#1 Operator in Africa
#1 Operator in Africa
Xavier Gumunyu here from Cape Archives Tours. The story of our tour company is one I often share with clients, and after several years in the tourism industry, I’m proud of where this journey has taken us.
Coming from a small town in Zimbabwe, I was always curious about the world and other cultures. It spurred my passion to become a tour guide in Cape Town in 2015.
Over the years, I formed connections with clients, and after much encouragement from one of them, I ventured into the world of tour operators and started my own company in 2019.
As someone working in the tourism sector, there's a wealth of information on Cape Town archived in my mind, be it where to stay, places to visit and where to eat.
So, when starting my own business, I was filled with excitement and a sense of giddy fear.
I remember being in Johannesburg when our first online enquiry came through.
Since then, I’ve never looked back.
In retrospect
It was quite extraordinary how things took off that fast, from booked tours to good online reviews.
What could go wrong?
A few months after Cape Archives Tours took off, the pandemic hit.
The world went into lockdown, travel restrictions were in place, and the tourism industry felt it the hardest.
We weren’t immune to the massive economic blow Cape Archives Tours was forced to shut down for two years; we lost our vehicles and staff. Thankfully, not our sanity.
And just because we’re Cape Town-based, it doesn’t mean the tour stops here. We have extended our reach to other regions on the continent, namely Botswana and Victoria Falls, Kruger National park, and Namibia.
Thank you to our clients for entrusting us to make memories with you….
Our fleet includes 14- and 9-seater minivans, 3-seater SUVs, and additional vehicle options outsourced from our trusted partners. We are confident in our vehicles' appearance, performance, and practicality, ensuring a seamless experience with Cape Archives Tours.
A famous author once said, “No man is an Island, and every man is a piece of the continent.” Over the years, we have built strong partnerships with reputable providers in and beyond South Africa. Because of these collaborations, you can expect high-quality service for all your needs, from accommodation and transportation to unique adventures like hot air balloon rides. We've carefully selected the best suppliers to make your journey hassle-free. Some partners serve as ground handlers for our customers, while we do the same for theirs, particularly in Cape Town. This synergy strengthens our relationships, assuring the best service for our customers.
We are dedicated to meeting your unique interests and travel aspirations. Every traveller is different, and we take pride in fulfilling their curiosity. In the past, we’ve designed itineraries around unexpected requests, from old swimming pools to dam walls and libraries - because if it matters to you, it matters to us.
At Cape Archives Tours, collaboration is key. Over the years, our team has become attuned to our clients' needs, which drives our business growth. That’s our superpower!
We take pride in the relationships we've built and nurtured among ourselves, from our auxiliary staff to tour guides and suppliers. Everyone is appreciated and valued.
Cape Archives Tours hires tour guides based on merit, ensuring they are trained, qualified, and registered. They are knowledgeable about Cape Town's history and skilled at engagingly sharing information, adapting each tour to the client's needs.
4.9 / 5 Based on 1,464 reviews
Oct 2024 . 10 nights in Botswana
Candy and Mabee were the best hosts I’ve ever had on a tour like this. Mabee even sang for us. The entire day was well organized it would be hard to pick one thing that was the best.Read More
Jan 2025 . 10 nights in Botswana
We had a super trip with Joseph as our guide. He was very informative and we had the perfect amount of time at each stop. A great way to see the different sites and fantastic views.Read More
Jan 2025 . 10 nights in Botswana
Rodney was such a funny and kind tour guide. He makes an effort to find animals for you and is approachable to answer any questions.Read More
Jan 2025 . 10 nights in Botswana
A great tour, felt like we had plenty of time at each stop and our guide, Rodney, was absolutely fantastic. Really informative, relaxed and made the most of our day for us!Read More
Jan 2025 . 10 nights in Botswana
Fabulous trip with many photo stops and wonderful views. Candy and Mabee did a great job of looking after the group (8 of us) and making suitable adjustments to the order of stops to avoid road works and associated traffic queues. Read More
Jan 2025 . 10 nights in Botswana
It was perfect from start to finish! The wonderful Candy picked us up from our hotel and for the next 9 hours she looked after us like we were family. Read More
