Last Updated on March 3, 2020 by AIFS Abroad
There’s so much to see and do while spending a semester, year, summer, or January term in Stellenbosch, South Africa! Whether you’re studying, interning, or volunteering, the cultural activities you can experience are endless.
In South Africa, AIFS offers excursions to Cape Town, the Cederburg Mountains, the Cape of Good Hope, and Robben Island. Students also can take a 6-day tour of the Garden Route — perfect for animal lovers!
Check out these awesome videos from Ashley Williams, an AIFS in Stellenbosch alum from Spring 2017 who attends the University of Florida. She captured many of the excursions she took part in while spending a semester abroad in South Africa.
1. Garden Route Tour
Included in AIFS program fees!
The renowned Garden Route is named for its diverse and plentiful ecology, magical bodies of water, and scenic coastline. Stretching from the Western to the Eastern Cape, AIFS takes an excursion down this route, visiting thea township in Knysna, Tenikwa Wild Cat Sanctuaries, the Cango Caves (a World Heritage site), and much more.
Elephant Day of the Garden Route Tour
2. Climbing Table Mountain and Lion’s Head
Included in AIFS program fees!
Table Mountain, one of the most iconic landmarks in Cape Town, cannot be missed. To get to the top, visitors ride the cable car or — if you’re feeling adventurous — hike up for a fabulous view of the city. On a clear day, you can even see Robben Island and beyond.
3. Cederberg Mountains
Optional AIFS program excursion.
A couple of hours north of Cape Town lies the incredible Cederberg Mountains, famous for its stunning abundance of wildflowers. It is here that AIFS students enjoy jaw-dropping scenic mountains and ecology. The area is full of mountains and streams, sandstone formations, and unique wildlife. AIFS incorporates a visit to a vineyard where students enjoy learning about the local wine during a wine tasting. In addition, students participate in an outdoor stargazing experience at Sanddrif and get to see Bushman San cave drawings that are over 8,000 years old. To integrate into the local culture, AIFS students reside in mountain cabins on a local farm, where meals are traditionally cooked over a ‘braai,’ or an open fire.
4. Jonkershoek and Gansbaai
At about 24,000 acres, Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is perfect for adventure seekers and nature lovers! The mountain range here is breathtaking and is exceptionally close to Stellenbosch. A plethora of wildlife and animal species can be seen here, as well as multiple rivers.
Gansbaai is a fishing town on the Western Cape where students can enjoy whale watching, cage-diving with sharks, and more! At just under two hours from Stellenbosch, it makes for a wonderful excursion.
If you’re feeling inspired by all of these great activities and cultural experiences, don’t delay — submit your application to study abroad with AIFS in Stellenbosch, South Africa today!
