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 ββN
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 RE-CONNECT RETREAT @ Starry Starry Night
Create a stronger and deeper connection with yourself, with this nature-immersive 5-day retreat, in the gorgeous Langeberg Mountains in Montagu.
Join us in South Africa from 21-25th May 2025 for a 5-day retreat at Starry Starry Night in the Little Karoo, Montagu.
Date: Wednesday 21st May to Sunday 25th May 2025
We are RECRUITING at The Travel ο»ΏCafé
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.co.za/jobs
The Travel Café Blog
The Serengeti isn’t just a place—it’s the heartbeat of Africa. π¦πΏ A land of endless golden plains, acacia-dotted horizons, and wildlife like nowhere else on earth. Here, you’ll witness nature’s greatest spectacle: The Great Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeest and thousands of zebras move in a relentless cycle of survival. Add in iconic Big 5 sightings, epic predator action, and breathtaking landscapes, and it’s easy to see why this is the world’s ultimate safari destination. At Travel Cafe, we don’t just take you there—we craft unforgettable, crowd-free experiences, ensuring front-row seats to the magic of the Serengeti. Let’s plan your dream safari! For more information about this incredible destination and the best time to travel to Tanzania and Seregenti, please have a look at our Destination Guide. πWhere in Africa is calling your name? Drop a π in the comments! #TheTravelCafe #SerengetiSafari #GreatMigration #BucketListAfrica #WildlifeWonder
Our final stop on this exploration of Namibia is Etosha, an iconic wildlife and safari destination in the north of the country. Etosha is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a deeper connection with nature. The incredible landscapes, the rich biodiversity, and the chance to witness the raw power of wildlife in their otherwordly natural habitat make this a place like no other. Desert-adapted elephants that appear seemingly out of nowhere, strutting to a waterhole across a shimmering salt pan, parched, their skin encrusted with mud to help remove ticks and parasites. This is one of the images that will stay with us forever. Along with spectacular sightings of giraffe coming for a sip, oryx, springbok "pronking" in high arched jumps, scores of zebras, lion, wildebeest, the list goes on…. September marks the end of the dry season ahead of the summer rains, and is an excellent time to visit. Not only are the temperatures mild during the spring of the southern hemisphere, but a general lack of water ahead of the summer rains mean the animals congregate in breathtaking numbers around waterholes. It’s a truly special experience to sit there and watch all kinds of wildlife come and go in their natural rhythm. Our safari field guide shared some fascinating insights that left us in awe of nature’s wonders. For example, did you know that oryx (one of the mot famous antelope species of Namibia) are brown colour instead of grey like adults? This helps them blend into the winter vegetation which is primarily brown at the time they are born, protecting them from predators. As they grow older, they develop the characteristic striking black-and-white coloring we know oryx for. Also, oryx can survive up to 8 years without drinking water, getting all the moisture they need from the plants they eat. Nature is truly amazing! ππ¦πΎ ποΈ For more info about Etosha and to start planning YOUR very own Namibia adventure, visit us here
The breathtaking mountain regions of Namibia. β°οΈπ As we continue our journey northwards through Namibia, our next stop was Spitzkoppe where the remarkable monolithic granite peak rises a staggering 1,728m into the air. Also known as the ‘Matterhorn of Namibia’, it is a truly impressive view to behold. Here we took the afternoon doing a walk to a rock arch, admired some ancient rock paintings and watched the sunset sitting atop these ancient rock. ππ΅π₯Ύ As you leave Spitzkoppe you’ll find many small markets stalls next to the road selling shimmering gemstones from quartz and amethyst to garnet and fluoride. This is a great option to find some souvenirs and support the locals in the area. π€© From Spitzkoppe we continued to Damaraland, where we learned more about the rock engravings (also known as petroglyphs) from hunter-gatherers who once called this area home. We then did a 10km mountain biking trail on electric bikes, the perfect way to explore the rocky area. Up next is Etosha National Park, 325km away for spectacular safaris in an otherworldly location. π¦π±πΎπ¦ Explore more about Damaraland here
It was a big drop in temperatures as we arrived compared to Sossusvlei, due to the proximity of the icy cold Atlantic Ocean.π Walvis Bay means “Whales Bay” as hundreds of whales π³ can be found here every year. There’s plenty to do and to see in this leisure town as it is home to many animals like seals, π¦ whales π and pink flamingos.𦩠Our 4x4 driver took us on an exhilarating drive of the famous “Sandwich Harbour” in the Namib Naukluft National Park, which is bigger than Switzerland, boasting kilometres of desert ποΈ sand dunes that fall into the ocean. We also had the privilege to be taken in the desert early morning by another knowledgeable guide to look for living animals like chameleons, lizards π¦, snakes, π and many other cute animals. Our favourite was definitely the web-footed gecko, π¦ which can only be found in this part of Namibia. Can you believe it manages to survive in the desert by licking water that condenses on its eyes from its eyes, when fog rolls in from the ocean? Nature is just so incredibly clever! For more information about Swakopmund, visit us here .
