How lovely would it be to spend a day meandering through the Durbanville Wine Valley without the worry of driving between the farms, employing the GPS, finding parking or making sure you have a designated driver for the day? Say no more! The newly launched Durbanville Wine Valley Safari will whisk you away for a day of wining and dining, whilst safely and conveniently dropping you right in front of your destination with a smile.
Introduction
Although not a new concept to the South African wine scene, this is an innovative and exciting addition to the Durbanville Wine Valley, and an excellent way to showcase its world-class wines and award-winning restaurants.
I was absolutely honoured to be invited recently to be part of the first group of wine lovers to hop aboard the sparkling new Wine Safari truck, ready to indulge in the gifts of Cape Town’s northern vineyards. It was a day of exuberant joy, of togetherness and of spoils, whilst letting our hair down carefree in the wind (literally!), as we safari’d through the beautiful Durbanville Wine Valley.
Background
The Durbanville Wine Safari launches after extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including local wine producers, tourism operators, and tourism authorities. “The aim was to develop a service that not only enhances the wine-tasting experience but also supports the region’s growing reputation as a must-visit destination,” says Joss Terry, who co-founded the Durbanville Wine Safari with fellow entrepreneur Henri Nimb.
“The concept was born from our own experiences as regular visitors to the area,” says Henri. “We’ve always loved going but needed a reliable form of transport to get around for safe wine tasting. The Wine Safari does this in a fun way, because you get to enjoy the trip with other wine lovers too.”
What sets the Durbanville Wine Safari apart from other wine tours is its unique hop-on-hop-off service, offering visitors unparalleled flexibility in their journey through the valley. Guests can choose their own adventure, hopping off at any participating wine farm to indulge in tastings, tours, or simply soak in the scenic beauty. This service allows wine enthusiasts to craft a personalized experience, visiting multiple estates at their own pace, all while enjoying the convenience of a dedicated transport system that ensures safe and reliable travel between destinations.
In addition to its hop-on-hop-off service, the Durbanville Wine Safari also caters to groups, making it an ideal choice for corporate team-building events, special celebrations, or group outings. The Wine Safari team works closely with organizers to create memorable experiences that meet the specific needs of each group.
The routes
This hop-on-hop-off service operates on two designated routes, serviced by two 22-seater safari-style vehicles that loop on a predetermined route through the area’s most celebrated wine farms. The farms that visitors may visit on the Northern Line, are Groot Phesantekraal, Diemersdal, Canto, Meerendal, Bloemendal and D’Aria. The Southern Line visitors will stop at De Grendel, Durbanville Hills, Klein Roosboom, Nitida, Maastricht and Bloemendal.
The experience
Our day started outside the Bubble Up Boutique, right by the city hall in the heart of Durbanville. We were treated to deliciously refreshing and fun bubble teas in the shade as the day warmed up from early on. Outside, we could see the sparkly new navy and beige truck, bearing the beautiful Durbanville Wine Valley Safari logos. The excitement was tangible as we gathered, eagerly waiting for our Southern Line experience to commence. But, being my first boba experience, I was completely happy to linger a bit longer in the company of the Bubble Up Boutique, sipping on my sparkling boba tea. Owner, Ezél, is just as fun, colourful, vibrant and sparkling as her teas, and we loved every minute of our bubbly lay-over here. The boba teas were so good – I even took four large teas home at the end of the day for my family to experience! I opted for cherry rooibos tea with passion fruit boba – ridiculously delicious!
After a quick welcome and briefing by co-owners Joss and Henri, we boarded the truck – it was way more comfortable and spacious than I anticipated, with soft seats, safety belts and sturdy steps and handgrips, made for a luxurious, yet safe, journey. With no windows between us and the panoramic views, it was lovely to feel the warm air on our faces as we set off to Maastricht Wines, whilst soaking up the pristine beauty of the rolling hills. Our driver was Vincent Nodangala, and an excellent driver he is!
At Maastricht we were treated to a wine tasting and a snack of bitterballen, served with mustard. A stunning accompaniment for the Maastricht Sauvignon Blanc 2024, this is a signature Dutch mouthful.
Another great thing about the Wine Safari tour, is that all your purchased wine will be safely stored and transported for your convenience, leaving your hands free to enjoy your day.
Our next stop was at Cape Town’s best kept (not-so) secret, Klein Roosboom. We were dropped literally at the front door of their newly renovated eatery, without having to walk from the already-full parking area. We were spoiled with a plated picnic lunch, which included the most delicious platters, breads, salads, cold meats, cheeses and of course, ice cold wine.
With happy, full tummies, we prepared to be driven to our last experience – a cellar tour and wine tasting at Durbanville Hills. An absolute must-visit for any first-timers to the Durbanville Wine Valley, we got a sneak-peek at the inner workings of this award-winning wine farm before settling for a guided wine tasting, basking in the late afternoon sun.
Joss, Henri and Vincent was, in true Durbanville Wine Valley style, incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. You could ask them anything, whilst sitting back and knowing they’ll get you safely to your destination. Vincent assisted us at the steps getting on and off, and happily kept our purchases safe in the van, whilst Joss and Henri offered advice and insight about the Valley and all its beautiful treasures. Having such a fountain of information on hand throughout the trip definitely adds a whole new level to this personalised experience.
In conclusion
In conclusionI wish Joss and Henri all the best with this exciting new venture. I can’t wait to return for another safari during the holidays, as it’s an experience I’ll certainly enjoy twice. The convenience, the luxury, the indulgence and the practicality of the Durbanville Wine Valley Safari is simply unparalleled. Paired with Durbanville Wine Valley hospitality, award-winning wines and sumptuous meals, and this experience should be included into the Seven Wonders of the World!
Tickets for the Durbanville Wine Safari are priced at R300 per person, offering exceptional value for a full day of exploration. The service operates Tuesday to Sunday from 09:30 to 17:30, with tickets excluding any additional fees that some farms may charge for tastings or special activities. More detailed information, including route maps, participating wine estates, and booking details, can be found on the official Durbanville Wine Safari website.
For more information, visit www.
Disclaimer: I was invited to this event in my personal capacity. There was no expectation for platform coverage in the form of a blog, or social media posts. This is my honest and truthful opinion and review thereof. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are solely those of The Little Hedonist, given in good faith and in no way influenced by the company or its affiliates. All images, unless otherwise stated/credited, are also my own.
Offerings featured are subject to change. Please get in touch with The Durbanville Wine Valley Safari to confirm exact details.
The Little Hedonist endorses responsible drinking.
Don’t drink and drive. Not for persons under 18.
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