Routes · Africa

Doha to South Africa: Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Hermanus

Doha → Cape Town → Stellenbosch → Hermanus

Cape, wine & whales Best season (general guide): Aug–Nov (whales Jun–Nov)

The Western Cape combines a mountain city, wine valleys and whale watching from the shore. This route spends four nights in Cape Town, two in the winelands and two in Hermanus. From Doha you'll fly south to Cape Town.

Table Mountain's cableway closes in high wind or cloud, so keep two days open to ride it. The Cape Peninsula drive passes the penguin colony at Boulders Beach and ends at Cape Point. Ferries to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held, leave from the V&A Waterfront.

Stellenbosch is a university town with oak-lined streets and estates all around. A day in Franschhoek or Paarl adds more wine farms and mountain views. Remember to arrange a driver if you plan to taste.

Hermanus, on Walker Bay, is known for its southern right whales. From about June to November they come close to shore, and you can watch them from the cliff path or take a boat trip.

The best whale watching is between August and November, when the spring weather is also mild.

Pacing: Cape Town's weather can switch within an hour, so keep the mountain, the Peninsula drive and Robben Island interchangeable and pick each day by the forecast. A hire car is the easiest way to reach the winelands and Walker Bay, but don't drink and drive; many estates can arrange a driver.

Robben Island tours sell out, so book them early. In Hermanus, the cliff path runs for kilometres along the bay, and you can watch the whales from benches along the way. Licensed boat operators are the only ones allowed to approach the whales at sea.

Getting there and around: fly into Cape Town, go on to Stellenbosch overland, go on to Hermanus overland, and return overland to Cape Town for the flight home.

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