South Africa · WORKSHOPS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 workshops & classes worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
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...”
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 four hours exploring Bo-Kaap with local guides such as Faldela, Gadija, or Ilyas, then cook samosas, chicken curry, roti, sambal, and koesisters in a local home. You will learn spice tricks, share the meal, and leave with the recipes.
“There are two parts to this activity. The second is the Malay cooking class. If you have the time, you should not miss it. It opens the world of Cape Malay cooking from the inside. The guide really knows her business, and has a great sense of humor. Because of her, the event is a lot of fun, and you meet people from all over the world. Making a rooti from scratch is a transformative experience. Since it is not really meaningful to walk through the Bo-Kaap on your own, you need a guide, and this one knows the neighborhood’s history. I was especially intrigued by how the colorful houses…”
Meet your private coach at Surf Emporium in Muizenberg for 90 minutes of tailored instruction. Your board, wetsuit, locker, and warm shower are included. Coaches such as Christopher, Reggie, Justin, Jaydon, and Jordan have helped first-timers stand up, while intermediate and advanced sessions focus on technique.
“We had an amazing time with a private lesson of three. I was older and not as agile , but our instructor was awesome and very helpful spending time equally among us”
Stoked Surf School collects you in Cape Town, chooses a beach with suitable waves, and provides a private 1.5-hour lesson with a board, leash, 4:3mm wetsuit, photos, and changing towel. Coach Sam and guide Michelle have helped make first surf attempts relaxed and fun.
“Well organized, great first time surfing, fantastic instructor. The water and waves were just right. The pick up was on time. Try surfing in Cape Town....it's a don't miss experience.”
Spend two hours learning the basics at Jeffreys Bay’s oldest surf school. Your English-speaking coach teaches paddling, wave catching, and standing up in shallow water and on the beach. Boards, wetsuits, changing rooms, storage, and session photos are included.
“Heel leuke eerste surfervaring! Onze begeleider Ernie heeft ervoor gezorgd dat we tegen het einde konden rechtstaan. Goede tips van hem, leuke sfeer! Een echte aanrader! Bedankt Ernie”
Meet your English-speaking coach at Lifestyle Surf Shop for a 60 to 80-minute private-group lesson at Muizenberg Beach. You will learn ocean safety, popping up, paddling, and wave choice, then practice with personal guidance from instructors such as Tammy or Alphonso.
“This was our first time surfing and it was amazing. Tammy was a very good instructor with a lot of positive energy. She gave good instruction’s which made us learn the basics and hit the waves in the very first lesion. We highly recommend Tammy and will definitely come back again.”
Meet at Jeffrey's Bay Surf School for a small-group beginner lesson led by qualified coaches such as Lorenzo and Angelo. You will learn to paddle, catch a wave, stand, and ride toward the beach, with board, wetsuit, changing rooms, and storage included.
“It was a nice activity, the trainers were friendly and learned our the basic skills.”
Start at Curiocity Backpackers in Maboneng with guides such as Ayanda or Mike, learn the basics, then skate and walk through Maboneng, Gandhi Square, Marshalltown, and Newtown. Expect street art, city history, local stories, and a small group capped at five people.
“We had a wonderful tour with Mike! After our initial reservation was cancelled due to rain, Mike and Ayanda were so accommodating when rescheduling. This was such a fun and unique way to explore Joburg's neighborhoods and art. Plus, we learned a new skill! Highly recommend and will recommend to friends!”
Spend about three hours with Lorette and Desmond in their Grassy Park home, learning two or three Cape Malay dishes such as roti, chicken curry, bobotie, or malva pudding. You cook by hand, use garden herbs when available, and sit down with the family to eat your meal.
“Lorette made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. She j had the ingredients prowled & we made a wonderful meal. She walked us through how to make the curry & vegetable chicken main dish. We also had fun with making roti….everyone took a turn. Lorette is very Read more”
Explore Gqeberha’s Campanile, Donkin Reserve, markets, and street art with local guide Rawson, then choose a hands-on African cooking class with shared food, traditional drinks, and vegetarian options.
“Knowledgeable tour guide who didn't only show the shiny places.”
In a two-hour Bo-Kaap home-kitchen class, an accomplished Cape Malay cook guides you through samoosa folding and koesister making. You use traditional ingredients, hear local history, and sit down afterward to eat the sweet and savoury food you prepared. English and Afrikaans are spoken.
“Though our host was lovely and very welcoming we found the actual cooking experience a bit disappointing. The samosa pastry was store bought and there was no insight into how to make the pastry from scratch. I understand it is a complicated and long process but even a partial experience with homemade dough would have been nice. The fillings were pre-done, so one missed out on tasting and smelling and working with the ingredients. The Koesister part of the class was a more interactive and thus more enjoyable and they did taste very good. All in all we had a pleasant experience, just not quite as hands on as we…”
Meet Surfends at New Wave Village in Victoria Bay for a 75-minute beginner-friendly lesson. Local instructors such as Dylan and Martyn teach ocean safety, wave reading, pop-ups, and board control, with wetsuits and surfboards supplied.
“Brilliant surfing lesson in a beautiful bay, we got taught the basics and then spent the remainder of the time in the water practicing! Would highly recommend! You will sleep well after!”
Meet Giovanni and the Dolphin Adventures Sea Kayaking team at the beach for a 2-hour English-language surf lesson. You’ll learn ocean safety, paddling, balance, and standing up, with a wetsuit, board, coaching, and free practice time included.
“Sadly, the conditions were not right for surfing so we did a kayaking session instead. Giovanni was very thorough with safety. It was just on the ocean so out and back. Sadly, the dolphins did not show themselves. Shower facilities were good.”
Meet Atlantic Surf School at 2 Coral Road in Table View for a 1.5 to 2-hour lesson led by coaches such as Jesse and Jarrod. Learn ocean safety, wave timing, and board technique with equipment supplied. Beginners and stronger surfers receive instruction matched to their level.
“Jarrod is a fantastic surfing teacher! My children absolutely loved him. We will definitely come back for more lessons.”
Pick a reserve, a coastline or a cellar.
