Wine Tasting Experience on a Safari

When most people think of a safari, they imagine lions, elephants, and wide open grasslands. But did you know you can also enjoy a wine tasting experience on safari? In East Africa, your wildlife adventure can include a glass of chilled Chardonnay or rich Cabernet Sauvignon served with stunning views of the Great Rift Valley.Welcome to “Safari & Sip” a new and exciting way to combine game drives with vineyard visits, luxury lodge wine cellars, and delicious food pairings in Tanzania and Kenya.

Why Wine & Safari Make the Perfect Pairing

Wine and safari may seem like an unlikely duo, but they share a deep connection with the land. Both experiences are sensory driven: hearing birds at dawn, seeing wildlife roam freely, tasting locally grown produce, and now sipping award winning African wines under starlit skies.

Luxury safari lodges have recognized this, curating wine experiences that rival those in Europe or South Africa. Whether you’re an oenophile or a casual sipper, East Africa offers a unique and elegant twist to your wild adventure.

Kenya: Safari Sunsets & Highland Wines

Kenya’s Rift Valley highlands known for fertile volcanic soils and cool altitudes are now home to a small but thriving wine scene. Here are the top spots to combine game drives with grape tasting experiences:

1. Rift Valley Winery  Naivasha Area

Nestled near Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate National Park, this winery produces local blends like Chenin Blanc and Syrah. While Kenya’s wine production is still growing, Rift Valley Winery leads with passion and quality.

Tasting Experience:
Enjoy tastings overlooking the vineyard, with cheese boards and fresh produce from nearby farms.

Safari Pairing:
Combine a visit here with a wildlife boat tour on Lake Naivasha or a walking safari in Crescent Island Game Sanctuary.

2. Olerai House Wine Tastings Naivasha

This colonial style home owned by the Wildenstein family is surrounded by manicured gardens and acacia trees. While not a vineyard, their private wine cellar is one of the finest in Kenya.

Experience:
Guests enjoy wine tastings paired with home cooked meals, garden walks, and wildlife watching from the veranda.

Safari Pairing:
Giraffes and zebras roam freely on the estate making this a luxurious bush escape with a splash of Merlot.

3. Angama Mara Lodge Maasai Mara

Perched on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, Angama is famous for luxury, location, and its exceptional wine list.

Wine Highlight:
The lodge cellar features over 100 labels, including South African classics and rare vintages.

Food Pairing:
Enjoy multi-course meals with wine pairings after your evening game drive often served on a deck overlooking the Mara.

Tanzania: From Safari Plains to Swirling Glasses

While not yet a major wine producer, Tanzania is home to several unique wine tasting experiences especially in luxury lodges and safari camps that import carefully curated selections from South Africa and Europe.

4. Manjaro Vineyard  Dodoma

Yes, Tanzania produces its own wine! Dodoma, the capital city, is home to the Manjaro Vineyard, known for experimenting with Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, and rosé blends under dry savannah conditions.

Tasting Note:
These wines are earthy, bold, and improving every year. You can sample them in upscale bars or directly at the source with a pre-arranged visit.

Safari Pairing:
This vineyard visit fits well with cultural tours around Dodoma or en route to Ruaha National Park.

5. Gibb’s Farm  Ngorongoro Highlands

This stunning coffee and flower estate doubles as a culinary retreat. While it’s not a winery, the lodge features a wine cellar stocked with international and Tanzanian wines, thoughtfully paired with farm to table meals.

Food & Wine Pairing:
Dinner is a highlight think slow cooked lamb with herb roasted vegetables, paired with a deep red Shiraz.

Safari Pairing:
Spend your day exploring Ngorongoro Crater, then return for a peaceful dinner with wine overlooking the rolling highlands.

6. Singita Sasakwa  Grumeti Reserve, Serengeti

This world class lodge is a favorite for discerning travelers and wine lovers.

Wine Program:
Singita boasts a temperature controlled cellar with an extensive selection of New World and Old World wines, particularly from South Africa.

Dining Experience:
Their in house sommelier offers pairing recommendations with every meal, whether it’s grilled game meat or fresh lake fish.

Safari Pairing:
Spend your day following the Great Migration, and your night enjoying five star dining and wine under the stars.

Safari Inspired Food & Wine Pairings

Pairing wine with local East African cuisine adds another layer of magic to your trip. Here are some perfect matches:

• Grilled nyama choma (roast meat) + Cabernet Sauvignon

• Tilapia from Lake Victoria + Chenin Blanc

• Spicy Swahili curries + off-dry Riesling

• Goat stew with matoke + Pinotage or Syrah

Lodges often incorporate seasonal ingredients from their own gardens or neighboring communities, making every meal authentic and fresh.

Final Sip: A Safari for the Senses

A safari is about more than wildlife. It’s about moments. Watching giraffes walk across the plains while holding a glass of chilled wine. Tasting local dishes under a starlit sky. Sitting beside a fire with a bold red in hand, listening to the night sounds of Africa.

With Traford Safaris, your journey can be wild, refined, and unforgettable all in one glass.