Cape Insights
Special Interest Cultural Tours
Cape Insights offers special interest tours that cover the
country’s cultural landscape, heritage, history, vibrant creativity, and culinary diversity.
We design in-depth tours for small groups that give you a taste of things uniquely South African.
We curate a variety of niches – from art to zebras, colonization to creativity, fossils to food-foraging.
Our fields of focus are Gardens, Gastronomy, Archaeology, History, Architecture, Art/Craft & Design.
Our hallmark is our portfolio of specialists – an array of engaging experts who enlighten & stimulate you every step of your way.
Immersive Journeys
See hand-picked highlights, landmark locations and local gems.
Enjoy exclusive access, private viewings, and off-the-beaten-track encounters.
Hear from stimulating experts about what makes the country compelling as well as complex.
Experience the country’s resilience, engaging sociability, as well its unsurpassed natural beauty.
Discover what makes Southern Africa captivating – apart from its iconic wildlife.
Ethos & Origins
Cape Insights is a boutique travel company that believes…
‘’Door opening journeys are about travelling with a curious mind, an open heart and light steps’’
Founder/owner Marion Ellis offers you the opportunity to travel like an insider, interact with locals, and make authentic connections.
She distils her industry know-how and shares her black book so that you can explore hidden gems, savour seasonal dishes and regional wines.
‘’A real voyage of discovery consists not only in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes’’
– Marcel Proust
Tours with Fixed Dates
These three tours have scheduled departure dates each year, with virtually all-inclusive prices.
Why not add-on a wildlife safari to discover the magic and mystery of Africa, before or after a tour?
GARDENS & LANDSCAPES
Find out about ‘’fynbos’’ – South Africa’s one-of-a kind type of vegetation …
See what makes this the most abundant natural garden in the entire world.
The Cape Floral Kingdom, one of only six in the world, is the smallest, yet richest and very hottest of biodiversity hotspots – a jewel in Nature’s botanical treasure chest.
We were drawn to this tour because it was the most ‘’plant’’ and ’’botanical’’ tour we could find.
What also appealed was the variety of places visited and the quality of accommodation.
Our greatest takeaway impression was the amazingness of the plant variety – as well as the warmth of all the people we met everywhere.
We were looked after like royalty.
Cathy & Howard Lewis, Nottingham
ART, CRAFT & DESIGN
Open a window into South Africa’s dynamic creative zone and vibrancy.
Meet hand-picked trailblazers whose exciting products are both art and craft.
Engage with uplifting initiatives that are sparking hope and nurturing talent.
Be inspired by dream-weavers and discover what makes their artistic forces unstoppable.
I have never had such a thoughtful and conscientious guide in all my years.
You were so mindful of the range of ages and interests in our group and accommodated us all.
We especially enjoyed our visits with so many artists and galleries.
It was absolutely delightful!
Aggie Gund – president emerita of the Museum of Modern Art – with family & friends, New York
ARCHAEOLOGY
Explore major events on the road of mankind’s evolution to becoming human.
Trace why South Africa can lay claim to being the cradle of life.
Track where human origins began via ancestral milestones in The Cradle of Humankind near Johannesburg.
Connect the dots btw fossils & First Nation.
Cape Insights went the ‘extra mile’ to facilitate our particular professional interests and ensure we met with experts.
This is a most important service and one that is exceedingly rare.
While we found their knowledge outstanding, we particularly enjoyed Marion’s enthusiasm for introducing visitors to the special features of the Cape.
Ron Willamson, Debbie Steiss & Susan Pfeiffer, Toronto
Tours with Flexible Dates
These tours can be tailored to your timelines and choice of companions, with prices that vary according to the seasons and size of group.
We also design and organize tours for private groups such as battlefield boffs, foodies, creative ceramacists, green-fingered gardeners …
HISTORY
Uncover how the bottom of Africa was claimed, tamed, and shaped – by hunters, herders, slaves and settlers.
Unravel the centuries, from times past, the turbulent process of colonization – 150 years of Dutch capitalism, a century of British imperialism, followed by the rigours of Apartheid oppression – to democracy and the triumph of the human spirit.
A thousand thank you’s for your
well-constructed and most thought-provoking tour, as well as your generous and history-infused company.
You really were the perfect guide – knowledgeable, intelligent and fun.
We had such a good time in South Africa and we would heartily recommend you to our friends coming your way, and we’ll be coming back.
Thomas & Mih-Ho Neenan,
and Chungja Cha, Boston
ARCHITECTURE
Encounter the evolution of the unique Cape Dutch architectural style, with its proud gables, symmetrical façades, white-washed walls and thatched roofs.
In the Winelands, get an eyeful of historic homesteads & über-chic estates with sculpture-filled gardens.
In the cities, navigate by natural landmarks and manmade symbols defining the skyline.
Marion is on the insider track of providing visitors with sights and activities they could never access through the regular travel trade, and she does this with sophisticated modesty.
Her involvement with the Vernacular Architecture Association of South Africa … permits her to share a wealth of local knowledge that enriches understanding of the cultural layers that created this country.
Lew Rood, Singita Game Reserves, South Africa
GASTRONOMY
Get a taste of the country’s cosmopolitan culinary scene – breathtaking locations among landscapes lapped by two oceans and lush valleys lined with vineyards .
Get immersive with foragers-of-note and co-create feasts from nature.
Relish the abundance of signature wines from the Cape Wineland’s sun-drenched Mediterranean terroir.
It really was such a delight to see so many special treasures.
And to be taken to places that we really would have no hope of finding without your guidance and brilliant curation!
Your sharing your insights of South Africa’s history truly added a fabulous dimension to things that we weren’t expecting.
To say nothing of the quality of the wines we experienced.
James McQueen, Melbourne, with foodie friends