South Africa Culinary Tour

Arrival Cape Town

On arrival at Cape Town International Airport, guests will be met by a Safari Ventures Representative who will assist you to your vehicle and transfer you to your hotel.

A coming-together of cultures, cuisines and landscapes, there's nowhere quite like Cape Town, a singularly beautiful city crowned by the magnificent Table Mountain National Park. Table Mountain National Park defines the city. The flat-topped mountain is the headline act, but there are many other equally gorgeous natural landscapes within the park’s extensive boundaries. Cultivated areas, such as the historic Company’s Garden, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Green Point Urban Park, also make exploring the city a pleasure.

Tonight, guests will enjoy a 3 Course Wine Pairing Dinner at La Mouette Restaurant.

La Mouette offers seasonally inspired menus which change regularly. We pride ourselves on showcasing only the best of local producers and Chef Henry along with head chef Andre Hill take great pride in sourcing these ingredients – respecting the seasons as we go. La Mouette not only offers ever changing menus, but prides itself on the meticulous selection of complimentary wines carefully selected by our in-house wine list consultant.

Henry Vigar, the chef patron of La Mouette, spent a number of years making a name for himself as an up-and-coming young chef in fine cuisine in London. After also working in Australia and France, and a number of other UK based top-ranked and Michelin starred establishments, Henry settled as head chef at Kensington Place in London’s affluent Notting Hill.

Overnight accommodation | The Radisson Red Hotel Cape Town | Standard Studio Room | Bed and breakfast basis

This morning, guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast from the OUIBar + KTCHN hotel restaurant before departing on their Cape Malay Cooking Safari.

Cape Malay cuisine originates from a colourful history of intermingling cultures brought together by the 17th-century slave trade. Malay cuisine is characterised by the liberal intermingling of spices and the influence of Indian, Dutch and French traditional food as well as the predominance of the Islamic religion.

The history of Cape Malay cuisine in South Africa begins with the involuntary migration of Africans, Asians and Indonesians around the world, and with it their diverse origins and culinary techniques. The name 'Cape Malay' refers to followers of the Islamic faith and encompasses a rich culture of Eastern juxtaposed by Western heritage.

• 09h00: Depart for the Bo-Kaap through the historic heart of Cape Town.
• 09h30: Arrive the Bo-Kaap- “upper town”, on the slopes of Signal Hill. This is where the Freed-Slave population were confined to in the 1830’s, when Slavery was abolished. Your guide will take you on a walking tour of the area, and to get a real feel of this very cultural community, you will visit a local butcher and spice shop, where the proprietors will explain their role over many generations, serving the local people. Proceed to the Museum and the earliest Mosque in South Africa. Your guide will explain the fascinating history of the mosque and its roles and functions in the community, both contemporary and historical.
• 11h00: Proceed on a short walk to the home of a local resident, where she will welcome you with a refreshing glass of Falooda- flavoured milk, and show you how to fold and fry Samoosas, make a roti (Indian flat bread) from scratch and a Cape Malay Curry. Thereafter lunch will be served consisting of a 3-course meal.
• 13h00: It is time to say goodbye to our hosts, as we depart for Table Mountain.

Around 600 million years old, and a canvas painted with the rich diversity of the Cape floral kingdom, Table Mountain is truly iconic. You can admire the showstopper of Table Mountain National Park and one of the 'New 7 Wonders of Nature' from multiple angles, but you really can’t say you’ve visited Cape Town until you’ve stood on top of it.

Return to hotel |

After visiting Table Mountain, the guests will return to the hotel to freshen up before a Cooking and Dining Experience with Chef Matt Manning.

If you’re in the mood for some delectable food, complemented by a healthy dose of Brit wit and wine, then this interactive dining experience should be just the ticket. Started by English chef Matt Manning in 2013, the elaborate dinners combine a top-notch dining experience with hands-on cooking tutorials. That’s right – in between sampling Matt’s sensational concoctions, you’ll also get to try your hand at creating a few dishes yourself under the chef’s watchful eye.

