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Explore Outdoor Stellenbosch with the Adventure Shop

The historic winelands town of Stellenbosch and the surrounding area is renowned for offering local and international travellers world-class experiences. With a myriad of delectable dining options and award-winning wines, awe-inspiring landscapes, museums, art galleries and… the list is virtually endless.

With plenty to see and do, it isn’t surprising that no two visits to Stellenbosch are ever the same. Living 30 minutes or so from Stellenbosch ensures regular trips to this wine-derful destination. This gem constantly delights visitors with new attractions, thanks to the continued efforts by Visit Stellenbosch, the official Stellenbosch Tourist and Information Centre, and other key role players who promote the winelands town as a world-class destination with outstanding facilities.

A recent visit saw me discovering an entirely different side of Stellenbosch. A typical trip usually goes something like this – exploring a scenic wine estate, taking oodles of photographs while strolling through lush gardens, quaffing sublime wines, and enjoying a leisurely al fresco lunch.

Cape Country Routes and the Adventure Shop introduced me to some exhilarating adventure activities while discovering parts of the Stellenbosch area that I had never seen and in some cases, never knew existed.

WHERE WE STAYED – EENDRACHT HOTEL & APARTMENTS

The charming and elegant Eendracht Hotel & Apartments (we stayed at the hotel in Dorp Street) is one of those places where you instantly feel at home. Perfectly located in the historic centre of town, the personal attention and warm South African hospitality received throughout our two-night stay was exceptional. Owned and run by Daniel Lutz, this 4-star award-winning establishment is filled with historic charm dating back to the days of Governor Simon van der Stel.

With a total of 13 en-suite bedrooms, this cosy property features a harmonious blend of old-world charm and modern conveniences, suited to both business and leisure travellers. I was assigned the Junior Suite (it also doubles as the Honeymoon Suite) which was very spacious with a shared verandah overlooking the inviting splash pool and a mountain view from the seating area.

The comfortable Queen bed with the finest 300-thread count cotton percale linen ensured a very peaceful night’s sleep. The en-suite bathroom is fitted with an eco-friendly shower, a corner bath and shower gel, soap, and body lotion. A thoughtful blue light has been installed so you don’t disturb your partner when making a trip to the bathroom during the night. Other amenities include individually controlled air-conditioning, hairdryer, flat-screen SMART TV, tea and coffee making facilities, a mini-bar, small safe and free speedy WiFi. Did you know? Eendracht was the first privately owned hotel in South Africa to offer WiFi.

It was incredibly hot while we were in Stellenbosch, so the inviting splash pool and outdoor area provided a calm and cooling oasis after spending hours in the sun. The Huddle Room is perfect for business meetings or family and small group meetings. Together with the new addition of Senobia’s Restaurant, they can offer hourly, half, and full-day packages. Find out more about their full range of services here.

To be more eco-conscious, the hotel uses solar panels to generate power, eco-friendly showers, humidifying air-conditioners, and thick walls ensure cooler room temperatures in summer and warmer temperatures during winter. Scanning the QR code on your hotel room key provides room and hotel information you may need, thereby reducing paper wastage. Guests are also encouraged to use their towels more than once.

BOOK DIRECT AND SAVE! Book online now with discount code “DIRECTG” and your discount will be calculated at confirmation of reservation.

WHERE WE PLAYED – ADVENTURE SHOP STELLENBOSCH

With over 20 years of experience in the adventure tourism business, you know you are in very capable hands with the Adventure Shop team. Owned and run by Raino Bolz, we arrived at their office, just a short walk from Eendracht. The adventure? An exhilarating 25km guided e-bike (electric bike) ride from Stellenbosch to Boschendal Farm! Yip, 25km along mostly jeep tracks and mountain bike trails over mountain passes and valleys. Even though I am a nature and outdoor enthusiast, this activity was somewhat out of my comfort zone, but I was keen to tackle it.

In case you are wondering how an e-bike operates, here’s a brief description: “E-bikes are bicycles with a battery-powered “assist” that comes via pedalling and, in some cases, a throttle. When you push the pedals on a pedal-assist e-bike, a small motor engages and gives you a boost, so you can zip up hills and cruise over tough terrain without gassing yourself.” (Source: www.bicycling.com)

Practicing sustainable tourism principals is very important to the Adventure Shop team. They minimise their impact on the environment and develop their local area by buying local and supporting their community and employees.

GUIDED E-BIKE TOUR FROM STELLENBOSCH TO BOSCHENDAL WINE ESTATE

We began with a safety briefing and a tutorial on how to change the gears, use the brakes etc. of the e-bike. If you know how to ride a regular bicycle, you’ll soon get the hang of an e-bike even if you’ve never ridden one before. Wearing a helmet is non-negotiable, as is signing their electronic waiver form. We slowly cycled along the Stellenbosch Trail Fund trails through the town’s oak-lined streets and up into Idas Valley, where we were encouraged to use the e-bikes motor to gain speed along the deserted tar road.

Raino joined us on a regular bicycle (we were gobsmacked, but he is clearly super fit!) and Severiano Tamboer, our skilled and patient cycle guide, made sure we felt comfortable and safe. We were told what to look out for at certain points as there were some tricky sections to navigate. It was an extremely hot day, so we often stopped for water breaks and photo opportunities. The scenery was jaw-droppingly beautiful as we made our way past dams, wine estates, forests, dreamy farm scenes and mountains. I had no idea that the old Helshoogte Pass Road even existed, yet there we were cycling on it.

