December 2025
Cape Town: Ocean Light, Wild Landscapes and Family Adventures
01
Cape Town welcomed us with warmth, golden light, and the kind of scenery that instantly makes you pause. From the moment we landed, stepping out into 30 degree sunshine, we felt it. This was going to be different. Not just another destination, but an experience layered with adventure, elegance, wildlife, ocean air, and unforgettable moments shared with eighteen of us.
Our journey began with a flight from Mauritius to Cape Town, with a short transit in Johannesburg. The return was direct, making the route smooth and practical. We flew with Air Mauritius and SAA, paying approximately Rs 37,500 per person. The transit was quick, and before we knew it, Table Mountain was appearing through the aircraft window like a postcard brought to life.
Cape Town does not whisper its beauty. It presents it boldly. Mountains rising behind the city, the Atlantic stretching endlessly, and sunlight that seems to follow you everywhere.
We divided our eleven days between three different areas to truly experience the diversity of the region.
02
Our first stop was Urban Oasis Aparthotel in the city centre, where we stayed for three nights. We chose it after carefully reviewing ratings across Booking.com, TripAdvisor and Google. For us, reviews above 8.5 or 4.7 are non negotiable. The cost was approximately Rs 14,000 per couple including breakfast. Staying in the city allowed us to explore the Waterfront, walk through lively streets, and soak in the urban energy that blends modern architecture with dramatic natural backdrops.
After the city, we moved to Simon’s Town for three nights at Magellans Hotel. At around Rs 20,000 per person including breakfast, it offered something completely different. The pace slowed. The air felt saltier. Mornings were softer. Simon’s Town gave us proximity to Boulders Beach and its charming penguins, and evenings felt intimate and peaceful.
Our final four nights were spent at Zevenwacht Wine Estate. Surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills, it felt refined yet authentic. The cost was around Rs 22,000 per couple including breakfast. Waking up overlooking the vines, enjoying complimentary wine tastings on the estate, and watching sunsets stretch across the valley felt indulgent in the best possible way.
Each place revealed a new side of Cape Town.
Wildlife was a highlight we will never forget. We visited Buffelsfontein Game and Nature Reserve, a smaller, family owned reserve that offered an intimate safari experience. For approximately Rs 7,000 per couple including round trip transport from the Waterfront, we spent hours observing animals in their natural habitat. Our guide took his time, explaining patiently, making sure we truly understood what we were seeing rather than rushing through sightings.
Standing there under African sky, watching wildlife roam freely, felt grounding and powerful.
Table Mountain was another unforgettable moment. We chose to go around 4pm and were incredibly lucky. No queues. No wind. Clear skies. Cape Town is known for its strong winds, but that day the air was calm and we had space to explore freely. For around Rs 2,000 per couple, we walked above the city, looking down at the ocean and feeling completely present.
We drove along Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most breathtaking coastal roads we have ever experienced. We stopped in Camps Bay, where white sand meets turquoise water. We stood at the Cape of Good Hope, feeling the raw Atlantic wind. We visited Seal Island, where the smell arrived before the view, but watching hundreds of seals dive and play made us laugh despite ourselves.
We explored the Old Biscuit Mill market, wandered through different neighbourhoods, and took a morning catamaran cruise from the Waterfront, feeling the ocean spray and watching the city skyline from the water.
03
Dining was an experience in itself. With eighteen people, reservations were essential everywhere. Den Anker surprised us with exceptional Belgian cuisine at the Waterfront. Fresh oysters, mussels, beautifully cooked meat. GOLD Restaurant delivered a fourteen dish African tasting experience accompanied by traditional performances, immersive and vibrant, perhaps the most Cape Town experience of all. The Hussar Grill impressed with its steak quality, Cape to Cuba charmed with its colourful decor and sea views, and Delaire Graff elevated the evening with refined cuisine and wine tasting at R360 per person.
On average, we spent around Rs 3,000 per couple per day on food, depending on the restaurant. Compared to Europe, Cape Town felt significantly more affordable, especially considering the quality of the experiences.
Travelling as eighteen required organisation. We hired Ziaan as our chauffeur with three mini vans for airport transfers, road trips, and safari days. The cost was around Rs 13,000 per couple. Many activities were prepaid, and we used a shared family contribution fund for group expenses before eventually dividing costs per family once the shared basket was empty.
Our biggest lesson? We underestimated short Uber rides. Micro logistics add up quickly when moving as a group of eighteen.
But beyond the planning and budgeting, Cape Town made us feel something deeper.
It made us feel adventurous and relaxed at the same time. Alive without chaos. Luxurious without being intimidating. Wild yet refined.
It is rare to find a destination where you can wake up in vineyards, drive along dramatic cliffs by afternoon, spot wildlife in open reserve, and dine beautifully at night.
Cape Town is not just a city.
It is an experience layered with contrasts that somehow fit together perfectly.
Budget for Traveling to Cape Town
• Flights (Mauritius to Cape Town return): Approx Rs 37,000 per person
• Accommodation (11 nights across three locations): Approx Rs 55,000 per couple
• Activities total: Approx Rs 20,000 per couple
• Safari at Buffelsfontein including transport: Rs 7,000 per couple
• Chauffeur and mini van transfers: Rs 13,000 per couple
• Average food cost: Around Rs 3,000 per couple per day
Overall, Cape Town offered a level of diversity and quality that felt far more affordable than a similar European itinerary.
Platforms Used for Booking:
• Accommodation: Directly contacted the hotels due to our large group size (18 people), allowing better coordination and tailored arrangements.
• Transportation: Uber for short daily trips within Cape Town. Three mini vans were pre booked before arrival for airport transfers, road trips, safari, and longer distances.
• Restaurants: Reservations made via OpenTable when available, or directly through the restaurant’s website or by email to secure tables for the entire group.