Top 5 Stellenbosch Day Trips: Wine, History & Amazing Scenery
Stellenbosch, that incredibly attractive little town nestled in the Cape Winelands, is more than just a pretty face, it’s almost a perfect spot to base yourself for day trips that’ll fill your memory bank with incredible moments, so you can have all sorts of escapades exploring the countryside.
1. Wine Tasting in the Stellenbosch Vineyards
What would a trip to Stellenbosch be without properly experiencing the wine? This is that part of the world, after all, with seemingly endless vineyards stretching over gentle slopes, that really produce some of the best wines you can find pretty much anywhere.
From big names like Spier and Delaire Graff Estate to smaller, family-run wineries, it’s a certainty there is a spot to tickle any wine lover’s fancy, so you can stroll through the vineyards, often learning about the wine-making from grape to glass and usually indulge in several tastings.
Recommendation: Consider doing a curated wine tour; very often this will deal with all the driving logistics, that is really helpful after you’ve sampled a couple of wines.
2. Historical Exploration of Stellenbosch Town
Very often wander off the beaten wine track just a little and explore the charm of Stellenbosch itself. That attractive town is really filled with history, going right back to the late 17th century. It has beautifully kept Cape Dutch architecture. This history adds charm to that experience of visiting.
A stroll down Dorp Street, one of the oldest streets in South Africa, is almost like stepping back in time, that certainly tells stories about this spot’s past.
Recommendation: Pay a visit to the Stellenbosch Museum, that happens to include four historic houses showing what life was like in other centuries.
3. Scenic Drives to Franschhoek
Take an attractive drive from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek; that’s a town known for its beauty and for being a foodie hot spot. That drive itself is fairly incredible, passing mountain passes and valleys with sweeping vistas, which really add to the excursion.
Once in Franschhoek, enjoy award-winning restaurants and more wine farms (naturally), in order to possibly indulge in champagne tasting. Don’t miss the Huguenot Monument; that remembers the French Huguenots who settled the area long ago.
Recommendation: Make sure that you stop at look-out points along the way, to really take in all the views and grab incredible photos. The Franschhoek Pass happens to be truly stunning!
4. A Hike Up Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
If all the wine and gourmet experiences still allow you to be active, go check out Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. These rather amazing landscapes offer hiking trails for various fitness levels, so everybody can explore.
Walk beneath shady pines, or climb higher for sweeping mountain views. Expect crisp mountain air, flowing rivers, and that ever-present sense of tranquil beauty; that just fills this nature escape up.
Recommendation: Pack water and snacks; then wear comfy shoes! Also, that sun in South Africa can be incredibly harsh, so use sunscreen.
5. Cheetah Outreach at Spier Wine Farm
If you would like to mix wine with a bit of wildlife, Spier Wine Farm is that spot to do it. That farm provides an attraction: Cheetah Outreach. That place happens to be focused on the conservation of cheetahs, that gives folks a chance to see these fabulous creatures very closely, while actually learning about their situation and conservation.
Spend some time in vineyards, sample the wine, and visit the animals; this combination allows a rare mixture of relaxation with a cause. It’s incredibly insightful to learn about protecting wildlife while sampling the terroir of South Africa.
Recommendation: Plan your visit to fit into a cheetah interaction session, that will make the experience educational.
Key Takeaways
- Wine Tasting: Explore world-famous wine farms.
- History: Discover the past in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
- Nature: Experience South African countryside.
- Wildlife: Observe cheetahs and support conservation.