Make use of the sunny days in Paarl!

Posted by Wilandre Johnson on 12 July 2021 11:40 AM CAT

Lockdown, winter weather, school holidays and working from home can all get a bit too much for families. We encourage you to make use of the sunny winter days and explore these safe, outdoor winter activities for young and old in Paarl. As always please take the necessary Covid-19 precautions and support local by grabbing a take-away coffee and bite to eat before or after your explorations!

The following activities are allowed under Level 4 Lockdown’s Adjusted regulations.

Paarl offers visitors unique golfing experiences to sharpen golfers’ skills at Pearl Valley Golf Course and Boschenmeer Golf Estate.  The Paarl mountains provide a peaceful setting for players. Book your rounds here:

https://www.boschenmeergolf.co.za/bookings/

https://www.pearlvalley.co.za/golf/#tab-2bab97760bd5a0e4fa4

Spend some time in the saddle, connect with nature and take in the stunning vineyards and orchards with Wine Valley Adventures. They have a variety of guided riding options for both experienced and inexperienced riders. www.winevalleyadventures.com

Wander back to yesteryear with Paarl Historical Walk and Tours and learn more about the roles people such as Abraham Gabbema and Arnoldus Pannevis played in the rich history of Paarl. This personalised tour with a guide will help you get lost in the rich culture of our community and explore the diverse architectural building styles.

Alternatively opt for a safe and easy alternative with the Paarl Heritage Voicemap tour. The free downloadable audio tour allows visitors to explore at their own pace.  The international app can be downloaded beforehand and needs no connectivity when you walk the route.

https://voicemap.me/tour/cape-winelands/paarl-heritage-trail-a-story-of-wine-and-pearls

Paarl Mountain Reserve is a conserved piece of fauna and flora and an amazing creation of nature. The huge granite boulders were buried 5 – 10 km below the earth’s surface many years ago, exposed to soil erosion over time and date more than 500 million years back.

The reserve is easy to get to and its network of paths make a walk up the mountain very much a part of the average Paarl resident’s everyday life.

The circular Klipkers Nature Trail takes roughly two hours to complete and comes with a guidebook to help you on your way. There are many more trails varying in duration and difficulty level dotted all around the mountain. Visitors can also spot no less than 15 different protea species and it is a great environment for birding.

https://www.paarlonline.com/places/paarl-mountain-nature-reserve/

Le Bonheur Reptile Adventures offers incredible knowledgeable talks on their various reptiles and engaging interactions too. Their friendly staff and beautiful setting make for a great family friendly day trip option. Extend your visit and book your stay in their waterside stays and order from their restaurant’s take-away menu. www.lebonheuradventures.co.za

The spectacular gardens at Babylonstoren is the perfect spot for an unique visitor’s experience! The Garden Tour takes place daily at 10am. It is hosted by one of the main gardeners who have plenty of charming stories and facts to share. The grounds are wonderful to wander around on your own, but it is great to get extra insight with the garden tour. The gardens and their attention to details is an auditory and visual delight.

Bookings for Garden Tours is essential. Email enquiries@babylonstoren.com or phone 021 863 3852. Visit www.babylonstoren.com if you prefer to book your spot online.

Entrance fees are payable at the ticket office. R20 per adult | R10 per child under 12.

A one-off entry fee allows you to register for Babylonstoren Garden Membership with the free Candide app. This will give you unlimited admission to Babylonstoren for 12 months. Your annual membership allows four friends or family members to join you on the day of your visit.

A visit to the Alpaca Loom Coffee Shop and Weaving Studio alpacas is a lovely outing on a sunny winter’s day. Experience the opportunity to meet the newest babies (crias) and to engage with these adorable furry friendly creatures by joining them on one of their barn tours. The children can get rid of their energy on the jungle gym and petting zoo while adults can enjoy a take-away coffee. www.alpacas.co.za

Paarl Adventure Trails offers guided hiking packages that cater for all fitness levels and tastes.  At Rhebokskloof Wine Estate you can experience the Chardonnay Hiking Trail (5km), the Hillside Hiking Trail (10km) and the Shiraz Hiking Trail (18km).

At Spice Route you can experience the Diamant Hiking Trail (6km) and the Waterfall Hiking Trail (12km). Book here www.paarladventuretrails.co.za/tours/

Did you know? Drakenstein Correctional Centre, a low-security prison just outside Paarl on the R301, is famous for being the location where Nelson Mandela spent the last part of his imprisonment before being released on 11 February 1990. Madiba was moved to the then Victor Verster Prison on 9 December 1988, where he lived in a private house inside the prison compound. Here he was imprisoned for 14 months until his release. The private house where Madiba lived has been declared a South African National Heritage Site, and a statue of Madiba stands just outside the prison gates. Watch the video about Madiba House and its availability to the public for visits here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z65uvfc16zU&t=313s