Explore our small group scheduled departure itineraries below, which are fully supported and guided from beginning to end for the ultimate hassle-free and stress-free adventure. All our itineraries focus on travelling deeper, more authentically and in a way that uplifts the communities you visit to ensure a long lasting positive impact.
Let us help you create your ultimate holiday to any of the countries in Southern or Eastern Africa. One that’s even better than you can dream up on your own. And oh so much easier!
How does it work?
Step 1: Complete questionnaire
Nobody does travel quite like you. That's why we don't do generic mainstream packages. Ever. Working with
you we'll tailor an itinerary around your
unique style, budget, and precise needs.
Step 2: Tweak & Reserve
Once we've fine-tuned and confirmed your itinerary until you are 100% in love with it, we'll flesh things out and book flights, accommodation
and activities.
Which country would you like to discover?
South Africa ….With its breath-taking landscapes, incredible wildlife, stunning cultural diversity, its never-ending coastlines of crystal blue ocean, hiking routes, exciting cities and emergence as one of the gastronomic hotspots of the world. This country truly has it all!
Home to the Namib desert, the oldest desert in the world, the inhospitable Kalahari Desert, and the Skeleton Coast that is as rugged and desolate as its name implies, this is a country of stark dramatic landscapes, wide open spaces and a feeling of vastness which will truly leave you humbled.
The Victoria Falls marks the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and can be accessed from both countries, each offering their own distinctive beauty and activities. But the waterfall is just the beginning. The Victoria Falls are framed on both sides with beautiful national parks, and the local wildlife is thriving. You can start a day with visiting the majestic Falls, and finish your day with a safari experience of a lifetime by tracking rhino on foot.
Botswana is justly considered the crème de la crème of African safari destinations.
This is not surprising, since the diversity of habitat boggles the mind – desert, rivers, salt pans, savannah and lakes to mention a few. And diversity of habitat leads to incredible diversity of wildlife and breath-taking animal sightings.
This is the Africa we all fell in love with the first time we watched the Lion King. Between its remarkable people and local cultures, its thriving wildlife, its fairy-tale landscapes and the beautiful exotic beaches of Zanzibar and other smaller islands, Tanzania truly is an unforgettable holiday destination.
The island of Mauritius, with its 160km of picture-perfect beaches and azure waters, its lush interiors and sparkling waterfalls, is one of the most popular destinations in the Indian ocean.
Easily accessible by direct flight from Johannesburg, this very affordable destination is malaria free, and a favourite place for honeymooners, families and young adventurers alike to unwind after an unforgettable African safari. With over a hundred beaches and distinct regional differences, this extremely versatile island truly offers something for everyone.
Picture yourself lying on a white sandy beach, palm trees above you rustling from a gentle breeze, the waves lapping at your toes, while you lazily sip on your lavish cocktail. The only decision left to make for the day is whether or not to take one more dip in the gin-clear waters in front of you before heading off to your romantic candlelit champagne dinner, or to go for a romantic massage... Cliché? Perhaps, but in this case the cliché really does exist.
The Seychelles is what most people will automatically picture when dreaming of a secluded paradisiac island. As the chosen location for movies such as Castaway and Robinson Crusoe, it is easy to see why this island nation has become a quintessential honeymoon destination - it is truly gorgeous.
And yet, the Seychelles is so much more than just a collection of beautiful white sandy beaches. The nation is comprised of 115 islands, of varying sizes and characteristics, some rocky and mountainous, others lush with dense forested areas, and others still are exotic with palm trees overlooking dreamy beaches and low-lying coral reefs.
Kenya is the birthplace of the world renowned African safari, literally. Meaning “journey” in Swahili, the word safari was first introduced to the English language in the 1850s by an intrepid adventurer called Sir Richard Francis Burton. Kenya’s mystical pull over the rest of the world has not diminished over the centuries since then.
