Signature Series: 12-Day Exclusive South Africa Food Trail + Eastern Cape Safari with Warren Mendes & Miguel Maestre

Begin your day on Table Mountain, one of Cape Town’s defining natural landmarks. From the summit, look out across the city, sparkling harbour and Atlantic Seaboard, with the Cape Peninsula stretching into the distance. The mountain’s flat-topped profile has long guided ships approaching the Cape, while its slopes support a remarkable range of indigenous plants found nowhere else in the world.

Continue to Bo-Kaap, the colourful hillside neighbourhood at the heart of Cape Town’s Cape Malay community.

Signature Highlight: Bo-Kaap cultural tour and Cape Malay home cooking experience with Warren Mendes and Miguel Maestre

Immerse yourself in the rich culture and culinary traditions of Bo-Kaap on a guided walking tour through one of Cape Town’s most vibrant and historic neighbourhoods. Famous for its colourful houses and cobblestone streets, Bo-Kaap offers a fascinating insight into the heritage, history and flavours of the Cape Malay community.

Step into a local family home for an authentic, hands-on cooking experience, where Warren Mendes and Miguel Maestre share their passion for food alongside local hosts. As fragrant spices are toasted and blended, discover the techniques and traditions that have been passed down through generations, learning to prepare classic Cape Malay favourites including roti, samosas, dhaltjies (spiced fritters) and a fragrant Cape Malay chicken curry.

Then, gather around the table to enjoy the meal you’ve created together, from freshly baked breads to aromatic curries and crisp, spice-filled pastries. More than just a cooking class, this immersive experience offers a genuine taste of Cape Malay hospitality and the family traditions that continue to shape one of South Africa’s most celebrated cuisines.

Later, continue to the V&A Waterfront for time at leisure before returning to the hotel.

Signature Highlight: Hosted dinner at Upper Union with Warren Mendes and Miguel Maestre

This evening, gather at Upper Union in a beautifully restored heritage building on Cape Town’s Kloof Street. The restaurant brings different culinary influences together around one table, with Executive Chef Amori Burger’s cooking shaped by family gatherings, generous Sunday lunches and the pleasure of feeding a crowd. Head Chef Jason Jonker leads the kitchen.

Enjoy a shared menu that may move from the clean, oceanic flavour of Saldanha oysters and yellowtail to the slow-cooked richness of beef cheek tagine, followed by fragrant Hyderabadi rice, local vegetables and jalebi-inspired desserts. Selected wines from boutique local producers accompany the courses, giving Warren and Miguel the opportunity to share their thoughts on the relationship between South African food and wine.

Today’s activities may operate in two smaller groups, with the order of experiences reversed for some travellers.

Follow the coastline south this morning, where Cape Town gives way to beaches, granite headlands and ocean views across the Cape Peninsula. At Boulders Beach, pause beside the sheltered coves where a colony of African penguins moves between the rocks and cool Atlantic water. Just a short walk from the entrance, the beach offers a close look at these distinctive residents in their natural coastal setting.

Continue through Simon’s Town and settle in for a seafood lunch at Black Marlin, a restaurant at Millers Point between the town and Cape Point. Once part of a historic whaling station, the building now looks across False Bay and the surrounding coastline.

Signature Highlight: Seafood lunch at Black Marlin with Warren Mendes and Miguel Maestre

For Warren and Miguel, this is South Africa at its most direct: food shaped by the waters beyond the table and served with the coastline in view. Start with the clean, briny freshness of oysters, then explore the menu’s generous spread of mussels, calamari, prawns, crayfish and freshly caught fish. Seafood platters bring the flavours together in one abundant centrepiece, while Cape Malay curry adds warmth, spice and depth to the coastal menu.

The meal reflects the character of False Bay: produce-led, generous and closely tied to the ocean. During whale season, keep watch from the coastline for passing whales, although sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Continue into Cape Point Nature Reserve, where fynbos-covered slopes meet the ocean and indigenous wildlife moves through the landscape. Look out for baboons, rhebok, Cape Mountain zebra, bontebok and eland as you explore the reserve with your guide. Take the funicular towards the Old Cape Point Lighthouse, around 800 metres uphill from the parking area, or use the allocated time to discover the viewpoints and coastline at your own pace.

