Cape Town, Durban, and Beyond An Unforgettable South Africa Sojourn

We went to South Africa in May 2025 for a friend’s wedding. It was a 15-day tour, of which we spent about a week in Cape Town, before heading off for the celebrations to Durban and then Prince’s Grant Golf Estate.  Cape Town is a beautiful city, with the most hospitable people, and so much to offer. Our trip was a mix of nature, art, culture, and history—filled with activities we both enjoyed and experiences we will never forget.

Where We Stayed

We stayed at Taj Cape Town, which is located right in the heart of the city centre (and serves a glorious breakfast—a prerequisite for me!). Our room had an open balcony that overlooked Table Mountain. Both Vaishali and I love nature—and we can stare at its marvels for hours! So, this was perfect—we’d wake up to Table Mountain and could see the weather shift over it through the day—the sun, the clouds, the rains. It was stunning!

Pro Tip: Sometimes, what you see online isn’t what you get. Therefore, conduct thorough research and opt for credible properties. Also, we try to not to keep our accommodation too far from where our activities are—it serves as a convenient base.

Everything We Did

For all our holidays, we follow one rule: one pre-booked activity a day, and the rest of the day free to play by ear. In Cape Town, too, we’d wake up early, be done with our planned excursion by the afternoon, have a nice lunch, and then be on our own to spend the remainder of the day how we liked. As a couple, we are poles apart and have a lot of differences, but as travellers, we both, surprisingly, enjoy the same stuff. Which has been very helpful. Also, as we’ve matured, we’ve realised that it’s okay to do activities separately—you do what interests you and let them do what they enjoy. It is actually very healthy.

Typically, we make a list of all we want to partake in and divide it across our stay. And always keep room for last-minute changes, because no matter how well you plan, sometimes, things may just go their own way. We are also flexible with our schedules. For instance, if we really enjoyed something, we’d cancel other plans, even pre-booked ones, to go back to it. The idea is to relax, not rush or get exhausted. To spend quality time doing things we like, at our own pace.

Pro tip: Take it easy the day you land. We like to keep this day, essentially, to understand the lay of the land. So, walk around, explore the city, soak in the sights. In Cape Town, the Hop On and Hop Off bus is a great way to get yourself used to the city. Trust me. The views are incredible, and the bus takes you deep into the mountains. It really orients you with the city.

What To Do

These were the top must-dos for both of us. 

Table Mountain:

This is non-negotiable, you have to go here! We were supposed to be here for an hour but ended up staying for 3 hours!

Boulder’s Beach:

It is one of the few places in the world where you can find penguins! It was also our anniversary the day we went here, so it was an extremely special day, and the place only made it better!

Cape of Good Hope:

Honestly, I thought it was just okay. But that could also be because our guide was boring—and gave a lot of wrong information. Vaishali enjoyed it. The drive, through the deserts, was beautiful—and we got to see a lot of ostriches. From here, you can go to Cape Point and further walk down—or take a funicular ride—to the lighthouse, all amidst panoramic ocean views.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden:

We just chanced upon it—and instantly fell in love. Having lived in Mumbai, we are so starved of nature—of greenery, and scenic places to walk— that this was heaven for us. We came back the next day, too—to just picnic in the park, watch the ducks, take long strolls, breathe in the fresh, fragrant air…

Chapman’s Peak Drive:

Another unforgettable experience! The views will stay with you forever.

Lions Head Trek:

This one may not be for everyone, but it is lovely. We took the cable car, because Vaishali doesn’t like trekking. If you do trek, it’ll take about 1.5-2 hours. The top has the most hypnotic views—especially during sunrise and sunset.

Wine Valley Tour:

Do visit the vineyard—they are amazing. We did an elaborate walk-through, had a nice lunch under a tree, overstayed our time, missed our train, and then took a cab back. And absolutely loved it all. This, when neither of us drinks wine!

Where To Shop

We both love visiting flea markets. We visited a bunch here, too, and picked up some local knick-knacks. Green Market Square and Bay Harbour Market were our favourites. Cape Town also has some fabulous women’s markets, so do check out those as well.

Where To Eat

Vaishali is a pure vegetarian, and I am a total non-vegetarian. Thankfully, Cape Town has great options for both. Taj, for one, had us both spoilt for choice. They’d even pack vegetarian food for Vaishali in steel dabbas for our outings. Of course, you can’t come to South Africa and not try the local cuisine. Gold was our favourite—the restaurant serves delicious fare, over live Djembe music.

The Apps That Helped

I used Get Your Guide throughout for all the tours and info, etc. It is my go-to for all our holidays and has never let us down. Also, wherever possible, get skip-the-line tickets. They are fast and save time.

A Couple Hack:

Delegate tasks—it’ll make your holiday much smoother. And run things by each other, to ensure you are both aligned. For us, I do all the research and plan the days. And she does all the bookings. She’s also better at math, so all the money management is also hers.