Unspoiled and untamed, with over 2,500km of uninterrupted coastline and clusters of postcard-perfect islands dotting its shore, Mozambique is a little corner of paradise. Its pristine white sands and turquoise waters can rival those of the Maldives or Seychelles, yet it is more affordable than these islands. It is also less built-up than most Indian ocean islands. For now, Mozambique is still well-off the beaten tourist track, however it is fast becoming the place to go for those searching for some sand, sea and sun in Africa.
Contact us now!
Join our next Guided Small Groups
CAPE PENINSULA
DAY TOUR
This full day tour takes in all the heavyweight sights of the Cape Peninsula. Guests are collected from their central accommodation and can look forward to the following: Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach penguin colony, Kalk Bay, Chapmans Peak Drive and Camps Bay.
Includes:
+ Qualified tour guide
+ All National Park entrance fees
+ Chapman’s Peak toll fee
+ Light lunch
+ Instagram-worthy stops
+ Spectacular scenery by the bucketloads
+ Dreamy seaside stops
Why book with The Travel Café?
We Know Our Stuff
As a boutique agency comprised of a few African travel experts, we guarantee an intimate experience from start to end, exceptional attention to detail and a bespoke personal touch at every turn. Unlike large tour operators, we deliberately choose quality over quantity and passion over profit!
We Are Passionate
It might sound corny in a world that often ranks margin above all else, but because we truly work with all our hearts when designing journeys and experiences for our guests we go much further than if we were “counting the hours”. As enthusiastic explorers ourselves, we are constantly researching and discovering new finds to add a magical touch to our guest itineraries.
We Care
JD’s background is as a travel journalist and François worked in the airline industry for 12 years. Together, and apart, we have crisscrossed this continent time and again, and continue to do so. Our deep love, respect and knowledge of the region put us in an enviable position to curate the best our continent has to offer.
We Build Your
Dreamtrip
You are in the driving seat every step of the way. We will work around your requirements, budget and needs and won't give up until we've designed a trip that is even better than what you could dream up on your own, and we will keep tweaking and refining until you're 100% thrilled. With us you have nothing to lose, and so much to gain.
Authentic travel to experience Southern & Eastern Africa's soul
There is a an Africa that’s exactly right for you. Our passion is to help you get it right, right from the start. That way you can squeeze every bit of goodness from your once-in-a-lifetime trip, get to experience the real heart of our wonderful country, and return home with bucket memories that will be the envy of your friends and family.
Nothing makes us happier than using our extensive local know-how to create a truly authentic trip for you, in the safest and most unforgettable way. What is the “real” South Africa, Namibia, Victoria Falls, Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique or any Indian Ocean Islands? For us it’s the difference between just being a spectator, or fully experiencing and engaging – immersing yourself in the culture, travelling in a way that’s been tailored to you rather than generic mainstream packages, and frequently veering off the well-trodden track.
That’s why The Travel Cafe was born, and that’s our commitment to you, whether you’re just after an experience
or fancy a truly unique trip
that’s been tailored to be right just for you.
Much love until we meet under the sunny Southern or Eastern African skies,
François and JD organised our romantic trip to the Kruger for us and everything was perfect. They were very quick to suggest a list of different options for us, matching our needs and budget. They took care of all the admin and details and we didn't have to worry about a thing! I've never been so at ease about a holiday, as I usually take care of everything myself. The travel app is really well designed and personalised. I loved the service and I absolutely recommend them for your next African trip!
Aurélie, France
JD, Francois & The Travel Cafe are brilliant. Everything from the start of our trip to the finish has been wonderful & taken care of. Personally, this has been the best experience with any travel agents/trip-planners (and I have dealt with many). They take away all your sorrows and we got to see so much more than when we would have booked by ourselves. They made us feel at ease and maximized our enjoyment of the trip.
All in all, fantastic.
Iron, Netherlands
The Travel Cafe is exactly what any traveller wants (and needs)! Personal, swift, full of hidden gems, and tailored to your wishes and budget! They will share all their secrets with you, to ensure you get the best out of your holiday. Be prepared to be amazed from start to finish. JD, Francois and their team will continue to exceed your expectations in every single way!
