Stellenbosch 360 is located in the Stellenbosch area of the Western Cape. The route takes travellers off the usual tourist track, away from the winelands and into the colourful communities nestled in the towering mountains of this picturesque part of South Africa. Stellenbosch 360 links the splendours of the Stellenbosch winelands with the communities existing on the outskirts.
The route allows both domestic and international visitors to select from inspirational and innovative cultural experiences, designed to showcase the abundance of our inherent talent and natural resources. It takes travellers to Kayamandi, which is regarded as the second oldest township in South Africa claiming its first inhabitants as early as 1940 and through Jamestown, one of the first places in the Cape where strawberry farming was conducted on a large scale and where the streets are named after strawberry cultivars.
The village of Raithby overlooks the Helderberg Mountains with Table Mountain in the distance and is surrounded by popular wine farms and vineyards, while nearby Klapmuts and Idas Valley all exude their own charm.
Reasons to visit
The Stellenbosch area is surrounded by majestic mountains with stunning scenery, for guided trail walks or just to marvel at the breathtaking natural beauty of the town. The town lies in the folds of the Jonkershoek Valley, with nature reserves, waterfalls, rivers, kloofs and valleys to explore. For nature lovers the area has Cape fynbos which includes 400 species of Protea and Cape ash, plum and yellowwood trees.
The surrounding mountains, hills, valleys, forests and streams of Stellenbosch offer unequalled opportunities for both the outdoor and adventure enthusiast. While staying in one of the local communities try out some mountaineering, hang-gliding, abseiling, aviation, mountain biking, cycling, canoeing, paintball, 4×4 trails, horse trails, hiking and adventure camps. Travellers can also organise with a local township mountain bike club and explore the area with them.
Stellenbosch’s fine architecture and spectacular scenery is home to many artists and sculptors. The route area boasts different types of art, most of which is made by locals community members which can be viewed at the Stellenbosch 360 information office. Travellers keen on getting involved can try their hand at bead working, jewellery-making, sculpture and working with clay.
Stellenbosch is renowned as a centre for learning and is home to a world-class university, schools of enviable reputation and training centres. Many international students visit areas like Kayamandi where they stay and volunteer at local NGOs and schools.
Food and wine
A trip to some of the oldest and most famous winelands in the world wouldn’t be complete without a tasting and what better way to enjoy the fruits of the vineyards than with a meal at one of the local eateries. While visiting the route area travellers will be able to enjoy cooking traditional dishes in private dwellings (Cape Malay, African, Boerekos and braai/barbecue), in the company of a storyteller, tempt their taste buds on a historic culinary walkabout in the town centre, eat a traditional meal at a local restaurant or visit a local fresh produce market accompanied by a local foodie.
With a variety of food on offer, Stellenbosch has something for everyone. From the 5-star wine farm eateries and traditional Cape Malay cooking to the informal braais (barbeques) on the side of the road in Kayamandi, travellers are sure to find each and every one a taste sensation.
Stellenbosch is the second-oldest wine producing region in South Africa and is world-renowned for its award-winning wines. Many cellars offer wine-tasting, tours and sales, and some have restaurant and picnic facilities, accommodation, gift shops, art galleries, amphitheatres and wildlife experiences. Learn more about the wine making from the local farm workers and see how they live.
