Somerset West Cheetah Encounter & Gordon's Bay Beach Day Trip

Meet cheetahs up close in Somerset West then relax by Gordon’s Bay beach with warm Indian Ocean air and local stories

You’ll start your day face-to-face with cheetahs in Somerset West (soft fur, real stories from local guides), then head to Gordon’s Bay for lunch by the sea and end with warm swims at Strand Beach. Expect small surprises: salty air, laughter from locals, maybe even an ice lolly on the sand.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cheetah experience and beach visits

• Meet for tour at 10:00
• Interactive cheetah experience
• Visit Gordon's Bay beach and lunch
• Visit Strand beach for swimming

The experience

We’d barely finished our coffee when the van rolled up for pickup: right on time, which honestly surprised me (Cape Town traffic is its own beast). The drive out to Somerset West didn’t take long. Our guide, Sipho, chatted about the city and pointed out Table Mountain fading behind us. I could smell hay and something earthy as we walked into Cheetah Outreach. You hear about “up-close” animal experiences but standing there, actually looking into a cheetah’s eyes while a volunteer explained their work. It hit different. The fur was softer than I expected, almost like velvet, and for a second I forgot to breathe. Sipho told us how few are left in the wild. It made the whole thing feel heavier somehow.

Afterwards, we piled back into the van, everyone a bit quieter than before, and headed toward Gordon’s Bay Beach. There was this salty breeze coming off the Indian Ocean that made my hair stick up everywhere. Lunch was easy: fish and chips from a place right on the sand (I still think about those crispy edges). Some locals were laughing nearby, kids running straight into the surf even though it felt chilly to me. I tried to order in Afrikaans but mostly got smiles: language skills not required apparently.

Strand Beach was next. It’s just down the road but has its own vibe. More families, more color: umbrellas everywhere, music from someone’s speaker drifting over. The water was warmer than I expected for June. We had bottled water in the van but I ended up buying an ice lolly from a vendor anyway because why not? By late afternoon, everyone looked sun-tired and happy. We drove back with sandy feet and that weird feeling you get after seeing something rare up close: like you need time to let it settle.

What’s included

• Your day includes pickup at 10:00 am in an air-conditioned vehicle with wifi onboard.
• bottled water is provided throughout. All areas, including transportation, are wheelchair accessible and suitable for travelers of any fitness level or age group.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (3 to 15 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 300

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Cape Falls Tours

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 15 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How close do you get to the cheetahs during this tour?

You’ll have a one-on-one interactive experience with cheetahs at Cheetah Outreach in Somerset West under staff supervision.

Is transportation included from Cape Town?

Yes, pickup is included for this day trip experience.

Are meals or lunch provided during the tour?

No set lunch is included but there are places to buy lunch overlooking Gordon’s Bay Beach.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and all areas are wheelchair accessible throughout the day trip.

What beaches do we visit on this tour?

You’ll visit both Gordon’s Bay Beach and Strand Beach along Cape Town’s coast.

Is swimming possible during this trip?

Yes, both Gordon’s Bay and Strand offer swimming opportunities with warm water at Strand Beach especially.

How long does it take to reach Somerset West from Cape Town?

The drive is around 45 minutes depending on traffic conditions.