We admire the passion you have put into every single part of our holiday! It was the perfect escape from our daily life back home. Thank you all a million and hope to see you again soon!
Sophie, Netherlands
Visit our lodge in the Little Karoo
Starry Starry Night ⭐⭐N
Located on the iconic Route 62, between Montagu and Barrydale and a quick 2½hr drive from Cape Town, Starry Starry Night eco mountain reserve is located in the foothills of the rugged Langeberg Mountains. Conveniently close to surrounding towns yet far away for that middle-of-nowhere feeling so you can properly switch off. The reserve is perfectly positioned as a midway stop-over between Cape Town and the Garden Route.
Our reserve is blessed with two stunningly beautiful rivers, waterfalls, hiking routes, natural rock pools, views that seem to stretch into the future, an abundance of stunning fynbos, organic herb and veggie garden, tranquillity, fresh air, dazzling night skies and the chance to truly disconnect from the busy-ness of everyday life and properly recharge your batteries. Our accommodation is pet-friendly to sociable and well-behaved dogs by prior arrangement (maximum of 2 dogs per cottage).
We recommend a stay of 3-nights or longer to truly get to experience everything our beautiful eco mountain reserve and its surrounds have to offer.
As one of our recent guests observed: “Starry Starry Night is tonic for the soul. Plain and simple”. We cannot argue with that – why not book and come see for yourself?
THE CONSCIOUS COUPLE RETREAT @ Starry Starry Night
Create a stronger and deeper connection with your special partner, and yourself, with this nature-immersive 5-day retreat, in the gorgeous Langeberg Mountains in Montagu.
Join us in South Africa in October 2024 for a 5-day retreat at Starry Starry Night in the Little Karoo, Montagu.
Date: Monday 21 to Friday 25 October 2024
We are RECRUITING at The Travel Café
Junior Travel Designer Position
(fluent in English and/or French, Cape Town-based job)
Calling all romantic adventurers and passionate travellers. We are growing our merry band of passionate explorers and travel designers and we are looking for a Junior Travel Designer to work from our Cape Town office. Strong language skills in English and/or French are a major bonus. Are you the one we’ve been looking for?
More information about the job and how to apply at www.thetravelcafe.capetown/jobs
The Travel Café Blog
VOYAGE EN AFRIQUE DU SUD 🇿🇦 ORGANISÉ PAR FRANÇOIS DU TRAVEL CAFÉ CAPE TOWN (groupe de 8 personnes + 1 guide francophone)
VOYAGE EN AFRIQUE DU SUD 🇿🇦 ORGANISÉ PAR LE TRAVEL CAFÉ CAPE TOWN (groupe de 8 personnes + 1 guide francophone)
We are beyond happy to announce that visitors to Cape Town can now book an unforgettable day of exploring the Cape Peninsula aboard our very own Penguin Express. This new full day tour starts and ends in Cape Town and runs every Tuesday and Thursday during the summer season. From the rugged beauty of Cape Point and the rowdy penguin colony at Boulders to the sweeping curves of Chapmans Peak Drive, you will get to experience all the must-visit highlights along with many other gems. Bookings now open at: https://secure.activitybridge.com/book?activityid=16711 For more information, check our website at https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/day-tours-transfers Our knowledgeable guide will help you get a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped the scenic peninsula, as you travel along in the Travel Cafe's comfortable and air-conditioned "Penguin Express" minibus. Visiting the Cape Peninsula is a must-do activity while in Cape Town, we cannot wait to share its beauty, secrets and history with you. #peninsulatour #ILoveCapeTown #bouldersbeachpenguins #capeofgoodhope #capepeninsula #chapmanspeak #daytourcapetown
Happy festive season from the Travel Café team 🇿🇦 ! Sending you loads of sunshine ☀️ from sunny Cape Town 🐧 and wishing you an amazing time with your friends and family. Fran çois, JD and the rest of the team 😘
