Table Mountain & Constantia Wine Tasting Full Day Tour.

Cape Town gives you two very different pleasures in one day here: the ocean-bright view from Table Mountain and the calm, vine-covered hills of Constantia. After an 8 a.m. pickup, you spend the morning above the city, then follow the old Constantia wine route through four estates tied to Simon van der Stel’s original farm.

I like the private transport and the careful mix of history, scenery, and tasting time. I also like that you can choose between the cableway and a hike at Table Mountain, though the short one-hour visit means a serious hike could leave little time for the wineries. Lunch and wine tasting fees are extra, so the $225.04 price is not the full cost of your day.

Key points to know

• Four historic estates: Visit Constantia Glen, Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia, and Buitenverwachting.
• Table Mountain first: Begin with city, ocean, and mountain views before the wine country.
• Private eight-hour outing: Hotel pickup, drop-off, fuel, air-conditioning, and a driver-guide are included.
• Groot Constantia dates to 1685: It is South Africa’s oldest wine-producing farm.
• Lunch with vineyard views: Simon’s Restaurant or Jonkershuis Restaurant are suggested at Groot Constantia, but lunch is paid separately.
• Good-weather dependent: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

A morning above Cape Town

The day starts with pickup at about 8 a.m. from your accommodation. From there, you head to Table Mountain, the one stop that gives you a broad view of Cape Town before the day turns toward vineyards.

You have the choice of taking the cableway or hiking to the top. That choice matters. The cableway makes the visit practical within the tour’s schedule, while the hike gives you a more active start but may take much of the allotted hour. The tour description does not specify a hiking route or walking time, so you should ask about the plan before choosing the longer option.

At the top, expect sweeping views of Cape Town and the ocean, along with a strong sea breeze. This is a good place for photographs, but it is also the day’s best chance to understand the city’s setting. The mountain, coast, and built-up center all come into view at once.

The ticket included in the tour covers entry to Table Mountain. The description also says the cableway or hike is optional, so confirm exactly what is covered if you plan to use the cableway. Conditions can affect this part of the day, and the full experience requires good weather.

Following the old Constantia route

After Table Mountain, the vehicle heads toward Constantia along the M3, passing Rhodes Memorial and the University of Cape Town before continuing on the M41. This short drive helps connect the modern city with the older wine district.

The four estates are linked by their past connection to the original Constantia farm founded by Simon van der Stel in 1685. That shared background gives the day a clear theme rather than making it feel like four unrelated tasting stops.

You are not simply moving from one cellar to another. Each property has a different setting and wine balance, and the order creates a useful rhythm: a high viewpoint at Constantia Glen, an important historic estate at Groot Constantia, open views toward False Bay at Klein Constantia, and a final stop at Buitenverwachting.

The schedule gives about an hour at each winery. That is enough for a tasting and a look around, but it is not a slow, all-afternoon wine retreat. You will need to keep an eye on the clock, especially if you want lunch, photographs, and tastings at every stop.

Constantia Glen, the high first winery

Constantia Glen is perched high on the hill, with views over vineyards and toward the surrounding mountains. After Table Mountain, this is a pleasant change of scale. You are still looking outward, but now the city gives way to rows of vines and open hills.

The estate once formed part of Simon van der Stel’s farm. Its land later went through other uses, including forest hills farming and cattle stud farming, before returning to wine production. That change gives the property a more layered story than a simple old-vineyard label.

The wine mix is listed as 70 percent red and 30 percent white cultivars. If you enjoy fuller red wines, this may be the most appealing early stop. The tour specifically lists wine tasting fees at Constantia Glen as not included, so plan for an extra charge here.

That cost is worth considering before booking. The tour includes the vehicle, guide, fuel, hotel transfers, and Table Mountain entry, but you should not assume the $225.04 covers every glass poured. Ask the operator how tasting charges work at the other estates as well, since the inclusion details only name Constantia Glen directly.

Groot Constantia and the 1685 story

Groot Constantia is the historic anchor of the day. Founded in 1685, it is described as the oldest wine-producing farm in South Africa. Even after changes in ownership, the property continued making award-winning wine.

The name means Big Constantia, which makes sense when you consider its place in the original estate. The visit gives you the strongest connection to the early Constantia story and is likely to be the most important stop for anyone interested in Cape wine history.

The estate produces 70 percent red and 30 percent white cultivars. You have about an hour here, and lunch is recommended at either Simon’s Restaurant or Jonkershuis Restaurant. Both are on the estate and offer the chance to eat with vineyard views rather than breaking away to a separate restaurant.

Lunch is not included. This is one of the day’s most practical decisions. If you choose a full meal, the schedule may feel more relaxed but the overall cost rises. If you only taste wine and keep moving, you save money but lose the chance to turn the middle of the tour into a proper break.

I would favor lunch at Groot Constantia if your budget allows. It keeps the route simple, gives you a place to sit, and adds a food-and-wine element that a sequence of tastings alone may lack. Let the guide know early if lunch is important to you, since the tour has several stops to fit into eight hours.

Klein Constantia and the False Bay view

Klein Constantia sits on the foothills of Constantiaberg, with views across False Bay. This setting gives it a different mood from Constantia Glen. Instead of looking mainly across the inner valley, you get a more open sense of the coast.