Overnight accommodation | The Radisson Red Hotel Cape Town | Standard Studio Room | Bed and breakfast basis

Included:

• Coach & guide services: Full Day Touring with an English speaking guide
• Entrance fees included: Cape Malay Cooking Safari, Table Mountain Cable Way, Cooking & Dining with Chef Matt
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Excluding all beverages except for wine pairing with Dinner)

This morning, guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast from the OUIBar + KTCHN hotel restaurant before checking out and departing to the Winelands.

Venturing inland and upwards from Cape Town you’ll find the Boland, meaning ‘upland’. It’s a superb wine-producing area, and indeed the best known in South Africa. The magnificent mountain ranges around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek provide ideal microclimates for the vines.

There’s been colonial settlement here since the latter half of the 17th century, when the Dutch first founded Stellenbosch and the French Huguenots settled in Franschhoek. Both towns pride themselves on their innovative young chefs, many based at wine estates, and the region has become the mainspring of South African cuisine.

Along with Paarl, these towns make up the core of the Winelands, but there are many more wine-producing places to explore. Pretty Tulbagh, with its many historical buildings, is known for MCC (Méthode Cap Classique – the local version of Champagne), and Robertson's scattered wineries offer unpretentious, family friendly places to taste.

Olive & Wine Tasting |

On arrival in Somerset West, guests will enjoy a tasting of five olive oils, balsamic vinegar, olive pastes and olives paired with wine.

Morgenster Wine & Olive Estate in Somerset West, 35 minutes from Cape Town, is at the gateway to the Western Cape wine-growing region. It is a thriving olive and wine farm dating back to 1711, producing internationally acclaimed Bordeaux-style wines and extra virgin olive oil of astounding quality. Visitors can also enjoy Giulio Bertrand's three Italian Collection wines from his small sangiovese and nebbiolo vineyards and be guided through an olive oil tasting of intriguing complexity.

Lunch |

Afterwards, the guests will enjoy lunch at the Overgaauw Restaurant.

The kitchen at Overgaauw Restaurant is owned and run by chef Jason Comins, one of the original cooks from The Table at De Meye which won Eat Out’s Award for best Country Style Restaurant in 2011. Trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School by Darina Allen, his cooking is simple and straightforward, relying on the quality of seasonal ingredients sourced as locally as possible, from small producers and farmers. Every week, Jason looks around  and phones suppliers to see what’s in season or what’s available from his little network. He then constructs a 3 course set menu based on a protein like beef, lamb or chicken, coming up with accompaniments based on the seasonal produce. There are always products like cheese or charcuterie from local artisans featured too.

Continue to Stellenbosch |

After lunch, the guests will continue on to Stellenbosch for the Waterford Estate Wine Drive Safari.

The Wine Drive Safari is a unique three hour trip on our safari-type vehicle, through the 120-hectare Estate on the beautiful slopes of the Helderberg Mountain. This experience allows the chance to taste our award-winning Estate wines amongst the vineyards of their origin, and you will be expertly guided through all the aspects of what makes this area so biologically diverse and viticulturally unique.

The wine tasting will be accompanied by various light snacks, which are well suited to pair with the individual wines. The experience will culminate with the Wine and Chocolate Tasting, back at the winery.

Thereafter, the guests will continue to Franschhoek to check into their hotel.

Nestled in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa sits quiet and unassuming— surrounded by magnificent mountain vistas. Ease into pure luxury, and be treated to elegant finishes and careful attention to detail. Bordered by leafy vineyards in the small town of Franschhoek, Le Franschhoek Hotel offers a remarkable selection of inspiring venues, delectable restaurants, and indulgent spa treatments, to present luxurious hotel accommodation at its best.

Tonight, guests will enjoy in Franschhoek for their own account.

Overnight accommodation | Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa | Standard Room | Bed and breakfast basis

Ease into the day with the delicious breakfast buffet and luscious views of the iconic Franschhoek scenery at La Pavillion Restaurant at the hotel. Afterwards, the guests will transfer to the Moreson Farm for a Bread Making Course followed by lunch.

Learn how to fill your own kitchen with that famous freshly baked bread smell and become the baker you always knew you could be.

