Ever a popular destination among both tourists and locals, Stellenbosch is well-loved for its Cape history, student culture and great wine – but there’s far more to this historic university town than just posh restaurants and top-class wine estates.
Let’s take a look at some of the top activities to enjoy in and around Stellenbosch:
#1 Journey back in time with Stellenbosch Village Museum
This museum isn’t your usual stuffy roomed offering because it takes you on a tour of four houses (and gardens), each possessive of unique historical interest.
The four houses – in Schreuderhuis, Blettermanhuis, Grosvenor House and Om Berghuis – represent a different time period, reflective of Stellenbosch’s gradual architectural development. Everything from their gardens to the décor has been beautifully restored to reflect the tastes and styles of the time.
Contact: (021) 887 2948
Website: www.stelmus.co.za/village_museum.htm
Address: 18 Ryneveldstreet, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
#2 Explore the great outdoors at Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
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This beautiful reserve – home to the majestic Jonkershoek Mountains, some of Jonkershoek valley, and the smaller Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve, too – allows visitors to enjoy lovely outdoor exploration, with a host of amazing wildlife and plant life on offer within the combined reserves, which lie some 9km outside of Stellenbosch.
Visitors can explore one or both of the reserves at one time.
Contact: (021) 866 1560
Website: www.capenature.co.za
Address: Jonkershoek Road, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
#3 Spend a family day out at Spier Wine Farm
Spier is a wonderful, family-friendly wine farm to visit when you’re in or around Stellies.
Not only do they offer some great wine tasting, seasonal picnics, a farm shop and eatery to name a few – but Spier also has a delightful spa and hotel, if you wish to linger a little longer in Stellenbosch…
Contact: (021) 809 1100
Website: www.spier.co.za
Address: R310 Baden Powell Drive, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
#4 Meet the Raptors at Eagle Encounters
Situated at the historic Spier Wine Farm, this wildlife rehabilitation-, conservation- and eco-tourism centre provides visitors with exciting, educational encounters with these noble birds.
See the winged stars in training during falconry practices, participate in the interactive falconry display (with owls, kites, hawks, buzzards and falcons flying around and/or to you) or watch as the talented birds show off their natural talents and speed.
Contact: (084) 037 5523
Website: www.eagle-encounters.co.za
Address: Spier Estate, R310 Baden Powell Drive, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
#5 Visit Root 44 Market
This popular weekend market offers good food, great drinks, lively tunes and a perfect, all-weather setting with plenty of excellent stalls for visitors to browse and enjoy.
Browse the stalls, buy some take-home goodies and enjoy some quality retail therapy. The market is free to enjoy and well-behaved, leashed pets are also welcome. (Just not in the cuisine area.)
Note: Root 44 is in the process of re-opening. Please follow their social feeds for updates.
Contact: (021) 300 3935, info@root44.co.za
Website: www.root44.co.za
Address: Root 44, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
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#6 Experience Villiera’s wine farm game drive
In 2009, in conjunction with its neighbours – Cape Garden Centre and Wild Clover Farm – Villiera set aside 220 hectares of land for a wildlife sanctuary.
Aside from twelve dams (with marshy areas, teeming with bird life), it offers numerous indigenous trees, donated by the Cape Garden Centre, and a wonderful, two-hour-long game drive.
On the drive, visitors can see springbok, kudu, giraffe, bontebok, Eland, gemsbok, black wildebeest, bush pigs and more.
Contact: (021) 865 2002
Website: www.villiera.com
Address: Corner R101 & R304, Koelenhof, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
#7 Indulge in Spier’s Vineyard Segway Tour
Spier Wine Farm offers the uniquely fun Segway tours. Segways – two-wheeled, self-balancing battery powered transporters – are a great way to glide through the vineyards, breeze by the river garden or hitch your own ride to enjoy some wine tasting.
For more information on segway tour offerings and pricing, please contact Spier directly.
Contact: (021) 809 1157
Website: segwaytours.co.za
Address: Spier Estate, R310 Baden Powell Drive, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
#8 Go where the wild things are: Vredenheim Wine Farm
This family-owned estate offers great fun for everyone with its wine tastings, duo of popular restaurants, Hudson’s and Barrique Restaurant, and of course, its Big Cats Park, which is home to lions, tigers, leopards, caracals and cheetahs.
Experience a variety of game and wildlife, as well as some adorable farm animals at the Animal Farm!
Contact: (021) 881 3878
Website: vredenheim.co.za
Address: Vredenheim Wine Farm, R310 Baden Powell Drive, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
#9 Horse around at Equine Sport Centre
This dedicated equine-related centre – which offers excellent horse education, care and other fun activities (like sunset trail rides or riding lessons) – allows both experienced and amateur riders to hop up into the saddle and experience quality horse-riding.
