Ilanga Travel shares some local favourites!

As the year winds down and the holiday season begins to stir excitement, we’re thrilled to bring you something special in this month’s newsletter. Here at Ilanga Travel, we believe that the true magic of experiencing something unique lies in the places that aren’t always in the guidebooks – the hidden gems that only locals know and love.

This November, we’re sharing personal tips from our team members, giving you a peek into our own favourite secret spots in and around Cape Town & beyond. Whether it’s a museum, a lovely wine farm, or a hidden trail, these are the places that capture our hearts and are sure to make your trip to our country even more memorable.

Let’s explore these tips together – we hope these hidden gems inspire your next adventure!

Happy travels,

The Ilanga Travel Team

Xavier’s Tip

The Spice Route is a Jack of all trades. From amazing restaurants to great cycling tracks through the mountain ranges in the wine lands – it has it all!

The La Grapperia Restaurant is an awesome Italian restaurant, which is perfect for families. As an alternative fine dining option, clients can go to Jewell’s restaurant. This offers clients an  authentic South African experience using select local ingredients – and has an amazing view!

If one is feeling less hungry, but could do with a snack or two, the Spice Route offers 4 different tasting venues.

Spice Route Wines is a must for wine lovers. Jewell’s restaurant offers a meat tasting option with a homemade cured meat selection. For beer lovers, enjoy the CBC brewery’s beer tasting. This is also a magnificent experience as you are in the cellar tasting a refreshing beer that is locally made. Finally, they also cater for all the sweet toothed customers with amazing Wilderer Spirits (Local spirits), chocolates & confections tasting by Beyers.

Activities offered on site include mountain biking on fixed trails, where clients can pre-book a slot and also hire a bicycle suitable for them! There is an amazing Pilates studio, where one can pre-book a session with a trainer. And finally, a well-deserved spa treatment is offered at the “Beauty is Life Spa” – great for a quick getaway on a busy holiday.

The Spice Route is situated just outside Paarl, making it a 30 minute drive from either Stellenbosch or Franschhoek and a mere 15 minute drive for clients staying in Paarl.

What a perfect way to spend a day!

Nicole’s Tip

My kids and I went to explore the Diamond Museum a few months ago. Cape Town Diamond Museum is a gift from Shimansky to the city of Cape Town.

Obviously, having studied geology, it was a very educational experience to learn about the history. Be sure to go during the week so not to miss out seeing the work in progress stage of jewellery manufacturing.

Learn about the 3 billion year old history of diamonds and the diamond industry in South Africa.

Expect an intimate tour and learning experience to see mining gear, famous diamond replicas, historical artefacts and specimens of natural kimberlite.

Elisa’s Tip

One of my absolute favourites is Warwick Wine Estate, which is perfect for families looking to spend a relaxing day in the Winelands.

After testing a few picnic spots, I can confidently say that Warwick is by far the best and offers great value for money. I absolutely love their picnic pods, which provide a cozy and private space to enjoy a delicious gourmet picnic while surrounded by lush green lawns and beautiful vineyard views. It’s a fantastic spot for a day out with loved ones.

And if you’re looking for something a bit different, I highly recommend their Vineyard Safari – it’s a unique way to explore the estate’s stunning vineyards!

Dave’s Tip

Often overlooked on a trip to the Kgalagadi from Cape Town, I find Augrabies a perfect stopover to break up the long journey.

The route to Augrabies can either be on all tarred roads on the N7/N14 via Springbok and Pofadder, which will give you about an 860km 8hr30min drive, or if you are a bit more adventurous, you can take the N7/R358 routing where the R358 is a gravel road. This journey is around the same duration but is a shorter distance of 760kms.

The accommodation at Augrabies is typical SANParks, and is comfortable and air-conditioned. There is a very good shop with everything you could want in it, and the restaurant has always served really good food.

The main attraction of course is Augrabies Falls, which is absolutely spectacular if you catch it when the Orange River is in flood (normally January/February), but still amazing even in low season.

There are also walking trails and game drive trails that you can do in the park – no big predators, but plenty of smaller creatures and birds.

The best part of this for me, is that you can wake up, have a pleasant breakfast and a walk around the falls, get packed up and leave by 10h00, stop in Upington to shop and fill up with fuel, and then head to the Kgalagadi to check in by 14h00, which then gives you time to unpack at Twee Rivieren, walk to the bird hide, and go for a leisurely afternoon game drive.

If you stay over at Augrabies on the way back to Cape Town, it means you can pack up and go for a nice long morning game drive on your last day, as you only have 4 ½ hours to travel in the afternoon to get to Augrabies!

A local bonus is this routing also gives you time to stop and browse at the Pienk Padstal in Kakamas – awesome coffee, delicacies, the best chocolate and yoghurt raisins around, and plenty of antiques and collectibles … highly recommended!

What a great way to optimise and enjoy your Kgalagadi trip!

Kyla’s Tip

Along the Garden Route on the coastline lies a beautiful little town called Wilderness. It offers many little hidden gems such as local art galleries, activity centres for cycling, paragliding, horse riding, acrobranching, boat trips, etc.

Two of my favourite destinations are Timberlake Village and Perdepoort Horse Trails.

Timberlake Village is just outside Wilderness on the way to Knysna. The village offers something for everyone, e.g. a café and a restaurant, a playground for children, an art gallery, a leather goods shop, a fairy/crystal shop, a German bakery, a craft stall and a garden centre.

There is also an activity centre for acrobranching. There are different levels of difficulty so everyone can have fun.

For our horse lovers, Perdepoort Horse Trails is just the thing. They offer trail rides in the beautiful Wilderness forests for beginners and experienced riders. The owner is very committed and has been running the centre for several years.

The landscape is breathtaking!

Jackie’s Tip

We visited the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden in Stellenbosch with family earlier this year. It was spectacularly beautiful, especially with the aloes in full flower. The garden is a sculpture in its own right. It was a real highlight for all of us.

It borders the manicured suburbs of Stellenbosch and a rugged mountain wilderness. More than 60 sculptures constituting a comprehensive record of his artistic development thus far have been carefully sited along 4 km of paths in this garden.

The garden focuses on indigenous species, particularly fynbos. Although planted to give year-round colour, it peaks in July and August into September, when its many Buchus and Ericas are in fragrant flower.

Josy’s Tip

One of my absolute favourite hidden gems is Bartinney Wine Estate, located just outside of Stellenbosch. This stunning estate offers not only delicious wines but also a selection of hand-crafted gins that are a must-try.

The breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains create the perfect backdrop for a relaxed tasting experience.

Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a Gin enthusiast, Bartinney provides a welcoming atmosphere where you can unwind and savour their exceptional offerings.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this beautiful spot – it’s the perfect escape just a short drive from Cape Town!

With less than a month to go before Christmas and the weather warming up, we’re excited for the festive season ahead.

Thanks for reading!