Things to do in

Stellenbosch

South Africa is known worldwide for making crowd-pleasing and award-winning wines. This half-day Winelands tour will take you to the cradle of this beautiful wine region. On the tour your guide will share with you the story of how the South African wine industry came to be. You will learn how the foundation was set by protestant refugees from France. They brought with them finely tuned and centuries old grape growing and winemaking practices. Applying these skills with immediate success in the newly established village of Stellenbosch they ultimately transformed the region into the centre of the present-day South African wine industry. You will begin your morning or afternoon tour with complimentary pick-up from your Cape Town hotel before being taken to Stellenbosch Wine Estate. There you will do a wine tasting, as well as a wine and cheese tasting. After, you will be taken on a guided tour of the charming town of Stellenbosch. It will highlight historical Dorp Street and DeBraak. Your next wine experience will be a guided cellar tour where you will take in the ambiance created by enumerable amounts of soon-to-be-wine ageing in barrels and tanks. You will then do a second wine tasting. When you have had your fill of touring and tasting you will have the chance to purchase the wine you have tasted and more. For wine enthusiasts of all levels, this outstanding tour and tasting experience cannot be missed.

You will be picked up at your accommodation between 9:00 and 9:30 AM by a tour guide/driver in a luxury minibus and head off on an all-inclusive, full day Cape winelands tour. Follow the Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek wine route in all its splendor and enjoy lunch surrounded by vineyards. You’ll enjoy wine tasting at up to 5 wine estates, and will also visit monuments, enjoy a town orientation tour in Stellenbosch and explore the town of Franschhoek. Travel along the scenic N2 and stop at DeMorgenzon wine estate in Stellenbosch for the first wine tasting of the day. DeMorgenzon is unique in that they have musical speakers scattered across the vineyards from which soft classical music can be heard. They also produce one of the best Chenin Blanc wines in the region. From there, proceed to one of the oldest towns in South Africa, Stellenbosch, for a town orientation tour. Continue to Marianne Wine Estate in Paarl to experience biltong and taste their wines. Marianne believes that pairing different types of biltong with red wine enhances the flavors of their wines. Continue to Fairview Vineyards and Goats Cheese for a cheese and wine tasting. Purchase your favorite cheese and condiments from the deli, as well as wine from a choice of 3 ranges in the tasting room. As you follow along this route you’ll stop in front of Drakenstein Prison to see the Nelson Mandela monument. This prison is where Nelson Mandela spent his last days of incarceration before his walk to freedom. Next you’ll have a chance to explore the town of Franschhoek, known as the food and wine capital of South Africa. It is home to some of the finest restaurants and wine estates in the country. Learn about the French influence on the Cape winelands and explore a bit of the town itself. Take a break for lunch (at your own expense) and later visit the Mont Rochelle wine estate owned by Sir Richard Branson. Your last wine tasting for the day will be at Delaire Graff, known as the jewel of the Cape winelands. Afterwards, you’ll head back to Cape Town and be dropped off at your accommodation.

Taste the local culture with this cellar tour. All wine tastings are paired with customized cheese, chocolate and cured meats. Visit 4 different wine estates in both regions: famous farms and some hidden gems known only to locals. Learn how wine is made, how to taste wine, what foods and wines pair best, and what bottles to order at restaurants. Enjoy a delicious light lunch served in the middle of the wine lands overlooking the Franschhoek valley.  Benefit from a diverse range of wine styles, local treats of cured meats paired with selected wines, artisanal chocolate and stroll down the beautiful main road of Franschhoek.

Attention wine lovers! Get ready to embark on a breathtaking journey through the winelands of the South African Cape. Learn all about the process of making fine wines, from the vineyard to the bottle, and visit the historical towns of Stellenbosch, Franschoek & Paarl. Stellenbosch/Zewenwacht The Stellenbosch winelands, just 20 minutes away from the city of Cape Town, offer a superb scenery, completely different from the landscape of the Cape peninsula. Numerous grapes are grown in the region, such as Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, Pinotage, and the Méthode Cap Classique (local champagne). Stellenbosch is a small but vibrant town with a very famous university and numerous activities like wine cellar tours and tastings. You will have the opportunity to purchase wines to bring back home to enjoy continue enjoying the region's wonderful vintages even after your visit. (1h 45min) Franschoek/Marianne Wine Estate Franschoek ("the French Corner") is an old Huguenot village. With its numerous streets and estates with french names, the town will disorient you, making you wonder whether you have been transported to France in another era. You will be completely enchanted by the town's charm and its very peaceful environment. You will get the chance to taste the region's delicacies, cheeses, and its best wines. Experience a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley as you journey through rolling vineyards in an open-side tram. (2h) Drakenstein Prison Drakenstein is a low-security prison between Paarl and Franschhoek. The prison is famous as the place where Nelson Mandela spent the last part of his imprisonment for campaigning against apartheid. (10min) Paarl/Laborie The town of Paarl offers a fascinating window into Afrikaner culture and tradition. As a former haven of the Huguenots pioneers who came from Europe at the beginning of the 17th century after the Edict of Nantes, the town boasts a monument dedicated to the Huguenots. You will also be able to visit the town's vineyards where you will taste the region's finest wines. (1h)

