We guide. You explore.

Dear Andries, Thank you so much for sending those lovely photos of us and the leopard. Susan will enjoy them too, I know!She emailed me on her safe return to Canada but that was before you sent the pictures.I will check with her that she got them.Thank you also for your kindness to us during our trip – you certainly went out of your way to make the whole time memorable and we appreciated the “extras” very much.I have given your name and email address to a friend who is keen to know more about the hike and she will be contacting you soon.Her name is Anja Sandeman, and either she, or her colleague/friend will be contacting you for more information.Keep well and thanks once again!

I am happy to report that after your heroic rescue we went on to have a wonderful afternoon. We did find the bike trail along the other side of the river which lead us toward Somerset West and finding a wine tasting and lunch. We ended up finding out way to Blaauwklippen. A wrong turn here and there, got us close to Dornier but not quite there. That said once we learned lunch was still being served at Blaauwklippen we dropped into a chair with a huge sigh if relief and ordered our fare. The lunch was delicious and presented beautifully. We couldn’t ask for more.

Getting back on the bikes was interesting but after the climb up to the gas station on the hill it was smooth sailing back to our hotel. I have to say for a bunch of novices we were pretty pleased with our 35km.

Ok so we are all set to meet Fred later this morning at 9:30. He is always early, so we will be ready for him. Our next challenge will now be to tackle driving on the opposite side of the road. Lol The bikes gave us a bit of a feel for it, so I’m sure it will be fine.

Ok I think that is it for now. Thank you so very much for your kindness yesterday. You really have gone above beyond to look out for us.

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We were a group of 11 women ranging in age from 60 – 80 years and every one of us agreed it was a wonderful week and a fabulous holiday. Helen Voss (Wildcoast Meanders) whom we booked our trip through was super efficient and a pleasure to deal with. Our transfer with Vernon was very good. The vehicle was clean, comfortable and safe. Besides being an excellent driver, Vernon’s local knowledge of the area is fascinating. One suggestion is that he has a microphone so everyone in the vehicle can hear him speak. As we had a late arrival on day 1 it would have been nice to have a sandwich in our lunch pack. All accommodation was comfortable, some of the hotels are tired and very dated but this all adds to the charm of the Wild Coast. Food and service were excellent at all hotels. The seafood buffet at Wavecrest was a real treat Our porters and guides were lovely but some of the guides could have interacted a little more with the group. Konzi our lady guide on day one from Kobb Inn to Mazeppa was really interesting as well as Phillip Goosen who did the first section of the long day from Mazeppa to Wavecrest. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would highly recommend this walk.

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We had probably the best picture of the two of us together. Also enjoyed cycling here in De Hoop this morning. Thanks for all your effort. Everything went well and we really enjoyed it

8 friends (all in their 60’s) booked this holiday a year ago. Andries was very patient dealing with all the enquiries and changes as some were coming from the UK. His regular contact with us throughout our holiday was most reassuring.We had a simply fantastic time. All the accommodations (which included a delicious breakfast) booked by Andries were excellent. He also recommended and booked our evening meals at 2 great restaurants in Paternoster.The walks were very manageable and The scenery beautiful..(We all said it would have been helpful if at least one member of our party could have had a map of each days walk) The transport he arranged to collect people from/to the airport and taking us and our luggage between lodgings was very efficient.Yvonne was a delightful and informative driver. The highlight for many of us was the Steenbok Trail hike at Langebaan arranged for us by Andries as an add on.The flowers were simply spectacular….All in all an unforgettable experience .

We had a fabulous week, the scenery was amazing… The incredible landscapes and views on the walks as well as the amazing flora and fauna made this a unique and wonderful experience. The route was well planned and tailored to the needs of the group. The accommodation was stunning and the breakfast was a feast for the eyes and a certain delight for the palate. A lovely combination. The entire trip was magical and we loved every moment of it. If you love nature and want to discover the beauty of the West Coast I would wholeheartedly recommend going on this tour. Credit should be given to Andries who left nothing to chance and organised our walking tour with extreme professionalism. Nothing was too much trouble for Andries. Well organized, interesting, hassle free and great fun- Walking Holidays made the trip a truly memorable experience. I would highly recommend this company!!

