Stellenbosch is internationally renowned for its beautiful environment, wine farms, street cafés, restaurants, quality wines, historical buildings and its famous university. It is 40km from Cape Town City.

On the outskirts of Stellenbosch is a beautiful valley called Jonkershoek, which leads to a nature reserve of the same name located in a cul-de-sac in the mountains. This area is popular with hikers, trail runners and mountain bikers, and is well worth the detour as the scenery here is nothing short of breathtaking.

The town also hosts regular festivals, among them the Woordfees (Word Festival), an Afrikaans-language event focusing on the written word and attracting leading writers and poets.

In summer the Oude Libertas, an outdoor amphitheatre located on a wine farm on the edge of town, has regular performances and patrons are encouraged to enjoy a glass of wine and a picnic before the show.

The annual Stellenbosch Wine Festival usually takes place in July. The Spier Performing Arts Festival occurs annually in February or March.

LANGUAGES
English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.

ACCESS TO STELLENBOSCH
From Cape Town, on the N1 via the R304, R44 or R300 and M12, or the N2 via the R44 or R310.

CLIMATE
Summery months are from September to April. Daytime summer temperatures range from 25ºC to 34ºC and in winter, between 14ºC and 20ºC.

TRADING HOURS
Weekdays 08h30 to 17h00 and 08h00 to 13h00 on weekends (may vary). Most chain stores, shopping malls and tourist shops are open Monday to Friday until 20h00 and later. Cafés and convenience stores open at 07h00 until late, seven days a week. Most larger petrol stations have 24-hour convenience stores.

ELECTRICITY
220/230 volts 50 Hz

STANDARD TIME
South Africa is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, 1 hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, and 7 hours ahead of the USA’s Eastern Standard Winter Time.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

By Road
An excellent network links all major points within the Stellenbosch region and Cape Town and surrounds. Both the N1 and N2 National Roads link to Stellenbosch.

Speed limit is 120km/h on open freeways, 80km/h on urban freeways and 60km/h in built-up areas.

Drive on the left side of the road. Road signage is in accordance with international codes. Foreign tourists require an international driver’s licence, or one from their country of origin that has been certified by their Consulate.

It is against the law to make use of your cellular phone (mobile) while driving, and use of seat (safety) belts is compulsory.

*Legal blood/alcohol limit: 0.05mg per 100ml (approx. one tot).

By Coach:
Elwierda: 021 418 4673
Greyhound: 083 915 9000
Intercape Mainliner: 0861 287 287
Translux: 0861 589 282

By Train:
Blue Train: 012 334 8459
Metrorail: 080 065 6463
Rovos Rail: 021 421 4020
Shongololo Express: 086 177 7014
Shosholoza Meyl: 086 000 8888

By Air:
FlySafair: 0871 351 351
Kulula.com: 0861 585 852
Mango: 086 100 1234
SA Airlink: 0861 359 722 / 044 801 8448
SA Express: 0861 606 606 / 044 801 8448
South African Airways: 0861 359 722

Metered Taxis & Hire Cars:
Budget Car Rental: 0861 016 622
Car Hire 4 U: 082 818 0030
Europcar Rental: 0860 011 344
First Car Rental: 0861 011 323
Hertz Rent a Car: 0861 600 136
Tempest Sixt Car Hire: 0861 836 7378
5*Car Rental: 082 783 2592

Metered taxis can be hailed at taxi ranks, however they are often crowded and operate along set routes, so you may prefer a private taxi.

Trips & Tours
- Take a guided walking tour or set off on your own after collecting a ‘Stellenbosch on Foot’ brochure from the Stellenbosch 360 office at 36 Market Street.
- For that special experience, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the vineyards.
- Self-drive is recommended for venturing farther afield. There are several guided tours of the town, winelands and outlying regions.

THINGS TO DO & SEE:

1) The Wine Tram:
The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley – picturesque vineyards, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine, fine wines and a 300 year history.

- The Blue Line departs on the tram-bus first and showcases Franschhoek’s breath-taking mountain views while stopping at the following wine estates: Le Lude, La Petite Dauphine, Holden Manz, La Bourgogne, La Couronne, Mont Rochelle, Rickety Bridge and Grande Provence.
- The Green Line departs on the tram first and showcases Franschhoek’s breath-taking mountain views while stopping at the following wine estates: Rickety Bridge, Grande Provence, Le Lude, La Petite Dauphine, Holden Manz, La Bourgogne, La Couronne and Mont Rochelle.
- The Red Line departs on the tram-bus first and showcases Franschhoek’s picturesque rolling vineyards while stopping at the following wine estates: La Bri, Chamonix, Dieu Donne, Leopard’s Leap, Maison, Eikehof, Rickety Bridge and Grande Provence.
- The Yellow Line departs on the tram first and showcases Franschhoek’s picturesque rolling vineyards while stopping at the following wine estates: Rickety Bridge, Grande Provence, La Bri, Chamonix, Dieu Donne, Leopard’s Leap, Maison and Eikehof.

2) Hottentots-Holland Mountain Catchment Area
This 70 000ha reserve is 90km southeast of Cape Town and stretches from Eglin in the south to beyond Villiersdorp in the north and from the Stellenbosch mountains in the west, eastwards to the Groenland mountains.

The annual rainfall is as high as 3,300mm on the Dwarsberg plateau and winds are frequent and strong. Summers are generally mild and dry. Weather conditions in the mountains can be unpredictable and dangerous.

The reserve plays an important role in the conservation of mountain fynbos, with approximately 1300 species occurring, some of which are rare and endemic. Approximately 110 bird species have been recorded, including several species of raptor. Many animals have been re-introduced, including the rare Cape mountain zebra, eland, bontebok and red hartebeest. Populations of grey rhebuck, klipspringer, common duiker and grysbok occur and while leopards frequent these mountains, they are seldom seen.

