Who is the Travel Café Cape Town?

Hey you! The two of us are thrilled to welcome you to The Travel Café Cape Town, where we can help you experience Southern and Eastern Africa in the safest, most authentic and totally unforgettable way. We appreciate that travelling such a long way to our beautiful shores is a big deal for you, and might well be a once in a lifetime experience. And although the amazing diversity of Southern and Eastern Africa is one of its biggest draw-cards, planning a trip across such vast countries can be daunting. That’s why we want to help you get it right straightaway, so you get to squeeze every bit of goodness out of your trip (and return home with bags full of amazing memories and exotic experiences that will make your friends and family green with envy).


It probably won’t take you long to realise we’re not a massive faceless corporate travel agency located overseas. Not us. We’re two passionate pro-earth, vegan-friendly travellers who live locally in Cape Town, who are totally crazy about Africa, and who love nothing more than sharing our shores with fellow explorers. Our favourite type of travel is the kind that doesn’t just skim along the surface, but that really shows you a bit of the country’s soul, and gets you to truly connect with the land and its people.


Be sure to check our country overview and ask for a quote as we can help you get the most out of your African Adventure. Or better yet, drop us an email, call or WhatsApp us, and we’d be happy to help in any way we can. We can’t wait to welcome you to sunny South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Victoria Falls, Tanzania, Kenya and the Indian Ocean Islands and share our tips with you.


Until then, hamba kakuhle (“walk well”),


François + JD


François

Co-founder

Bonjour, I'm François and originally from France –in case you couldn’t tell from my name ;-) . Since I finished uni I’ve lived all over the world – Tennessee, London, Paris, Doha… But none of those come even close to the amazingness of Cape Town, my new hometown.


Thanks to an insatiable wanderlust I’ve also travelled all over the globe, at times spending months in one region to get to know it better. It has always been my dream to create a travel company that is run by travellers, for travellers. The Travel Café is that dream come true and I couldn’t be more proud of what we do. When I’m not working away at creating awesome travel experiences, you can find me hiking at our Eco Mountain Reserve Starry Starry Night or doing lengths in Sea Point’s stunning pool (definitely worth checking out!), running along the promenade or sea-kayaking in Three Anchor Bay.


My background is in the airline industry where I’ve headed up large e-commerce teams. That experience is coming in super handy to help you with booking flights, hotels and planning an unforgettable itinerary. So get in touch and let us help you have a magical time in the Mother City and the rest of South Africa.

JD Van Zyl

JD

Co-founder

Howzit! And thanks for checking out The Travel Café :) It makes me super happy to have a chance to share with you some of my favourite things to do, see and explore in a city and country that is so close to my heart. Before we launched The Travel Café I was working as a travel journalist, writing for publications like GQ, Men’s Health and MSN.com. When I’m not at The Travel Cafe HQ I’m probably somewhere taking aerial shots with my DJI drone, hiking in the mountains or checking out the city’s newest restaurant and bar offerings.


Like François there is nothing I love more than travelling, exploring different cultures and really getting under the skin of another country. Thanks to my career I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to 54 countries so far (not like I’m counting or anything :). But nowhere I’ve been can rival the uniqueness, diversity and magic of South Africa, a country I’ve criss-crossed many times over in search of great travel stories. Along the way I’ve uncovered scores of hidden gems, discovered spectacular places most tourists never even hear about and kept myself bang up to date with everything that is hip and happening in the Mother City, South Africa and the rest of the region. 


It gives me a huge kick to be able to share all of that with you here. So please have a look around, check out the guides we’ve put together for you with lots of love and care, and be sure to get in touch if you have any questions, requests or requirements so we can help make your trip to our sunny shores truly unforgettable.


Charlotte

Senior Travel Designer

Hi there, I’m Charlotte, originally from the Netherlands 🇳🇱. I’ve proudly called Cape Town home since 2021. What started as an adventure quickly turned into something more, and this beautiful city turly has a special place in my heart. I feel incredibly fortunate to live in a place where mountains and ocean meet, and I make the most of it. You’ll often find me surfing along the False Bay coast, hiking one of the many scenic trails, or pushing my limits during a CrossFit session. Being active and outdoors is a big part of who I am.

Tourism has been part of my journey since university, and over the years I’ve gained extensive experience in designing and curating unforgettable travel experiences. I’m passionate about Southern Africa and love sharing its diversity, beauty and unique stories with my guests. Creating tailor-made journeys that feel seamless, personal and truly special is what I enjoy most. Turning dream trips into reality is not just my job, it’s what inspires me every day.


