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.
Meet Faldela at her Bo-Kaap home for a 2.5-hour English cooking class focused on Cape Malay food. You will prepare dishes such as curry, rotis, samosas, and sweet treats, learn about spices and local traditions, then sit down for lunch with soft drinks. Ingredients, equipment, and recipes are included.
“It was a nice experience. I would like to get the recipes of the dishes we made...”
Join Cape Malay Cook Up for a two-hour class in a traditional Bo-Kaap home. You will prepare dishes such as samosas, chilli bites, flatbread, and curry, then sit down for lunch with your host. Expect hands-on cooking, stories about Malay culture and Bo-Kaap, and a friendly shared table.
“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, salsa salad, and koesisters in a local home. You will visit a spice shop, learn about the neighborhood’s Muslim Cape Malay culture, eat what you prepare, and take home the recipes.
“It was amazing - Gadija took us on our historical walking tour of Bo Kaap and explained the history before entertaining us with the cookery session with Bilquis - I finally learnt how to make flaky roti Yeahh”
Meet Surf Emporium at Muizenberg’s Surfers Corner for a 1.5-hour private lesson tailored to your level. Your coach supplies the board and wetsuit, teaches ocean safety and surf etiquette, and works at your pace. Coaches including Christopher, Reggie, Justin, Jaydon, Jordan, and Liam have helped first-timers stand up and catch their first waves.
“We had a great time surfing - it was my second time and my sister’s first time. I was able to wear my own wetsuit, but wetsuits, boards, etc. were provided. The surfing coach was super knowledgeable and patient, and went through everything step by step. Would definitely do this again!”
You’ll ride Cape Town’s gentler waves with Stoked Surf School, using a board, leash, 4:3mm wetsuit, and photos included. Your coach collects you from your city accommodation, chooses the beach with the best conditions, and teaches beginners through the Stoked method. Ask for Sam or Michelle if available, and report your clothing size when booking.
“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 of surfing at Jeffreys Bay’s oldest surf school. Your qualified English-speaking coach teaches paddling, wave timing, standing up, and board control on the beach and in waist-deep water. Boards, wetsuits, changing rooms, storage, and photos are included. Ernie is one named coach praised for helping beginners stand by the end.
“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 in Muizenberg for a 60 to 80-minute private or group lesson. You’ll learn ocean safety and the pop-up on the beach, then receive hands-on coaching in the water. Coaches such as Tammy and Alphonso help first-timers catch their first waves.
“Always wanted to try surfing but never really had the chance (and i was also a bit scared I might lack the strength/skills). Tammy took away all of that from the very beginning - she reached out beforehand to check availability and make sure I planned enough time to get there. From the first minute, she was pure sunshine: super warm, motivating, and instantly calming any nerves. I loved that the lesson was very much learning by doing - straight into the water, just trying, no pressure. She focused on what I was already doing well, gently reminded me when I was too much in my head, and made the…”
Meet at Jeffrey's Bay Surf School for a beginner lesson built around five clear steps: paddle, catch a wave, stand up, and ride toward shore. Your qualified coach works in small groups, first on the beach and then in waist-deep water. Boards, wetsuits, changing rooms, and storage are included.
“It was amazing! Lorenzo is super nice and such a great teacher. Highly recommend for anyone who would like to learn surfing, would definitely come back for next trip to Jeffreys Bay :)”
Join Lorette and Desmond in their Grassy Park home for a private three-hour Cape Malay cooking class. You will prepare two or three dishes, perhaps roti with chicken curry, bobotie, or malva pudding, then sit down with the family to eat. Recipes, drinks, lunch or dinner, and gratuities are included.
“My husband was sick and unable to accompany me. Lorette went to the trouble to make a custard to go with the Mavi pudding because my husband had eaten it at a restaurant and loved it (without the custard) which is the classic way to eat it I learned. She gave me to go Read more”
Explore Gqeberha with local guide Rawson, visiting the Campanile, Donkin Reserve, markets, street art, and historic streets. Choose the walking tour alone or add a hands-on African cooking class with sadza, chicken stew, chakalaka, beans, and vegetarian options. Pickup and drop-off are included around Port Elizabeth.
“Knowledgeable tour guide who didn't only show the shiny places.”
Spend two hours in a Bo-Kaap home kitchen learning Cape Malay samoosas and koesisters with a local cook. You will work with traditional ingredients, hear local history, and share the finished savoury and sweet snacks with your host. The class is in English or Afrikaans and costs $23 per person.
“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 Dolphin Adventures Sea Kayaking at the beach for a 2-hour surf lesson with an instructor, wetsuit, and board. You’ll learn ocean safety, paddling, balance, and standing up, with guidance from instructors such as Giovanni. Small groups, suitable boards, and free practice time make this a friendly first lesson.
“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 artist Tozamile Mnapu in his Langa studio for a small-group African art workshop capped at 10 people. Hear about African art and his life, watch him build a painting from scratch, then create your own piece with supplied materials, colors, and brushes. A short township tour may add local context.
“The whole experience was amazing! We got a short tour and just learning about the Langa township was truly moving. The art part of the excursion was great, I learned some new skills and was able to talk to the guide about social issues going on in Cape Town and in the States. I definitely recommend doing this excursion.”
Join sisters Colleen and Ruth in Ruth’s Manenberg home for a private, hands-on Cape Malay cooking class. Over about two hours, you’ll prepare samosas, half-moons, spring rolls, tomato bredie, yellow rice, and dessert, then share the meal with your hosts. The full experience lasts about four and a half hours and includes alcoholic drinks.
“Such a memorable day from start to finish. I was by myself and felt like I was with friends the entire time, Coleen and Ruth really make you feel at home. The food was amazingly flavorful and well explained. I’m so happy I booked this, easy Uber there and back, and had plenty Read more”
Spend two hours learning to surf at Dolphin Beach, a few kilometres from Jeffreys Bay’s famous Supertubes. Your English-speaking instructor covers 20 minutes of theory, then helps you paddle, stand, and catch waves. Boards and wetsuits are included, groups are limited to eight, and follow-up lessons cost less.
“instructor Lungani was great. I never surfed before only skateboarded and I was riding a few waves within minutes. instructions were clear and conscise. would definitely go back only thing is surfing is very tiring so be prepared”
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