Join in with a unique hop-on hop-off wine tour departing from Stellenbosch with stops at up to 5 different wine estates in the region. Start with a pickup from your accommodation and decide which of the farms you want to visit and how long you want to stay. Experience great wine tastings, fantastic scenery, and a lovely relaxed setting that makes this a must for wine lovers. The Eastern Route tour stops at the Zorgvliet, Boschendal, Camberly, Neil Ellis, and Lanzerac estates and you can decide if you want to go to all 5 estates or just visit a few and stay longer at certain farms. The route also offers some great restaurants at Lanzerac, Zorgvliet, and Boschendal.

Embark on an adventure and explore the wine lands of South Africa. Enjoy a 2-hour guided e-bike ride and take in a unique atmosphere while cycling.  Explore the vines on an electric bike and be surrounded by many striking landscapes such as Zevenwacht which has viticultural roots that go back deep into the historic past of South Africa. This activity is suitable for everyone as the electric bikes will help you get on top of the hills so you can make the most of the ride.

Join this guided tour to explore the 3 wine regions of Paarl, Franschhoek, and Stellenbosch. Be treated to chocolate, a wine tasting, and a cellar tour at Rheboksloof wine farm near Paarl. Drive through Paarl and then enjoy a photo stop at the Drakenstein Prison. Arrive at Franschhoek and spend some time exploring the town on your own. Enjoy lunch or indulge in an extra wine tasting. Afterward, take a scenic drive over the impressive Helshoogte Pass to the picturesque town of Stellenbosch. Have a walk around Stellenbosch before heading off to Simonsig. Take part in an afternoon wine tasting with a cheese platter at Simonsig in the Stellenbosch region before heading back to Cape Town. Your wine guide will highlight points of interest along the way and will be on hand to answer any questions you have about the route or wine farms.

You have the freedom to choose which time you would like the tour to start. It is recommended you start at 8:30 AM, as you will want to get the most out of your day. The guided tour begins with a visit to Maidens Cove. With views of the notorious Twelve Apostles Mountain range and pristine Camps Bay penthouses, you might be tempted to relocate to Cape Town. If that isn’t enough to enthrall you, wait until you see Chapmans Peak Drive, this has to be one of the best, if not, the best mountain drive in the world. From the lookouts, you’ll be able to view the unspoiled beach of Noordhoek, the Hout Bay Harbor, and the Seal colony. Continue your tour to the Cape of Good Hope, a National Park which is the most Southern Western point of the African continent. Not too far from the Cape of Good Hope, you’ll see the warm and cold ocean currents meet at Cape Point Lighthouse. After visiting one of Africa’s well known national sights, head to Boulders Beach to see the African penguins. Here, you have the option of having a bite to eat at the Seaforth Restaurant or driving to Kalk Bay’s Harbor House. Please note; this is at your own account, and is optional. Thereafter, take a drive along Baden Powell Drive. This beautiful coastline drive offers beach and mountain views with beautiful wild flowers growing alongside the road. The scenic and seacoast drive leads you to Neethlingshof Wine and Delheim Wine Estate. Neethlingshof, in Stellenbosch, just outside the city of Cape Town, dates back to 1692. This is a perfect place for some wine tasting. The wine estate is known for its beautiful avenue of stone pines, and the beautiful surrounding mountain range. Neethlingshof boasts the finest wines including Merlot, Shiraz, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, and Sauvignon Blanc to name a few. Enjoy some wine tasting with food pairing which includes 5 bite size dishes. Your last stop for the day, Delheim Wine Estate, is situated at the slopes of Simonsberg Mountain and prides itself in its majestic surroundings. Famous for their award winning wines, such as, Pinotage Rose, Spatzendreck, and Grand Reserve, it is simply a must to indulge. Delheim Wine Estate also advises you on which wines are appropriate with food pairing. The estate offers decadent wine and cupcake pairing which is different from the usual wine and cheese combinations. If you consider yourself as a wine connoisseur, visiting these wine farms can be educational, indeed. Once your visit to these wine farms are finished, you will return back to your pick-up location along the N1 National Route. The tour concludes at around 6:00 PM.