Et voici notre dernier mini groupe de 2023 en images! Nous terminons l'année en beauté avec la participation de 6 aventuriers français qui ont vadrouillé 15 jours en Afr ique du Sud 🇿🇦 en décembre 2023 avec notre guide expérimentée Florence, tout cela orchestré par notre équipe du Travel Café Cape Town. Voici quelques photos qui témoignent de la joie de vie et de la diversité des paysages de notre circuit francophone accompagné que nous organisons plusieurs fois dans l'année. Merci encore pour votre participation! 🪘😇👋🦓✈️🦏🧳🐘🦒🐧⛵⭐⭐ N PROCHAINS DÉPARTS: Vous trouverez les dates de nos prochains circuits accompagnés en Afrique du Sud 🇿🇦 et les places restantes sur notre site internet à https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/.../afrique-du-sud... #sejourafriquedusud #thetravelcafecapetown 3
"Make your adventure matter". That is the philosophy behind The Travel Cafe's Pack for a Cause initiative. We encourage all our guests coming to South Africa 🇿🇦 to bring a few items with them from a list of much needed essentials (even just 1 or 2 items). Donations are then in turn given to township communities, with the help of our charity partner Isibane se Afrika where it really makes a difference! A huge thanks to our guests Emma and her mother Nancy from Canada 🇨🇦, who not only had a super time travelling through the Western Cape with our curated itinerary, but took the trouble to really help out those in need by donating so many books, food, games and sanitary items to our philanthropic project that the Travel Café team has been supporting now for over 5 years. 🪘 Thanks again Emma and Nancy, your HUGELY generous donations greatly appreciated and already being out to good use 🙌🙌🙌🎄🎁 #makeyourtravelmatter #forceforgood #packforacause
Voici quelques photos de notre mini groupe de 8 participants de Novembre 2023 qui vient juste de se terminer aujourd’hui même après 15 jours en Afrique du Sud 🇿🇦! Ils repartent avec pleins de souvenirs en tête et beaucoup de photos 😉. Merci à toutes et à tous pour votre participations et merci 🙏 à notre guide Mat. PROCHAIN DÉPART: Vous trouverez les dates de nos prochains circuits accompagnés en Afrique du Sud 🇿🇦 et les places restantes sur notre site internet à https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/fr/afrique-du-sud-circuit-accompagne-francophone #sejourafriquedusud #thetravelcafecapetown #voyageafriquedusud #circuitafriquedusud
Just in: South Africa's locally grown Rooibos is among the season colours at the 2024 New York Fashion Week, taking a little piece of our country to the far corners of the globe. ☕😍 Pantone LLC, the global authority on colour and provider of professional colour standards for the design industries chose the Rooibos Tea Pantone as one of the Top 10 standout colours of 2024, that will be shaping trends and design. 🤩 The benefits of Rooibos extend far beyond wellness with the full-bodied red colour, imbued with rich, woody notes, now being taken up by brands like, Gucci, Zegna, and more. Just as people often use Rooibos to revitalise themselves, the colour palette can be equally refreshing. We cannot wait to see what clever creations designers come up with, using the tones from one of our favourite drinks. 🌿 #rooibos #newyorkfashionweek #proudlysouthafrican #rooibospantone
Think of a safari in Africa, and your mind immediately takes you to a pride of lions, watching elephants at a watering hole all the while sipping a G&T at the back of Land Cruiser, glancing over that classic sunset. And you wouldn’t be wrong. But what if you have already seen the Big 5 many times over and long for something new, something different? Perhaps something a bit more immersive –that really gets you up close and personal with nature? Chances are you will walk away with a newfound appreciation of the wonders of the natural world, and fortunately South Africa has no shortage of alternative safari options to consider. South Africa is home to several biodiversity hotspots – areas with significant levels of biodiversity. The Cape’s small fynbos biome for example is so rich in different species that just on the Table Mountain National Park alone there are more different types of plant species than in the whole of Britain. Many of these plants occur nowhere else on earth other than our flat-topped mountain. Similarly, South Africa is also home to more than a third of the world’s succulent species.
So you travelling to Africa but can't wait until you set foot on the continent? Travel virtually with our list of movies and documentaries for an African adventure.
