Cape Town: Table Mountain, Cape Point & Penguins Private Day Tour

Summary

Table Mountain sunrise, penguins at Boulders, Cape Point cliffs and wine

You’ll ride up Table Mountain early with your guide, stroll through Bo-Kaap’s colorful streets, drive Chapman’s Peak cliffs, sip wine overlooking vineyards, watch penguins at Boulders Beach, and eat fresh fish by Simon’s Town harbor—all with entry fees included and local insight along every stop.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the quiet hum of our van as we zigzagged up towards Table Mountain—our guide, Thabo, checking the weather cam on his phone. He grinned when he saw clear skies (I guess that’s rare), so we went straight for the cableway. The air up there was cold and sharp, like standing inside a cloud. You could smell the sea even from that high up. I tried to take it all in but honestly just stood there for a while, not really saying anything. Thabo pointed out Robben Island in the distance—he’d been once as a kid—and told us about his grandmother’s stories of old Cape Town. It was hard to leave that view.

Afterwards we wound down into Bo-Kaap—those houses really are as bright as they look in photos—and then along the coast past Camps Bay, where palm trees lean like they’re always half asleep. Chapman’s Peak Drive was wild; cliffs on one side, ocean on the other, and Thabo played old Johnny Clegg songs through the speakers. We stopped at Noordhoek Farm Village for coffee (the bakery smelled like cinnamon) before heading to Cape Point Vineyards. I’m not really a wine person but sitting outside with a glass and watching clouds roll over the hills felt pretty good.

Somewhere near lunchtime we made it to the Cape of Good Hope. The wind nearly knocked my hat off—Thabo laughed and said it happens to everyone here. There were ostriches just wandering around by the road; not something you see every day if you’re from London like me. At Boulders Beach I got way too excited about the penguins—one waddled right up near us (but not too close). They make this weird braying sound that’s nothing like what you’d expect from such small birds. Lunch in Simon’s Town was fish and chips by the harbor; nothing fancy but exactly what I wanted after all that walking.

We ended with a quick stop at Muizenberg for those rainbow beach huts (couldn’t resist one last photo) before heading back into Cape Town as evening started to settle in. My shoes were full of sand and my head was full of new stories. There’s something about seeing so many sides of this place in one day—with someone who actually lives here—that sticks with you longer than any photo ever could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day Cape Peninsula private tour

• Hotel pickup and weather check
• Ascend Table Mountain via cable car
• Explore Table Mountain summit
• Visit Bo-Kaap colorful neighborhood
• Drive along Camps Bay and Atlantic Seaboard
• Pass by Llandudno
• Stop at Hout Bay Harbour
• Drive and stop at Chapman's Peak Drive viewpoint
• Coffee break at Noordhoek Farm Village
• Wine tasting at Cape Point Vineyards (optional)
• Photo stop at Cape Point Ostrich Farm
• Drive through Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
• Visit Cape of Good Hope sign and historical crosses
• Explore Cape Point lighthouse and viewpoints
• Visit Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
• Lunch break in Simon's Town
• Bonus photo stop at Muizenberg or St. James Beach
• Return to Cape Town hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Cape Town tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included for all guests staying in central Cape Town areas.

Are Table Mountain tickets included?

Yes, Table Mountain Cableway tickets are included for private tours.

How long does the day trip last?

The tour typically runs from around 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

Do we see African penguins on this tour?

Yes, you visit Boulders Beach to see the African penguin colony up close.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No, lunch is at your own expense but your guide will recommend local spots in Simon's Town.

Are entry fees for attractions included?

All main park entry fees are included on private tours: Table Mountain, Cape Point, Boulders Beach.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and most stops are wheelchair accessible.

Can I customize or change stops?

The itinerary is flexible on private tours; discuss preferences with your guide at pickup.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in a comfortable vehicle with chilled bottled water onboard; all main entry fees—Table Mountain cableway tickets, Cape Point Nature Reserve access, Boulders Beach penguin colony admission—and exclusive stops like Noordhoek Farm Village and Cape Point Vineyards before returning to your accommodation in the evening.