A sea of sand, and soaring over rusty red dunes in a hot air balloon. π ποΈβοΈπ΅ The world’s oldest desert is spectacular. A landscape that could easily be from another planet. Some parts are so dry, they get less than 10mm of rain per YEAR! Here, we visited the iconic Dead Vlei. π€© This used to be a marsh with an acacia tree forest. Then the river got cut off, the marsh dried and the trees died. This happened 1,000+ years ago, but the tree skeletons still stand. So dry is this desert the trees couldn’t even decompose, burnt black they stand forever more, frozen in time and place. The Namib Desert is also where you will find some of the tallest dunes in the world. Like Big Daddy, topping out at 325m and dwarfing the other dunes in the desert.π΅ A certain highlight, in more ways than one, was gliding silently over the desertscsape, weightless, in a hot air balloon. π There is something truly poetic about using the oldest form of manned flight to admire the world’s oldest desert from above. For more info about Sossusvlei, visit us here .
Destination 3: Kolmanskop. Ghost towns, fields of diamonds and Champagne by the gallon. Driving through the vast desert landscapes from Fish River Canyon to Lüderitz is an experience like no other! ποΈ After spending the night at the Shark Island Light House in Luderitz on the Atlantic coast, where the views were incredible, we visited Kolmanskop Ghost Town. At one point home to 300 miners during the diamond rush in the early 1900s, the town was abandoned when mining moved elsewhere. Now, the old house are buried by sand, as Mother Nature slowly reclaims the area. At its heyday, when diamond fever reached its peak, Kolmanskoppe was buzzing with life, opulence and decadence. Our guide shared stories of what was at its time one of the most advanced towns in the world. Electric lights and telephones were installed in all buildings long before that was common elsewhere in the world. Shop ledger entries tell of caviar, Champagne and exotic meats. The miners certainly knew how to live it up! Walking through this ghost town, we saw how time has frozen the area, leaving behind stories of its diamond-rich past. The mix of history and sand was unforgettable For more information about Namibia visit us here .
We've arrived at Fish River Canyon, our second stop in Namibia. The Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world and the size is jaw-dropping. We visited the canyon during golden hour around sunset and what an incredible sight it was! π
π During our visit to the canyon we enjoyed a few minutes of silence to take in the vast openness and beauty this area beholds as the sun set over the canyon walls. While we drove home from the canyon we saw dassies sunbathing on the rocks and a few Oryx (large antelope species) next to the road - which the meat-eaters among us tried for dinner that night.πΎπ΅ ππ€© To celebrate Francois' birthday today, we enjoyed an 8km morning hike before the desert heat kicks in. What a magical place to celebrate a birthday on The Travel Café team! Up next is the coastal town of Luderitz, 420km North East and the ghost town of Kolmanskop. Explore more information about Fish River Canyon here .
Just across the border from SA, is the Orange River, which actually forms the natural border between South Africa & Namibia. The Orange River starts high up in the Drakensberg Mountains in SA and ends in the Atlantic Ocean. As soon as you cross the border, everything slows down including the staff at the border π We took our team on a half day rafting π£ excursion on the Orange River which flows all year long and feeds hundreds of table grape π& tomato π
plantations for export. The 16 km journey on a canoe πΆ was a good, but not too intense exercise after eating big portions of meat, which is very popular in Namibia. π₯ While we paddled our way down the Orange River, we saw plenty of bird life π¦ - from fish eagles, cormorans and darters to weavers, egyptian geese and more. Our Next stop will be Fish River Canyon, a 250km drive from Orange River. Explore more about Namibia here .
The Travel Cafe team has set off on an epic two week educational tour of Namibia. We are beyond excited to showcase this spectacular country to our team members Hanjia and Ovayo, and discovering unique and authentic experiences, ahead of launching our own new Namibia minigroup tour in 2025. Keep an eye on our social media channels and join us on the adventure. Our first stop was the Cederberg Wilderness Area about 4hrs north-east of Cape Town. It is an awe-inspiring landscape of otherworldly rock formations, vast vistas and Khoi-San rock paintings 5,000+ years old. Find more details about the Cedeberg here :
VOYAGE EN AFRIQUE DU SUD πΏπ¦ ORGANISÉ PAR FRANÇOIS DU TRAVEL CAFÉ CAPE TOWN (groupe de 8 personnes + 1 guide francophone)
