Three weeks in South Africa - your best recommendations!

[BIWI]

We're planning to go to Cape Town in early January. DH and me, plus 6 other friends (3 couples). We're all 60+, so don't have to take into account the needs of children.

We're planning a week in an Airbnb to start with, and then have different plans - some of the couples are staying for 2 weeks and some for 3.

Never been before, so any suggestions are very, very much welcomed!

Thanks for the updates!

We're all booked now. We have an Air BnB for a week with a pool, near/on Llandudno beach. Then off to Franschoek, then Hermanus and then safari (can't remember where that will be - it's been booked by someone else!)

@maz82 look forward to hearing about your holiday - hope it goes well

That sounds an amazing trip @Biwi. I'm just starting to plan a holiday for this time next year in SA, just placemarking for inspiration! Hope you have an amazing time.

Hermanus isn’t a great idea without the whales present. January is too late. Why not go on to Kynsna? Much nicer!

Have dinner at La Colombe, it’s fabulous.

If you like Asian food and a great ghost story, definitely go to Kitima!

I love Cape Town and don't agree that Hermanus isn't good without the whales. All the suggestions are great, a couple of extra to consider..The penguin colony at Betty's Bay on the coast road to Hermanus is a good ( less crowded) alternative to Boulders, the food and wine pairing at Creation Winery , Hemel en Arde Valley ( just outside Hermanus) is great value and a beautiful setting. There are several wineries along the valley.
Babelonstoren gardens in the Franschoek area is worth a visit. Buitenverwachting winery is also beautiful just for the gardens.
In Cape town I'd also add the Oranjezicht City Farm Market, behind the V & A waterfront on a weekend. Gets busy but has a lovely vibe with music, food and great view of the sea. Scarborough beach is my absolute favourite of all the Cape town beaches , though the sea is cold on this side of the peninsular. We always hire a car as the driving is easy, especially away from the city. Groot Constantia for breakfast, sitting under the old oak trees with a view over the city is pretty magical.
You will love it, the biggest problem will be fitting everything you want to do into three weeks, you'll just want to go back again !

Stop, stop, stop! Making it too exciting!

Thanks all for the advice. Too late to change the Hermanus booking, so glad it's not a waste of time without the whales.

I love the Chapmans Peak Drive.

There are just better places when the whales are not there. It set up for whales! And they are amazing. You can go to places away from Hermanus that are good in January but it seems odd that people said about January being too late for the whales but you booked there anyway without knowing what was good or indifferent about it in January.

I didn't choose it @BubblesBuddy that's why I appear to have ignored advice here

It’s a shame posters didn’t know you were not involved in booking then.

Hermanus is worth it for the waffle shop! Though we did see whales too, including a mum and calf who had come right in to the cliffs. Unforgettable stuff. But the waffles were good too.

I know you probably can't work it in now but Drakenstein lion sanctuary is SO worth an overnight stay. They rescue lions from unsavoury situations all over the world (circuses, living as pets, awful trauma) and give them good peaceful lives. You can stay in a tent onsite and have lions as your neighbours. They're incredibly noisy and you won't get any sleep but it's the most amazing experience you could have.

OP - ignore Bubbles. You don't need to book entirely based on the recommendations of strangers on Mumsnet!

Hermanus is a lovely town and even without whales you'll enjoy it. Lots of lovely cafes and shops, some gorgeous walks and nice beaches. It's an extremely relaxing seaside town and I imagine you'll have a wonderful time there. Especially as all the locals will probably have headed back to Cape Town by mid January.

What's your problem @BubblesBuddy?

I started this post back in August looking for ideas and PP gave me loads and loads to start the process off. Did you want me to report back on our entire process? I said in the OP that there were 8 of us going altogether so it stands to reason that I wouldn't necessarily be in charge of the whole thing.

As it happens, the people who have chosen Hermanus have been there before so they know what they're doing.

I'm sorry that your advice wasn't heeded.

If you're near lludno for the start, definitely look at the 12 Apostles for a meal and/or spa day. It really is the most beautiful place (I mentioned it originally). You're also close to Hout Bay so that will be fab.

God, am so jealous.

Hope you've hired cars - easiest way to get around. You can always take cabs if you want to go out at night and have a few drinks but having a car for day to day is great.

We will be hiring cars, possibly car + driver, but that's someone else's job to sort out

Thanks for the restaurant recommendation.

Aw - you'll have a fabulous time.

We too used the Portfolio Collection to book some stunning B&Bs along the Garden Route.

car and driver is genius. i like your style.

Driving is easy over there.

We were in Hermanus during prime whale season and still didn't see a sniff of one! Had a lovely time nonetheless - plenty of lovely walking along the coast there, and wineries in the hills behind the town. You'll have a great time there (especially if you have a waffle.)

Reporting back!

We had a fantastic time. This was what we did:

1st week in a beautiful villa in Camps Bay. We went to Boulders Beach, Chapmans Peak Hotel for brunch (except turns out they don't do brunch any more so had lunch there!), a day at the cricket (which was fantastic as we won!), a walking tour round Cape Town (history of apartheid) and lunch in Bo-Kaap, Cape Point where we saw baboons, Kirstenbosch, lunch at Klein Constantia (other lunches and dinners I can't remember!)

Then a beautiful drive to Robertson, over the Du Toitskloof pass, to stay at the most amazing hotel (Mo &Rosa) for a couple of nights, with a couple of vineyard tours/tastings, and an olive oil tasting.

Then on to Franschhoek for a few days where we did the wine bus/tram, with some beautiful wine tastings and food.

From there, to Hermanus where unfortunately the weather changed. Very good for the local communities, though, as the drought in SA is the most severe in the last 20 years. We had four days of pretty solid rain which did hamper what we were able to do. However, we enjoyed the town, despite lack of whales, , and the shops and restaurants were great.

Last stop was a couple of nights at the Aquila Game Reserve, where the rain continued - the first time it had rained there in 4 years! But it didn't spoil our time and we had amazing drives to see the animals much more up close and personal then I ever imagined would be possible. Our last day the sun returned, so we did enjoy a bit of warmth before we came back.

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions - it really helped. And definitely agree that it's a fantastic place to travel to.

Oh, and can definitely confirm/recommend a visit to Creation vineyard for the wine pairings/lunch. Fabulous.