How to Plan Your 12 Day Meander to South Africa’s Best Kept Secrets and Experience Lesotho Tour in Cape Town

Are you looking for an adventure-filled 12-day tour of Cape Town and the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast area with exciting spots, including a winery and a traditional village? Great news, our tour with Viator can tick all those boxes for you without the stress of intensive research, trip planning, or accommodation bookings. Here’s how to plan your 12 Day Meander to South Africa’s Best Kept Secrets and Experience Lesotho tour in Cape Town.

Overview

The 12-day adventure takes you from Cape Town through to the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast region, and on to Lesotho. You can look forward to exploring Table Mountain, Cape Point, the Garden Route, Addo Elephant Park, an Xhosa village, and plenty of hidden gems along the way. Don’t worry about booking accommodation; it’s included along the way, and you can enjoy drinks and meals (excluding alcoholic beverages, National Park fees, and gratuities) as part of the package.

The Tour Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Cape Town

On arrival in Cape Town, make your way to the V & A Waterfront to meet your guide or request hotel pickup. After a quick briefing, we head off and check into our first hotel. Relax and enjoy a leisurely evening to explore the city to your liking.

Day 2 – Explore Cape Town’s Top Sights

After breakfast, get ready to explore the city’s top sights. Our first stop is Table Mountain, where we take a cable car up and enjoy stunning views from the top. After that, we visit the famous Cape Point and the penguin colony. We arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon, where you can relax and enjoy the scenery.

Day 3 – Explore the Winelands

After breakfast, we take a picturesque drive to Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s oldest towns. Enjoy a stroll down its historic tree-lined avenues before we head off to taste some of the best wines the region has to offer. We return to our hotel late in the afternoon.

Day 4 – Journey to the Wilderness

Today, we travel to the Wilderness for an opportunity to explore the town’s idyllic beaches and forests. After check-in, we take a leisurely walk on the beach to enjoy the views before retiring to our hotel for a relaxing evening.

Day 5 – Journey to Addo Elephant Park

After breakfast, we depart for Addo Elephant Park, one of the most prominent national parks in South Africa. Look forward to a game drive in search of the park’s resident animals, including the African elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino, and leopard. We return to our lodge in the late afternoon.

Day 6 – Journey to Cintsa

After breakfast, we make our way to Chintsa, a tiny holiday town located on the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast region. We check into our lodge and enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring the town or lazing on the beach.

Day 7 – Explore the Wild Coast’s Cultural and Natural Sights

We start our day with a visit to a Xhosa village to learn more about the region’s rich cultural heritage. Next, we visit the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, Qunu, where he grew up. Later we discover some of the hidden gems of Cintsa.

Day 8 – Visit Mthatha and explore Umtata Museum and Botanical Gardens

On day 8, we take a journey to Mthatha to explore some of the area’s most significant landmarks. First, we visit Umtata Museum to learn more about the area’s history and culture, and then we explore the city’s botanical gardens. We return to our lodge for the evening.

Day 9-11 – Exploring Lesotho

Next, we embark on a three-day journey to Lesotho, also known as the “Kingdom in the Sky.” We explore the dramatic Drakensberg Mountain range, get a first-hand view of the traditional Basotho way of life, and explore the local markets. After a final night in Lesotho, we make our way back to Mthatha, where we check into our final hotel.

Day 12 – Return to Cape Town

Today we return to Cape Town after breakfast at the hotel. We require a minimum of two passengers for our trip back to Cape Town.

Conclusion

This tour is an excellent opportunity for adventure-seekers to explore the very best that Cape Town and the Wild Coast region have to offer. With this itinerary, you get to experience hidden gems at a leisurely pace while someone else handles the necessary arrangements for you. Book the tour now using this link here, and prepare to embark on a fun-filled adventure of South Africa’s best-kept secrets.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in South Africa, popular among tourists from all over the world. As a result, it is natural for visitors to have a lot of questions about what they can expect when visiting Cape Town. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Cape Town, along with informative answers.

1. What is the best time to visit Cape Town?

The best time to visit Cape Town largely depends on what you are looking for in your trip. The peak tourist season in Cape Town runs from November to March when the weather is warm and sunny. However, this is also when the city is the most crowded, and prices for accommodation and activities are typically at their highest.

If you are looking for a quieter time to visit Cape Town, it is advisable to go during the shoulder season (April-May and September-October). The weather is still pleasant, and because there are fewer tourists, prices for accommodation and activities are lower.

2. What are some must-visit attractions in Cape Town?

Cape Town offers visitors numerous attractions that cater to different interests. Here are some of the must-visit attractions in Cape Town:

Table Mountain

Table Mountain offers one of the most iconic views in Cape Town, and it is a must-do activity for any visitor. You can either hike to the top or use the cable car to reach the peak. Either way, you will get a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding area.

Robben Island

A trip to Cape Town is incomplete without a visit to Robben Island. This is the place where former South African president Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. You can take a ferry to Robben Island from the V&A Waterfront, and guided tours are available.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is located at the eastern foot of Table Mountain and offers visitors a chance to explore some of the unique flora and fauna of South Africa. The gardens also host various outdoor concerts and events throughout the year.

3. Is Cape Town safe for tourists?

Cape Town, like any other major city, has its fair share of crime. However, the city is generally safe for tourists as long as certain precautions are taken. For example, it is advisable to avoid walking alone at night or displaying expensive items such as cameras or smartphones in public places.

It is also recommended that tourists use registered taxis or ride-hailing services rather than public transport, which can be unreliable and unsafe.

4. What is the currency used in Cape Town?

The currency used in Cape Town is the South African Rand (ZAR). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most establishments, but it is advisable to carry some cash for small transactions.

5. What is the official language of Cape Town?

Cape Town is a multicultural city, and as such, there are many different languages spoken. However, the official language of Cape Town, and South Africa as a whole, is English.

6. What are some unique dishes to try in Cape Town?

Cape Town offers visitors a chance to experience some unique African and Cape Malay cuisine. Some of the must-try dishes include:

Bobotie

Bobotie is a traditional Cape Malay dish that consists of spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping. It is typically served with yellow rice and sambal.

Bunny Chow

Bunny Chow is a popular street food in Cape Town that consists of a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry. It is typically eaten with your hands, making it a perfect on-the-go meal.

Koeksisters

Koeksisters are a sweet pastry that is particularly popular in Cape Town. They are typically made by deep-frying a twisted doughnut-like shaped pastry and then dipping it into a syrup.

Conclusion

Cape Town is a vibrant and multicultural city that offers visitors a chance to experience some unique sights, sounds, and tastes. As long as certain precautions are taken, such as being vigilant about personal safety, visitors can explore the city with ease. By trying some of the local cuisine and visiting some of the must-visit attractions, visitors can get a true taste of what Cape Town has to offer.