Summer is here! The days are getting longer, it’s getting warmer and picnic season is officially here. Capetonians looooove a sunset adventure, whether it’s a cheeky after work sundowner or an evening picnic on the beach. There are also plenty of beautiful green spaces to enjoy a picnic in Cape Town. I’ve partnered with Protea Picnics to bring you the Perfect Picnic in Cape Town Guide. 

Planning a trip to Cape Town and need a place to stay? For budget travellers check out Never at Home, Kloof Street. Book a stay at Gorgeous George for beautiful interiors and a funky rooftop bar. Or stay at or Kloof Street Hotel to be in the heart of the city.
Browse Booking.com for countless accommodation options:

Protea Picnics

Protea Picnics has hit the Cape Town scene filling a missing market: providing customised gourmet picnics that can be enjoyed at any location. There are plenty of wine farms that offer picnic options but are often overpriced and not that exciting. Protea Picnics is the perfect solution for people looking for an affordable gourmet picnic which can be enjoyed at any of Cape Town’s amazing picnics spots. The cost is R325 per person and comes with a picnic bag filled with dips, salads, pastries, mains and desserts all picked by you! Based in Hout Bay, Protea Picnics makes fresh to order picnics that are entirely based on your dietary requirements and tastes. You can choose from a diverse menu of delicious dishes to create your perfect picnic. Once you’ve ordered you can collect it from Hout Bay and go enjoy your picnic at your favourite spot. 

 

How it works?

Build your own picnic

You pick your perfect picnic by choosing one item per menu for each person. Browse the most update to date menus on Protea Picnics’ website.

• Dip or Pâté of your choice with homemade wholewheat bread
• Quiche or Pastry of your choice
• Salad of your choice
• Main Protein of your choice
• Something Sweet of your choiceMy top picks from the Protea Picnics menu have to be the smoked salmon pate, Provencial vegetable tart, apple blue cheese & cashew salad, fish Thai curry and the strawberry champagne cupcake. But everything on the menu is absolutely delicious and made with so much love and care.
• One of the best parts about Protea Picnics is that each person in your picnic party can have exactly what they want making it the perfect picnic in Cape Town. Each picnic is totally unique so you can munch on a fully vegan spread while your partner enjoys all their meaty favourites, the kids can chose simple classics like potato salad, spring rolls and calamari while parents opt for more adventurous and flavoursome dishes. It takes the stress out of making everyone happy.
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• Travelling to Cape Town? Make sure you purchase an e-sim for your trip. Use my code OLIVIA7947 for 3$ off

Order your picnic

Picnic orders need to placed by midday two days before your picnic so they can make your picnic fresh to order.

A minimum of two picnics per order.

R325 per person.

Collect your picnic

Picnics can be collected from Protea Picnics in Hout Bay

Collection times:
Tuesday to Friday 9h00-17h00, Saturdays 9h00-12h00 &
Sundays 9h00-10h00

EFT & proof of payment needs to be sent to Sally on the day of the order to confirm your order.

Cash or EFT payment options available. We do not have credit card facilities.

To order WhatsApp Sally on 0835042342 or email [email protected]

Protea Picnics does not include drinks but you can bring along your beverage of choice and enjoy it alongside the most delicious selection of gourmet goodies in your picnic bag. In my opinion Protea Picnics really do make the best picnics in Cape Town. The portions are super generous, the food is so divine, they are really good value for money and you can take your picnic to any location to create the perfect picnic in Cape Town. 

Protea Picnics is just one of many of my top foodie picks in Cape Town. For more Cape Town foodie recommendations check out my Cape Town Foodie Guide and Cape Town Foodie Guide 2.0

 

The Top 10 Picnic Sites in Cape Town

Once you’re ordered your gourmet picnic from Protea Picnics you can choose from one of Cape Town’s top picnic spots to go and enjoy your picnic with loved ones. Here are my top 10 picnic sites for the perfect picnic in Cape Town.

Llandudno beach

If you’ve read my Best Beaches in Cape Town blog then you’ll know that Llandudno Beach is my favourite beach in Cape Town. It also makes for a perfect sunset picnic site with plenty of sheltered spots to enjoy your picnic while you watch the sun go down over the sea.

Chapmans Peak Drive

Chapman’s Peak Drive is another great option if you’re wanting a sunset while you enjoy your picnic. There are plenty of different picnic benches and sites along Chapman’s Peak Drive so pick one and go fetch your picnic in Hout Bay on the way.