The hike of ± 37 km in the Greater Kruger Park was really well organized. Camping in three different beautiful locations along the route; encountering different animals like elephants, white rhino and many other types; learning about tracks, birds made it all worthwhile. The food was excellent and the company supplied everything from drinks, snacks. We really only had to carry a day pack for camera and binoculars. Can recommend this “luxury” hike.

Thank you Casper, it was a wonderful trail that we all enjoyed hugely, beyond all expectations. Luan and his team were super hosts. The sighting were close and personal

Excellent! Casper is a perfect companion, weather was fine, we saw a lot, I lost my [scepticism] about Kruger Park, quite opposite, I become a fan!

We had a 3 day walk in the Kogelberg Nature reserve. All aspect of the holiday were excellent. The communication before the holiday was efficient. The accommodation was an excellent guest house in Kleinmond. We were met by Hans from the company who was charming and extremely helpful. He describe clearly what we could expect over the coming days. The walk on the next day was along the coast and was very pretty. The walk on the second day was spectacular with stunning scenery. We also had a guide who was extremely knowledge about the area and the flowers of the Fynbos which added an extra level of enjoyment to the day. The thirdly was a tour of the local botanical gardens which were very pretty and then a trip to see the penguins which was a delight. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and would certainly highly recommend it.

Dear Hans, Just wanted to thank you so very much for looking after us on our trip. It was very kind and generous of you to give us such detailed advice and make yourself available at all times. We loved our walks and Betty’s Bay – alas our time was too short but we look forward to returning to this wonderful area in the future. I have a couple of plants from the Botanical Gardens in memory. We did not do Leopards Kloof – save that for next time as we were both low on energy in the morning after a late night.

Cape Town Walk, Cape Winelands Walk, Franschhoek Valley Walk, Hermanus Walk, Kogelberg and Cape Town guided tour (21 Days) - It was altogether a wonderful walking holiday and, at the same time, introduction to South Africa. Some highlights were: the hike up Table Mountain; all of the walks with expert guides that truly enriched our experience, but especially the walk with Isak; the high quality and personal hospitality in the guest houses (Klein Bosheuwel was a perfect starting point with Tim’s hospitality as well as the beautiful surroundings!); walking the contour paths in Helderberg mountain and in Hermanus, and of course so many excellent meals in different restaurants that I couldn’t list them all. It was quite a new experience to be “taken care of” throughout the trip, in Europe, where self-guided walking has a long tradition, the tour organizers send detailed information in advance, including arrangements to have the luggage transported from place to place, but once you begin your holiday, you are on your own. The assumption is that, if you wanted a local guide you would have booked a group tour. So it was quite unexpected, but extremely helpful and a great pleasure, to be met and guided by you, Izak, Hans, Andreas and Malcolm, including very enjoyable conversations as well as useful help. We were particularly impressed that you and Malcolm had actually gone up and marked the path at the end of the second Fernkloof walk with red dots and stone beacons (so it was very easy to find!). We also thoroughly enjoyed the two-and-a-half day private tour with Jo; it gave us an excellent overview as well as “winding down” from the walking. We ended the trip on our last day with a long, long walk along the beach in Milnerton. Overall, nothing went wrong or caused us any Angst or distress.

Andries and his team was tremendously helpful in supporting us for our holiday trip to South Africa for 8 days in November. Not only did they help us to plan the whole trip with walks, hotels etc. and provided suggestions on a suitable schedule, that also were super helpful on the grounds and really went out of their way make our stay truly amazing. We had a full schedule which included waking up Table Mountain, visiting the vineyards of Franschhoek, drove down to Cape Point, saw penguins and spent time at the beach in Hermanus. A very diverse 8 days ! We had such a great time in South Africa and Andries kept checking up on us regularly to make sure that everything was ok and that we had everything we needed. We can most highly recommend “Walking Holidays” to help plan your trip to South Africa

