming coastal towns of False Bay and the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.

The Cape Peninsula’s natural beauty and dramatic landmarks are simply breathtaking. Most tourists prefer a full-day Cape Peninsula tour, where they can spend the whole day exploring one of southern Africa’s most magical corners.

Geographically, the Cape Peninsula begins at Mouille Point and runs 52 kilometres to Cape Point at the peninsula’s southern end. The Atlantic Seaboard, the coastal towns of Hout Bay and Kommetjie, and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve are all part of it. Table Mountain marks the northernmost point of the Cape Peninsula.

South Peninsula refers to the area between Hout Bay and Simons Town and includes Cape Point as well as the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. This section of the peninsula is part of Table Mountain National Park and the Cape Floral Region. The latter is a UNESCO natural World Heritage Site.

The eastern side of the Cape Peninsula stretches from Simon’s Town to the lush suburbs on the eastern foothills of Table Mountain’s backside and includes the suburbs of Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay, and Muizenberg, as well as the Constantia Winelands, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Cape Point is frequently misidentified as the point where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, but that point is at Cape Agulhas, which is the continent’s geographic southern tip and the dividing line between the two oceans.

What to see and do on a Private Cape Town Tour

A typical Cape Peninsula private tour takes visitors from Cape Town City Bowl to Cape Point and back via the quaint coastal towns on the eastern side that hug False Bay, the Constantia Winelands, and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

The attractions on a Cape Peninsula tour are numerous and diverse and it will depend on your time on hand which places to visit on such a trip.

The Atlantic Seaboard, also known as Cape Town’s Riviera, is a narrow strip of seaside suburbs between the Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Apostles the historic fishing village of Hout Bay. It is a stunning stretch of residential and commercial seafront developments with some of the most luxurious homes in southern Africa.

Beaches along the way

Clifton is a picturesque residential suburb on the Atlantic Seaboard with some of the most luxurious seafront homes on the Cape. Clifton’s four beautiful beaches are the area’s main draw. The most well-known is Clifton 4th Beach, which has received Blue Flag status.

You can take a break from your tour of the Cape Peninsula and stretch your legs on Camps Bay’s beautiful, powder-white beach. It is one of the best beaches on the Atlantic Coast and a popular place to stay during a Cape Town vacation.

Oudekraal Beach is a beautiful cove located between Llandudno and Bakoven, directly across from the luxury Twelve Apostles Hotel. Because of the spiritual, historical, and natural significance of the seaside area, the beach has remained relatively untouched. On a full-day Cape Peninsula tour, it is the ideal place to stop for panoramic views of the Atlantic Oceans and the spectacular Twelve Apostles mountain range.

Boulders Beach is a protected coastal habitat for one of the continent’s largest African penguin colonies. It is one of the few places in the world where you can get up close and personal with endangered penguins, even swimming alongside them in the sea. Boulders Beach is a sandy cove nestled between massive granite rocks that shield bathers from the wind. Young children can swim safely at this beach.

Dias Beach is a secluded and breathtakingly beautiful beach located near Cape Point. Dias Beach requires a good level of fitness because the walk there and back from the parking lot is quite steep. Take a break from driving on a Cape Peninsula tour and spend a few hours relaxing on this beautiful beach.

Muizenberg Beach is a lovely, expansive beach on the False Bay Coast, where the shore curves round to the east. It is known as the “Cape Town Surfing Capital” and is well-known for its popular “Surfer’s Corner.” The row of brightly coloured changing huts dating back to the Victorian era is a well-known attraction.

Muizenberg is a town steeped in history. It began as a place where wealthy people went on vacation to escape the cold Highveld winters during the gold rush, and it was also where Cecil John Rhodes retired and spent the last years of his life.

Nature reserves and forests

The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve is a large headland on the Cape Peninsula’s southernmost tip. It is famous for its breathtaking scenery, extreme weather conditions, incredible flora diversity, and stunning beaches.

The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserves are located within Table Mountain National Park and are part of the Cape Floral Region, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site and popular with hikers, walkers, and nature lovers.

Cape Point, the iconic natural landmark, is a dramatic promontory that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean at the Cape Peninsula’s southernmost easterly tip and is within the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. A highlight of a Cape Point tour is taking the Flying Dutchman Funicular to the top and dining at the summit restaurant.

Newlands Forest is a breathtakingly beautiful conservation area on Table Mountain’s eastern slopes. It is a natural pine forest oasis in the middle of the built-up southern suburbs, with a variety of lovely walking paths and hiking trails. There are several vantage points along the routes that provide panoramic views of Cape Town and the mountains.

Places of interest

Bay Harbour Market is one of Cape Town’s most vibrant markets and a popular lunch and shopping stop on any Cape Peninsula tour. The rustic-chic market offers a diverse selection of artisanal food vendors as well as arts and craft stalls.

Cape Point, a small cape that juts out at the pointy end of the peninsula, and two historic lighthouses are important landmarks in the Cape of Good Hope.

Chapman’s Peak Drive is a spectacular pass that connects the Atlantic Seaboard and Hout Bay to the beautiful valley of Noordhoek via the Chapmans Peak mountain range. The winding pass is one of the world’s most scenic drives and an engineering marvel. Stop at lookout points along the way for spectacular views and photos.

