Best Picnics in Paarl

  • Rhebokskloof, Noord-Agter Paarl Rd, Windmeul Tel: 021-8698386
  • Full Moon Picknic Taalmonument, Paarl Tel: 021-8632800
  • Nederburg Wines, Sonstraal Road, Paarl Tel: 021-8775123
  • Noble Hill Wine Estate, Klapmuts-Simondium Rd, Tel: 021-8743844
  •  Spice Route, Suid-Agter Paarl, Rd, Paarl Tel: 021-8635222

       Activities Paarl

  • Mountain biking – Rhebokskloof, Spice Route, Paarl Mountain Reserve

Situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Paarl offers a great feast of attractions. Paarl is the third oldest town in South Africa and particularly know for the longest main road and for its mountain or "Paarl Rock".  A number of restaurants serving a range of local and international cuisine can be found within 5 minutes drive from 5 Konings. Most of the wine estates have restaurants eg Rhebokskloof, Fairview and Spice Route. Restaurants nearby are Blacksmith Kitchen, Cattle Baron, Noop Restaurant and Hussar Grill.  Visit the numerous wine farms of the area, meander through the historical streets of Paarl, lined with oak trees and old Dutch buildings, or play a round of golf at Boschenmeer or Pearl Valley, two world-class courses. 

Other activities include:

PAARL MOUNTAIN RESERVE

Enjoy the picturesque landscape of fynbos vegetation dominated by massive rounded granite rock formations set among wild olives, rock candlewoods and wagon trees. Take a vigorous hike, or climb Bretagne Rock, follow one of the many hiking trails, visit Mill water Wild Flower Garden where numerous species of Proteas may be viewed, catch a bass at Nantes dam or enjoy mountain biking, picnics and panoramic views of the Drakenstein valley.

Reserve contact details
Address: Jan Phillips Mountain Drive, Paarl 7620, Western Cape, South Africa
Tel: +27(0) 82 744 5900 / +27(0) 82 335 0461
Enquiry: louiser@drakenstein.gov.za

AFRIKAANS LANGUAGE MONUMENT

One of only 2 monuments in the world to be erected in honour of a language, is worth a visit on the slopes of Paarl Mountain, especially for the view. Full moon picnics are a monthly occurrence at the monument.  Also, visit the Afrikaans Language Museum situated in town.

Reserve contact details
Address: Gabbema Doordrift St, Paarl, 7646
Tel: +27 (0)21 863 4809 / +27 (0)21 863 0543
Enquiry: admin@taalmuseum.co.za

THE ABORETUM

The Arboretum is situated on the eastern bank of the Berg River, is 2.8 km long and occupies approximately 31 ha. Divided into 6 “continents” a unique feature is that trees and shrubs are grouped according to continents of origin.

Visiting Hours
Monday – Sunday

October – March 08:00 – 20:00
April – September 09:00 – 17:00

PAARL BIRD SANCTUARY

A few kilometres north of the town centre is the Paarl Bird Sanctuary, a picturesque and productive sewage works that attracts an excellent diversity of waterbirds. These include several species that are otherwise fairly scarce close to Cape Town, such as Little Bittern, Lesser Flamingo, White-backed and African Black Ducks, Water Dikkop and Malachite Kingfisher.

LE BONHEUR CROCODILE FARM

The picturesque venue – its entrance is lined with guava trees and the main visitor centre peers out over spring-green lawns and a glistening dam – runs guided tours every 45 minutes that begin with an educational briefing in the on-site media room. Here, while groups settle down on comfy old-school cinema seats, the guide zips through the A-to-Z of the Nile crocodile, peppering his descriptions with interesting titbits of information, like the fact that these reptiles can’t swallow underwater, while always ensuring he adjusts his level of speech to the age of his junior audience.

Reserve contact details
Address: Babylonstoren Road, R45, Simondium, Paar
Tel: +27 (0) 21 863 1142 / +27 (0)21 863 0543
Enquiry: info@lebonheurcrocfarm.co.za

BUTTERFLY WORLD

Walk into the lush tropical gardens at Butterfly World Zoo and be greeted by the sound of running water, birdsong and free flying butterflies, while taking care not to step on the green tree iguana lying on the path. Visitors soon realise that this is not only a butterfly park, but indeed a sanctuary for exotic animals, a bird sanctuary, a place where reptiles gets the highly specialised care they should and a whole lot more. This interactive animal attraction is the perfect family outing close to Cape Town. It is also ideal for educational school group outings, home schooler activities, photography opportunities, an outing during school holidays when we have our daily animal shows, etc.

Reserve contact details
Address: Route 44, off N1 Highway, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Tel: +27 (0) 875 5628
Enquiry: education@butterflyworld.co.za

DRAKENSTEIN LION PARK

Drakenstein Lion Park was established in 1998 to provide lions in distress with sanctuary, where they could live in safety, free from abuse and persecution, and be treated with the compassion and respect they deserved.

Reserve contact details
Address: Old Paarl Road, R101, Paarl
Tel: +27 (0) 863 3290
Enquiry: info@lionrescue.org.za