South Africa · BO-KAAP TOURS
Good bo-kaap tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 11 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Join Faldela and her family in their Bo-Kaap home for a 150-minute Cape Malay cooking class. Prepare dishes such as curry, rotis, samosas, salad, and dessert, learn how spices shape the cuisine, then sit down to eat with soft drinks. English instruction, ingredients, and equipment are included.
“It was a nice experience. I would like to get the recipes of the dishes we made...”
Explore central Cape Town and Bo-Kaap on a two-hour guided walk with local guides such as Dylan, Terrence, or Tarrin. Hear clear, personal accounts of South African history, visit major landmarks, see colorful Bo-Kaap homes, and finish with a complimentary sweet snack.
“Fabulous tour. Dylan was so passionate about sharing his plentiful knowledge of Cape Town, its history, its culture and its architecture. With just 4 people in the party it was an intimate tour enjoyed by all. We started a little late but were kept fully informed via WhatsApp and were able to enjoy a coffee at the iconic Truth cafe.”
Meet at 71 Wale Street for a one-hour Bo-Kaap walk led by a local resident such as Ilyas, Sadiq, Rafiq, or Siddiq. Hear family stories, visit Auwal Mosque, stop at Atlas Trading Company, and enjoy rooibos tea or coffee with a Cape Malay snack.
“Siddiq was insightful and thorough in giving a history as well as current state of the Bo-Kaap. He is a respected member of the community, so we walked the streets that are his own, which was different than any other tour group we crossed pRead more”
Join a local host in Bo-Kaap for a two-hour Cape Malay cooking class. Prepare dishes such as samosas, chilli bites, flatbread, and curry, then sit down for the meal with soft drinks and a conversation about family, food, and local traditions.
“We really enjoyed our cooking class! The food was very tasty and everyone was able to participate in different parts of the process. The host gave us lots of information about the history of the cuisine and was very friendly.”
Spend one hour walking Bo-Kaap with a local photographer such as Terence, Aisha, or Marie. Expect portraits, full-body poses, action shots, local stories, 40 to 60 edited high-resolution images within three days, and one instant Polaroid. The shared group has a maximum of six people.
“To walk at the Bo Kaap with a professional photographer was one of the things I wished I would do and to finally made my wish come true was one of the best moments. Memories with nice photos”
Spend 150 minutes walking from Greenmarket Square through Cape Town and Bo-Kaap with Arnold, a friendly English-speaking guide. Expect colorful homes, Cape Malay culture, city history, famous squares, local stories, Table Mountain views, and possibly a taste of traditional koeksisters.
“Great visit with our guide Arnold who kept the walk very dynamic, with plenty of interesting details, and made us fall in love with Capetown and its unique history !”
Spend nine hours crossing Cape Town’s best-known sights, from Mandela’s City Hall speech site and Bo-Kaap to Kirstenbosch, Boulders Beach, Cape Point, and Hout Bay. English-speaking guides such as Iby and Marc add useful local context, while entry fees, lunch, and the optional Seal Island boat ride cost extra.
“The tour is amazing, comprises all the highlights of Cape peninsula. If you don’t have much time or just want to make the most of one trip, you should definitely do it. The guide is caring and understanding”
Spend a full day with guides Elda or Yannick visiting Cape Town’s historic center, Bo-Kaap, Kirstenbosch, Muizenberg, Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach, Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak, and Hout Bay. Expect a busy route, optional entrance fees, and strong coastal views.
“Loved everything. Our guide was very good. Highly recommend this tour. We were nearly taken by the wind at the lighthouse visit. Hold onto your hats or take them off. lol”
Spend 150 minutes with a local English-speaking guide exploring Cape Town’s City Bowl, colorful Bo-Kaap, and Langa Township. Expect walking, local stories, cultural landmarks, township food, music, art, and time with residents. Guides such as Banele and Subusiso bring personal knowledge of Langa.
“Molto interessante, il tour comprende cenni storici, spiegazioni culturali e esperienze dirette condivise dalla guida. Il percorso ti porta fuori dalla zona di comfort per riflettere, e creare uno scambio di idee e informazioni insieme al gruppo. Banele, la nostra guida, è stato molto gentile ed esaustivo, super disponibile e piacevole. Consiglio veramente, per scoprire una parte importante di cape Town in modo sicuro, guidato interessante.”
Join Real Africa Travel Tours for an 8-hour Cape Peninsula day trip with hotel pickup, English-speaking guide, Bo-Kaap, Chapman’s Peak, Seal Island, Boulders penguins, Cape Point, and Muizenberg. Guide Kelvin is praised for his warm manner and strong local knowledge. Several entrance fees and lunch cost extra.
“If you're visiting Cape Town, Real Africa Travel Tours is the company to go with! We booked a tour with them, and it was flawless. The journey to Bo Kaap , Hout Bay, Boulders Beach, and the Cape Peninsula was seamless and filled with stunning sights. Lunch in Simon’s Town was the cherry on top. Great team, great planning, and great memories. Thank you for teaching us some Zulu & Shona , so yeah Siyabonga 😂😂 in Zulu & Maita Basa in Shona 😂😂 !”
Spend eight hours touring the Cape Peninsula by luxury minibus with an English or French-speaking guide. See Chapman’s Peak, Hout Bay, Cape Point, Boulders Beach penguins, Kalk Bay, and Muizenberg, with optional stops for Seal Island, coffee, and the Cape Point funicular.
“Die Buchung verlief reibungslos, doch leider begann unsere Tour mit erheblichen Schwierigkeiten. Zunächst erhielten wir über WhatsApp widersprüchliche Informationen zu Treffpunkt und Uhrzeit, was für Verwirrung sorgte. Nach über einer Stunde Wartezeit sprach uns schließlich ein Mann an, der uns zum Anbieter bringen wollte. Als wir in sein Auto stiegen, forderte er plötzlich Geld dafür, dass er uns zum „Treffpunkt“ fährt. Erst nach energischem Protest und der deutlichen Aufforderung, uns sofort wieder aussteigen zu lassen, gab er nach und ließ uns gehen. Zurück am Hafen zeigte er uns aus der Ferne, wo der eigentliche Fahrer nun wartete. Dort saß bereits eine Dame im Fahrzeug, die eine längere...”
Pick a reserve, a coastline or a cellar.
