Honeymooning in Cape Town -- advice please?
 

Hi Fodorites! We're only two weeks away from starting our honeymoon in Cape Town, and we're getting really excited. Here's our tentative itinerary -- please, any comments or suggestions are more than welcome!

Day 1: arrive around 1 p.m., grab rental car, head to hotel. We'll probably be exhausted, so we might not plan anything specific -- maybe walk around the waterfront, have a nice dinner, go to sleep.

Day 2: Cape Point, Simonstown, Boulder's Beach

Day 3: Table Mountain(?); winelands (Franschhoek and Stellenbosch)

Day 4: Possibly Hermanus, depending on whether whale reports are good (anyone know where to keep up with that stuff?); possibly Robben Island; possibly the botanical gardens.

Day 5: Off to safari!

I figure we can include Table Mountain and Robben Island somewhere in there regardless -- maybe do the 9 a.m. Robben Island ferry before driving to the winelands, etc. Does that seem doable?
Also, if anyone has specific restaurant recommendations, feel free to share. Thanks to all in advance!

Robben Island usually has to be prebooked, rather than just walk-up and hope to get on ferry.

Table Mountain is often covered with a tablecloth of clouds, and if so, the cable car doesn't operate. You may have to do this on a morning you see the mountain clear and get yourself moving to get there.

Cape Town is weather dependent, so aim to keep your plans flexible. As an example.. If the weather is great when you arrive, have a shower and then head up Table Mountain.

If the weather turns fowl on day two, head out to the winelands try one region or another as there is too much to see and do to manage both. I'd probably motivate the Franschoek valley with a picnic lunch at Solms Delta. I think you need to book a basket, but you might find that it will be quietish given the time of year.

I would encourage a day trip to Gansbaai, which is beyond Hermanus for the whales. I do not if know of Zolile Baleni (Whale Crier of Hermanus) has a website.

I agree as soon as it's cloudless head to Table Mountain, also just across the other side is Signal Hill another fantastic view point. I heard Chapmans Peak Drive was closed recently due to rock fall so the peninsular day will have to take a detour (if still closed) up via Constantia vineyards but can recommend the drive over Silvermine mountains down to Noordhoek try the food barn here, also just outside Simons Town is the Black Marlin restaurant & Kalkies in Kalb Bay is great for fish as is Hout Bay. Boyes Drive in Kalk Bay has wonderful view across False Bay, not sure if there are still road works here though & could hold you up ? Glencairn is between Simons Town & Fish Hoek stop here for whales as they come in so close to the shoreline, it maybe a bit to early for them though ? I have seen whales further up the coast at Witsand in June, I stopped here on my honeymoon a very romantic peaceful fishing village. If you go to Hermanus take the scenic coast road on the way there, also has a penguin colony at Betty's Bay then on way back to CT take Sir Lowry's Pass via the N2.

Chapmans Peak is now open again.

Thanks for all the responses thus far! We're incorporating suggestions into our plans. I'll write back with any further questions.

I understand tipping is customary for guides and other staff members on safari, which we're of course happy to do. Anyone know whether there's a general preference for rand, as opposed to dollars? It's a matter of indifference to us. Thanks!
Also, we've read that muggings on Table Mountain are on the rise. Should we simply avoid doing any hikes on our own and stick to the tram and the summit?
Finally, we're planning to drive ourselves -- any safety tips, especially in terms of parking at the Cape, Boulders Beach, or anywhere else, are welcome.
Thanks to all! Can't wait to explore South Africa!

Tip in rands, it will cost the recipient to change to local currency otherwise. I would advise you to lock the car doors whilst driving. Should you happen to get out of the car on the cape peninsular its quite safe to do so but lock car as baboons will try to get in searching for food ! In Cape Town city centre there are official street car parking attendants. Always park the car facing the right way with the traffic flow. Parking at the cape & boulders is fine, just watch out for penguins under the car. At petrol stations you will find attendants, one cleans your windows, one fills the car up & perhaps another will check your oil & water, these workers are not paid by the garage & rely on tips to live, a couple of rand is the usual sum.