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21. Paarl and Du Toitskloof

Impressive landscapes surround the historic town of Paarl, founded in 1720. Don’t miss a visit to the massive Paarl rocks, the biggest rock formations to be found in South Africa. The town has its own wine route, of which Nederberg Winery is one of the country’s most famous wine estates. Further on, towards Worcester the Du Toitskloof Pass takes you through stunning mountain scenery, and on your return you will drive through South Africa’s longest mountain tunnel.


Paarl, the largest town in the winelands, is famous for its friendly people, Cape Dutch architecture, good wine farms and laid back atmosphere. Start your day early and note that most attractions are not open on a Sunday.

From the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) (corner of Coen Steytler Ave and Buitengracht street) take the N1 highway eastbound. Continue for about 45 minutes and take the Paarl Main Road turn-off (R45) into the town’s Main road.

Turn left into Flambeau Street and follow the directions to the Afrikaans Language Monument. The monument celebrates the recognition of Afrikaans as an official language in 1875. The views from here are impressive -  overlooking the Du Toits Mountains, the Franschhoek Valley and Table Mountain in the distance. The monument garden is perfect for a relaxing picnic, and picnic baskets can be bought at the small restaurant / shop within the premises. Walk around the monument as each angle provides a unique view of this abstract structure.

As you drive back downhill (about 2 minutes), turn left into the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve. Continue for about 20 minutes on this gravel route around the reserve – it is a great experience and provides fantastic views over the town and the impressive rocks to your left. Drive slowly though as the road could be better maintained.. You will reach a peaceful picnic spot with a nice flower garden. Just after this spot turn left and follow the signs towards the Paarl Rocks. These granite rocks are the biggest rocks to be found in South Africa, and the second largest granite rock formation in the world. It is worth paying the R15 cash entrance fee  per vehicle, as you can take a great circle route towards the Klip Dam Look-out point, Kanonkop, Bethler Dam and Paarl Rocks. Exit the park through Mountain Drive (north east corner of the reserve) into Paarl again.

The Ikhwezi Community Centre sells local products including rugs and art work. The artwork is very impressive and gives tourists the change to support local communities while taking home a unique souvenir. 

If you want to learn more about the Afrikaans language, visit the Afrikaans Language Museum. It is the world’s only language museum, and provides a great insight into the development of the Afrikaans language – the world’s youngest language.

Although the town is mainly industrial, it is worth stopping on the corner of Main and Auret and walking in a southbound direction towards the Strooidakkerk. The Strooidakkerk (Afrikaans for “Straw Roofed Church”), is a beautiful Cape Dutch style building inaugurated in 1805, and the oldest church outside of Cape Town still in use.

Other churches to visit are the Het Gesticht Church – the fourth oldest church building in South Africa (it served as a slave church in the past), and the beautiful Holy Trinity Church on Main Road.

For a great selection of the area’s wine, visit the KWV Cellars. This is South Africa’s largest wine cellar under one roof, where you can buy famous wines and brandies, and attend a guided tour.

Drive down beautiful Main Road back towards the N1 and turn left to Worcester. Continue for about 5-10 minutes and turn left towards the R101 (Alternative Route to Worchester) onto Sonstraal Road. Continue along Sonstraal to Nederberg Wine Farm – one of South Africa’s best known wineries and winner of more international and domestic wine awards than any other in South Africa. The farm holds a beautiful Cape Dutch homestead and picnic area, and offers wine tasting and sales.

Back on Sonstraal road turn left into the R101. This is one of Cape Town’s most impressive mountain roads, and after Chapmans Peak and the R44-road this one should be next on your list. Continue as far towards Worcester as your time allows you, and return back through South Africa’s longest mountain tunnel (a toll road).

On your way back to Cape Town take the R44 turnoff to your left. Animal lovers are spoiled for choice here: Butterfly World, the largest butterfly park in South Africa provides a colourful experience for young and old. There is a delightful restaurant and small craft shop selling butterfly related goods.  The Drakenstein Lion Park (on the R101 off the R44 at Butterfly World) is the only lion sanctuary in the Western Cape, providing a safe haven for these magnificent animals. If you are not going on safari this is the perfect place to view them from the circular catwalk, especially during feeding times. Further on, off the R45 the Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm is home to 1000 crocodiles, and sells some interesting crocodile products including crocodile meat pies (!) and leather goods.

Travel Checklist

  • Visited the Afrikaans Language Monument and Paarl Reserve
  • Craft shopping at the Ikhwezi Community Centre
  • Walked to the Strooidak Church
  • Wine buying at the KWV Cellars
  • Visited Nederberg Wine Farm
  • Drove the R101 Du Toitskloof Mountain Pass and through the mountain tunnel back
  • Visited Butterfly World and viewed butterflies and other small animals (see picture right)
  • Lion watching at Drakenstein
  • Spotted Nile Crocodiles at the Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm

Useful numbers

Afrikaans Language Monument 021 872 3441
Ikhwezi Community Centre 021 868 1707
Afrikaans Language Museum 021 872 3441
The Strooidakkerk 021 872 4396
Het Gesticht Church 021 872 3829
KWV Cellars 021 807 3007
Nederberg Wine Farm 021 862 3104
Butterfly World 021 875 5628
Drakenstein Lion Park 021 863 3290
Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm 021 863 1142


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