I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills’ – that famous opening sentence of Isak Dinesen’s movie ‘Out of Africa’ inspired me travelling in the Cape Winelands around Franschhoek in the region West South Africa.
Ngong hills are in Kenya but driving from Cape Town to Franschhoek you can feel the atmosphere of this movie. Franschhoek is nestled within the Cape Winelands region, surrounded by majestic mountains, lush vineyards, and fertile valleys.
Transportation
We rented a car in Cape Town (read about Cape Town here) for about a one-and-a-half-hour drive to Franschhoek. It is only 80 kilometers (about 49.71 mi) but you may experience delays due to roadworks.
There are public transport options available, you can go by bus from Cape Town to Paarl or Stellenbosch and then by local bus or taxi continue to Franschhoek.
Another option is a tour package, that include transportation from Cape Town to Franschhoek as part of a guided tour. These tours often include additional activities such as wine tasting or sightseeing along the way. Be aware that it can be busy in
Where to stay
There is a broad range of possibilities, from hostels to luxury hotels but all surrounded by beautiful nature, picturesque vineyards, and farms. We stayed in a wine estate “La grande Provence” with a restaurant. Great because you can taste wine and more wine and even more wine because you only must walk to your bedroom afterwards.
What to visit
Vineyards
As the name suggests “Cape Wineland,” the first thing to visit is a vineyard. Cape Winelands is renowned for its picturesque vineyards and world-class wine estates. We went for a mountain bike winetasting tour. When we started, I was afraid not to be able to finish because of the first mountain we had to climb. But luckily this was the only high one. The combination of sip and cycle was a good one.
Outdoor activities
Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, it is all possible in Cape Winelands. I find the bicycle most suitable. You see a lot and the distances are easy to manage.
Towns
We visited Franschhoek (part of Stellenbosch), one of the oldest towns of South Africa. Just on the day of the Village Market. Small but you can find fresh products, artisanal food products, crafts, and handmade goods. At the end of the street there is a monument to remember the influence of French Huguenots on the Cape Colonial Culture.
The Huguenot Memorial Monument; more about the monument here.
Stellenbosch and Paarl are also known for their Cape Dutch architecture, quaint streets, and vibrant cultural scenes.
Gourmet Dining
Franschhoek is famous as the culinary capital of South Africa. We enjoyed great meals and of course in combination with the great wines of the region and, like at our lunch at la Petite Ferme beautiful views.
Babylonstoren
Former Editor in Chief of Elle Decoration South Africa, Karen Roos bought with her husband a working farm, one of the best kept Cape Duch farms in the winelands. In the Drakenstein Valley between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. As a reader of all kinds of interior design magazines, that was a place I wanted to visit.
There are cottages where you can stay, (vegetable) gardens to walk in, a restaurant, terrace, shop. The understated luxury of the landscape and buildings was certainly a highlight for me.
‘South Africa’s rural
Cool Hunting
oasis offering a garden of earthly delights’
Bonus Tips
Despite the enormous number of Huguenots, the French speakers quickly merged with the other colonists and in 1829, when the Cape was in British hands, French had already completely died out and was replaced by Cape Dutch, later Afrikaans. As you may notice there are still French names like the name of the restaurant we visited La petite Ferme and the wine estate where we stayed La grande Provence.
A bit gossipy but we heard that Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward were staying in La Grande Provence. Then you know you are in the right place. 😉
An idea: when we returned to the Netherlands, we organized a South African wine tasting for friends. 🍷🍷
More information at the tourist office here.
Enjoy the Cape Winelands
Do you have tips for this region, please use our comments section to add your information. 💛