Follow Chapman’s Peak Drive around the mountainside, with the road opening onto rugged cliffs, open Atlantic water and the sweep of Hout Bay. Pause at one of the route’s designated lookouts before continuing past Camps Bay and Sea Point on the return to Cape Town.

Signature Highlight: Dinner at Chefs Warehouse Tintswalo Atlantic with Warren Mendes and Miguel Maestre

This evening, dine at Chefs Warehouse Tintswalo Atlantic, perched above the rugged coastline near Chapman’s Peak. Part of chef Liam Tomlin’s Chefs Warehouse collection, the restaurant is led by Head Chef Cameron Smith, whose cooking draws directly from the natural produce of the Cape.

The shared tapas tasting menu includes six dishes per couple and a wine pairing, bringing together the clean salinity of fresh oysters, sustainably sourced seafood, locally grown produce and the distinctive flavours of the Cape. Coastal plants, heirloom vegetables and locally caught fish add freshness and texture, while meat, game and creative plant-based dishes bring richness and contrast to the table.

Warren and Miguel will bring their culinary perspective to the meal, drawing out the techniques, ingredients and sense of place behind each course as the Atlantic rolls below.

Today’s activities may operate in two smaller groups, with the order of experiences reversed for some travellers.

Say goodbye to Cape Town and head into the Cape Winelands, beginning in Stellenbosch, South Africa’s second-oldest town and the historic centre of the country’s wine region. Founded in the late 17th century beside the Eerste River, the town’s fertile valley and Mediterranean climate soon proved ideal for vineyards, establishing a winemaking tradition that continues across the surrounding estates today.

Signature Highlight: Wine tasting and chocolate pairing at Lanzerac Wine Estate with Warren Mendes and Miguel Maestre

Set within the Jonkershoek Valley, Lanzerac is one of Stellenbosch’s oldest wine estates, established in 1692 among vineyards, oak-lined gardens and mountain scenery. The estate also holds an important place in South African wine history as the first to commercially bottle Pinotage, the country’s signature grape variety, in 1961.

Wander through the estate’s Cape Dutch setting and historic cellars before enjoying a wine and chocolate pairing. Warren and Miguel will help bring the winemaking story into focus, exploring how climate, soil and local tradition shape the colour, aroma, acidity and texture in your glass.

Signature Highlight: Wine blending experience and lunch at Rickety Bridge Wine Estate with Warren Mendes and Miguel Maestre

Continue to Rickety Bridge Wine Estate for a hands-on blending experience. Taste different wine components, compare their colour, aroma, acidity and texture, then adjust the balance to create your own personalised blend under the guidance of the estate’s wine team.

Once it is ready, bottle your creation, add a personalised label and take home a reminder of the Franschhoek Valley. Sit down to lunch among the vines, with Warren and Miguel sharing their appreciation for the craft, patience and judgement involved in creating a balanced wine.

Check in to Boschendal Wine Estate before gathering later at KOSÉ, set on an olive farm in the Franschhoek Valley, for a South African braai-to-table dinner.

Signature Highlight: Braai-to-table dinner at KOSÉ with Warren Mendes and Miguel Maestre

Built around a communal long table and open wood fire, the evening explores braai as a South African ritual of food, hospitality and connection. While this isn’t a hands-on cooking experience, you’ll be able to watch the chefs bring the South African barbeque tradition to the table.

The menu brings together the savoury char of tomahawk steak, the spiced richness of farm-style boerewors and the bright, tangy heat of chakalaka relish. Freshly baked pot bread, sweetcorn bread and charred roosterkoek add warmth and texture, while seasonal vegetarian and vegan dishes ensure the fire-led menu extends well beyond meat.

Dine among the olive groves or inside the farm barn, with the Franschhoek mountains rising beyond the estate. Your dinner includes one welcoming glass of MCC and four wine tastings, while Warren and Miguel share their appreciation for the techniques, ingredients and traditions behind the food.

After breakfast, board the Orange Line for a full-day Wine Tram experience through the Franschhoek Valley. Visit Babylonstoren for a tasting of seven preselected wines, with time to explore the gardens and wine museum, before continuing to Bacco for a food and wine pairing lunch and Vrede en Lust for a tasting of flagship wines (wine tasting is time permitting).