The riding school is open every Tuesday to Friday, while the assorted trail rides take place from Tuesday to Sunday.
Trail rides can run for half an hour to two hours, and some tours include a cheese platter (and bottler of wine) for two at the Wild Clover Brewery where you can also enjoy burgers and beer.
Contact: (071) 597 2546
Website: equinesportcentre.co.za
Address: Equine Sport Centre, Wild Clover Farm, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
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#10 Stroll about the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden
Located in Stellenbosch’s historical centre, this is South Africa’s oldest botanical garden, home to a wide range of diverse plants, which are both indigenous and exotic to SA.
Entry is free to the public and, aside from the garden, visitors can enjoy great Boland hospitality at Katjiepiering Restaurant (nestled in the shade of an age-old flowering gum tree) or browsing the shop.
Here, you will discover a range of organic, unique African cosmetics, medicinal products, books, seed, handmade products, organic wine, pens (made from indigenous wood), and even indigenous liqueurs.
Contact: (021) 808 3054
Website: www.sun.ac.za
Address: Neethling Street & Van Riebeeck Street, Stellenbosch Central, Western Cape
#11 Visit the delightful Jordan Wine Estate
Jordan Wine Estate is undoubtedly one of SA’s finest wine farm offerings and provides visitors with a chance to taste and buy some impeccable wines – but it’s also a really lovely, chic estate to spend a day exploring.
Your food needs will be well taken care of at Jordan Restaurant and The Bakery @ Jordan eateries but you can also opt for an overnight stay at one of their gorgeous suites.
Contact: (021) 881 3441
Website: www.jordanwines.com
Address: Stellenbosch Kloof Road, Vlottenberg, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
#12 Visit Delvera Farm
This beautiful farm often plays host to exciting sunset hikes, full moon hikes and much more!
They also have a few great businesses on-site, like the Scorpio Roastery, that make a visit to this farm a fun, grounding experience.
Note: Some businesses on the farm are open only by prior arrangement. Call in advance to avoid disappointment.
Contact: (021) 884 4752
Website: www.delvera.co.za
Address: Delvera Farm, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
#13 Take the kids to Blaauwklippen
This is one of Stellenbosch’s most beloved estates and with good wine, tasty food and beautiful views, it’s not hard to see why… but add to that a family-friendly estate with lots of fun activities in store – and it’s impossible to go wrong!
Kids can enjoy petting friendly goats and alpacas, exploring the popular weekend market or simply scampering about and tackling the cool jungle gym, while parents get to indulge in good food, wine tastings or simply some downtime under the tranquil trees.
Contact: (021) 880 0133
Website: www.blaauwklippen.com
Address: Blaauwklippen, Strand Road, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
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#14 Head to Blaauwklippen’s Family Market
This weekend market, held on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am – 15:00pm, is hugely family-friendly so bring the whole family along and take time to browse stalls overflowing with mouthwatering food and other interesting stall offerings.
There is also great entertainment to be enjoyed, while the kids get to run about and play.
Contact: (021) 880 0133
Website: www.blaauwklippen.com
Address: Blaauwklippen, Strand Road, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
#15 Get active with Bottelary Hills MTB Trail
Several MTB routes – running across some 20 farms – make up Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy, which, aside from the all-important task of preserving this endangered, indigenous renosterveld, provides great activities, like its MTB trails, for visitors to enjoy.
Here, rolling hills offer up vineyards, farms, conservation areas and trails, suitable to riders of varying fitness levels.
Contact: info@bottelaryconservancy.co.za
Website: bottelaryconservancy.co.za
Address: Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
#16 Pick sweet strawberries at Polkadraai
At Polkadraai Farm – which re-opens for the season, usually in September – there’s a lot more than just ultra-fun strawberry-picking to be had… although that’s undoubtedly the main attraction!
Still, there is also a lovely food and wine store, tractor and pony rides, mini golf, face painting and a great play area for kids, as well as a food court, to ensure an all-round pleasant family day in the countryside.
Contact: (021) 881 3854
Website: polkadraaifarm.co.za
Address: Polkadraai Farm, M12 Stellenbosch Arterial Road, Stellenbosch
#17 Enjoy some historical Stellies sightseeing
Given this town’s deep-seated history, it’s worth doing a small historical tour to soak up some of the beautiful history and stunning Cape Dutch architecture.
Some recommended spots to admire include: Dorp Street, Dutch Reformed Church Stellenbosch, The Rhenish Mission Church and the Stellenbosch Town Hall.
Contact: (021) 808 8111
Website: www.stellenbosch.gov.za
Address: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
These are just some of the fun and unique indoor and outdoor activities one can enjoy in the historical, Cape Winelands town of Stellenbosch.