We enjoyed our time in Hermanus. It was great to be taken on a walk by Jilly and Ralph on our first walking day. They took us higher than we would have gone on our own, and shared their extensive knowledge of all sorts of things with us. We then had a good circular walk from the guest house on day 2, walking to the Fernkloof information centre then following the pipe track back. The final walk, following the coastal path from Hermanus to Grotto beach, was very pretty. And Lavender Manor was a pleasant place to stay. Moving rooms was a bit of a pain as it felt like we were in transit so not worth unpacking our bags – quite different from a four night stay somewhere. The financial compensation was a good idea and welcome, but we should really have been told about the possibility at the start of the process, not just when we were about to travel. But, overall, a good break, thanks.

We have had all kinds of weather in Hermanus. From soaking wet rain, lots of wind and a beautiful day today but enjoyed the cycling. Accommodation is also very comfortable. Tomorrow we move on to the Whale Coast Cycling tour

The Gondwana Pioneer Trail was outstanding -such great experience and a beautiful place. We are very grateful for your organisation – it was really remarkable, and all went well. We have been only the two of us for the entire Trail – so a royal treatment– thank you very much!

Cape Winelands Walk and Franschhoek Valley Walk (8 Days) Our walk through the Cape Winelands was magnificent.  The holiday plan arranged by Walking Holidays exceeded our expectations in terms of beauty, convenience, and service.  The walks selected for us were challenging, but enjoyable; exactly what we wanted.  The special attention provided by the staff, specifically Andries, made the journey all the more memorable.  I would highly recommend anyone interested in exploring the natural beauty of South Africa and the first-rate wine and cuisine this area has to offer book a holiday with this outstanding outfit.

Absolute heaven – sunshine, stunning landscapes, amazing food and hotels – we will be back!

Accommodation was excellent – first class – complemented by warm friendly staff. No downside if you enjoy outdoor activity followed by a glass of wine by the pool.

Thank you Andries for a wonderful experience! The Divas enjoyed it tremendously. Some highlights were the Cats Pass which tested our endurance, the delicious gourmet restaurant and bubbly at Haute Cabriere, the wine blending and creation of our own “masterblend” at Rickety Bridge, the spectacular trail at La Motte and wine tasting at La Motte and Leopards Leap. It was an experience that we will always remember! I can recommend Franschhoek Valley Walk to anyone who loves wine, outdoors and scenery.

This was an excellent short break. We had several wonderful walks including in the Mont Rochelle nature reserve above Franschhoek with Siegfried – a very knowledgeable guide to the botany of the area – and another in the fynbos above the La Motte winery. The Akademie St Boutique Hotel was an excellent choice and Andries’ organisation was perfect. So too were the fine dining restaurants in the village. This was part of our first visit to South Africa. We’ll be back!

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Cape Town Walk, Cape Winelands Walk, Franschhoek Valley Walk, Kruger Park Safari and Drakensberg Hiking (8 Days) - Overall this was a fantastic holiday, probably one of our best ever. South Africa is obviously a beautiful and varied country and I feel privileged to have sampled a little bit of it. I want to thank you both for all you did for us, both arranging all our bookings and for being so responsive in the planning stages, and for being so flexible regarding day to day arrangements. All of our accommodation was well chosen and very comfortable, and I all too quickly became accustomed to those generous and delicious cooked breakfasts.

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The Cavern was not welcoming for longer self-guided day hikes, but we worked that out and had excellent walks at all three locations. It was a great experience exploring and getting to know the Drakensberg area, so very different from walking in the Cape region, and even more different from European mountains!

The Spas were excellent, beginning with Clarens and again at the Cavern!

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First of all, Thank you very much for you and your team. The weekend was unbelievable, Cavern is a great resort and service is excellent. Your planning was great for our days spend there. Thanks so much

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We had a great time in the Ceder mountains. The house was perfect and also the hikes. Thank you very much for organising.

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It was nice to be outdoors for exercise and vacation. (Dit was vir my so lekker om in die buitelug te wees, te oefen en ook om vakansie te hou). Enjoyable, Great accommodation, Great experience, Well organised!