• The course kicks off at 09h30 sharp
• Upon arrival each participant will receive their very own apron, recipe book and ingredients
• Hands-on, with a bit of guidance you will make 4 different types of dough- focaccia, soda bread, sour dough and olive oil brown
• We will quench your thirst with water
• While your breads are baking we send you off to taste the wines
• By now you have worked up an appetite
• Lunch will be served with some of your very own baked breads
• More wine to be had
• Take-homes include: recipes and an apron.

Leisure |

Return to hotel to spend the rest of the day at leisure and freshen up before dinner.

Although Haute Cabriére Wine Estate is most well-known for its exquisite Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vino offering, it is the home of Pierre Jourdan after all; the Franschhoek-based winery’s eatery, Haute Cabriére Restaurant is an institution in its own right.

Enjoy some of the Haute Cabriere Classics with this Pinot Noir inspired wine and food pairing menu, where each course is created around the characteristics and style of one of our famous wines. Offering a six-course menu where each course includes a glass of recommended vino, diners can expect to sample an array of the estates finest dishes as well as reds, whites and bubblies.

Overnight accommodation | Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa | Standard Room | Bed and breakfast basis

Included:

• Coach & guide services: Full Day Touring with an English speaking guide
• Entrance fees included: Bread Making Experience at Moreson Farm
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and 6 Course Dinner with Wine Pairing (Excluding all beverages except for wine paired Dinner)

This morning, guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel before checking out and departing back to Cape Town International Airport for their onward flight to Johannesburg. (Flight Not Included).

Arrive Johannesburg |

On arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, guests will be met by a Safari Ventures Representative who will assist you to your vehicle. 

Commonly known as Jo’burg or Jozi, this rapidly changing city is the vibrant heart of South Africa. After almost 20 years of decline and decay, Johannesburg is now looking optimistically towards the future. Its centre is smartening up and new loft apartments and office developments are being constructed at a rapid pace. The hipster-friendly neighbourhood of Maboneng is considered one of the most successful urban-renewal projects in the world. Jo’burg is an incredibly friendly, unstuffy city and there’s a lot to see and do here.

On arrival, guests will check into their hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure

Overnight accommodation | The Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Melrose Arch | Standard Room | Bed & Breakfast basis

Lipizzaner’s and Farewell Dinner 

Breakfast |

The guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Kyalami to enjoy the Lipizzaner’s Show.

The South African Lipizzaners have earned the honor of being the only performing Lipizzaners outside Vienna recognized by and affiliated to the Spanish Riding School and a close association is maintained between the two establishments. Over the years, the South African Lipizzaners have become an integral part of South Africa's cultural heritage. Today, the South African Lipizzaners appear on film and television and at various public performances as well as their regular Sunday morning shows. The South African Lipizzaners perform every Sunday morning at 10h30 in their majestic indoor hall in Kyalami. The performance lasts about 60 minutes (without an interval). Refreshments and memorabilia are available before and after the performance. After each Performance the stables are open to the public - Everyone is invited to feed the Lipizzaners carrots and enjoy a snack at Café Capriole.

Return to hotel to spend the rest of the day at leisure and freshen up before dinner.

Tonight,  guests will enjoy dinner at Moyo Melrose Arch.

Welcome to moyo – the destination for a unique African dining experience. Inspired by the traditions and values of our ancestors, moyo is a celebration of, and commitment to, the beauty of Africa, and the industry of her people. Our famously warm hospitality and modern African ambience make the moyo experience an unforgettable one. In the heart of Johannesburg, the 350-seater, multi-level modern restaurant – clad in copper with pressed pebble walls – embodies Africa’s finest music and urban cuisine offerings. Live stage bands provide soulful vibes and dining options are diverse – from relaxed meals enjoyed on the outdoor square, to romantic dinners in Gigi’s cozy alcoves.

Overnight accommodation | The Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Melrose Arch | Standard Room | Bed & Breakfast basis

Included:

• Coach & guide services: Full Day Touring
• Entrance fees included: Lipizzaners Show
• Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner (Excluding all beverages)

• The guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel and later transferred to the O.R. Tambo Airport for your homeward flight.  Alternatively, extend your tour to include an exciting safari in Kruger National Park.