Klein means Little Constantia. Like Groot Constantia, it was once part of the original farm established by Simon van der Stel. Its decomposed granite soils and cool ocean breeze are presented as important reasons for the quality of its wines.

The estate produces 30 percent red and 70 percent white cultivars. That makes it a useful contrast with the first two estates, both listed at 70 percent red and 30 percent white. If you prefer white wine, Klein Constantia may be one of the more interesting stops on the route.

The one-hour timing works well for a tasting and a view, but it limits how long you can linger. This is not a day for wandering every corner of each property. You are getting a guided overview of four estates, with enough time to sample the character of each one.

Buitenverwachting, the final estate

The final wine stop is Buitenverwachting, a name that means Beyond expectation. It also formed part of the original Constantia farm and changed ownership over time. The estate’s historic buildings were restored as part of an effort to reconnect the property with its earlier roots.

Its wine balance is very different from the others: 8 percent red, 90 percent white, and 2 percent rosé. That makes Buitenverwachting especially useful for anyone who prefers white wines or wants to finish the day with something lighter.

Ending here also gives the route a logical close. You have followed the old farm through four separate properties, seen how each place uses its setting, and compared very different wine programs. From Buitenverwachting, you return to Cape Town for drop-off at your accommodation.

Because this is the last stop, remember that your return time depends on the pace of the earlier visits, lunch, and traffic. The total duration is about eight hours, so this is a full day rather than a quick morning outing.

What the private vehicle adds

The tour uses private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with fuel and passenger liability cover. Those details matter in Constantia, where moving between estates is much easier by vehicle than trying to organize separate rides.

You also have a driver-guide rather than a bare transfer. A guide named Jean is praised for prompt pickup, safe driving, and clear knowledge of the route on one departure. Jean may not lead every date, but you can ask when booking who will guide your tour.

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is not the same as a fully exclusive outing for two, but it is still small enough to be more manageable than a large coach tour. The private transport and hotel pickup should make the day feel more personal, although the exact group arrangement is worth confirming if you are booking for a couple or family.

The vehicle itself received praise for being clean and comfortable. I would still treat that as a practical bonus rather than the main reason to book. The real value is having one person organize the mountain visit, four estate transfers, and return to your hotel.

Is $225.04 a fair price?

At $225.04 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Constantia. The price becomes easier to justify if you value a full-day private vehicle, hotel transfers, a driver-guide, fuel, and Table Mountain entry in one booking.

You should add money for lunch and wine tasting fees. The suggested restaurants at Groot Constantia are not part of the package, and tasting charges at Constantia Glen are specifically excluded. Depending on what you eat and drink, your final spend can be noticeably higher than the advertised rate.

The value is strongest for visitors who want one organized day rather than separate bookings for Table Mountain, transport, and the wineries. It also suits anyone who wants a guide to connect the estates through the Simon van der Stel story.

The value is weaker if you already have a rental car, only want one or two wineries, or prefer to spend several hours at one estate. Four wineries in one day gives you variety, but it does not give you much unplanned time.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this outing to first-time Cape Town visitors who want to combine one major city sight with the Constantia wine country. It also fits couples and families who prefer a private vehicle, since service animals are allowed and most people can participate.

Wine drinkers who like comparing estates will get the most from the route. The listed red and white percentages make the contrasts clear: Constantia Glen and Groot Constantia lean red, while Klein Constantia and especially Buitenverwachting lean white.

It is less suitable for someone seeking a slow, specialist wine tour. The hour at each stop is structured and purposeful. You will see a lot, but you will not have unlimited time for long tastings, extended meals, or quiet walks.

The day also demands flexibility. Table Mountain access depends on weather, and the tour itself requires good conditions. If poor weather cancels the experience, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

Booking details worth checking

Confirmation is provided when you book. Pickup begins at 8 a.m., and hotel pickup and return are included. The experience accepts mobile tickets, which keeps the morning simple.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes made in that period are not accepted. The cut-off uses local time.

Ask three questions before paying: Is the Table Mountain cableway fare fully covered, what tasting fees apply at each estate, and who will guide your departure? Those answers will give you a clearer final price and a better sense of the day’s pace.

Should you book this Constantia tour?

Book it if you want an easy, well-organized day that joins Table Mountain with four historic wineries. The route has a strong sense of place, the private vehicle removes much of the transport hassle, and the contrast between the estates gives you more than a single tasting room can.

Skip it if your priority is a long hike, a leisurely lunch, or a slow afternoon at one winery. For everyone else, the combination of mountain views, False Bay scenery, old farm history, and varied red and white wine production makes this a practical first taste of Constantia.

FAQ

How long does the Table Mountain and Constantia tour last?

The experience lasts about 8 hours. It begins with an 8 a.m. pickup and ends with drop-off at your accommodation in Cape Town.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is Table Mountain entry included?

Yes, entry to Table Mountain is included. You can choose between using the cableway or hiking to the top, but you should confirm the exact cableway coverage when booking.

Are lunch and wine tasting fees included?

No. Lunch is paid separately. Wine tasting fees are also not included, with Constantia Glen specifically identified as an extra cost.

Which wineries are visited?

The route visits Constantia Glen, Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia, and Buitenverwachting.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.