Once we crossed over the modern-day Helshoogte Pass Road through Kylemore, we reached the Banhoek Conservancy trails of the Drakenstein mountains. This is where it became a lot trickier. Full concentration is required as the dirt trails are filled with pebbles, stones, small hills, and soft sand in places.

But do take the time to enjoy the beauty of your surroundings when you can. We managed to spot an eland herd in the Banhoek Conservancy as well as birds of prey. I’m thankful that no snakes crossed our path!

The hot day made our arrival at Boschendal Wine Estate that much sweeter, where we cooled off with well-deserved freshly squeezed juices. You thought I was going to say wine, didn’t you? 😉 This fun and thrilling activity is different from the norm and great for friends and families to enjoy together. Keep in mind that it is extremely hot during February. Read here for more information about this guided e-bike tour and to make your reservation. 

* SPECIAL DEAL FOR SOUTH AFRICANS – R450 PER ADULT VALID UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. *

GUIDED HIKE IN JONKERSHOEK NATURE RESERVE – SOSSYSKLOOF TRAIL (7.2KM)

Nothing quite prepares you for the magnificent grandeur as you enter the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve for the first time. With mountains that stretch toward the sky, the surrounding natural splendour is simply breathtaking. Capturing the jaw-dropping beauty from behind the lens doesn’t quite do the landscape the justice it deserves, so it is best to experience it in person.

Adventure Shop’s Tayne Ruddock, fynbos, nature, and hiking guide extraordinaire, guided us along the popular Sossyskloof Hiking Trail. Lying within an ancient rock fault within the Jonkershoek Valley, the circular trail showcases a variety of indigenous flora as well as the area’s geology.

The path follows a steep ascent to a hut where you can catch your breath and marvel at the spectacular mountain and valley views. Tayne’s incredible knowledge and love for nature and the outdoors is evident as he stopped to show us various plants, flowers, and rocks.

A shady oasis with a waterfall and stream provided a much-needed respite from the heat. Filling our bottles with fresh mountain water, we continued along the path that was now mostly flat. Even so, I opted to take the shorter route (around 5km) with Colin de Wet, a private wine tour guide and hiking enthusiast. The heat proved too much for me and I wasn’t keen to scramble over rocks on the final descent. The shorter route takes you past a flowing stream which is a perfect spot to cool off and refill your water bottle. There is nothing more refreshing than cool mountain water, especially on a hot summer’s day.

A huge thanks to Tayne and Colin for yet another epic nature experience that I will treasure forever. There are several trails to choose from that vary in length and difficulty, so it is recommended that you book your hike through the Adventure Shop, especially if it’s your first visit to the nature reserve.

Tel – +27 21 882 8112 / +27 84 492 4992

Emailinfo@adventureshop.co.za

Websitewww.adventureshop.co.za

* SPECIAL DEAL FOR SOUTH AFRICANS – R490 PER ADULT (CHILDREN WELCOME). VALID UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. *

WHERE WE DINED – SENOBIA’S @ EENDRACHT

Wining and dining go hand in hand when in Stellenbosch and fortunately for us, the recently opened Senobia’s @ Eendracht, named in honour of Daniel’s late mother Senobia, tantalises the tastebuds with an array of daily specials, traditional South African dishes, and seasonal, locally sourced food. Trust me; you will not go hungry!

Each morning began with a generous, delicious breakfast and Bootlegger coffee which we promptly burned off on our outdoor adventures. Returning for lunch was such a pleasure as we tucked into dishes inspired by Mrs. Lutz’s own recipes, fondly remembered by Daniel from his childhood.

Creamy Roast Chicken and Mushroom Pie, accompanied by a chilled glass or two of Snow Mountain Rose, and moreish Malva Pudding with homemade vanilla ice-cream and custard were just some of the dishes that stood out for me. This is good wholesome South African food made with love that is sure to put a smile on your face.

We were treated to a sensational sweet and savoury spread while enjoying sundowners beside the outdoor splash pool. Jeremy Naude, Eendracht’s Food & Beverage Manager, and his team really outdid themselves with this delicious feast that had us all coming back for more.

Our farewell meal was an amazing traditional Sunday lunch with all the trimmings, served on the outdoor terrace that faces Dorp Street.

Senobia’s is open for breakfast and lunch every day and is open to residents as well as the public. A two-course lunch is only R95, an absolute steal for truly delicious fare.

While not open for dinner, there are many restaurants within close walking distance of the hotel. Daniel treated us to a delicious dinner one evening at Oppie Dorp Restaurant & Wine Bar, just a short stroll from Eendracht.

Disclosure: I was invited by Cape Country Routes to review Eendracht Hotel & Apartments and Adventure Shop Stellenbosch as part of a media tour. All views and images are my own unless stated otherwise.

Thank you to each person I met for your warmth and hospitality. All Covid-19 safety and hygiene protocols were adhered to throughout our stay and at every establishment we visited. A special thank you to Marianne Styan, Elise Kirsten and Theresa Gibbon for taking some of the images featured in my article.

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Yours in Adventure Travel, Food & Wine.
xoxo

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