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Top Things to Do in Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch, situated in South Africa’s beautiful Western Cape province, is a town that is synonymous with student life, great wine farms and tourist attractions.

Yet, this modern-meets-historic town is also a wonderful destination for families to visit. There is plenty of outdoor adventure, wine experiences and local culture to soak up and savour in Stellenbosch.

Enjoy an Off-road Scooter tour with Stellenbosch Scootours

For those craving a fun, family-friendly outdoor experience look no further than Stellenbosch Scootours’ unique scooter tour offering in the popular Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.

This family-friendly adventure is suitable for kids from age 4 and up (ages 4 – 9 can double up with their parents) so the whole family can get outside and enjoy some fun together.

Ride a Swiss-designed Monster Mountain Scooter down endless slopes and along scenic dirt roads, as you enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains. All trips are run by professional, qualified guides, so safety is assured.

Activity prices:

Standard pricing:

Driver ticket (ages 10 and up): R590 per person.

Passenger ticket (ages 4-9): R290 per person.

Kids’ party pricing (for kids ages 10 and up; minimum groups of six, maximum 25):

Driver: R490 per person.

Passenger: R150 per person.

Opening hours:

Time slots for tours are as follows: 09:30 – 11:30; 12:00 – 14:00 and 14:30 – 16:30.

Tours depart from the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve parking area.

Contact details:

Tel: +27 (0) 82 776 0557

Email: bookings@scootours.co.za

Web: scootours.co.za

E-bike through the Stellenbosch Winelands

With Vinebikes Stellenbosch, travellers can enjoy the hugely fun experience of riding an e-bike in the Stellenbosch Winelands.

This family-friendly adventure, hosted by a professional, qualified guide, allows you to soak up the local beauty, while also learning more about Stellenbosch and its scenic spots.

Along the way, you will see some historic buildings, head into Stellenbosch town and all the way to the Rustenberg Wines at the foot of the majestic Simonsberg mountains.

From Rustenberg, it is onto the gorgeous Stark-Conde Wines, found in the beautiful Jonkershoek Valley. You generally spend 30-45 minutes at each wine farm, which allows you to savour local treats, explore the estate and enjoy some wine.

Activity prices:

E-bike riders (ages 10 and up): R885 per person.

Half-wheeler (ages 5-9): R350 per child.

Kids’ star seat (ages 3-5): R150 per child seat.

Each 3.5-hour-long tour includes the following: A guide, e-bike, safety gear, free video and two wine farm visits. Tours depart from the Lanzerac E-bike Trail Centre.

Opening hours:

Tuesdays – Sundays, 09:00 and 13:30

Contact details:

Tel: +27 (0) 79 490 2389

Email: bookings@vinebikes.co.za

Web: vinebikes.co.za

Visit the Stunning Jonkershoek Nature Reserve

With its majestic mountains, peaceful scenery, beautiful hikes, and diverse wildlife and birdlife, Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is a great place for all ages to enjoy.

Within this special reserve is the smaller, though equally beautiful  Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve.  This means that visitors can choose to explore both or just one of the reserves when visiting.

Within Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, itself a World Heritage Site, visitors can enjoy scenic, short walks, more strenuous hikes (ranging between 5.3 km – 18 km in distance); swimming in the many rock pools or waterfalls; and some challenging, yet rewarding MTB fun.

Note: There is an additional fee for MTB rides, as this is on land owned and managed by the Department of Forestry.

Also, please book hiking permits in advance. Permits must be booked by no later than 10:00 on the same morning but preferably on the previous day.

Activity prices:

Adults: R50 conservation fee per adult.

Children: R30 conservation fee per child.

For activity pricing, such as for MTB trails and hiking, please see here.

Contact details:

Tel: +27 (0) 87 087 4118 (office number)/ +27 (0) 87 087 8250 (permit bookings)

Email: reservation.alert@capenature.co.za

Web: capenature.co.za

 

Embark on a Treetop Canopy Tour at Klein Joostenberg

Another incredible outdoor adventure for all ages is Acrobranch Stellenbosch’s treetop adventure in Muldersvlei.