The Hottentots Holland section of the Boland Hiking Trail passes through the reserve. This trail has various routes covering distances of between five and 50km, over one, two or three days. There are toilets and change room facilities at the start. The Trail has two overnight sites, the first with two huts and the second with one hut. All of the hits are equipped with bunks, mattresses and water and all have four rooms that may be booked separately. Fires and braais (barbecues) are strictly forbidden except at demarcated sites.

OVERNIGHT ROUTES:
Nuweberg to Landdroskop Hut via the Sphinx: 12km, 3 to 4hrs (moderate); Nuweberg to Boesmanskloof Hut(also known as the Orchard Route): 14km, 4 to 5 hrs (moderate);
Nuweberg to Boesmanskloof Hut (Pofaddernek and Noordekloof): 17.2km, ±7hrs ( strenuous); Boesmanskloof to Landdroskop Hut via Pofaddernek and Noordekloof:
17.6km, 7 hrs (moderate).

DAY HIKES:
Boegoekloof 24km, 8hrs, out and back route; Palmiet Trail 6km, 2hrs, designed for visually impaired and disabled persons but not suitable for wheelchairs.

KLOOFING:
Riviersonderend 15km, 6hrs, circular route; Suicide Gorge approx. 17km, 5hrs. Closed due to flooding in winter - open from November to the end of April.

MOUNTAIN BIKING:
The Reserve has one mountain bike trail, passing over Groenland Mountain and exiting at Lebanon or Twaalfontein Farm (22 km out and back).

3) Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
This nature reserve is home to the majestic Jonkershoek Mountains and parts of the Jonkershoek valley. The reserve, which includes the smaller Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve, lies near the town of Stellenbosch in the south-western Cape. Visitors may choose to explore one or both reserves, as they are in easy reach of each other. The reserves are about 9km from Stellenbosch, on the Jonkershoek valley road.

The rugged Jonkershoek Mountains, which form part of the Boland Mountains, are ideal for hiking enthusiasts. The Eerste, Berg, Lourens and Riviersonderend rivers all start high in these mountains, although only the Eerste River actually flows through the Jonkershoek valley. The area is also rich in animal and plant life, with over 1 100 plant species and a variety of small mammals, birds and reptiles. Hikers should be on the lookout for berg adders, puff adders, boomslang and Cape cobras.

The reserve is about 9 800 hectares, while Assegaaibosch is about 204 hectares. The smaller reserve is home to the historical Assegaaibosch farmstead, a national monument built in 1792, while both reserves are World Heritage Sites.

Jonkershoek is hot in summer, and cold and wet in winter. Visitors in the colder months may even see snow dusting the higher mountain peaks. Hikers should note that weather conditions can change rapidly.

Activities include hiking, mountain biking and swimming.

Hiking trails in Jonkershoek:
Various short walks are available on the reserve. Alternatively,the reserve offers four, more challenging, hikes ranging between 5.3km and 18km.

--Swartboskloof to Sosyskloof
Trail distance:5.3km or 6.9km if taking longer route to lookout point
Estimated time: 2–2.5 hours

This easy, scenic trail ascends the western slopes of Swartboskloof for about 2km, passing through a patch of beautiful indigenous forest. Hikers follow a contour to Sosyskloof, before winding back to the start of the route. Please note the path is slippery when wet.

--Swartboskloof Trail
Trail distance:18km
Estimated time: 6 hours

This trail ascends the steep Swartboskloof, going higher than 900m in altitude over the first 4.5km. Your efforts will be rewarded by breathtaking panoramic views. The route is fairly level after that, as it takes you to the top of Kurktrekkernek. From there, hikers descend 2.5km to a beautiful waterfall. Bring a swimming costume with you.

--Panorama Circuit
Trail distance:17km
Estimated time: 6 hours

This scenic trail has a steep climb to a contour path just below the Banhoek peaks. This path leads to Bergriviernek, which has amazing views of Assegaaiboskloof. Bring a swimming costume with you.

The route winds across the picturesque Dwarsberg plateau, with streams surrounded by disas, to Kurktrekkernek. From here, you can take a short detour to the summit of Guardian Peak (1 227m), which has stunning panoramic views of the Cape Peninsula, from Table Mountain to Cape Point, Robben Island, False Bay, Cape Hangklip, and the peaks of the Hottentots Holland range. From Kurktrekker, the path descends past Tweede and Eerste Waterval, back to the starting point. Please note the path is slippery when wet.

--Tweede Waterval
Trail distance:6.4km
Estimated time: 2 hours

This is an easy ramble along the Eerste River, past Eerste Waterval, followed by a steep climb along a gorge to the foot of Tweede Waterval. The dangerous ascent to this waterfall is closed. Please note the path is slippery when wet. Bring a swimming costume with you.

4) Stellenbrau Brewery
Owner and founder, Deon Engelbrecht, launched their first beer, Craven Craft Lager in 2012. In 2014, this premium quality beer was voted top lager at the Global Craft Beer Awards in Berlin.

Enjoy beer tasting, brewery tours, recipes and more - book your spot today!

5) Van Ryn's Distillery
Rated 5-Star, Van Ryn's began in 1845 in Cape Town. The distillery where they make their brandies was established in 1905. The original building remains intact. its walls were built from rocks gathered from the nearby Eerste River.
Try a Brandy and Chocolate or florentine pairing!
Opening times:
--1 October to 30 April:
Mon - Friday (09:00 - 18:00)
Sat (09:00 - 16:00)
Sun (11:00 - 16:00)
--1 May to 30 September:
Mon - Friday (09:00 - 17:00)
Sat (09:00 - 16:00)
Sun (closed)