Signature Highlight: Franschhoek Wine Tram experience with Warren Mendes and Miguel Maestre

Travel between the estates by tram and open-air tram-bus, taking in the vineyards, orchards and mountain scenery between tastings. As chefs and experienced food hosts, Warren and Miguel will explain how the landscape, seasonal harvest and winemaking traditions shape the valley’s wines and cuisine.

At each stop, taste wines shaped by the region’s mountain climate and fertile soils, from bright, fruit-led pours to deeper reds with layers of spice, oak and tannin. Between tastings, pause over lunch among the vines, where fresh local produce provides a natural companion to the wines in your glass.

Depending on final group numbers, activities on this day may be split into two smaller groups and the order of the itinerary may be reversed to accommodate group arrangements. Each group will be accompanied by a host, tour leader and guide. The tram and transfers between the estates and tram line will be shared with other passengers.

Return to Boschendal Wine Estate and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Leave the vineyards of Franschhoek behind and travel towards Hermanus, following the changing landscape from the Cape Winelands to the cool-climate valleys and coastline of Walker Bay. By the time you reach the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, you’ll notice the shift to mountain slopes, green vineyards and the sea air of the southern Cape.

Signature Highlight: Lunch and wine tasting at Newton Johnson Vineyards with Warren Mendes and Miguel Maestre

Settle in at Newton Johnson Vineyards, where Warren and Miguel will help explore the relationship between South Africa’s landscape, winemaking and food. Set among the vineyards of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, the estate is known for site-expressive wines shaped by the region’s cool climate and distinctive soils.

Explore local flavours during a wine tasting, with Warren and Miguel offering insight into the estate and its surrounding landscape. For lunch, sit down to a three-course set menu prepared by husband-and-wife team Alex and Ella Rykaart. Chef Alex’s cooking puts quality local ingredients at the centre of each dish, celebrating the region’s seasonal produce.

Take time to appreciate the mountain and vineyard views before continuing to Hermanus and checking in to The Marine. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure, or you may choose to join an optional seasonal whale-watching excursion. Subject to final confirmation, weather and availability. Whale sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Signature Highlight: Dinner at Perlemoen Seafront Restaurant with Warren Mendes and Miguel Maestre

This evening, join Warren and Miguel for dinner at Perlemoen, a waterfront restaurant overlooking Walker Bay. Located in the former site of Hermanus’ first abalone hatchery, the restaurant continues the area’s relationship with the ocean through a menu centred on locally sourced seafood and abalone.

Expect the delicate sweetness of prawns and mussels, the smoky edges of grilled squid and the distinctive texture of abalone, with seafood curry, pasta and sharing platters adding warmth and depth to the menu. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are also available.

As the harbour darkens beyond the windows, Warren and Miguel will bring their culinary perspective to the table, connecting the evening’s seafood, wine and local stories to the wider journey through South Africa.

After breakfast, travel along the Garden Route towards Mossel Bay, where the landscape shifts from Walker Bay’s coastline to rolling farmland, rugged cliffs and the forests of the southern Cape. With Warren and Miguel accompanying the group, the journey continues to explore the connection between local produce, regional character and the flavours found along the coast.

After a leisurely drive, arrive in Mossel Bay for a three-course set-menu lunch at Café Gannet before continuing to Cape Saint Blaize Distillery for a hands-on gin masterclass. Spend 90 minutes exploring the craft behind Cape Saint Blaize gin. Guided by the distillery team, experiment with different flavour profiles and discover how bright citrus notes, warming spice and earthy botanical flavours can shift the character of the final spirit. Finish by bottling your own 500ml bottle of gin, taste it in a Cape Saint Blaize gin and tonic, then tour the factory to see how the spirit moves from carefully selected botanicals to the finished bottle. The group may be divided into smaller sessions, with a maximum of 24 guests per group.

Continue to Knysna, arriving at Pezula Nature Retreat in the late afternoon. Settle in and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure, with time to relax after the day’s journey through the Garden Route.