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My wife and I travelled to Cape Town in September 2017 wanting to do some walks. During our 8-day stay (too short!) Andries Liebenberg of Trails & Travel arranged everything for us beautifully. Before the trip started he had sent us a suggested itinerary, and we had worked with him to arrive at a combination of Wine District and Cape Town walks. We didn’t want to rent a car; Andries said no problem and arranged everything: transfers, hotels/guest houses, detailed maps and instructions, and best of all, ample personal attention. Andries really cared that our experience was good and he called us and met with us several times to make sure all was going well. He even recommended specific hotel rooms for the best views. And indeed, everything went smoothly! We can completely recommend Trails and Travel for anyone wanting a walking or cycling vacation in South Africa. As I mentioned before, Andries and Piet really care that your experience is the best it can be!

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Upon a recommendation by friends, my wife and I did the Cape Winelands Walk in late 2014 and throughly enjoyed it, along with the stunning landscape of Somerset West and Stellenbosch. We returned this year with relatives from eastern Canada. All of us in late 60s and early 70s and relatively fit for our ages. It was a wonderful walk, so well organized, and a great introduction to this beautiful region of the Western Cape for our relatives. Trails and Travel does a wonderful job, all around.

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Andries did a fantastic job taking care of us and organizing every part of our 7 night/8 day excursion. We particularly loved the wine tastings that we were not expecting and thoroughly enjoyed. We also really enjoyed the tour of one of the preserves with a local naturalist which was a great intro to the landscape we would be experiencing on our walks. Overall, we were very impressed with the wineries we experienced and quite awestruck by the beauty of the Cape Town area.

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This was our third visit to South Africa – but our first to properly explore the Winelands. And there could have been no better introduction to this beautiful region than the Cape Winelands Walk. From start to finish it was a wonderful, compelling experience. We were blessed with perfect walking weather; the spring flowers were in bloom; the scenery ranged from majestic to gentle; the wines were outstanding; the whole trip was excellently organised; Andries could not have been more helpful. Simply unforgettable.

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Our bucket list trip to South Africa was made easy and memorable due to our reliable travel companion: Trails & Travel. Andries, the power behind the organisation, proved a great find before and during our adventure. Always reliable in returning calls and emails, he coped calmly with late changes to our itinerary imposed by airline dates. The hiking plan he created for us started with an orientating walk of the Cape’s ecology, “fynbos”, led by a professional naturalist, and this added greatly to our enjoyment when we were alone on the hike. Our companion throughout the hike was his manual, which directed us between locations, pointing out the important sights as we progressed. Each section contained shortening and simplifying options to allow for the experience and confidence of the walker. More broadly, he made recommendations and bookings for some truly memorable locations to eat and rest. Andries’s help added to what was a truly great experience: we always felt he was there in the background, to be called on if needed, but never being intrusive. We have no hesitation in recommending Trails & Travel.

We spent a fantastic three days walking in the winelands. The walks were stunning with incredible views and we had good instructions to guide us. The accommodation was excellent. Andries went out of his way to ensure we had everything we needed and was full of information about the routes, the winelands and the history and geography of the area. We would wholeheartedly recommend this trip.

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The most amazing tour of 3 wine farms, so well organised taking us to the most beautiful locations for an incredible day, 10/10 experience would recommend to anyone!

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Many thanks to Andries and Piet for organizing a brief, but inclusive, 5 day, 4 night walking tour of the Somerset West / Stellenbosch areas. The trip included all essentials, nice hotel/B&Bs, wine tours, detailed walking instructions, all transfers and a very informative guided tour of the fynbos ecosystem in the Helderberg Nature Reserve. Besides the guided tour of Helderberg, other highlights were the guided walk/visit of the Waterford Estate and the hike along the vineyards of the Blaauwklippen valley to Stellenbosch. We felt after our experience, that we had learned a lot about the region’s ecology and wine. This is a beautiful region and we hope to return at some point in the future.

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We really enjoyed the tours organized by Andries and his team. Especially the walk in the Helderberg Nature Reserve with Andreas was a wonderful experience and we learned a lot about Fynbos. Andries was very flexible to reorganize the tour as it was soo hot that we wanted to walk very early in the morning. Also the picnic in Vergelegen is a great experience.

