Wine Tasting
Sip fine wines against Africa's most scenic backdrops, from Cape Winelands terraces to Laikipia sundowners. Discover guided tastings at handpicked safari lodges across the continent.
Wine tasting adds a relaxed and sophisticated element to a safari, combining two of Africa’s great pleasures: breathtaking landscapes and exceptional wine. While South Africa’s Cape Winelands are the continent’s best-known wine region, wine experiences are also available at select safari lodges and hotels across Africa.
Most tastings are led by a knowledgeable host, such as a sommelier, lodge manager, or wine expert. Guests are introduced to a selection of wines chosen to showcase the character and terroir of the region. Depending on the setting, the experience may include an introduction to winemaking, tastings of different varietals, and pairings with local cheeses, snacks, or a tasting menu.
Why Add Wine Tasting to Your Safari?
After a day of game drives and outdoor activities, a wine tasting offers a welcome opportunity to slow down and unwind. It allows guests to enjoy a more social and indulgent side of safari while taking in their surroundings.
Wine can also provide insight into the history, agriculture, and culture of a destination. In regions with established winemaking traditions, guests can learn how local conditions, techniques, and generations of expertise have influenced the wines produced today.
The setting can make the experience even more memorable. Enjoying a glass of wine as the sun sets across the African landscape, or taking part in a tasting surrounded by vineyards, adds a special sense of place to the experience.
What to Expect During a Wine Tasting
Wine tasting experiences vary depending on the destination and property, but may include:
- Guided tastings led by sommeliers or knowledgeable hosts
- Local cheeses, snacks, or tasting menus paired with selected wines
- Introductions to local winemaking traditions
- Cellar visits and behind-the-scenes experiences
- Sundowner-style tastings in scenic locations
- Opportunities to purchase favourite bottles to enjoy later
Planning a Wine Tasting Experience
Wine tasting can be easily incorporated into a safari itinerary, whether as a relaxing activity between game drives or as part of a wider food and wine experience.
For travellers who appreciate good food and wine, adding a tasting to a safari creates a well-rounded experience. It provides time to relax, discover local flavours, and enjoy Africa’s landscapes from a different perspective, complementing the adventure and excitement of time spent in the bush.