Bakoven rocks

Bakoven is one of my top sunset spots in Cape Town. The rocks between Bakoven and Beta beach are the best location for a picnic with a view of the sun setting over the sea. This spot is fairly small and can be very popular during the height of Cape Town summer. So if you’re wanting a more secluded spot for your picnic check out some of my other suggestions.

Clifton 3rd

Clifton can be another busy spot during summer in Cape Town but if you’re you’re looking for a beach picnic site closer to town side then Clifton 3rd is a quieter option.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is probably the first place you’ll think of when you think of the best picnic spots in Cape Town and for good reason. These beautiful gardens are so peaceful and there are many grassy and shady spots for you to enjoy your afternoon picnic. This is also a great spot for kids with so many lovely areas to play. I grew up picnicking in Kirtsenbosch and have many fond childhood memories of catching tadpoles in the rivers.

 

Entry fees:

Valid from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024

Entrance tickets can be purchased onsite or online at Webtickets

• Standard Adult: R220
• Discounted fee for South African Residents & SADC Nationals South African Residents & SADC residents 18 years and older (with ID/proof of residency)*: R100
• Discounted fee for African residents outside SADC 18 years and older (with ID/proof of residency): R140
• Students/learners of 18 years and older from a South African institute (with student card): R60
• All children from 6 to 17 years: R40
• All children under 6 years: Free
• BotSoc members (with membership card): Free if membership renewal was done by 31 March 2023 (only until 31 March 2024) or less 10%
• South African residents over the age of 60 (with ID): Free on Tuesdays except on public holidays

*To claim the discounted entry fee, South African residents can show their ID, a certified paper copy of their ID, an electronic copy of their ID or their driver’s licence.

Upper Liesbeek River Garden

If you’re looking for a free alternative to Kirstenbosch then check out Upper Liesbeek River Garden which is just down the road. Tucked away next to Almond Park in Newlands this is beautiful and peaceful spot has a river, big shady trees and wood chip paths. There are a few tree stump tables and benches but you can also just bring along a picnic blanket. There aren’t too many spots here so go early if you’re wanting to enjoy your lunchtime picnic here. It is a really special spot though!

Silvermine Nature Reserve

Silvermine Nature Reserve is another gorgeous nature spot to enjoy your picnic. There are a few spots around the Silvermine Dam where you can pop a picnic blanket down, enjoy a refreshing swim and a lazy afternoon eating your delicious picnic with friends and family. There is a bit of a space issue so you’ll need to go early to guarantee a spot. Silvermine Nature Reserve also has plenty of beautiful hiking trails so maybe go for a hike at Elephants Eye in the morning then finish off with a lunchtime picnic around the dam. Remember to bring along your swimming costume and go for a post-hike swim in the dam.

Entry fees:

Conservation Fees for 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2024
South African Citizens and Residents (with ID):	R40 per adult per day R20 per child, per day
SADC Nationals (with passport):	R80 per adult per day R40 per child, per day
Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors):	R160 per adult per day R80 per child, per day

Greenpoint Urban Park

Greenpoint Urban Park is such a stunning oasis in the middle of the city. There are walkways, fynbos gardens, koi fish in a pond with waterlilies, outdoor workout spaces, a kiddies play area and big open lawns. It’s a perfect spot for a picnic with the whole family. The best part is there is no entry fee!

 

Oudekraal

Oudekraal is part of Table Mountain National Park and a beautiful paid access beach between Camps Bay and Llandudno. There are two secluded bays which are perfect for swimming (with no waves!) and plenty of braai/picnic spots. To nab yourselves a braai spot you’ll need to arrive early as these are like hen’s teeth on a hot day. Alternatively, just find a spot on the rocks or beach and enjoy your picnic.

Entry fees:

Conservation Fees for 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2024
South African Citizens and Residents (with ID):	R40 per adult per day R20 per child, per day
SADC Nationals (with passport):	R80 per adult per day R40 per child, per day
Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors):	R160 per adult per day R80 per child, per day

 

De Waal Park

De Waal Park is a beautiful leafy park located in the heart of Oranjezicht. There are plenty of trees providing lots of shady spots to enjoy your picnic. This spot is very dog freindly so bring along your pups to enjoy your picnic. BONUS: on select Sundays during summer Concerts in the Park hosts music concerts at De Waal park. They are such a vibe so look out for when they announce their summer dates.

If you’re looking for more sunset spots in Cape Town for you to enjoy your picnic then check out my blog here. I hope this blog helps you plan the perfect picnic in Cape Town!