Garden Town Stellenbosch returns from Friday 23 October to Sunday 1 November, offering visitors more than 20 ways to explore the Winelands, from trail running and vineyard walks to off-road wine tours and guided sunset hikes.

Conservation runs through the programme, with several activities highlighting the Cape’s threatened biodiversity and the work being done to protect it.

Conservation at the centre

A key partner is the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (BHRC), established in 1992 to conserve the Bottelary Hills’ distinctive biodiversity. The conservancy protects about 1 500 hectares of critically endangered Renosterveld, one of the Cape’s most vulnerable vegetation types, across a landscape that combines natural habitats, working farms, vineyards and outdoor recreation.

ALSO READ:  Bottelary Conservancy receives special award for its progressive conservation achievements

A number of participating wine estates are recognised as WWF Conservation Champions, reflecting a commitment to biodiversity conservation and more environmentally responsible farming. These include Hartenberg, Mooiplaas, Zevenwacht, Neethlingshof, De Morgenzon and Koopmanskloof. Their work, alongside that of the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy and the Greater Simonsberg conservation landscape, contributes to protecting threatened vegetation and restoring habitats across the Winelands.

ALSO READ: Zevenwacht earns WWF Conservation Champion status

Experiences that connect people with nature

The Garden Town programme features a selection of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts, wine lovers, families and visitors interested in sustainable living.

The Jordan Run & Ride for Renosterveld, at Jordan Wine Estate on Sunday 25 October, combines sport with conservation in support of BHRC. Participants can choose between a 34 km cycle, starting at 07:30 at R380 per person, and a 6 km fun run, starting at 08:30 at R220 per person. Entries are limited to 100 participants per event. Book here.

The Bottelary Hills 4×4 Wine Adventure offers a guided off-road journey aboard a vintage military truck, visiting Kaapzicht, Mooiplaas and Zevenwacht for wine tastings and insights into the relationship between farming, biodiversity and conservation. The experience takes place on Friday 23 October and Monday 26 October and costs R1 295 per person, limited to 12 guests.

A guided walk through Devon Valley’s vineyards, orchards and olive groves takes place on Saturday 24 October. The R285 experience includes refreshments along the route and a glass of bubbly at JC Le Roux, with proceeds supporting Froggies Aftercare NPO.

Conservation in action

Several experiences offer a closer look at protecting and restoring the region’s natural environment.

The Discover Renosterveld Conservation Nursery Open Day provides a rare opportunity to visit a nursery dedicated to growing indigenous and threatened plants for habitat restoration. Guided tours show how locally grown plants contribute to the restoration of fynbos and Renosterveld habitats.

At Hartenberg Estate, Go Beyond the Garden Gate on Thursday 29 October explores regenerative farming through a guided tractor tour. Visitors learn how livestock, ducks, cover crops, healthy living soils and biodiversity contribute to farming practices that support healthier agricultural landscapes. The experience costs R595 per person and includes a Dexter beef burger and a glass of Sacred Soil wine made from regeneratively farmed grapes.

Garden Town also offers Magic Mindful Photography at De Morgenzon on 24 and 28 October and 1 November. Led by photographer and mindfulness facilitator Manie van der Hoven, the two-hour sessions encourage participants to slow down, observe their surroundings and engage with nature through photography, gentle coaching and expressive writing.

Exploring the Bottelary Hills on foot

The Trailfun Long-Distance Garden Town Vineyard Run on Saturday 31 October starts at Neethlingshof and takes runners into the vineyards, trails and Renosterveld of the Bottelary Hills. Participants can choose from four distances: 7 km, 16 km, 25 km and 37 km.

Each entrant receives limited-edition socks featuring this year’s Renosterveld flower and a commemorative medal. Enter here.

The programme concludes on Sunday 1 November with the Sunset Bottelary Hills Hike, a guided experience through a 68-hectare private nature reserve to the highest point of the Bottelary Hills at 476 metres above sea level. From the summit, hikers can enjoy panoramic views towards Table Mountain, False Bay and the Stellenbosch mountains. Tickets cost R250 per person and include a bottle of Koopmanskloof wine.

Trail and taste at Delheim

Delheim offers a special trail and taste experience throughout Garden Town. Visitors can arrive between 09:00 and 15:00 for a self-guided 2.5 km or 5 km nature walk on the slopes of Simonsberg Mountain, followed by a tasting of five Delheim wines.

The 375-hectare family-owned estate is home to more than 120 indigenous plant species, 50 bird species and wildlife including caracal, Cape fox and Cape leopard. As a founding member of the Greater Simonsberg Conservancy and a WWF Conservation Champion, Delheim is committed to protecting the natural heritage of the Winelands. The experience costs R180 per person and bookings are essential.

A landscape worth protecting

The Cape Floral Kingdom is recognised for its extraordinary botanical diversity, with approximately 9 000 plant species, many of which occur nowhere else in the world. Within this natural heritage, Renosterveld stands out as one of the most threatened vegetation types.

The Bottelary Hills offer opportunities to experience this biodiversity alongside the region’s wine and agricultural traditions. With approximately 130 km of mountain-biking trails and scenic outdoor routes across 55 member farms, the area gives visitors a distinctive way to explore the Winelands while learning about the importance of conserving the landscapes that sustain them.

Garden Town Stellenbosch 2026 runs from 23 October to 1 November. Some events have limited capacity and advance booking is recommended.

Visit Garden Town Stellenbosch for more details and bookings.

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