Daniella

Junior Travel Designer

Hi, I’m Daniella! 🇨🇩✨ I’m originally from the DRC but grew up in beautiful Cape Town 🇿🇦, a city that completely stole my heart. Living here sparked my love for tourism and for showing people just how magical this place is. 


I’m passionate about traveling, meeting people from all over the world, and sharing Cape Town’s hidden gems, amazing views, and vibrant culture.


 I’m also multilingual and love learning new languages, which helps me connect with people from different backgrounds. When I’m not exploring the city or helping others experience it, you’ll probably find me hiking a mountain trail, swimming, or hitting the gym. For me, tourism is all about adventure, good vibes, and creating unforgettable memories together. 🌍🏞️



Amina e

Travel Cafe Coordinator

Hi, I’m Amina. Rooted in Congo and shaped by life in South Africa, I’m a polyglot with a goal of speaking 10 languages, and I have a deep love for the places I have not yet seen and people I have not yet met. I am deeply inspired by culture, food, and music, and I enjoy how each destination tells its own story through these elements. Outside of work, you’ll find me attending salsa dance classes, rollerskating, mixing music, or getting lost in a good book.


Behind the scenes, I play a hands on role in preparing our beautiful properties for guest arrivals and I enjoy bringing structure to fast-paced environments and making sure every detail comes together to create a seamless and memorable experience for guests.


