South Africa · DINING EXPERIENCES
Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 dining experiences justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.
Spend four hours with Waterfront Charters on a 90-minute sunset sail aboard Esperance, Serenity One, or another available vessel, with two glasses of local sparkling wine. Afterward, walk to City Grill or Raj for a three-course dinner. Bring a warm jacket, as Table Bay can turn chilly.
“A great team who were helpful, attentive and very funny. This was an amazing experience”
Spend an evening at Gold Restaurant in central Cape Town with a 14-dish Cape Malay and African dinner, hands-on djembe drumming, face painting, music, dance, and Mali puppets. Transfers can be arranged, but confirm your pickup area carefully and arrive before the 6:30 PM drumming session.
“This dinner was our last dinner before we left back to home. I was so happy, the atmosphere the staff the food the entertainment EVERYTHING was wonderful. So happy we did this, transportation via Brian was punctual, very happy from start to finish”
Spend about three and a half hours with African Eagle Daytours at a Cape Town cultural dinner. You’ll sample 14 South African dishes, watch music and dance, and learn basic djembe rhythms in a group drumming session. Pickup is offered, and the evening ends at the starting point.
“Great experience, must do ! Nice people and a variety of delicious food. I recommend it for those who wish an initiation in African cuisin.”
Spend 90 minutes on the Atlantic watching sunset views of Table Mountain and Cape Town’s coast, with two glasses of local sparkling wine. Then dine at a V&A Waterfront restaurant, usually The Raj for North Indian food, during this four-hour package.
“Perfect way to see the city and be on the water. Great staff! I enjoyed seeing the whales while on water. Nice welcome drinks.”
Board the 50-foot sloop Outeniqua at Knysna Waterfront for a 2.5-hour sunset sail with an experienced skipper and deck crew. Expect the Knysna Heads, possible ocean sailing, cheeses, fruit, savory snacks, and two glasses of South African Cap Classique. Bring a warm jacket and leave your shoes behind.
“A great trip, the staff made us feel very welcome. Easton and Nigel took good care of us! Lovely snacks and bubbly made the experience even better.”
Join Captain Steve and the crew aboard the Outeniqua for a 2.5-hour sunset sail from Knysna Waterfront. You may cross the Knysna Heads into the Indian Ocean, then return through the lagoon for South African bubbly, cheeses, fruit, and savoury snacks. The route depends on sea conditions.
“Absolutely amazing. the crew made it so much fun. It was much more of an adventure than we were expecting. we saw lots of wildlife and riding the waves out into the open sea had my wife hugging me tightly, but my goodness... it was fun. then on our way back to the docks we took it nice and slow and the dinner was amazing. absolutely incredible experience. we loved it!”
Spend two nights near Kruger National Park with Shinzelle Safaris, enjoying afternoon, full-day, and morning game drives in an open vehicle. Professional guides such as Jayden, Jason, Jeffrey, and Edson lead the search for the Big Five, while breakfast, dinner, lodging, and Johannesburg airport transfers are arranged for you.
“Stay at Tomo Safari Lodge with a three-day package.”
Start at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport and travel to Gecko Lodge near Hazyview for open-vehicle safaris in Kruger National Park, including early and late outings. A full day visits Lone Creek Falls, Lisbon Falls, Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and God’s Window. Guide Jeffrey may lead your game drives.
“This was a fantastic trip. Gecko lodge was great, the large room was very clean, staff were so friendly and the food was excellent. The tour of Kruger was fantastic our guide Jeffery from Shinzelle was amazing, he managed to find the big 5 as Read more”
Start at 4:30 pm for a four-hour evening at Shangana Cultural Village near Hazyview. Goodman or Jaqueline can help arrange pickup. Expect gumboots dancing, choir singing, a traditional meal, a sangoma, an art shop, and African brewed beer.
“We enjoyed every moment of it. Our two girls didn't want to go home. The food was terrific! It is an experience of a lifetime you will be talking about for generations to come.”
Join Shinzelle Safaris for three nights at Gecko Lodge near Hazyview and four days of guided Kruger game drives. You travel in a small group of up to nine, with airport transfers, breakfast, dinner, and open safari vehicles included. Guides such as Jay and Kayro are known for strong wildlife expertise.
“Absolutely amazing organization and support. One of the participants could make it due to a illness, and Danielle reorganized everything effortless. I strongly suggest Shinzelle Safaris.”
Start at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport and travel to Mpumalanga for four nights near Kruger National Park. You’ll take night, full-day, and morning safaris in an open vehicle, plus a Blyde River Canyon day with waterfalls, Three Rondawels, and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Groups are capped at nine.
“Amazing trip on safari with Shinzelle! It’s a great company, super easy to work with. I booked my trip very late in the day but they managed to accommodate all of my wishes. Our guide, Nick, was awesome and gave us a great experience. We Read more”
Travel from Johannesburg or Pretoria to Lesedi Cultural Village for a five-hour cultural visit. Meet guides from five South African groups, see traditional homesteads, join drumming and dance, and finish with a traditional lunch or dinner. Samuel has been praised for adding useful local context.
“L'accueil en chanson fait bonne impression, le personnel chargé de l'animation est très avenant. La visite est essentiellement basée sur le visuel : reconstitution de huttes traditionnelles et scènes jouées par le personnel. Le spectacle de danse est très agréable et impressionnant mais tout le reste paraît artificiel et semble être monté de toute pièce pour plaire aux touristes occidentaux. Au final, je n'ai pas appris grand chose.”
At Gold Restaurant in Cape Town, you’ll taste 14 spice-led dishes, sample and identify African spices, enjoy gold-leaf bubbly and paired wines, watch djembe drumming, and meet the chefs. Irene is one host praised for warm, attentive service. The three-hour evening suits private celebrations.
“Literally the best experience we’ve had at a restaurant. The spice experience was incredible. The food and the staff so hospitable and cooked with love and life. We are forever changed and grateful to have experienced GOLD.”
Keegan of Wild Wonder Safari Co. leads a small-group game drive in a private Greater Kruger reserve, then serves a three-course dinner beside a fire under the stars. Pickup is included within Hoedspruit, and the meal can account for dietary needs and local food requests.
“Sehr schöne Safari und super Abendessen. Unser Guide Keegan hatte viel Wissen über die Tiere. Alles Top :)”
Travel from Johannesburg to Gecko Lodge near Hazyview for three Kruger game drives, including morning, evening, and full-day outings. Open safari vehicles, professional guides such as Jeffrey and VJ, airport transfers, four breakfasts, four dinners, and nonalcoholic drinks are included.
“We had an amazing 5 days Kruger Safari with Shinzelle and especially with our ranger / guide Jeffrey. We could see not just the big 5 but ….. the 7 magnificents! Our guide made it so especial. He knew absolutely everything about animals’ behRead more”
Pick a reserve, a coastline or a cellar.