Here, thanks a wide variety of courses (grouped according to age restriction and course difficulty), both children and adults can enjoy being Tarzan for a day, as they climb among the treetops.

Little ones will love AcroTwigs Yellow course, while older kids or adults can enjoy the green course. It offers 17 obstacles, including a six-metre climbing wall and three fun ziplines.

Because this activity is situated on the historic, beautiful Klein Joostenberg, there are plenty of food and drink options to enjoy before or after your treetop adventure.

Activity prices:

Acrobranch’s treetop pricing varies per course. However, it generally starts at R150 for kids and goes up to R280 for older kids and adults. For full pricing details, please see their website.

Note: This park is a cash-free zone. Please pay online or bring your bank card with.

Opening hours:

Half-hour time slots vary. The first available slot is usually from 09:00, with the last for 16:00.

Contact details:

Tel: +27 (0) 86 999 0369

Web: acrobranch.co.za

Picnic on a Stellenbosch Wine Farm

There are a wonderful array of Stellenbosch wine farms that offer incredible, family-friendly picnics. Best of all, most come with dedicated kiddies’ basket options, so your little (often pickier) eaters are covered too.

Some of the most popular options for both couples and families include Hazendal, Delheim, Warwick, Spier and Zorgvliet to name only a few.

Most estates also offer a range of incredible on-site experiences, such as garden walks, kiddies’ play areas, restaurants, accommodation and more.

Activity prices:

Picnic pricing varies depending on the estate, selected picnic offering and whether baskets are for two adults sharing (one basket) or per child.

For picnic menus and pricing options, please choose your favourite Stellenbosch estate and make enquiries with them directly.

Picnic reservations generally need to be made at least 24-48 hours in advance but again, this is also dependent on the desired estate.

For some picnic inspiration, please see Visit Stellenbosch’s website.

Opening hours:

This varies per estate.

Contact details:

Tel: (Visit Stellenbosch) +27 (0) 21 886 4310

Email: info@visitstellenbosch.org

Web: visitstellenbosch.org

Pick Strawberries at Polkadraai or Mooiberge

If you are looking for a fun, seasonal activity in Stellenbosch, one of the most popular local activities is strawberry picking.

There are a few farms around the Western Cape that offer pick-your-own fruit experiences – and two of the most well-known are in Stellenbosch!

First, there is Polkadraai Strawberry Farm. They have a host of great, family-minded activities. These include tractor rides, strawberry picking, mini golf, pony rides and much, much more.

Spend a day at this gorgeous farm – and yes, you guessed it, pick your own bucketful of fresh, ripe strawberries!

Your other option is Mooiberge Farmstall and Strawberry Farm. This place is famous across the globe for its incredible selection of creative, quirky scarecrows. They inhabit the strawberry fields and are visible from the road.

While you can buy pre-picked strawberries from the farmstall, it is really fun to pick your own among the scarecrows!

Activity prices:

For Polkadraai activity prices, please see their website.

For Mooiberge Farmstall strawberry picking pricing and details, please contact them directly.

Contact details:

Mooiberge:

Tel: +27 (0) 21 881 3222

Email: winery@zetler.co.za

Web: www.zetler.co.za/mooiberge.html

Polkadraai:

Tel: +27 (0) 21 881 3303

Email: info@polkadraaifarm.co.za

Web: polkadraaifarm.co.za

Go on a Spier Segway Tour

Another hugely fun and incredibly popular Stellenbosch activity is Spier’s segway tours.

However, Spier is a wonderful estate to visit in general because it offers so much for couples and families to enjoy. Everything from dreamy picnics to soothing nature walks to  animal encounters, luxury accommodation and lovely, on-site restaurants and farm shops.

Spier’s segway tours offer visitors the chance to explore the estate, as they whizz through the vineyards, learn about farm practices and perhaps even enjoy a wine tasting.

There are a variety of different tour options to choose from but most are only suitable for children over 10. Regrettably, tours are also not suitable for pregnant women.

Activity prices:

Segway tour (+/- one hour): R375 per person (children ages 10 and up only).