The Travel Café Blog

by Francois Lebrun 7 September 2026
🇬🇧 Our October 2026 Namibia Essentials Minigroup is now sold out, but there is still space to join us in March 2027. 🇫🇷 Notre minigroupe Namibia Essentials d’octobre 2026 est désormais complet, mais il reste des places pour nous rejoindre en mars 2027.
by Francois Lebrun 22 August 2026
🇫🇷 Le printemps au Cap fait encore son show, et c’est splendide 🌸 Partout dans le Cap‑Occidental, des paysages qui, en hiver, semblaient sombres et retenus se mettent soudain à éclabousser de couleurs. 🇬🇧 Spring in the Cape is busy showing off again, and it is gorgeous! 🌸 Across the Western Cape, landscapes that spent winter looking all moody and restrained suddenly start splashing colour around. 
by Francois Lebrun 20 August 2026
🇬🇧 Some travellers love the shared experience of a small group journey. Others dream of something that's entirely their own. A journey that moves at your pace. One that reflects your interests, your travel style and the moments that matter most to you. Perhaps that's lingering a little longer in the Cape Winelands because lunch turns into an afternoon of conversation. Waking early for one more game drive. Discovering hidden corners of a city with a local guide. Or finding time to simply pause and soak it all in. At The Travel Cafe Cape Town, our Private Journeys are thoughtfully curated around you. Every itinerary is carefully designed to suit your dates, budget and travel preferences, while drawing on our local knowledge and passion for creating meaningful African experiences. No templates. No one-size-fits-all approach. Just a journey that's uniquely yours. If you're dreaming of Africa, we'd love to help bring that journey to life. 👉 Explore our Private Journeys and browse our sample itineraries for inspiration. https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/itineraries 🇫🇷 Certains voyageurs aiment l’expérience partagée d’un voyage en petit groupe. D’autres rêvent d’une aventure entièrement façonnée autour d’eux. Un voyage qui avance à votre rythme. Qui reflète vos centres d’intérêt, votre style de voyage et les moments qui comptent vraiment pour vous. Peut‑être que cela signifie prolonger un déjeuner dans les Cape Winelands parce qu’il se transforme en un après‑midi de conversations. Se lever tôt pour un dernier safari. Explorer les recoins cachés d’une ville avec un guide local. Ou simplement prendre le temps de faire une pause et de tout absorber. Au Travel Café Cape Town, nos Private Journeys sont soigneusement conçus autour de vous. Chaque itinéraire est pensé pour s’adapter à vos dates, votre budget et vos préférences, tout en s’appuyant sur notre connaissance locale et notre passion pour des expériences africaines authentiques et mémorables. Aucun modèle. Aucune formule toute faite. Juste un voyage qui vous ressemble. Si vous rêvez d’Afrique, nous serions ravis de donner vie à ce voyage. 👉 Découvrez nos Private Journeys et parcourez nos itinéraires d’inspiration. https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/fr/itineraires #TheTravelCafeCapeTown #PrivateJourneys #MeaningfulTravel #AfricanTravel #CuratedJourneys #TravelWithPurpose #SouthernAfrica
by Francois Lebrun 17 August 2026
Our South Africa Essential Mini Group in February/March 2026 brought together three couples for an unforgettable journey through South Africa. With two couples travelling from Britain and one from Canada, it was a wonderfully intimate international group, perfectly suited to our relaxed Mini Group style. The beauty of our Essential Mini Group experience is simple: everything is organised for you. From the moment the journey begins, guests can relax and enjoy South Africa without worrying about the details. Accommodation, transport, sightseeing and carefully planned experiences are all taken care of, while our full-board offering means meals are included throughout the trip. Travelling with just six guests creates a very different experience from a traditional coach tour. There is time to get to know one another, enjoy conversations over meals and experience each destination at an easy, comfortable pace. It also allows for a much more personal approach while still enjoying the convenience and reassurance of a fully organised itinerary. For our February/March group, it was a chance to discover the essential highlights of South Africa, share memorable experiences and simply enjoy the journey. Six travellers, one carefully planned adventure, and everything taken care of from start to finish.
by Francois Lebrun 15 August 2026
🇬🇧 We’ve spent years showing people the South Africa we love. Now, for the first time, we’re bringing a small group of gay men along for the journey. This *South Africa Essentials Minigroup for Gay Men* is a 14-night journey personally curated by The Travel Café Cape Town founders François Lebrun and JD Van Zyl. 🇫🇷 Nous avons passé des années à montrer aux voyageurs l’Afrique du Sud que nous aimons. Aujourd’hui, pour la première fois, nous invitons un petit groupe d’hommes gays à se joindre à nous pour cette aventure. Ce mini-groupe pour hommes gays est un voyage de 14 nuits, soigneusement conçu par François Lebrun et JD Van Zyl, fondateurs de The Travel Café Cape Town . 
by Francois Lebrun 9 August 2026
