Skip to Content

About the Stellenbosch, South Africa Program

The Stellenbosch program is a USAC partnership program. Learn more about on-site program elements and the city itself below.

About Stellenbosch

Students on the beach with their surfboards in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

  • Distance from Cape Town: 31 miles
  • Distance from Johannesburg: 850 miles

Stellenbosch is located in South Africa’s Western Cape Province, approximately 31 miles from Cape Town’s city center. Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa (founded in 1679), and has been able to retain historic elements, such as its iconic Cape Dutch colonial architecture, while also embracing new technology and conveniences.

The small size of the town, combined with its proximity to large, cosmopolitan Cape Town, work together to maximize local cultural immersion opportunities while still giving students access to beaches, museums, cultural centers, and places of historic importance. Stellenbosch itself is a major destination for art, culture, dining, outdoor recreation enthusiasts, and wine connoisseurs, but students interested in exploring beyond the local area can utilize public transportation for daytrips into the Cape Town area to visit Table Mountain, Robben Island, Greenmarket Square, the city’s 20+ museums, and the Cape of Good Hope, among other attractions.