Road Tripping the Western Cape, South Africa

SHOW NOTES — GoNOMAD Travel Podcast — Hosted by Max Hartshorne Featuring Senior Writer Chin Liang & guest Reint Grobler of Harvest Table Bistro

Episode Overview

Today we head to South Africa’s Western Cape — but not the version most travelers think they know. Yes, Cape Town is spectacular, but this episode is all about the offbeat, the gritty, the authentic experiences that lie just beyond the city limits.

Chin Liang sits down with Reint Grobler, owner of Harvest Table Bistro in Wolseley, to map out a road trip filled with spice‑laden cooking lessons, quad‑bike adrenaline, whitewashed fishing villages, tractor‑powered wine tastings, and a safari just two hours from Cape Town.

What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeA Craft Distillery That Feels Like a Science Lab

Reint recommends starting at Pienaar & Son, a small‑batch distillery at the V&A Waterfront Cruise Terminal. It’s “science meets spirit,” with gins inspired by the Cape’s history — like the cucumber‑and‑cardamom “Empire” gin and the spicy‑sweet “Orient.”

Cooking Safari in Bo‑Kaap

Walk the colorful streets of Bo‑Kaap, then step into a family home for a hands‑on Cape Malay cooking workshop. You’ll learn to fold samosas, mix masalas, and knead your own roti before sitting down for a communal feast.

“YOU WILL LEARN THE ART OF FOLDING THE PERFECT SAMOSA AND THE SECRET TO A BALANCED CAPE MALAY CURRY.”Quad‑Biking the Atlantis Sand Dunes

Twelve square miles of shifting white dunes, the Atlantic on one side, Table Mountain on the other — a visceral, high‑speed way to feel the West Coast’s raw geography.

Paternoster: A Greek‑Style Fishing Village on the Cape

Strict building codes keep every house whitewashed with blue trim. Eat fresh rock lobster straight from the wooden boats and breathe in the cold West Coast air.

A Safari Without Flying to Kruger

Aquila and Inverdoorn Game Reserves offer a full Big Five experience in the semi‑arid Ceres Karoo — lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, buffalo — plus unforgettable stargazing if you stay overnight.

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Paarl’s Granite Dome & Afrikaans Language Monument

Explore wine farms, legendary brandy distilleries, and the striking monument that honors the Afrikaans language.

The Wine Tractor in Devon Valley

Skip the bus. Ride an open‑air tractor between vineyards, sipping Chenin Blancs and Pinotages while the Stellenbosch mountains glow in the afternoon sun.

Bain’s Kloof Pass: The Ultimate Sunday Road Trip

A dry‑stone engineering masterpiece from 1853, winding through cliffs, mountain pools, and the gateway to the Breede River Valley.

A Traditional South African Sunday Lunch

Reint’s own Harvest Table Bistro serves slow‑roasted meats, fresh vegetables, rustic sides, and baked pudding — the heart of Cape Country hospitality.

“A GENEROUS SERVING OF SLOW‑ROASTED MEATS, FRESH VEGETABLES AND RUSTIC SIDES…”Travel Tips from Reint

• Rent a car — South Africans drive on the left.
• Uber and Bolt are widely available.
• Best seasons: Autumn and Spring.
• Best time for wildflowers and fynbos: September to November.

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