🇬🇧 Today, on South African Women's Day, we celebrate the women who shape the stories of this remarkable country and continent. Travel has a way of introducing us to unforgettable landscapes, but it's often the women we meet along the way who leave the deepest impression. The artisans keeping generations-old traditions alive. The chefs sharing family recipes. The guides revealing hidden histories. The conservationists protecting wild spaces. The entrepreneurs, storytellers and community leaders who welcome travellers with warmth and pride. Every journey through Southern and Eastern Africa is richer because of the women who preserve its cultures, inspire its communities and invite us to experience places through their eyes. Today, we honour the courage of the 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956, and the generations of women who continue to shape South Africa's future with resilience, creativity and strength. Their legacy reminds us that the heart of every destination is its people. Happy South African Women's Day.🇿🇦✨ 🇫🇷 Aujourd’hui, à l’occasion de la Journée sud‑africaine des femmes , nous célébrons celles qui façonnent les histoires de ce pays et de ce continent remarquable. Le voyage nous révèle des paysages inoubliables, mais ce sont souvent les femmes rencontrées en chemin qui laissent l’impression la plus profonde : les artisanes qui préservent des traditions ancestrales, les cheffes qui partagent des recettes familiales, les guides qui dévoilent des histoires cachées, les protectrices de la nature, les entrepreneures, conteuses et leaders communautaires qui accueillent les voyageurs avec chaleur et fierté. Chaque parcours en Afrique australe et orientale est enrichi par ces femmes qui préservent les cultures, inspirent les communautés et nous invitent à découvrir les lieux à travers leurs yeux. Aujourd’hui, nous honorons le courage des 20 000 femmes qui ont marché vers l’Union Buildings en 1956, ainsi que les générations qui continuent de façonner l’avenir de l’Afrique du Sud avec résilience, créativité et force. Leur héritage nous rappelle que le cœur de chaque destination réside dans ses habitants. Joyeuse journée des femmes en Afrique du Sud. 🇿🇦✨ #WomensDay #SouthAfricanWomensDay #TheTravelCafe #TravelWithPurpose #CuratedJourneys #SouthAfrica #CelebrateCulture
by Francois Lebrun 5 August 2026
🇫🇷 Voici le problème de la plupart des voyages en Afrique du Sud : ils vous donnent l’impression que le pays ne se résume qu’à une seule chose. Un safari. Le Cap. Le vin. Les manchots. Cochez les incontournables. Prenez les photos. Rentrez chez vous. Mais l’Afrique du Sud n’a jamais été pensée pour être vécue comme une liste à cocher. Le pays se révèle dans les moments entre les sites emblématiques : regarder le soleil disparaître derrière Lion’s Head après une journée sur les sentiers, prolonger une dégustation de vin qui se transforme en déjeuner, ou rire devant un babouin qui n’a absolument pas l’intention de vous laisser passer. Et puis il y a les instants que vous ne pourriez jamais prévoir. L’enfant qui vous fait signe en traversant un quartier. Les histoires derrière les rues colorées du Bo-Kaap. La conversation avec un habitant qui change votre regard sur le pays. C’est pour cela que nous ne créons pas simplement des itinéraires. Nous imaginons des voyages qui laissent de la place à la découverte, à la connexion et à l’inattendu. Un de nos voyageurs l’a résumé parfaitement en six mots : « Chaque détail était pensé avec soin. » ✨ Pour nous, c’est bien plus qu’un avis cinq étoiles. C’est exactement ce que le voyage devrait être. Si c’est l’Afrique du Sud que vous recherchez, nous serions ravis de vous la faire découvrir. 👉 https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/fr/itineraires  🇬🇧 Here's the problem with most South Africa holidays. They convince you the country is all about one thing. A safari. Cape Town. Wine. Penguins. Tick the highlights. Take the photos. Fly home. But South Africa was never meant to be experienced as a checklist. The country reveals itself in the moments between the landmarks: watching the sun disappear behind Lion's Head after a day on the trails, lingering over a wine tasting that somehow turns into lunch, or laughing at the baboon that has absolutely no intention of getting out of your way. Then there are the moments you could never plan for. The child who waves as you wander through a neighbourhood. The stories behind the colourful streets of the Bo-Kaap. The conversation with a local that changes the way you see the country. That's why we don't just build itineraries. We design journeys that leave room for discovery, connection and the unexpected. One guest captured it perfectly in six simple words: "Every detail was thoughtfully planned." ✨For us, that's more than a five-star review. It's exactly how travel should feel. If that's the kind of South Africa you're looking for, we'd love to share it with you. 👉 https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/itineraries #TheTravelCafeCapeTown #MeaningfulTravel #PrivateJourneys #SmallGroupTravel #CapeTown #SouthernAfrica #TravelWithPurpose #CuratedJourneys
by Francois Lebrun 4 August 2026
🇬🇧 Here's the problem with most South Africa trips.. They convince you that the country is all about one thing. It isn't. Yes, the safari will take your breath away. But so will the afternoon that was meant to be a quick wine tasting and somehow became lunch. The strangers who become friends around a braai. The conversations that change the way you see a country. The silence beneath a sky filled with more stars than you thought possible. South Africa isn't a destination you experience once. It keeps revealing another side of itself. Another landscape. Another culture. Another story. That's why we believe there isn't just one South Africa. And there shouldn't be just one way to experience it. ✨ Explore our collection of thoughtfully curated journeys and discover the South Africa that's waiting for you. https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/itineraries 🇫🇷 Voici le problème avec la plupart des voyages en Afrique du Sud… Ils vous convainquent que le pays ne se résume qu’à une seule chose. Ce n’est pas le cas. Oui, le safari vous coupera le souffle. Mais l’après‑midi qui devait être une simple dégustation de vin et qui s’est transformée en déjeuner le fera aussi. Les inconnus qui deviennent des amis autour d’un braai. Les conversations qui changent votre façon de voir un pays. Le silence sous un ciel rempli de plus d’étoiles que vous ne l’auriez imaginé. L’Afrique du Sud n’est pas une destination que l’on vit une seule fois. Elle continue de dévoiler une autre facette d’elle‑même. Un autre paysage. Une autre culture. Une autre histoire. C’est pourquoi nous croyons qu’il n’existe pas qu’une seule Afrique du Sud. Et qu’il ne devrait pas y avoir une seule manière de l’explorer. ✨ Découvrez notre collection de voyages soigneusement conçus et laissez‑vous surprendre par l’Afrique du Sud qui vous attend. https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/fr/itineraires #TheTravelCafeCapeTown #SouthAfrica #SouthAfricaTravel #TravelDeeper #DiscoverSouthAfrica
