10 top day tours in Cape Town

A selection of the best day tours in Cape Town and surrounds

Cape Town has a lot to be proud of. Home to mountains, valleys, forests, beaches and ocean, the Mother City has it all. And the best thing about a city that has it all, is that there are things to do for just about everyone.

From the adventurous, to the historians, to the nature lovers, to those who lead a life of luxury, Cape Town is busting at the seams with full and half day tours with experienced and friendly tour guides. We, at CapeTownMagazine.com, have selected some of the best day tours, so that you may experience everything there is to do in the city that has everything.

1 –Tour the heart and soul of Cape Town on a jazz safari
Embark on a unique half day tour with Coffeebeans Routes for a unique township experience. Visit the home of talented South African Jazz musician, Mac Mackenzie, to learn about how creativity has evolved in the townships, despite Apartheid. You’ll dine on a typical Capetonian dinner, whilst Mac soothes you with jazz. Your tour includes transportation from Cape Town. (Coffeebeans Routes |+27 (0) 21 424 3572). Read more about Coffeebeans Jazz Safari

2 – Kloofing day trips for extreme adventure
If you’re looking for adventure, then this is the best full day trip for you. Join qualified, Abseil Africa guides on a hike up the rugged, river gorge, where you will arrive at a series of rock pools. Here you can try your hand at kloofing, which involves climbing, navigating your way across rivers and jumping from up to 22m high. From here, prepare to enter the radical world of abseiling (Abseil Africa | +27 (0) 21 424 4760). Read more about Abseil Africa

3 – A once in a lifetime opportunity to see township gospel come to life
The spirit of ubuntu (a welcoming nature), can particularly be felt when townships erupt into gospel song at their local church. Your guide will take you on an unforgettable, half day gospel experience where you may enjoy a vibrant Sunday church service and a moving South African gospel congregation (Camissa |+27 (0) 21 462 6199). Read more about Gospel Township Tours

4 – Get familiar with the fabric of Cape Town’s history on a walking city tour
Footsteps to Freedom help you to digest 350 years of Cape Town’s colourful streets, by slowing down the pace to a walk, on a budget, half day city tour. Accompanied by a specialist guide, explore cultural hotspots at your leisure, including; Green Market Square and the Castle of Good Hope. Footsteps to Freedom also offer private walking tours for smaller groups (Footsteps to Freedom | +27 (0) 824521112).

5 – Real South African safari, real close to Cape Town
Rise early for an unforgettable, full day horse safari, including the opportunity to interact with Cape wildlife in their natural setting including; rhino’s and Cape buffalo. Your tour includes a welcome drink, excellent game drives, an overnight stay in a luxury chalet and an incredible buffet-style breakfast, sumptuous lunch and dinner (Aquila Private Game Reserve | +27 (0) 21 424 4760). Read more about overnight stays at Aquila Private Game Reserve

6 - Must do encounters in Cape Town’s shark capital, Gansbaai
Get your adrenaline pumping on one of Cape Town’s popular adventure day tours – an exhilarating shark dive. You’ll find the largest population of Great White sharks, off the coast of picturesque Gansbaai. During your half day experience, your experienced guide will transport you out into the ocean by boat, kit you out and plunge you into shark infested waters,  to encounter one of the oceans biggest predators (Shark Lady | +27 (0) 28 313 2306). Get up close and personal with the Great White Shark in Gansbaai 

7 – A private full or half day tour of the Cape Winelands
When accompanied by a knowledgeable and friendly tour guide, Rushdie Harper, you full or half day tour of the Winelands will be rather like driving with a personal friend. Drive through the unique wine estates of Paarl, Franschhoek and the Helschoogte Mountain Pass. Indulge in great wine tastings and a cellar tour. Your wine tour includes lunch, onboard refreshments and a free massage at your hotel (WOW Cape Town Tours | +27 (0) 832663591). Read more about Rushdi Harpers personal tours of the Cape Winelands

8 – Get up close and personal with Cape fur seals
Would you rather play with the fishes than be eyed up for dinner? Get up close and personal with playful South African fur seals, during a half day, snorkeling day tour, in the Cape Peninsula. Bearded dive fanatics will transport you to your destination and are eager to introduce you to these lovable mammals (Scuba Shack | +27 (0) 2 1424 1115). Read more about Snorkelling with seals on the Peninsula

9 – A great bicycle tour through the Cape Peninsula townships
AWOL’s full day bicycle tour, through Masiphumele township (close to Noordhoek on the Cape Peninsula) is a unique and interactive way to experience Xhosa traditions and life in the townships. Accompanied by an accredited tour guide, you will visit a traditional healer, a vibrant gospel church service (on Sunday’s only) and a pre-school. Your tour includes tea  and snacks at an African home and transport (AWOL Tours | +27 (0) 21 788 1256). Read more about Peninsula Township Insights by the Bicycle Seat 

10 – A photography day tour that showcases the best of the Cape Floral Kingdom
Part of Table Mountain National Park, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens showcases the best of the Cape Floral Kingdom, making the area every photographers dream. Embark on a full day tour with a specialist photography guide and snap memorable macro, flower and bird shots. Your tour includes a pickup from your hotel and on board refreshments (Photography Tours |+27 (0) 760332343).

By Lisa Nevitt

For a wider selection of day tours overviews in Cape Town and Surrounds, be sure to read Adventure Day Tours, Winelands Day Tours, Cultural Day Tours, Cape Peninsula Day Tours, Wildlife and Nature Day Tours and Township Day Tours