Garden Town Stellenbosch is back – and this year, nature and wine lovers have even more to celebrate! From botanical displays and workshops to garden tours and outdoor adventures, this garden-lifestyle festival has something for everyone.
One of the highlights? A chance to discover the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (BHRC) – a hidden gem in the Cape Floral Kingdom.
UPCOMING EXPERIENCES
Bottelary Hills 4×4 Wine Adventure – Fri, 31 Oct & Sat, 1 & 8 Nov
Climb aboard a vintage military truck and enjoy exclusive wine tastings at family-owned farms Zevenwacht, Kaapzicht, and Mooiplaas. This guided off-road adventure is a new offering on the menu and the ideal way to explore – sit back, relax and soak in nature. Includes a charcuterie platter, chocolate/biltong pairing, and unforgettable views.
R1295 per person | 10h00–15h00 | Limited spots
Koopmanskloof Guided Hike – Saturday, 1 Nov
Hike through a 98-hectare private nature reserve to the highest point of the Bottelary Hills (476m) with panoramic views of Table Mountain, False Bay, and Stellenbosch’s mountains. Includes a wine tasting in the historic Koopmanskloof cellar with winemaker Stephan Smit and a bottle of wine. R250 per person – limited to 30 guests.
Devon Valley Vineyard Walk – Sunday, 2 Nov
Explore the charming Devon Valley with its vineyards, orchards, and olive groves. Enjoy tastings and treats along the way. Tickets (R250) include snacks, bubbly, and wine. Proceeds support Froggies Aftercare NPO.
Start: 08:00 | Finish: 11:00 | Limited to 100 walkers
Zevenwacht 4×4 Wine Adventure – 2–9 Nov
Enjoy a scenic 1-hour 4×4 adventure across Zevenwacht’s vineyards and Renosterveld, followed by a wine tasting and charcuterie platter. This family-run farm produces top-quality wines in an environmentally friendly manner. More than 80 hectares of the farm comprises natural veld that mostly consists of critically endangered Swartland Granite Renosterveld. Sit down for a wine tasting and charcuterie platter after your adrenaline-rich adventure with stunning views.
Slots at 09h00, 11h00, 13h00 & 15h00. Cost R515 per person.
Discover Renosterveld Walk & Talk – Wednesday, 5 Nov
Join Lynda Muller founder of Discover Renosterveldfor an insightful discussion on Renosterveld conservation, followed by a guided walk and high tea at the Devon Valley Hotel. Learn more about why conserving this critically endangered vegetation type found nowhere else on earth is important and how you can make a difference. Tickets are R250 per person and includes a shopping bag. Time: 14h30–17h00.
Mooiplaas Renosterveld Hike – Saturday, 8 Nov
Walk the 5.6km circular trail through Mooiplaas’s private nature reserve with owner and WWF Conservation Champion Tielman Roos. Mooiplaas Private Nature Reserve was registered in 1995, and in 2020, Mooiplaas became the first WWF Conservation Champion in the Bottelary wine ward. Enjoy a wine and cheese tasting after the guided 3-hour hike with beautiful views. Limited to 40 hikers. Tickets R250 per person.
TrailFun Launches the Garden Town Vineyard Run – Saturday, 8 Nov
Experience a first-of-its-kind trail adventure with TrailFun’s Garden Town Vineyard Run, starting and finishing at Neethlingshof Wine Estate. Choose from 7km, 15km, 25km or 35km routes that wind through vineyards, forests, Renosterveld, and working farms. With flexible “Relaxed Run” start times between 07:00 and 09:00, this is more than just a run – it’s a journey through wine country like you’ve never seen it before. Entries from R220 include a special pair of event socks and a wine tasting. Slots limited.
DID YOU KNOW?
- The BHRC was founded in 1992.
- It protects 1,500 hectares of critically endangered Renosterveld.
- It boasts a 130 km mountain bike trail network, scenic hiking routes, and wine adventures across 55 member farms.
- It lies in the heart of the world’s smallest and most diverse floral kingdom, home to 8,600 plant species – many found nowhere else on Earth.
Whether you choose to hike, ride, sip wine, or simply take in the views, the Bottelary Hills offers unforgettable ways to connect with nature during Garden Town Stellenbosch.
For more information visit www.bottelaryconservancy.co.za or follow us on social media.
