Somerset West - today
Somerset West is ideally situated to explore the wine farms around Stellenbosch and the whole Cape Peninsula in comfortable day trips. Located only minutes away is the bathing hotspot Strand with its enticing False Bay water. Directly in front of you, its attractions, from the East - Gordons Bay - up until the tip of the Cape Peninsula - Cape Point - can be seen.
Somerset West has a very nice golf course and good opportunities for shopping. The historical wine farm Vergelegen is worth more than just one visit.
The Disa Gorge of the Helderberg Nature Reserve is home to a variety of beautiful orchids which bloom from December to
February. One can see duiker, springbok, bontebok, grysbok and a large variety of bird species. Amongst them are the Protea Seedeater (a species which can only be found here), and on the heights golden eagles, peregrine falcons and mountain buzzards.
Large parts of the Hottentots Mountain range are also nature reserves, through which excellent hiking trails of a few hours up to 5 days in length stretch. Whale watching is possible along the entire bay, directly from the shore throughout almost the entire year.
