South Africa • Kensington Tours

Cape, Community & Conservation

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Learn about South African communities, land conservation and wildlife through immersive, expertly guided tours from locals.

Trip highlights

Itinerary is fully customizable, but some trip highlights may include:

Tour Bo Kaap, the oldest suburb in South Africa, with a local private guide who has lived in the area for over 25 years. Hear authentic stories and conclude the tour with a Cape-Malay cooking class.

Learn how women can uplift their communities on an immersive journey to the Cape of Good Hope.

Stay at Grootbros Forest Lodge and admire the surrounding land under conservation by the Grootbros Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to conserving the Cape Floral Kingdom on the coast of Walker Bay.

Travel to the Kalahari and see how tourism can contribute to the survival of this traditional community.

Track the Big 5 with your expert guide in the world renowned Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve.

TRIP DURATION

~ 12 days

PRICE

$21,200 USD starting per person, based on double occupancy; includes taxes and fees

Call Platinum Travel Services to book

1-800-525-3355

A row of buildings painted in alternating bright colors—green, orange, pink, and yellow—contrast starkly with the rugged mountains behind.

Private Tour

Bo Kaap Walking Tour with Cooking Class

Bo Kaap is the oldest suburb in South Africa with its origins dating back to the Dutch colonists who enslaved people from Indonesia, Batavia, Malaysia, India and Africa. It's the combination of these diverse cultures that has culminated in today's unique Bo Kaap traditions, custom, and cuisines.

On this day, you will hear about the story of Bo Kaap from a local resident, Bilqees Baker. Bilqees has lived in Cape Town for over 25 years and was raised during the Apartheid era. She developed a career as a qualified and registered tour guide and was influenced by the history of the old slave quarter.

Bilqees will walk you through the authentic history of this neighborhood as you stroll along brightly colored homes and cobble stoned streets. Your tour begins in front of the Bo Kaap Museum, which is also the oldest house in the Bo Kaap. The house is still in its original condition, complete with sash windows, front door, and parapet.

Your walk will then take you to the Auwal Mosque, which is the oldest Mosque in South Africa, dating back to 1794. Inside the Mosque you will see a Quran handwritten from memory, by Tuan Guru, an exiled political prisoner from the Island of Tidore.

Your tour concludes with an authentic Cape-Malay cooking class where you will participate in the making of the meal before sitting down to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Cape Point is made up of craggy light-brown cliffs. Grass shades one face and a red brick lighthouse perches over the deepest decline.

Private Tour

Active Cape Point Peninsula with The Brave Adventure Academy

Explore the Cape Peninsula with a highly qualified guide and an apprentice guide in training from the Brave Adventure Academy program. The Adventure Academy offers training opportunities to teenage girls from underprivileged South African communities to become adventure guides.

The Cape Peninsula is a complete contrast to cosmopolitan Cape Town. With its wild national parks, artistic bohemian seaside villages and working fishing harbors, this day is focused on embracing the locals and spending as much time out of the vehicle as possible. With your specialist guide, head to your first stop – Cape Town’s coolest coffee at Muizenberg’s Surfers Corner, the epicenter of South Africa’s surf culture. From here it’s off to Kalk Bay to explore the harbor and meet the jovial, often entertaining members of the fishing community. Browse bohemian art shops and perhaps take a short hike through the fairy-like Milkwood forests; the day will be curated to your wishes as it progresses with the help of your guide. Head to Simon’s Town to find rogue penguins on a secret beach that’s typically only accessible to locals.

Then it's off to Masiphumelele to meet with Yandiswa Mazwana, an active community member who founded the Masiphumelele Creative Hub that aims to provide a safe, supportive and educational environment where community members can use the power of creativity to combat daily challenges. She transforms waste materials and plastics into works of art, while also supplying art and craft products to retailers both locally and worldwide. At her workshop you’ll have the opportunity to use plastic collected from Peninsula beaches to create a unique piece of art to bring home with you.

A Xhosa woman wearing a black-and-white patterned wrap and head wrap sits at a market hand-beading jewelry.

Private Tour

Cultural Cape Tour

This day's visit is about meeting with locals and sharing experiences on an immersive and uplifting tour. Gain a better understanding of the complexity of South African society on this authentic cultural excursion. With the direction of a private local guide, visit the vibrant community of Cape Town’s Langa township and learn about the daily lives and culture of the Xhosa people. Wander the streets where kids play soccer, and locals trade, walk, socialize and gather.

Let us book for you

With Platinum Destinations® Vacations, earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on these unique itineraries booked through American Express Travel®.*

Call Platinum Travel Service to book and receive your benefits.

1-800-525-3355

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Kensington Tours

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Platinum Destinations® Vacations

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