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Andries and his team were absolutely professional, reliable and efficient from the booking to the end of the hike. They looked after each detail to make the hike most memorable. All the routes were clearly explained and discussed. The highlight was to walk on the beautiful Lourensford Estate from Somerset West to Stellenbosch where no others hikers have the opportunity to hike. Wow!! The accommodation was carefully selected and was wonderful after a long day in the boots. Andreas gave excellent information on the Fynbos. Thank you so much Andries for an unforgettable hike. We will be back to do the West Coast.

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This walk way exceeded our expectations.  The accommodation was perfect and we were well looked after at both places.  We loved the walks through the beautiful countryside.  The walk through the Helderberg Nature Reserve was very informative.   It was just the right mix of walking, tasting wines and eating.  We couldn’t fault anything.  A huge thank you to Andries for such great organisation – everything ran like clockwork.

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We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the truly spectacular and unforgettable experience we had during our walk through the Winelands. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, with the vines flourishing in their lush, fruit-laden glory under hot, sun-soaked days. The absence of rain during the trail made the experience extra special. Our journey was not just a physical adventure but a rich learning experience. Immersing ourselves in the captivating world of fynbos and delving into the history of the wine farms we visited provided us with an appreciation for this breathtaking part of our country. The exceptional farmers and their farming communities that nurture this land left a lasting mark on our hearts. Andries, your hospitality and kindness were nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, you welcomed us, making us feel like cherished friends. Please do keep us on your mailing list. We eagerly look forward to any future adventures or experiences you may offer. This holiday has undoubtedly become one of our most cherished, and we are grateful for the opportunity to witness the Winelands as a true treasure of our beautiful country.

Exceeded our expectations! An experience that was successful and unforgettable for us!

Our cycling trip in the Cape Winelands area was a lovely way for us to end our three-week trip to South Africa. Andreis was a wonderful host who attended to the many small logistics that made our entire trip run seamlessly. He even met us in person one day to make sure that all of the intricate details were covered. We stayed in beautiful accommodations with hosts who went the extra step to ensure that we had a quality experience. The weather was beautiful, and the vistas were spectacular. The biking involved some steep climbs that also led us to the doorstep of many wineries. Though we are not wine connoisseurs, we did enjoy the experience of wine-tasting. One of the wineries also had olive and olive oil tasting, so that was a treat, too.

I must also mention that this trip was initially planned three years ago, but we had to cancel when the Omicron virus showed up in South Africa, and we could not travel there. Andries was so understanding and even refunded our entire payment! He is a wonderful ambassador of his beautiful country.

We had a great time on the Cape Winelands Cycle Tour. Andries and Piet put together a perfect itinerary for us, giving us optional routes to include or bypass. Mary, “there were parts of the route I found very challenging and I doubted my endurance, however I had a wonderful sense of achievement when we completed the itinerary”. The directions and maps provided were very helpful, with a thorough weather and route briefing from Andries before we started. We had a great mix of on and off road routes, wide and narrow dirt tracks, and gorgeous trails through vineyards,(one or two busy roads quite tricky to cross). Our accommodation was lovely and baggage transfer and pickup and drop off logistics went without a hitch. To avoid the peak intensity of the sun, we set off early each morning, so we had to pass by many of the great wine estates listed in the tour notes before they even opened ! Winery highlights for us were lunch and wine tasting at Holden Manz, brunch at Tokara and lunch at Somersbosch. The only suggestion for improvement we’d have is to include the route maps in the laminated material. Thanks Andries and Piet for arranging a great tour for us.

We took this trip in early March 2024. It is well put together with variety in terrain and surroundings for each day, and covering highlights of the areas covered. The hotels in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch were very nice, and suitable for this kind of trip (smaller, quainter and more personal than big hotels). This is a perfect self directed trip and no guide needed – the instructions through the app are good. Most days we ended up in a wine estate for some lunch and wine – a few days this was in the middle of the ride, which was nice. The final day through vineyards towards Somerset West was outstanding. On that day it is noted though that there are no places to stop for coffee until you have done the majority of the distance (i.e. arrived in Somerset West) – we pushed on for a late lunch in Vergelegen. This wine estate is a must for a visit, it is gorgeous.