Take your time this morning to explore the surrounding coastline and forests or simply make the most of your stay at Pezula Nature Retreat. Perhaps opt to go kayaking on the Knysna Lagoon, visit Featherbed Nature Reserve or indulge in a spa treatment (available at an additional cost).

Later, join Warren and Miguel at the Knysna Waterfront before boarding a private boat for a sunset cruise on the lagoon. As the vessel moves across the water, the landscape opens onto forested shores, distant mountains and the broad expanse of the estuary.

Signature Highlight: Knysna Lagoon Sundowner Cruise with Warren Mendes and Miguel Maestre

Then get hands-on with Knysna’s famous oysters, learning how to open the oysters and taste their clean, mineral flavour alongside the fresh salinity of the sea.

With Warren and Miguel sharing their culinary perspective, the experience becomes more than a tasting; it’s a chance to understand why oysters are so closely tied to Knysna’s identity, from the cool waters in which they grow to the local producers who bring them to the table.

As the sun sinks behind the surrounding forests, raise a glass to the Garden Route before returning to the Knysna Waterfront and transferring back to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

This morning, travel east towards Kariega Private Game Reserve. As the Garden Route gives way to the open landscapes of the Eastern Cape, the journey shifts from coastal towns and vineyard tables to river valleys, grasslands and dense bush alive with wildlife.

Arrive at Kariega for lunch before settling into your allocated accommodation. Depending on final group numbers, the group may be split between River Lodge and Ukhozi Lodge. River Lodge sits on the banks of the Bushmans River, while Ukhozi Lodge is built into the surrounding landscape with panoramic valley views.

Depending on your lodge allocation, your stay may include River Lodge’s riverside setting or Ukhozi Lodge’s private suites and panoramic valley views. Both provide a base for game drives, bush walks and river activities.

Later, take part in your first afternoon game drive. With your ranger leading the way, follow the reserve’s tracks in search of wildlife, learning how the animals, river and changing vegetation shape this protected environment.

Pause in the bush for sundowner drinks before returning to the lodge for dinner. Selected local beverages, including house wines, local beers and spirits, soft drinks and water, are included throughout the safari stay, alongside all meals and two game activities per day.

Rise with the reserve and set out on an early morning game drive and river cruise, combining two different ways to experience Kariega’s landscape. From the vehicle, follow the tracks through grassland and bush in search of wildlife; from the water, take in the reserve from the quieter perspective of the Bushmans River, where the surrounding vegetation gathers along the banks.

Return to the lodge for breakfast before choosing how to spend the late morning. Join an included bush walk for a closer look at the smaller details of the reserve, from animal tracks and native plants to the signs that reveal which species have passed through. Alternatively, take time to relax at the lodge, make use of its peaceful setting or simply enjoy the views from your private deck.

After lunch, head out once more with your ranger for an afternoon game drive. The changing light brings a different character to the landscape, while Warren and Miguel add their perspective as chefs to the broader story of food, place and the natural environment that sustains it.

Pause for sundowner drinks before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Begin your final full day at Kariega with an early morning game drive, when the reserve is cool and quiet and wildlife is beginning to move through the bush. Travel with your ranger across the varied terrain, looking beyond the larger animals to the tracks, calls and subtle signs that reveal how the reserve works as a living ecosystem.

After your drive, enjoy breakfast in the bush, surrounded by the sounds of the Eastern Cape. The open-air setting offers a chance to pause and appreciate the landscape that has shaped the final chapter of your journey, from the grasses and river systems to the wildlife they support.

Today’s focus turns to conservation. Join a conservation talk to learn more about Kariega’s work protecting its habitats and species. Warren and Miguel will help connect these conservation efforts to the broader story of South African produce, people and place that has run through the journey.

Return to the lodge for lunch before heading out on your final afternoon game drive. As the light softens, pause for drinks and snacks around a roaring fire in the reserve, taking in the sounds of the bush before returning to the lodge for dinner.

For the final evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your group. Spend the night reflecting with your fellow travellers on the landscapes, wildlife encounters and shared experiences that have defined your time at Kariega.

Bid goodbye to your fellow travellers as your South African food, wine and safari journey comes to a close. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred from Kariega Private Game Reserve to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) for your onward journey.