Afrikaans Language Monument
Monument on a hillside above Paarl, honouring the Afrikaans language. Its tall curved concrete forms are visible from afar, and the site looks out over the valley.
Cape Winelands (Stellenbosch)
Mountain scenery, Cape Dutch houses and vineyard estates are what the valleys of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are known for.
Attractive locations
Huguenot Monument
Monument in Franschhoek remembering the French Protestants who settled in the valley in the 17th century. Three arches and a figure of a woman form the structure.
Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden
The oldest university botanical garden in South Africa, close to Stellenbosch centre. Glasshouses hold succulents and unusual plants such as the desert welwitschia.
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
Mountain valley reserve just outside Stellenbosch, with walking trails, a river and views of the peaks. It suits hikers and picnickers wanting a break from the vineyards.
Stellenbosch
South Africa's second-oldest town, with oak-lined streets, Cape Dutch buildings, galleries and a university. It is the usual base for visiting the nearby wine estates.
Franschhoek
A valley town founded by French Huguenot settlers, surrounded by mountains and vineyards. Wine estates, restaurants and the Huguenot Monument are close to its main street.
Babylonstoren
A working Cape Dutch farm between Franschhoek and Paarl, known for its large terraced garden of fruit, vegetables and herbs. A wine cellar, farm shop and restaurants sit on the estate.
Airports
Cape Town International Airport CPT
It is about 24 km in a straight line from Cape Winelands (Stellenbosch).
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the South Africa page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan21.4 °C20 mm
- Feb21.6 °C15 mm
- Mar20.1 °C25 mm
- Apr17.6 °C48 mm
- May15.1 °C71 mm
- Jun12.6 °C135 mm
- Jul11.9 °C124 mm
- Aug12.0 °C121 mm
- Sep13.4 °C62 mm
- Oct15.6 °C47 mm
- Nov17.5 °C46 mm
- Dec19.9 °C20 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Costs
Prices here are about 42% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
112 from a mobile phone. Police 10111. Ambulance 10177.
local government
South African Police Service (Crime Stop line)
Helps with: Anonymous crime tip-off line. For a police emergency dial 10111, or 112 from a mobile.
Who qualifies: Anyone in South Africa, including visitors, who needs to report a crime.
Phone: 08600 10111
local government
National Department of Tourism call centre
Helps with: South Africa's national tourism department. The government help-line directory lists its tourism call centre for visitor and tourism enquiries.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in South Africa or planning a trip there.
Phone: 0860 868 747
ngo
South African Red Cross Society
Helps with: South Africa's national Red Cross society. It lists a free, confidential service to reconnect people with missing relatives, plus disaster response and first aid training.
Who qualifies: People in South Africa who need its family-tracing, disaster relief or first aid training services.
Phone: +27 10 022 4197
Email: [email protected]
Address: 5 Ryder Road, Randburg, Johannesburg
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) South Africa
Helps with: The UN migration agency, present in South Africa since 1995. It works on migration management, crisis response and partnerships; its office is in Pretoria.
Who qualifies: Migrants and governments working on migration. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +27 12 342 2789
Email: [email protected]
Address: Building 4 Walker Creek Office Park, 25 Nicolson Street, Bailey's Muckleneuk, Pretoria 0181
embassy
Foreign embassies and consulates in South Africa (official list)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or high commission. The foreign ministry's page lists each mission, with addresses, phones and emails.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy, high commission or consulate.
local government
National Disaster Management Centre
Helps with: South Africa's national disaster management centre, based in Centurion. Its contact page gives a main office number and email, and links to a disaster contact list.
Who qualifies: Anyone needing to contact the national disaster management authority. No public hotline is shown on its page.
Phone: 012 065 0969
Email: [email protected]
Address: Riverside Office Park Letaba Building, 2nd Floor, 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Centurion, 0157
local government
Emergency number 112 from mobile phones
Helps with: Reaches emergency services for all emergencies when called from a mobile phone. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 112
local government
Police emergency number 10111
Helps with: Reaches the police. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 10111
local government
Ambulance and fire emergency number 10177
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 10177