Our Fantasy RV Adventure Begins

Loving both adventure and RV travel, we decided to combine the two by signing up for a South African RV adventure with Fantasy RV. Our journey began in Cape Town. Like many of our fellow travelers, we arrived a few days early ahead of the tour. We had three glorious days to explore Cape Town at our own pace—though “on our own” isn’t quite true. Dear friends from the States spend their winters in Cape Town (which, lucky for them, is South Africa’s summer), so we were never truly solo. Instead, we enjoyed the luxury of having our very own personal tour guide, turning three days into a fun-filled Cape Town adventure.

Day 1 kicked off with a visit to Kirstenbosch Gardens. We joined the 90-minute morning walking tour and ended up learning way more about South African plants than we expected — including the fact that the Cape Town area is one of the most botanically diverse places on Earth. Kirstenbosch is a stunning garden at the base of Table Mountain, filled with native plants, peaceful walking paths, and big lawns that are perfect for relaxing or picnicking. And some evenings you can attend outdoor music concerts they host there.

After our stroll through the gardens, we were treated to afternoon tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel. It was the best kind of indulgence. The hotel is stunning, and the tearoom and terrace (where we sat) feel fancy without being stuffy. The food is exactly what you want—tiny sandwiches, warm scones, and a dessert tower that somehow disappears in minutes.

We wrapped up the day with a sunset stroll along the Seaport promenade, and it felt like Cape Town’s most relaxed happy hour. The water sparkled as the light faded, and the promenade was alive with people grabbing dinner, listening to music, or just soaking in the view. It was a magical way to end an amazing first day.

Our second day kicked off with a short walk to the waterfront with the tour leaders and a few people from the RV group. Right away, it was full of life — boats drifting in and out of the harbor, busy sidewalk cafés, and plenty of seagulls making sure everyone knew they were around. The area has some shops and markets, and it felt like the kind of place you could happily spend an entire sunny day and evening just wandering around. Unfortunately, we had to cut our visit short since we were meeting up with our friend to head off for another day of sightseeing. Our first stop was lunch — boerewors, a spicy South African sausage that definitely lived up to the hype. What made it even better was the setting: a tiny outdoor café set up in the parking lot of a building supply store. Totally a locals’ spot and not somewhere most tourists would ever stumble upon, which made it feel extra special.

After lunch, we headed to Muizenberg Beach, a laid-back seaside town known for its surfers and colorful beach huts. I dipped my feet in the water so I can technically say I went “swimming,” while Steve went all in and enjoyed a proper swim. The water was a bit chilly at first, but after a few minutes it felt great and really refreshing. While our friend reassured us that great white sharks aren’t much of a concern anymore — there are shark spotters stationed on the hillside, and if one is seen, a siren sounds to clear the water. Luckily for us, no sirens went off that day.

Next, we made our way along False Bay to the charming area of Kalk Bay. Unlike the sandy beach we’d visited earlier, this stretch of coastline is rocky, but it was still full of families happily splashing around and enjoying the water in the tidal pools. Tidal pools in South Africa feel like perfectly placed swimming pools right on the edge of the ocean. Built into the rocks along the shore, they fill with fresh seawater as the tides come in, creating calm, protected places to swim while the waves crash just beyond the stone walls. That mix of ocean views and gentle water is what makes them so popular. They’re simple, safe, and relaxing — a way to enjoy the sea without worrying about strong currents or rough surf, which is why families especially love them.

We walked along the pier viewing the fresh catch from the fishing boats while a few hopeful fur seals lingered nearby, clearly waiting for a free fish. We wrapped up the day with an amazing seafood feast at Harbor House right by the pier — the perfect ending to a day by the water.

We had one last day to spend with our friend before the official start of our Fantasy RV tour, and it couldn’t have been a nicer send-off. The day began at the Constantia Uitsig winery, where we wandered through the beautifully kept formal gardens. The variety of flowers was incredible and kept us stopping every few steps to admire something new. We also got our first close-up look at a blooming protea, South Africa’s national flower. It was absolutely stunning. We settled in for a wine tasting and shared a bowl of macadamia nuts — still in the shell, which was a first for us. Each shell had a small groove cut into it, and we used a little “key” to twist them open, which was oddly fun.

We hopped back in the car and drove up the mountain, enjoying the stunning views along the way, until we reached Silvermine in Table Mountain National Park. Unfortunately, the mountaintop was wrapped in clouds, so there were no big views waiting for us at the top. That said, Silvermine still didn’t disappoint. There’s a dam and reservoir surrounded by a trail and boardwalk, and it’s a favorite local swimming spot. Even with the cloudy, breezy weather, plenty of people were out enjoying it. It was a beautiful place, and it’s easy to imagine just how incredible the views must be on a clear day.

We were treated to even more spectacular views as we came down off the mountain and headed toward Bloubergstrand Beach. This beautiful stretch of blue water and wide sandy shoreline is a favorite spot for kite surfers, and it was easy to see why. There seemed to be kites everywhere — easily a hundred of them spread along the beach — with surfers launching into impressive jumps and twists high in the air. We stood there for quite a while, completely mesmerized, just watching the colorful kites and the incredible skill on display.

Our final night with our friend was a perfect send-off — an amazing steak dinner at the Butcher Shop Restaurant in the Seaport area near her flat. It was another great chance to try some classic South African flavors we hadn’t had before. We sampled Monkey Gland Sauce, a sweet and tangy condiment (and no, it absolutely does not contain monkey glands). For a side, we had baked pumpkin, which was surprisingly delicious and comforting. And for dessert, we finished with Malva pudding — a soft, spongey baked treat with a caramel-like flavor, topped with a hot creamy sauce that soaks in while it’s still warm. It’s often served with ice cream.

Arrival in Cape Town:

Our Fantasy RV Adventure Begins

Meeting the Crew & Kicking Things Off

Isle Royale National Park