We Are Excited To See You in Cape Town

Sea kayak from Simon's Town to the Boulders Beach penguin colony, with Cape fur seals usually alongside and the option to swim if the water allows. Guided, no kayaking experience needed. The full-day version continues to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, with a seaside lunch and the drive back over Chapman's Peak.

• Includes a donation to SANCCOB, the seabird rescue charity, with a penguin adoption certificate
• Bring swimwear and a towel if you want the swim
• Meeting time: to be confirmed

Guided ride over the white sand dunes of the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve, about 45 minutes north of the city. No experience is required; each session begins with a short safety briefing, and the bikes are automatic with a simple thumb throttle and hand brake, no gears, no clutch. Guides ride with the group and set the pace.

• Riding time is around 50 minutes; the full slot includes the briefing
• Allow 45 to 60 minutes' travel time from central Cape Town
• Wear long trousers and closed shoes; helmets are provided
• Expect to get sandy. Sunglasses help

Drive to Gansbaai for a briefing, then boat out to Dyer Island, home to whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and sharks. In the cage you may see bronze whalers and, if lucky, great whites. The day ends with a wine tasting in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley on the way back.

• Conservancy fee included, funding marine protection
• Wetsuits provided by the operator
• Sightings depend on conditions and are not guaranteed
• Roughly 2 hours' drive each way

Drive the Whale Route via Gordon's Bay, Pringle Bay and Betty's Bay, then board a whale-watching boat from Hermanus. September is peak season for southern right whales. Free time for lunch in town, plus a stop at the Stony Point penguin colony.

• Boat trip is weather dependent
• Includes a donation to SANCCOB with a penguin adoption certificate
• Roughly 90 minutes' drive each way

A relaxed ride through vineyard trails in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek with experienced handlers. Suitable for complete beginners. Followed by tastings at two or more estates and a farm lunch.

• Long trousers and closed shoes needed
• Finishes early afternoon

The classic Cape Town evening hike: a spiral path up the peak between Table Mountain and the sea, finishing 669 m up with the city, Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles below you. Roughly 4 km with under 400 m of elevation gain, manageable at a reasonable fitness level, but not a casual stroll. Sections are exposed and need proper footwear and attention.

• Around 3 hours up and down including time at the top
• Terrain includes rocky paths and the well-known chain ladders; there is a longer path around the chains if you would rather skip them
• Bring a warm top for the descent after sunset, closed trainers or hiking shoes, and water
• Not recommended if you are uncomfortable with heights
• Descent is in fading light, so a phone torch or headlamp is useful

A Big 5 reserve in the Klein Karoo, about two hours from Cape Town, with lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. The full-day format runs from arrival at 09:00 to departure at 16:30 and includes welcome drinks, buffet breakfast and lunch, a 2 to 3 hour game drive and an optional conservation tour.

• Game drives are in open-air safari vehicles led by a ranger, with a half-way stop for photos and refreshments
• Wear comfortable clothing and closed shoes, and pack a light jacket even in warm weather; the open vehicles are exposed to the wind
• Neutral colours, a hat and sunscreen are sensible
• Pools on site if you want a swim in the afternoon; bring swimwear
• Back in Camps Bay around 18:30, ahead of the private chef dinner

A self-paced day in the Winelands, an hour from the city. The Wine Tram is a hop-on hop-off system of vintage trams and open-air buses running between estates: you pick a colour-coded route, board at the terminal, and stay as long as you like at each stop before catching the next tram. A typical day covers three to five estates. Babylonstoren, a Cape Dutch farm nearby, has 8 acres of fruit and vegetable garden with over 300 varieties, all edible, laid out in 15 sections including a prickly pear maze, plus the Babel restaurant and farm shop.

• Plan on about an hour per estate, closer to two where there is a restaurant or pairing
• Lunch reservations should be made at least 24 hours ahead; tell us if you want a table booked
• Wine bought along the way can be left with the tram driver and collected at the end
• Comfortable shoes for the gardens; the tram is open-sided so bring a layer
• Free evening afterwards