25 degrees, stunning beaches, incredible racing, luxurious food, any guesses as to where we were heading? Well after reading the title, you probably already know – CAPE TOWN! We couldn’t wait to escape the cold, bitter weather that swarms home at this time of year and the journey to Terminal 5 at Heathrow never felt so good.
The flight outbound is notoriously nicer than coming home (for obvious reasons) and after touching down at Cape Town airport and making our way to our transfer, we set off for our stay at the 5* Pepperclub Hotel which has always served us well! After dropping the bags and settling in, everybody had chance to socialise for welcome drinks before heading to the Presidential Suite which had stunning views of Signal Hill and Lions Head.
Early starts for work are not the most appealing but when the alarm clock rang on our first morning, we were in for an absolute treat! We gathered in the hotel before our transfer to Milnerton Training Centre to watch some horses work in a setting that can only be described as incredible. Some of the horses in action were set to take part in the big meeting on Saturday, so it was great to see them in their final preparations. Piet Botha, the trainer offering superb hospitality, gave us an incite into Montien, his charge for the Cape Town Met and went on to light up the BBQ for our breakfast. Montien went on to run a mighty race at 14/1 to finish 3rd, we all had a few quid on!
After an exhilarating morning on the gallops, we turned our attention to the upcoming Yearling Sales. With the excitement of the auction and the young stars parading, there was plenty of appreciation for the work that goes in to make these sales happen. And whether it was pre-emptied or not, well some of our guests came out of the sales with a magnificent looking yearling! Hopefully, a future star in the making…
Muizenberg Beach is stunning but with the addition of a string of horses strolling up the shoreline, it truly was a sight to behold. We managed to meet Champion Trainer, Justin Snaith, and talk to him about his busy day ahead before we set off for Boulders Beach to see the famous penguins – yes penguins! The afternoon offered the opportunity to enjoy our Private Catamaran Charter, 2 hours on the open seas along the stunning Cape Town coastline.
It was a magnificent morning and that evening; we enjoyed a beautiful meal in preparation for the big day tomorrow.
Raceday arrived and the feature race, the Cape Town Met, was on everybody’s mind. There was plenty of racing to enjoy on a magnificent card and we set off for Kenilworth where our Ultimate Private Box was waiting for us. With food and drink included, everybody was in great spirits and when the incredible Justin Snaith trained Eight On Eighteen flew home to land the feature, the whole venue appreciated they had witnessed a true champion.
With plenty of time to rest by the pool, venture up to the top of Table Mountain or even ride horses along Noordhoek Beach, Sunday was a great day to recharge the batteries. Everybody was reminiscing on the fantastic day we all had at Kenilworth and not many were wishing to go home!
Monday swiftly came around—time really does fly when you’re having fun! But this Monday was all about indulging in the beauty and flavours of the Constantia Winelands. We spent the day exploring some of the region’s most stunning wine estates, sampling a selection of world-class South African wines while soaking in the breathtaking vineyard views.
We enjoyed delicious local lunch with more fine wines and after returning to the hotel for a bit of downtime, the evening was at leisure.
Our final morning in South Africa began with a visit to the prestigious Drakenstein Stud, a true highlight for any racing enthusiast. Home to some of the country’s finest bloodstock, it was fascinating to see where many of the yearlings from the sales just days earlier had been bred and raised. Strolling through the immaculate grounds and getting a closer look at the world-class facilities was the perfect way to round off our journey and we can’t wait to head back in 2026.
Don't just take our word for it.
Here is some feedback from previous clients.
Carol S
"Just returned from a fabulous tour experience to Cape Town SA and Pumba private game reserve (we saw 4 of the Big 5) with Venatour.
It was absolutely awesome and incredibly good value, rich in different experiences and a really safe way to travel to places we maybe wouldn't visit alone. The hospitality we received throughout the tour was generous and delicious.
Accommodation was 5* and we Recommend Venatour 100% - we are planning a 4th trip with them for 2026 and have one in the bag for later this year."
Lisa H
"We have just returned from Cape Town and loved everything about this trip, from watching the horses ride out at Muizenberg beach, to racing at Kenilworth and wine tasting at Constantia. The added benefit of stunning scenery, culture, and the cosmopolitan V&A waterfront area, make it hard to pick a highlight from this truly exceptional trip!After reluctantly leaving Cape Town we took a flight to Port Elizabeth and onward to the Pumba Game Reserve which is well worth doing and a real treat.Marc and his team are excellent both with communication and knowledge. Transfers were seamless, and the hotels were superb. This is an amazing trip which we will definitely do again!"
Comments