by Francois Lebrun 18 July 2026
🇫🇷 Aujourd’hui, nous célébrons un homme qui a montré au monde que la compréhension est plus puissante que la division et que la compassion peut changer des vies. Au Travel Café, l’un des plus grands privilèges du voyage est de pouvoir entrer dans l’univers de quelqu’un d’autre : écouter, apprendre et remettre en question nos propres perspectives. Cet esprit de curiosité, d’empathie et de connexion humaine reflète les valeurs auxquelles Nelson Mandela a consacré sa vie. Si vous avez la chance d’être en Afrique du Sud, prenez un moment aujourd’hui pour explorer au‑delà des guides. Visitez une communauté locale, soutenez une petite entreprise, écoutez l’histoire de quelqu’un dont la vie a été façonnée par ce pays remarquable, ou offrez simplement un coup de main. Les expériences de voyage les plus marquantes ne se trouvent pas toujours dans les lieux célèbres, mais dans les liens humains authentiques. Comme Madiba l’a si bien dit : « Il est entre vos mains de créer un monde meilleur pour tous ceux qui y vivent. » Joyeux Mandela Day. 🇿🇦 Puissions‑nous laisser les lieux que nous visitons — et les personnes que nous rencontrons — un peu meilleurs que nous ne les avons trouvés. 🇬🇧 Today, we celebrate a man who showed the world that understanding is more powerful than division, and that compassion has the ability to change lives. At The Travel Café, one of the greatest privileges of travel is that it allows us to step into someone else’s world. To listen. To learn. To challenge our own perspectives. In many ways, that spirit of curiosity, empathy and human connection reflects the values that Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to. If you’re fortunate enough to be in South Africa, take a moment today to explore beyond the guidebooks. Visit a local community, support a small business, hear a story from someone whose life has been shaped by this remarkable country, or simply offer a helping hand. Sometimes the most meaningful travel experiences aren’t found at famous landmarks, but in genuine human connections. As Madiba famously said: “It is in your hands to make a better world for all who live in it.” Happy Mandela Day. 🇿🇦 May we all leave the places we visit—and the people we meet—a little better than we found them. #MandelaDay #Madiba #SouthAfrica #TravelCafe #MeaningfulTravel #TravelWithPurpose #ExploreToConnect
by Francois Lebrun 7 July 2026
🇫🇷 Il y a quelque chose de merveilleusement inattendu dans le fait de découvrir un petit bout de France au cœur de la Route des Vins. Chaque mois de juillet, Franschhoek célèbre son héritage huguenot français avec le Festival de la Bastille – une tradition qui remonte à plus de 300 ans, lorsque les colons français ont apporté dans cette magnifique vallée leur savoir-faire viticole, leur culture et leur artisanat. Même le nom Franschhoek, qui signifie « Coin Français », demeure un rappel durable de ces racines. Aujourd’hui, cet héritage se célèbre à travers des vins locaux d’exception, une cuisine de saison, de la musique live et une atmosphère festive qui s’accorde parfaitement aux vignobles et aux paysages montagneux. L’hiver est l’une de nos saisons préférées pour visiter la région, lorsque les matinées fraîches laissent place à de longs déjeuners près des cheminées crépitantes, accompagnés de verres de vins de classe mondiale. Si vous voyagez sur la Route des Vins les 11 et 12 juillet, le Festival de la Bastille est une merveilleuse façon de découvrir l’une des régions viticoles les plus emblématiques d’Afrique du Sud à travers son histoire, sa gastronomie et son hospitalité chaleureuse. ✨ Vous rêvez de visiter les Cape Winelands ? Parcourez le guide de destination du Travel Café ici : https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/fr/vignobles-du-cap  🇬🇧 There is something wonderfully unexpected about finding a little piece of France in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Every July, Franschhoek celebrates its French Huguenot heritage with the Bastille Festival – a tradition that dates back more than 300 years, when French settlers brought their winemaking knowledge, culture and craftsmanship to this beautiful valley. Even the name Franschhoek, meaning "French Corner", is a lasting reminder of those roots. Today, that heritage is celebrated with exceptional local wines, seasonal cuisine, live music and a festive atmosphere that feels perfectly at home among the vineyards and mountain scenery. Winter is one of our favourite times to visit, when crisp mornings give way to long lunches beside roaring fireplaces and glasses of world-class wine. If you're travelling through the Cape Winelands on 11 & 12 July, the Bastille Festival is a wonderful way to experience one of South Africa's most characterful wine regions through its history, food and warm hospitality. ✨Dreaming of visiting the Cape Winelands? Have a read through the Travel Café’s Destination guide here: https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/cape-winelands #TheTravelCafe #Franschhoek #BastilleFestival #CapeWinelands #SouthAfrica #WineCountry #TravelInspiration
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