16 Stellenbosch Day Trips
Once you've read this Stellenbosch day trips document, also have a look at our list of day trips from Cape Town, as it contains day trips in the Cape south peninsula, and those around the city centre. For the purposes of setting up the maps, we have assumed you're staying at Wedgeview Country House & Spa near Stellenbosch, but it's easy to adjust the maps to start where you're actually staying.
Blaauwklippen Family Market
Blaauwklippen Family Market is open from 10h00 until 15h00 on Sundays, and in addition to their wines there are a variety of food stalls, and the opportunity to relax on a picnic blanket.
Paarl Rock hike + Afrikaans Language Monument
Overlooking Paarl is a monument that looks like a finger pointing into the sky, called the "Afrikaanse Taalmonument", celebrating the Afrikaans language. After taking in that bit of culture, drive as far as you can up Paarl rock, and then hike the last bit - there's 2 hikes up the rock, each with rope assists built into the rock. For dinner you'll want to linger longer if you go to the Dieu Donne in Franschhoek - makes sure it's still daylight as you want to enjoy the views.
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Cape Gate Shopping Centre + Bugz Family Playpark
Indulge in a bit more retail therapy at the Cape Gate Shopping Centre. If you have young children, then move on to Bugz Family Playpark, where they have loads of rides to entertain them. For supper head to Clos Malverne - try get there whilst there's still daylight so that you can enjoy the vineyard and mountain views.
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Somerset Mall
Somerset Mall is a large shopping mall conveniently situated next to the N2 National Road, making it an easy stop for those on road trips from Cape Town.
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Betty's Bay
Take a drive out to Betty's Bay and see one of only 2 land based penguin colonies in South Africa (the other's at Simon's Town). The road to and from Betty's Bay cuts into the mountain side, and offers attractive views of False Bay. After viewing the penguins visit the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, which has waterfalls and showcases ericas, proteas (including the king protea, SA's national flower) and restios.
Bikini Beach
Spend the day at Bikini Beach in Gordon's Bay, one of South Africa's few blue flag beaches. In the evening go for supper at Rust en Vrede's Restaurant.
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Franschhoek
Franschoek was settled by 176 French Huguenot refugees in 1688. Pack a picnic basket and have a late breakfast on The Berg River at The Riverside Picnic Area. Go visit the Huguenot Monument, then have a late lunch at La Petite Ferme. After lunch sample Belgian chocolate at Huguenot fine chocolates and then to the Museum van de Caab (which tells the history of the Delta Farm through the eyes of the individuals who worked there).
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This photo of the Hugenote Gedenkmuseum is by Andre Beukes.
Franschhoek Wine Route
Find a teetotaler to drive and hit the Franschhoek Wine Route. Many of the wine farms are named after the area in France where the original owners came from. Stony Brook Vineyard, Haut Espoir, La Bourgogne (open by appointment, wine & olives), Klein Genot (small pleasure), La Bri, La Petite Ferme, Mont Rochelle, Grande Provence, Rickety Bridge Wine Estate, Eikehof Cellar, La Motte Winery (try the strawberries & cream in the Lavender Garden), Moreson Wine Farm, Le Manoir de Brendel, La Chataigne Wines, Topiary Winery, Graham Beck Franschhoek Cellar and finish off with a picnic at Le Pique nique on the lawn at Boschendal Wine Estate.
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Bottelary Wine Route
Select wine farms on the Bottelary Wine Route: Beyerskloof Winery, Bottelary Hills Wine Centre, Koopmanskloof (by appointment only), Monterosso Wine Estate (by appointment only)
End off the day by picnic'ing on the lawns at Spier (and perhaps taking a segway tour of the vineyards).
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Lion Park + Butterflies
Take a half hour drive to the Drakenstein Lion Park, a sanctuary for lions in distress. An especially good spot for tourists who feel they must see lions when visiting Africa. Afterwards become entranced in Butterfly World's 1000m2 green house. Have dinner at Le Quartier Francais' award winning "The Tasting Room" (you must make a reservation).
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Vredenheim Wine & Big Cats
Visit Vredenheim Wines for lunch and viewing their Big Cats Park.
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Dive with Great White Sharks
Take a 2 hour drive to Van Dyks Bay, if it's July to November keep an eye out for southern right whales on the way, and then get up close and personal with the world's largest predatory fish in your shark cage dive with sharkcagediving.net.
Crystal Pools
If you're ok with a bit of a hike, then drive just past Gordon's Bay to the Steenbras River mouth. You'll need to pay to get in, and hike up alongside the Steenbras River to Crystal Pools, which is part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. The water is cold and those who are brave jump into the pool off the various launching spots (never dive). Don't drink the water.
Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm
Take a day out to visit Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm in Simondium near Franschhoek. Here's a photo taken at the farm by Andre Beukes.
Helderberg Nature Reserve
The Helderberg Nature Reserve lies on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, giving it views of False Bay. Pack a picnic, take the family, and enjoy the birds & tortoises - keep an eye out for Bontebok, Duikers, Porcupine, Boomslang, Cape Cobras and puffadders.
Opened on the 3rd October 1964 the reserve offers several colour-coded hiking trails: yellow (3km) , blue which starts off the yellow route (5.3km), red which starts off the blue route (2.2km), green which starts off the red route (2.2km), pink which starts off the red route (2.6km to the top of the West Peak just outside the reserve) & brown which starts off the yellow route (2.8km the only non-circular route).
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Picnic at Warwick Wine Estate
If you've got kids this is a must - picnic at the base of the Simonsberg at Warwick Wine Estate. Kids can enjoy running around on the grass and the jungle gyms whilst you sample the best of its produce.
Help make this list more complete
If you know of any day trips which you feel should be added to this list, let us know, so we can expand it. Email cheapflights@southafrica.to
Written by Rob Baker
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