Golf in South Africa: Cape Town, the Winelands, the Garden Route and safari
South Africa is the golf destination for those who want it all. Not just great golf, but experiences that make Spain feel like a walk in the park.
Golf with Table Mountain in the background. Safari with lions and elephants. Wine tasting in Stellenbosch. Whale watching in Hermanus. That is golf in South Africa. And because South Africa is in the same time zone as Denmark, you arrive without jet lag.
Why go on a golf holiday to South Africa?
The combination: No other golf destination gives you golf, safari, wine and culture on the same trip.
The courses: South African legends such as Gary Player have designed world-class courses on home soil. Jack Nicklaus and Peter Matkovich are behind some of the others.
The season: When it is winter in Denmark, it is summer in South Africa. October to April is peak season for golf.
Value for money: Food, wine and green fees are significantly cheaper than in Denmark. You get more for your money than you think.
The best areas for golf in South Africa
All our golf holidays to South Africa go to the Western Cape and the Garden Route. Here, the best courses are close together, the area is malaria-free, and you can drive yourself between destinations in a hire car.
| Area | Golf courses | Experiences | Hotels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | Steenberg, Clovelly | Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, Cape of Good Hope | The Vineyard, Victoria & Alfred |
| Stellenbosch and Franschhoek | Pearl Valley, De Zalze, Stellenbosch GC | Wine tasting, gourmet restaurants | Spier, Pearl Valley, Lavender Farm |
| Hermanus | Arabella, Hermanus GC | Whale watching, coastal town | Arabella, Harbour House |
| Garden Route | Fancourt (3 courses), Pinnacle Point | Big Five safari, coast and nature | Fancourt, Gondwana Game Reserve |
Golf in Cape Town
Cape Town is the natural starting point for a golf holiday to South Africa. Steenberg Golf Club is in the Constantia Valley, with vineyards and mountains surrounding the course. Clovelly is a classic course with narrow fairways close to False Bay. The city offers Table Mountain, the restaurants at the V&A Waterfront, and a day trip to the Cape of Good Hope.
- The Vineyard Hotel – at the foot of Table Mountain in Newlands
- Victoria & Alfred Hotel, V&A Waterfront – in the heart of the harbour with views of Table Mountain
Golf in the Winelands: Stellenbosch and Franschhoek
An hour from Cape Town lies the Cape Winelands. Here you play golf among vineyards and mountains and end the day with wine tasting at one of the historic wine estates. Pearl Valley is a Jack Nicklaus Signature course with wide fairways, fast greens and plenty of water. De Zalze sits in the middle of the vineyards near Stellenbosch.
- Pearl Valley Golf Resort – stay on the course with Simonsberg Mountain in the background
- Spier Hotel – one of South Africa’s most iconic wine estates, close to De Zalze and Stellenbosch GC
- Lavender Farm – an intimate guesthouse in Franschhoek, close to Pearl Valley
Golf in Hermanus and at Arabella
Hermanus is one of the world’s best towns for land-based whale watching. From June to November, you can see southern right whales from the cliffs of Walker Bay. Arabella is a Peter Matkovich championship course on the Bot River Lagoon. Hermanus Golf Club has 27 holes close to town.
- Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa – stay right on the course, with spa
- Harbour House Hotel – by the old harbour in Hermanus, within walking distance of town
Golf and safari on the Garden Route
The Garden Route is the coastal stretch east of Cape Town, with forests, lagoons and cliffs facing the Indian Ocean. Here you will find Fancourt near George, with three Gary Player courses. The Links at Fancourt is often ranked as one of South Africa’s best courses.
The Garden Route is also where you can combine golf and safari without flying onwards. Gondwana Game Reserve is a private Big Five reserve covering 11,000 hectares. It is 30 minutes from Fancourt and Pinnacle Point, and the area is malaria-free.
- Fancourt Hotel & Golf Estate – three Gary Player courses, 7 km from George Airport
- Gondwana Game Reserve – Big Five safari with golf within half an hour
Golf tour: Gourmet Winelands (10 nights)
If you want everything combined in one package, Gourmet Winelands is our most popular golf tour in South Africa. You drive yourself in a hire car from Cape Town through the Winelands and out to the coast at Hermanus. Along the way, you play five of the area’s best courses.
| Night 1–3 | The Cellars-Hohenort, Constantia (Cape Town) |
|---|---|
| Night 4–5 | Jordan Luxury Suites, Stellenbosch |
| Night 6–8 | Abalone Guest Lodge, Hermanus |
| Night 9–10 | Lavender Farm, Franschhoek |
| Golf | Steenberg, De Zalze, Arabella, Hermanus GC and Pearl Valley |
- Flights from Denmark incl. checked baggage, hand luggage and golf bag
- 10 nights with breakfast buffet at four selected hotels
- 5 green fees
- Hire car for the entire stay
From DKK 28,495 per person in a double room
See the Gourmet Winelands tour →
Top courses in South Africa
Fancourt – The Links (George): Gary Player links course, often ranked as South Africa’s best. For guests staying at Fancourt only.
Pearl Valley (Franschhoek): Jack Nicklaus Signature course in the Winelands. Spectacular and challenging.
Arabella (Hermanus): Championship course by a lagoon, with the ocean on one side and mountains on the other.
Leopard Creek (near Kruger): Golf with crocodiles and hippos in the water hazards. This is a private members’ club with very limited guest access. Ask us if you dream of a round.
What do our guests say?
“South Africa was once in a lifetime. Golf in the morning, safari in the afternoon, wine in the evening. And Leopard Creek. Seeing a crocodile 10 metres from the green … I will never forget that.”
– Bent & Inger, Silkeborg
Practical Information and Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for golf in South Africa?
October to April. It is summer in South Africa, with dry and warm weather in the Western Cape. From June to August, it is winter, with more rain in Cape Town.
How long is the flight to South Africa?
There are no direct flights from Denmark. You typically fly via Amsterdam, Frankfurt or London. The flight from Europe to Cape Town takes 11–12 hours. With connections, total travel time is approx. 14–16 hours.
Is there a time difference to South Africa?
No, not in summer. South Africa is on the same time as Danish summer time and one hour ahead in winter. You avoid jet lag.
Do Danes need a visa for South Africa?
No, not for stays under 90 days. Your passport must have at least two blank pages and be valid for at least 30 days after your return. Always check the current rules with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before departure.
Do I need to take malaria tablets?
Cape Town, the Winelands, Hermanus and the Garden Route are malaria-free, including Gondwana Game Reserve. If you are going on safari in the Kruger area, you should speak to your doctor about malaria prophylaxis.
Can you drive yourself in South Africa?
Yes. They drive on the left, and the roads in the Western Cape and on the Garden Route are in good condition. A hire car is included in most of our packages.
Is my money safe?
Yes. Verti Golf Tours is a member of the Travel Guarantee Fund (No. 3539), so all package tours are covered.
Book your golf holiday to South Africa
Call us on +45 69 166 130 or email info@vertigolftours.co.uk. We will tailor the trip to your wishes, with exactly the hotels, courses and experiences you want.
Verti Golf Tours – your gateway to South African golf