Wine farm and vineyards guide (+/- two hours): R575 per person (children ages 12 and up only).

Sunset tour (+/- two hours): R700 per person or R450 per person for a one-hour tour. (Children ages 10 and up only; this tour is only available from November to May.)

For additional segway tour information and conditions, please visit the website or contact Spier directly.

Opening hours:

Segway tour times: 09:00, 10:30, 12:00, *13:30, *15:00 (*summer: 14:00, 15:30)

Spier Farm and vineyards guide tour times: 9:00, 12:00, 15:00 (wine tasting is not available on the last tour).

Sunset tour time: From 17:15

Contact details:

Tel: +27 (0) 21 809 1157

Email: segway@spier.co.za

Web: spier.co.za

Enjoy a family-friendly Wine Tasting at Middelvlei

Middelvlei is a wonderful, peaceful Stellenbosch wine farm for families and couples to enjoy. Best of all, in addition to their excellent range of standard wine pairings, they even have a kid-friendly (juice) pairing option!

So, if you want to go wine tasting with the whole family, head to Middelvlei. Adults can enjoy the standard wine tasting (four wines for R60 per person – or for R100, you can add an optional ‘pot brood‘ (pot bread) to your wine tasting); tapas and wine pairing or the delicious braai broodtjie and wine pairing.

Kiddies, meanwhile, can enjoy their own juice tasting. They can also have a nice luncheon, thanks to the estate’s two, child-friendly lunch options.

For more information on Middelvlei’s wine pairings and kiddies’ meal options, please see their website.

Activity prices:

Wine tasting: R60 per person for four wines – or R100 per person for four wines and a pot bread/brood.

Tapas and wine pairing: R150 per person.

Braai broodjie and wine pairing: R150 per person.

Kids’ lunch options: R70 per child.

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday, 10:00  – 16:30 (Wine tasting)

Contact details:

Tel: +27 (0) 21 883 2565

Email: info@middelvlei.co.za

Web: middelvlei.co.za

Head to the Winelands Light Railway Theme Park

Another excellent hidden gem in the Stellenbosch Winelands is the Winelands Light Railway theme park.

Here, young and old can enjoy making memories together at this unique train park. Go for a thrilling little train ride, spend time together in the sunshine and simply enjoy a day out in the countryside.

Best of all, visitors are free to bring their own picnic baskets (no alcohol or braais are permitted though) to enjoy. Although there are also several food vendors, if you prefer to buy something on-site.

Opening hours:

Every weekend (Friday – Sunday), long weekends and public holidays: 09:00 – 17:00

Open daily during the school holidays: 09:00 – 17:00

Winelands Light Railway is weather dependent.

Activity rates:

R50 per person: For one train ride and access to the park and all the facilities.

R100 per person: For unlimited train rides and access to the park and all the facilities.

Pensioners can enjoy a 20% discount; a valid ID card must be presented upon entry.

Contact details:

Tel: +27 (0) 60 586 5490

Email: info@winelandsrail.co.za

Web: winelandsrail.co.za

Visit the popular Route 44 Market

Finally – and perhaps one of Stellenbosch’s most famous attractions – is the free-to-enjoy Route 44 Market. Here, you can shop and browse for a range of goodies – everything from delicious food and lovely clothing to furniture, art and so much more.

Normally, there are live music performances to set the tone, while kids can also enjoy quality playtime thanks to the great, dedicated play area. Pets are welcome but must be on a leash and should, of course, be kept out of the food area.

Although the market can get very busy, it is undoubtedly an iconic Stellenbosch attraction and something everyone visiting or staying in Stellenbosch should try visit at least once!

Opening hours:

Currently, at the time of writing the market is still undergoing some exciting renovations. As such, their reopening and operating hours are still to be announced. Please keep an eye on their social feeds for updates.

Contact details:

Tel: +27 (0) 21 300 3935

Email: info@root44.co.za

Web: root44.co.za

These are just ten of the most amazing things you can do in Stellenbosch.

Do you have any other activities that you recommend?

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