The Green Point Lighthouse is a prominent red and white candy-striped landmark near the Sea Point Promenade. It is the oldest working lighthouse in South Africa and a national heritage site. It is open to the general public for a small fee.

The Kalk Bay harbour is a legendary destination known for serving the best fish and chips in Cape Town. It is Cape Town’s oldest fishing harbour, and fresh fish is caught and sold every day in the bustling marketplace. The town of Kalk Bay is a charming seaside town known for its trendy boutiques, arts and craft markets, bric-a-brac stores, restaurants, delis, and stunning beaches.

On the Cape Point Route, Noordhoek Farm Village is a fun, family-friendly destination. At the village market, you will find a variety of restaurants, a festive pub, a children’s playground, an art gallery, craft shops, and a popular hotel. It is a great place to catch up with friends or stop for lunch on your Cape Peninsula tour. The Noordhoek Farm Village is situated at the foot of the well-known Chapmans Peak Drive.

The Rhodes Memorial, located on the eastern slope of Devil’s Peak, was built as a memorial to Cecil John Rhodes, an English-born explorer and South African politician. Sir Herbert Baker, the renowned architect, designed the magnificent memorial.

Seal Island, also known as Duiker Island, is a small island about 6 kilometres from Hout Bay. It is famous for having a large population of endangered Cape fur seals, which number at least 64 000 on the island.

A Seal Island charter boat operated by a tour operator out of Mariner’s Wharf in Hout Bay harbour allows you to get up close and personal with seals and marine bird species.

Jubilee Square in Simon’s Town is a popular lunch stop on a Cape Peninsula tour. It is located in the historic naval town of South Africa. Enjoy a delicious meal of fresh seafood at one of the restaurants overlooking the mariner, pose for a photo with Just Nuisance, and browse the marketplace for curios. Later, walk down Simon’s Town’s historic main street, which is lined with quaint shops and trendy street cafes.

Table Mountain is a well-known natural landmark in Mother City. It is part of Table Mountain National Park and the Cape Floral Region, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A strenuous but exhilarating hike up Table Mountain is available, but it is recommended to take the more leisurely route up to the summit in a rotating cable car operated by Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.

The Twelve Apostles are a spectacular mountain range made up of 12 distinct peaks that is part of the Table Mountain complex. The mountain range stretches nearly 6 kilometres to Hout Bay, overlooking a beautiful stretch of Atlantic coastline and the town of Camps Bay.

The magnificent University of Cape Town (UCT) stands in all its glory at the foothills of Devil’s Peak on the way back from the South Peninsula to Cape Town City Bowl. UCT was founded in 1829 and is one of South Africa’s oldest higher education institutes, with an international reputation for high academic standards.

A visit to the Warrior Toy Museum in Simons Town is a fun thing to do on a Cape Peninsula tour. It has a permanent collection of 4 000 miniature cars, buses, planes, and trucks, as well as a collection of dinky toys, dolls, and lead soldiers.

World of Birds is a fantastic place to visit while on vacation on the Cape. It is Africa’s largest and one of the world’s largest bird parks. Over 3000 birds of 400 different species are housed in more than 100 spacious walk-through aviaries. Monkeys, reptiles, and small mammals can also be found at World of Birds.

More wine estates

The Constantia wine region is located on the slopes of the Cape Peninsula, at the east-facing foothills of Table Mountain. The vineyards are perfectly located overlooking False Bay and in the path of fresh, cooling breezes from the Atlantic Ocean.

Cape Point Vineyards is another beautiful wine estate that is nestled on the slopes of the famous Chapman’s Peak mountain range in Noordhoek and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.

The garden of all gardens

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is widely regarded as one of the world’s great botanic gardens. Few national gardens can match Kirstenbosch’s setting, which is set against the eastern slopes of the Cape Peninsula. Cecil Rhodes bequeathed the land to the state in 1902, and the gardens were established in 1913 to preserve the country’s indigenous flora.

Kirstenbosch is a magnificent 528-hectare estate that only grows indigenous South African plants. It is famous for its incredible biodiversity, endemic plant abundance, and dense natural forest. Enjoy an excellent meal or coffee at Kirstenbosch Tea Room Restaurant after a scenic guided tour of the gardens.

Places to relax

Sea Point Pool is a fantastic public pool swimming complex located directly on the beachfront in Sea Point, with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the towering cliff faces at the back of Table Mountain. A massive 50-metre Olympic-size swimming pool, two kiddie splash pools, and a deep diving pool with springboard diving equipment are among the saltwater swimming pools.

The Sea Point Promenade is the Atlantic Coast’s meeting, walking, jogging, chilling, and playing hub. This popular paved beachfront promenade connects Mouille Point and Sea Point. It follows the contour of the Atlantic Ocean and provides panoramic views of the glistening sea and Table Mountain’s western side. The promenade is separated from the beach road by a lush green lawn, and there is a fun play area for kids.

A unique option

With some tour operators, you can hire a private closed and air-conditioned vehicle with a private chauffeur to take you exactly where you want to go and spend as much time as you would like to at every venue.
Whether shopping, sightseeing, eating out, enjoying some unique adventures, or a private day safari is your desire, you can do it all.

You might also like our Cape Agulhas Tours or Cape Safaris.