Andries is very responsive and was able to iron out any initial issues with our bikes very well. He is a great resource for suggestions and explanations of the history of the land – it was nice to meet up with him in Stellenbosch.

Cape Town guided hikes (14 days) - Andries Liebenberg and Piet Krynauw arranged an excellent walking holiday for my wife and me. Some of the days were guided and some self-guided but the accommodation, transfers, car hire and some of the meals were arranged, and in every case we were very well taken care of, indeed. The selected accommodation was all excellent, the walking guides were all knowledgeable and outstanding, and the materials associated with the self guided components of the walk were also great. We visited Cape Town and its surrounds, Somerset West, Stellenbosch and Hermanus. Andries and Piet took components of their walks for each region and combined them into a bespoke plan for our trip over two weeks. Really very good indeed and thoroughly recommended.

We are back in Austria and still think about our wonderful trail with Joanna. Everything was perfect. The hike with Joanna was the best we ever did. And we are really making many trails a year. Thank you very much. The hike was wonderful, of course also the weather and Joanna. She is the best guide.

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Cape Highlights Walk (18 days) - There’s a lot to see in the Cape Town and wine country, and both Marita and I enjoyed the trip immensely.

Cape Highlights (21 days) - Varied, exciting, well thought out. We asked for guides who knew about the flora and fauna and about the landscape. Trails and Travel produced a series of people who were passionate and knowledgeable and able to communicate that knowledge. It exceeded our expectations by quite a big margin.

First of all, I just wanted to say thank you. I want you to know that I had an amazing time in your country and was sorry to go.  Whenever I return from trips such as this one, I always feel changed for the better, and this trip was no exception. The Cape Winelands Cycling tour was a carefully planned, intricately designed journey through the one of the most stunning areas of South Africa. We received our beautifully thought out booklets, detailing our routes with well constructed maps and directions. These booklets also included innumerable recommendations of vineyards and other great places to stop on our relaxed bike trips.

One great thing about the routes, specifically, was their flexibility. You could really do anything you wanted, so long as you got to next hotel, where your luggage would be shipped without fail by taxi. Many of the trips we biked we shortened in order to spend a lot of our day at vineyards, tasting wine. We stopped at a maximum of three vineyards per day trip, even though our four-day quest took us through some of the most famous vineyards in South Africa, in the towns of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, and Somerset West.

We chose to stop at those great vineyards that specialized in other things besides great wine, chocolate and olive oil, for instance. I can truthfully say that every stop we made resulted in a worthwhile experience. Not only were the stops fantastic, but also the biking was set in a beautiful area, with sloping mountains and luscious greenery surrounding us. By the end of our four days I was immensely happy and sorry to leave at the same time. This was an experience that I will not soon forget. Thank you.

Andries did a fantastic job taking care of us and organizing every part of our 7 night/8 day excursion. We particularly loved the wine tastings that we were not expecting and thoroughly enjoyed. We also really enjoyed the tour of one of the preserves with a local naturalist which was a great intro to the landscape we would be experiencing on our walks.

Andries did a fantastic job taking care of us and organizing every part of our 7 night/8 day excursion. We particularly loved the wine tastings that we were not expecting and thoroughly enjoyed. We also really enjoyed the tour of one of the preserves with a local naturalist which was a great intro to the landscape we would be experiencing on our walks.

Overall, we were very impressed with the wineries we experienced and quite awestruck by the beauty of the Cape Town area.

Andries did a fantastic job taking care of us and organizing every part of our 7 night/8 day excursion. We particularly loved the wine tastings that we were not expecting and thoroughly enjoyed. We also really enjoyed the tour of one of the preserves with a local naturalist which was a great intro to the landscape we would be experiencing on our walks.

Overall, we were very impressed with the wineries we experienced and quite awestruck by the beauty of the Cape Town area.