Cape Peninsula Private Tour: Cape of Good Hope & Penguins

The Cape of Good Hope is not the southern tip of Africa. It's where two ocean currents meet.

A private guided tour of Cape Peninsula from Cape Town with a driver and vehicle for up to 10 hours, visiting Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Boulders Beach penguin colony, Chapman's Peak Drive and Simon's Town, with entrance fees to major attractions included. You choose your start time, which stops to make and where to finish: the itinerary flexes to your interests. Pickup is included. Lunch is your choice.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Bo-Kaap20m
2. Chapman's Peak Drive15m · entry included
3. Boulders Beach1h · entry included
4. Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve2h · entry included
5. Cape Point30m

Cape Peninsula private tour highlights

• Visit Bo-Kaap and walk with guide
• Stop for panoramic photos at scenic cove
• Explore fishing harbour and souvenir market
• Photo stop and walk at Chapman's Peak Drive
• Optional wine tasting at Cape Point Vineyard
• Visit Simon's Town and learn local history
• See African penguins at Boulders Beach
• Tour Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
• Explore historic sites and wildlife at Cape Point
• Drive back to Cape Town via scenic route
• Drop off at hotel or chosen location

The experience

The day starts where you want it to. Your guide picks you up from your hotel or any Cape Town address and drives you to Bo-Kaap first, a 20-minute stop to walk through the neighborhood's colorful houses and hear the history of the area. From there the route opens up: you decide which stops matter. Some travelers head straight to Chapman's Peak Drive, one of the world's most scenic coastal roads, where you pause for photos and a short guided walk. Others linger at Simon's Town, the home port of the South African Navy and the site where a Great Dane named Just Nuisance was officially enlisted in the Royal Navy between 1939 and 1944: a detail that still draws visitors to this small village.

Boulders Beach holds around 2,500 pairs of endangered African penguins, and the beach itself is sheltered by ancient granite boulders that keep the water calm and safe for swimming. You can wade in with the penguins if you bring swimwear (entry is separate), or simply walk the sand and watch them. The route also passes a cove with views of Lion's Head, Table Mountain, Camps Bay Beach and the Twelve Apostles range: dolphins, whales and seals show up here regularly. At Hout Bay fishing harbor, you can buy fish and chips or take an optional boat trip to Seal Island to see thousands of Cape Fur Seals, though rough seas can make that crossing uncomfortable. Cape Point Vineyard sits within the reserve and offers wine tastings of South African whites like sauvignon blanc and chardonnay, with views of the mountains and ocean. That's optional and costs extra.

The highlight is Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve itself. The famous wooden sign makes for the souvenir photo, but the real draw is the landscape: a rocky headland where the cold Benguela Current meets the warm Agulhas Current. Your guide will point out wildlife (bontebok, baboons, ostriches, giraffes, tortoises), and explain the historic Vasco da Gama and Dias crosses. An optional hike of up to 40 minutes leads to the lighthouse. Your guide escorts you partway and meets you on the other side. The Dutchman Funicular gets you to the top for a fee, or you can walk the 20 minutes from the lower station. On the return to Cape Town, you pass Scarborough, Misty Cliffs, Kometjie and Long Beach, with an optional stop at Kirstenbosch botanical garden if time allows. You can be dropped at your hotel, another address in Cape Town or the airport.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Boulders Beach penguin colony and Seal Island.
• private guide and driver.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• Chapman's Peak toll fees.
• pickup from your hotel or any Cape Town address.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (2 to 12 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 18.16

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Beyond Africa Safaris (Pty)Ltd

Is this one for you?The tour runs 8 to 10 hours with walking at several stops (Bo-Kaap, Chapman's Peak, Boulders Beach and Cape Point), so you need a full day and comfortable shoes, but the pace is yours to set and you can skip any stop that doesn't appeal to you.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 12 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point?

Cape of Good Hope is the rocky headland and nature reserve where the two ocean currents meet. Cape Point is the landmark within the reserve where your guide explores the historic crosses and searches for wildlife like bontebok and giraffes.

Can I swim with the penguins at Boulders Beach?

Yes, weather permitting, you can swim with the African penguins at Boulders Beach. Entry costs ZAR 120 per adult and is separate from the tour price, so bring swimwear and a towel if you want to go in.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included, but you'll have chances to eat at Simon's Town restaurants, Hout Bay harbor for fish and chips, Boulders Beach, or the Cape of Good Hope. Your guide can recommend stops based on your preferences.

How long does the tour actually take?

The tour runs 8 to 10 hours depending on which stops you choose and how long you spend at each one. You set the start time and decide which attractions matter most to you.

What happens if the sea is rough at Hout Bay?

The boat trip to Seal Island is optional, and the operator recommends skipping it if sea conditions are bumpy unless you're comfortable with seasickness. You can still visit the harbor, buy fish and chips, and browse the souvenir market.

Can the tour drop me at Cape Town airport instead of my hotel?

Yes, you can be dropped at Cape Town airport or any other address in Cape Town and surrounding areas at the end of the tour.