Uncork the Cape winelands and get drunk on its rich history, culture, and scenic vistas on a full-day trip with a guide who takes the terror out of terroir. Your journey begins in the Paarl wine region, famous for its cheese and wine tastings and great views. You’ll then meander to the Franschhoek wine region – a historic French enclave and granddaddy of South African viticulture with stunning mountain views. Then on to student-settled Stellenbosch for home-cloned Pinotage and award-winning farms. Also included is a delicious a la carte lunch with vegetarian options. From full-bodied tales with complex twists – like a 1688 French-run slave farm turned 21st century community driven wine project - to light and fruity fables, Bruce and his guides will keep you entertained. Travel along Cape Town's high roads and back roads tasting and learning about South Africa’s bubbly Cap Classique, heady ports, sweet dessert wines and plenty of red and white wines.

Day 1: Oudtshoorn (Distance traveled: about 400 km) Start with a morning pick-up from your accommodation in Cape Town and Stellenbosch areas. Set off along the famous Route 62, where you'll capture the beauty of high mountains, twisting passes, vast Karoo plains, vineyards and orchards. Pop in at one of the many farm stalls along the way, stocked with locally crafted delights before arriving in Oudtshoorn, ostrich capital of the world. Delve deep underground to the magical Cango Caves’ limestone chambers, alive with drip formation stalactites and stalagmites and remnants of Khoikhoi paintings. Opt for the easy-going guided Heritage Tour to test the cave’s acoustics and gain insights about the dripstone evolution. By contrast, the Adventure Tour allows would-be contortionists to squeeze, twist and wiggle their way through limestone chimneys on a rather more daring underground route. You’ll spend the evening in Oudtshoorn at leisure. Either head to town to enjoy a top restaurant meal or join locals for an optional outdoor braai (similar to bbq) including South African favourites, such as ostrich kebabs, boerewors or potbrood. Overnight in Oudtshoorn - Choose between Budget Backpacker or ensuite Guest house packages to stay at: Backpackers Paradise or 3-Star Yamkela guest house B&B or 4-Star Buffelsdrift Lodge and 4-Star Surval Botigue Olive Farm. Day 2: Wilderness, Sedgefield (Distance traveled: about 450 km) As the dawn breaks in the dusty Klein Karoo, opt for a close encounter with Mother Nature and join rangers on an optional Elephant Bush Walk. Gentle giants, Jabari, Malaika and Bulelo made Buffelsdrift their home after their parents were poached in the north of South Africa. Join these three rescued elephants, as they walk to the nearby waterhole. Following in their footsteps and make memories you'll never forget.  Then, take to the water for a leisurely afternoon paddle along the reed-lined banks of the Touws River, deep in Wilderness National Park. Indigenous forest and campgrounds line the river. It’s not until you stop paddling and let the gentle current guide you, that the abundance of birdlife becomes apparent.  The adventure continues as you reach Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest commercial bridge bungy jump. The bungy bridge itself is fairly unassuming as you drive over it, but it’s pretty clear from the squeals and screams that this isn’t your average photo stop. Seemingly normal people hurtle face first down the 216 m drop only to spring back up on an elastic cord like a yoyo. This region is a playground for the outdoors and those who'd prefer to keep their feet on solid ground will visit the nearby forest in the Tsitsikamma area. Spend the evening soaking in the slow town way of life in Sedgefield. If you decide to stay overnight in the nearby Wilderness or Knysna areas, check out the rustic beach restaurant and feel the white sand between your toes as you sip on cocktails, or venture into town for a more intimate dinner. Overnight in Sedgefield - choose between: Afrovibe Backpackers, 3-Star Purple Heron guest house, 3-star Dune Beach House, 4-Star Dover On Sea guest house, or 4-star Beach Villa. If an overnight stay at Sedgefield is not possible, accommodation will be arranged in the Wilderness or Knysna areas. Day 3: Garden Route (Distance traveled: about 400 km) Start the day in the heart of the African bush. On your first stop of the day, spot some of Africa’s wild animals from the back of an open 4x4 vehicle in the malaria-free Botlierskop Private Game Reserve. Search for giraffe, white rhino, kudu, lion, elephant, zebra, and wildebeest, just to name a few. The game drive is led by an experienced game ranger, sharing his knowledge of the local wildlife; including antelope species, birdlife, and insects. When your guide finds the perfect spot, you'll hop off your safari vehicle for an even closer connection to nature on a tranquil bush walk. Follow your game ranger as you look for wildlife through the coastal renosterveldt and Cape fynbos, keep an eye out for animal tracks, and learn about the medicinal value of the plants as you walk. End off the day with a journey through the landscape rolling farmlands as you pass through the heart of the Garden Route on your way back to Cape Town and Stellenbosch.