Situated just a short drive east of Cape Town is a large selection of beautiful wineries in Stellenbosch and Constantia, where you can sample a range of the finest wines whilst overlooking the stunning landscape. Travelling further south you will reach Hermanus, where you can take to the waters to go whale and shark watching, where you can witness a spectacular display of raw power and elegance of water acrobatics.
The quality of the golf courses in the winelands region is superb, with Arabella being one that has to be mentioned, ranking in the top 10 in South Africa, alongside the magnificent hotel looking over the course. Franschhoek is also a great destination for wine tasting with centuries-old vineyards, on top of stunning flowers and wildlife at Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve with views of Franschhoek Valley.
Arabella is one of the finest courses in South Africa and is ranked within the top 10 in the country. Balancing leisure and spa together within the country estate, Arabella produces the ultimate golf holiday.
Situated within a 500-acre estate in the Cape Winelands, Pearl Valley is a championship golf course that is familiar with the spotlight, having previously played host to the South African Open on the European Tour.
Erinvale was one of the earliest courses in South Africa, and was able to quickly take to the global stage after hosting the World Cup of Golf. The location is also stunning, sitting among wine estates on Helderberg Mountain.
Some of the top vineyards in the world are based in the Stellenbosch area, boasting incredible views over the mountainous landscape, whilst testing various local wines on top of experiencing the fine dining restaurants. Glen Carlou Vineyards is certainly one to mention, renowned for their superb wines and innovative dishes whilst dining at the restaurant.
Hermanus is regarded as the whale watching capital of South Africa, where you can witness a spectacular display of the majestic whales, sharks and also dolphins. The best time to visit for this activity is between July and November, where you can be lucky enough to witness them from your hotel overlooking Walker Bay, or for the brave, you can try Great White Shark Cage Diving.
The town of Hermanus is just over an hours drive south east of Stellenbosch and displays an incredible scenery across the coastline, and as mentioned, is the best location in the world for whale and shark watching from land. This is a great stop off for any Cape Town based holiday on top of the Hermanus Golf Club with a 27-hole layout to enjoy.
The Winelands is only a short drive over to the heart of Cape Town, and still within an accessible distance of the Garden Route. Take a look at some of the drive times round the Winelands & Hermanus area.
Drive Times by Car
45 mins
40 mins
1.5 hrs
3.5 hrs
There are plenty of direct flights from London to Cape Town which makes visiting South Africa very convenient. Take a look at some of the key flight details with some tips of when the best time of year is to visit.
Flights & Weather
11.5 hrs
Cape Town Airport - CPT
October - April
24 - 30° C