Day excursions in Cape Town and Johannesburg: the full rundown
Not every African adventure needs two weeks and a tent. Drifters offers 12 half-day and full-day excursions across Cape Town and Johannesburg, perfect for travellers with a morning, an afternoon or a full day to spare. Whether you’re looking to make the most of some free time before a flight, add an extra experience to a longer stay, or simply discover more of the city and its surroundings, there’s plenty to choose from.
All excursions are guided in English, with German-speaking departures also available on selected Cape Town excursions.
Cape Town & Surroundings
These six excursions cover everything from a half-day city loop to a full day out at Cape Point or in the Winelands.
Six Cape Town excursions, from a half-day city loop to a full day on the peninsula.
Cape Highlights: the Cape of Good Hope, roughly the midpoint of the day.
Cape Highlights
The most complete single-day introduction to the Cape. Covers Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape Point Nature Reserve, Kalk Bay and St James, a Constantia Valley wine tasting, and the city centre from the Castle of Good Hope to Signal Hill.
Top tip: Book this on your first day in Cape Town so you can get orientated.
Chapman’s Peak Drive, the scenic run south towards Cape Point.
Cape Point
A full-day loop along the Atlantic seaboard via Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape Point Nature Reserve, returning via the False Bay coast with the option to see penguins at Boulders Beach, and a stop at Rhodes Memorial.
Three tastings and a cellar tour across Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.
Winelands
A full day through Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, the Cape’s premier wine-producing regions. Includes a cellar tour and three wine tastings, plus time in historic Stellenbosch.
Hermanus is one of the world’s best shore-based whale watching spots, July to November.
Hermanus
Drive over Sir Lowry’s Pass to Hermanus for shore-based whale watching, best between July and November. Afterwards, visit a wine estate for a tasting or the Stony Point Penguin Colony. Return to Cape Town along the scenic False Bay coast.
The cableway to the summit, weather permitting, then the city below.
Table Mountain & Cape Town City
A half-day covering the cableway to Table Mountain’s summit (weather permitting), the Malay Quarter, city centre, Company Gardens, and a stop at Diamond Works.
My Cape Town: a private day built around whatever you want to see.
My Cape Town
A private, build-your-own day. Choose city sightseeing, the Cape Peninsula, the Winelands or spend time with local communities, guided at your own pace with flexibility to swap plans on the day.
Johannesburg & Surroundings
Six excursions spanning wildlife, history and the city itself.
Johannesburg, Soweto, Pretoria and a Big Five reserve, all within a day’s reach.
The Union Buildings in Pretoria, the first stop on the Gauteng Highlights day.
Gauteng Highlights
A full day covering the Union Buildings and Church Square in Pretoria, then Soweto: the Oppenheimer Tower, Kliptown market, Walter Sisulu Square, the Hector Pieterson Memorial, FNB Stadium, Constitution Hill, and Nelson Mandela’s former Houghton home.
Vilakazi Street, once home to both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.
Joburg and Soweto Highlights
A half-day covering Constitution Hill and the Old Fort Prison, the Hector Pieterson Memorial, the Soweto towers, a local market and Vilakazi Street where Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu once lived.
The Voortrekker Monument, one of four stops on the Pretoria half day.
Pretoria City Tour
A half-day through the administrative capital featuring the Voortrekker Monument, Church Square, the Union Buildings, and Kruger House.
Dinokeng sits 90 minutes from Sandton, which makes a Big Five morning realistic.
Dinokeng ‘Big 5’ Safari
A half-day open-vehicle game drive in Dinokeng Game Reserve, 90 minutes from Sandton, with the Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo) plus cheetah, brown hyena and a wide range of antelope and birdlife.
Top tip: This is the easiest way to see the Big Five in the wild in a morning or afternoon from Johannesburg.
Amandla ends at Constitution Hill, told in character throughout the day.
Amandla: South Africa’s Untold Freedom Story
A full day of guided storytelling through Johannesburg and Soweto, told in character as Walter Sisulu, Ruth First or Elias Motsoaledi. Covers Mandela’s office, the June 16 Memorial, the Hector Pieterson Memorial, Vilakazi Street, Walter Sisulu Freedom Square, and Constitution Hill.
My Joburg: pick your own route across the city, Soweto, Pretoria, Cullinan or Dinokeng.
My Joburg
A private, build-your-own day across Johannesburg, Soweto, Pretoria, Cullinan or Dinokeng, guided at your own pace.
Frequently asked questions
12 in total: 6 in Cape Town and 6 in Johannesburg, ranging from 4-hour half days to 9-hour full days.
Yes. My Cape Town, Cape Point, Winelands, Table Mountain & Cape Town City and My Joburg all offer German-speaking guides on set days or on request.
Half-day excursions run around 4 to 5 hours and suit a single focus, such as Table Mountain or a Pretoria city loop. Full-day excursions run 8 to 9 hours and cover more ground, such as the Cape Point loop or Gauteng Highlights.
Yes. My Cape Town and My Joburg are private, flexible days built around your interests, priced on request.
