Jonkershoek 4x4 Wine Adventure

A breathtaking 4x4 route has been opened for visitors who wish to view Stellenbosch and the Franschhoek region from a vantage point close to the famous Twin Peaks in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve and to sip wines from famous vineyards below.

The two-and-a-half hour round-trip is also an ideal opportunity for eco-tourists with limited time at their disposal and offers matchless photo opportunities in the company of klipspringers, aristocratic black eagles, baboons and the occasional leopard. This all against a canvass of rugged mountain peaks, blue skies, valleys and distant plains.

The route is completed in Land Rovers driven by highly experienced 4x4 experts and starts in the large pine plantations just beyond the entrance to the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. Higher up, the going gets tougher as narrow, moist kloofs with relic forest communities are encountered. Now and then a break in the leaf cover offers awe-inspiring glimpses of the Twin Peak massif.

Soon the forested areas make way for mountain fynbos and a few kilometers further on the crest of the mountain is reached. From here you can look down on the Kleinplaas Dam on the Eerste River in the Jonkershoek Valley below. The dam receives some of its water via a tunnel through the mountains from Theewaterskloof dam near Villiersdorp and supplies water to Stellenbosch and surrounding areas.

The majestic Jonkershoek amphitheater is formed by Botmaskop, Square Tower Peak (closest to where the Land Rovers are parked), the Twin Peaks, Cathedral Peak, Victoria Peak (at 1539 metres the highest and wettest point in the region), the Triplets, Pic-sans-Nom and Haelkop.

To the southwest, part of Stellenbosch is visible, as well as the famous Neil Ellis and Lanzerac wineries in the lower reaches of the valley. As you turn towards the west and northwest, other well known wine estates move into view. Hugging the saddle between Botmaskop and Simonsberg is Tokara, with angel’s view restaurant run by the famous Cape chef, Etienne Bonthuys. Lower down the newly-established, state-of-the-art Zorgvliet moves into view and further north, past the picturesque village of Pniel, the three centuries old Boschendal.

Simonsberg, Klapmuts Hill and the Paarl- and Drakenstein Mountains dominate the magnificent panorama to the west and northwest.

Jonkershoek Nature Reserve

The Jonkershoek Nature Reserve covers 9800 hectares and is managed by the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board. It comprises the Jonkershoek Mountains and portions of the upper Jonkershoek Valley. These, in turn, form part of the larger Boland mountain range. The Eerste, Berg, Lourens and Riviersonderend rivers have their sources high up in the Jonkershoek mountains, although only the Eerste River actually flows through the Jonkershoek valley and the town of Stellenbosch further down.

The natural vegetation is mainly mountain fynbos, with more that 1 100 plant species. Distinctive species are Protea repens, Protea neriifolia, mountain cypress, as well as various ericas and restios.

Trout is no longer bred as they are an exotic species and the original hatching house on the Eerste River is a national monument, used for experimental work by the University of Stellenbosch.

Climate

The climate of the Jonkershoek Valley and surrounding mountains is fairly typical of the south-western Cape. Summers are warm to very hot and strong southeasterly winds prevail. The winters are cold, often with gale-force northwesterly winds and snow is not unusual on the higher peaks.

What to bring along

Visitors are advised to bring additional clothing and windbreakers. In winter gloves and balaclava caps are strongly recommended and can be obtained from the touring company by special arrangement.

When

Two trips can be arranged daily, all year round, weather permitting. One trip starts at about ten in the morning and the other in time for a breathtaking sundown. A selection of fine wines from cellars in view is guaranteed to enhange the experience. A maximum of ten passengers can be accommodated in two Land Rovers, but smaller parties are welcome.