Top 10 Things to Do in the Cape Winelands

Top 10 Things to See, Do, Experience & Taste in the

Cape Winelands of South Africa

1. Have a Roaring Good Time at the Drakenstein Lion Park

This sanctuary for captive born predators was founded in 1998. The ethos of the Park is to offer lions in distressing conditions a haven away from abuse, in the vast 50 acre property where they can roam in safety. This is specifically for lions that have been raised in such a way that living in the wild is no longer an option for them. They are not sold, bred or traded.

Details:

• Where: Old Paarl Road (5km off the R44 en route to Stellenbosch)
• Telephone: 021 863-3290
• Opening hours: Daily from 09h30 to 17h00. Closed on Christmas Day. Feeding Times are on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 16h00 .
• Website: http://www.lionrescue.org.za /

2. View art in Stellenbosch

The oak-lined streets of this picturesque winelands town are home to a number of art galleries. Start with a visit to the Stellenbosch Art Gallery. Located in the town centre, it showcases an extensive selection of art in various media, including paintings, sculpture, handmade glass and ceramics, by artists local to the region - art appreciators can purchase some of the art on site.

Next, stop at the Rupert Museum in Stellentia Avenue. At the time of writing, this elite gallery was hosting a collection of works by Auguste Rodin.

Details:

Stellenbosch Art Gallery

• Where: 34 Ryneveld Street, Shop 1 Ryneveld Plaza, Stellenbosch
• Telephone: 021 887-8343
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 17h00
• Website:  http://www.stellenboschartgallery.co.za/

The Rupert Gallery

• Where: Stellentia Ave, Stellenbosch
• Telephone: 021 888 3344
•  Opening hours: Weekdays: 09h30 – 13h 00 and 14h00 – 16h00. Saturdays: 10h00 – 13h00. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.

3. Stroll through the Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens

A visit to this relatively small but beautifully maintained indigenous and exotic garden is a perfect way to unwind after a glut of sight-seeing and wine tasting! It is the oldest university botanic garden in South Africa and offers three glass houses hosting tropical, succulent and Karoo plants. Also worth a visit are the lotus lily pond filled with Koi in the Japanese Garden, as well as the fragrant Herb Garden and the shady Arboretum.

As the gardens are used for training, science and conservation studies, you may also enjoy seeing rare plant species, imported from all over the world.

Details:

• Where: Botanical Gardens, Cnr Van Riebeeck & Neethling Street, Stellenbosch.
• Telephone: 021 808-3054
• Opening hours: Daily from 08h00 to 17h00. Closed on some public holidays.

4. Flit over to Butterfly World

A memorable experience for young and old, Butterfly World boasts over 24 species of exotic butterflies from places such as Costa Rica, the Philippines, Malaysia and China. Pupae from these countries are flown in regularly, and the emerging butterflies make their home in the warm, humid garden. You can also view birds, spiders, scorpions and reptiles at Butterfly World.

Stay as long as you like, wander through the lush indoor butterfly garden and take plenty of pictures. Watch butterflies emerge from pupae at the life cycle display. Afterwards enjoy some light refreshments and purchase a butterfly-themed memento at the centre’s craft shop.

Details:

• Where: Route 44, Klapmuts (near Stellenbosch and Paarl), Cape Winelands
• Telephone: 021 875-5628
• Opening hours: Daily from 09h00 to 17h00. Closed on Christmas Day. Visit the Drakenstein Lion Park

5. Visit the Wijnland Auto Museum

Classic car enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Wijnland Auto Museum which has on permanent display one of the largest collection of classic and vintage automobiles in South Africa, from beautifully restored gleaming automobiles to real old ‘come as you are’ jalopies.

Details:

• Where: Joostenbergvlakte (take exit 34 off the N1; taking a left and then a right, then keep an eye out for a nursery), Cape Winelands
• Telephone: 021 988-4203

6. Eagle Encounters at Spier

Eagle Encounters is not a zoo, but a bird of prey rehabilitation, education, conservation and eco-tourism centre. The centre is run as an NGO and relies on visitors for financial support. You will be able to view birds of prey including owls in an open-air weathering area and the Owl Mews, while the Up Close & Personal interactive display allows a touchy-feely experience under the watchful eye of experienced handlers.

Details:

• Where: Spier Estate, Lynedoch Road (R310), Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands.
• Telephone: 021 858-1826
• Opening hours: Daily from 09h00 to 17h00.
• Website: http://www.eagle-encounters.co.za/

7. Cheetah Outreach at Spier

Located right alongside Eagle Encounters, the Cheetah Outreach facility offers a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy the company of hand-raised cheetahs, even stepping inside an enclosure under the watchful eye of one of the staff. The Cheetah Outreach also depends on entry donations for additional funding.

It’s worth combining a visit to these two wildlife centres and making use of the lush picnic grounds and kids'' play parks to make a full day out for the whole family. Bring your own picnic or buy at the onsite deli. Alternately, look at our next suggestion for a most memorable dining experience right next door – Moyo!

Details:

• Where: Spier Estate, Lynedoch Road (R310), Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands
• Telephone: 27 (0)21 809-1188
• Opening hours: Open daily from 10h00 to 17h00 (extended to 18h00 on weekends during high season).
• Website: http://www.cheetah.co.za/

8. Dine at Moyo

There is nothing quite like a meal at Moyo, located at Spier Wine Estate. From the time you step inside the enchanting tented and open air restaurant and have your face painted with simple, white African designs (kids and adults alike) you’ll know this is more than a meal – it’s a whole experience!

For a set price per head you can enjoy as much of the delicious foods on offer at a vast buffet offering tasty meat, seafood and vegetable dishes from throughout the African continent (the Moroccan Lamb with couscous is my favourite!) The buffet includes a selection of puddings, fruits and cheeses. Drinks are separate. You are usually treated to some form of live African music while you eat and you can choose to either sit in the main tent or in some of the small, intimate tents or even in the treetop tables.

Details:

• Where: Spier Estate, Lynedoch Road (R310), Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands
• Telephone: 021 809 1100

9. Shop at Oom Samie se Winkel

Browse and buy at this quaint, cluttered and fascinating original store in Stellenbosch. There is very little you won’t find here but it takes some time to find anything! The store attracts numerous visitors every year.

Details:

• Where: 84 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch.
• Telephone: 021 887-0797
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 08h30 to 17h30, Saturday and Sunday from 09h00 to 17h00.

10. Sample, Drink & Buy Fine South African Wines

Yes I know it sounds obvious, but no self-respecting list of things to do in the Cape Winelands can leave wine tasting and touring off the list. I would suggest taking a self-drive tour of the winelands to discover 3 or 4 hidden wine farms throughout the region, rather than to visit a whole batch of big-name touristy estates.

I can vouch for Annandale Wine Estate - the oldest farm in the Helderberg Valley - as a personal favourite.

On our visit, we received a warm, relaxed and genuine welcome from the farmer himself - Gerhard (Hempies) du Toit a fifth generation South African Huguenot winemaker, who, with his dog Bliksem, (image, left) joined us for our sampling and told us tales of his life and work.

However if you are travelling alone and without your own wheels, there are numerous tours available to suit most requirements and pockets. I won’t go into detail about the wonderful wines we produce in South Africa here, rather experience them for yourself!

Details:

• Where: Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
• Telephone: 021 8813 560 (Gerhard Du Toit)
• Website: http://www.annandale.co.za/framework/index.asp

Luxurious, quality Cape Winelands accommodation in South Africa can be booked through Portfolio Collection.

Contact us for bookings and information.

(Images: Joy-Anne Goodenough. Creative Commons License)