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Sample a romantic, refined lifestyle
Honeymoons in the winelands
Vineyards on Orange River Wine Route, near Upington, Northern Cape
© South African Tourism
Did you know?
There are currently 17 wine routes registered with the South African Wine Routes' Forum (SAWRF), incorporating dozens of individual wine farms.
A honeymoon in the winelands in South Africa is not restricted to the Western Cape, although this region is recognised as the premier wine producing area of the country. There are also winelands in other provinces such as the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The Western Cape, however, with 15 wine routes within 30 minutes to two hours' drive from Cape Town, deserves its reputation as a top honeymoon destination.
For a winelands honeymoon the most popular regions to visit are Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. Self-drive is a leisurely way to experience these routes, dropping in on wine farms in your own time and whiling the day away at your own pace. The other alternative is to join a scheduled wine tour, or have a specialist tour operator tailor a trip to your personal liking.
Other honeymoon wineland destinations moving from the Western Cape into the Eastern Cape include the Klein Karoo Wine Route roughly 5 hours from the Mother City, located on Route 62 all the way from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. This wine-growing country covers impressive mountain passes, small farming towns and a notable number of 20 or so wine cellars.
The Northern Cape is the location of another picturesque wine route, the Orange River Wine Route, with 5 wineries found in towns along the Orange or Great Gariep River. At Keimoes, the Orange River Wine Cellars Co-operative’s distillery is located on the slopes of the Tierberg, affording spectacular views of the river, its islands and irrigation scheme.
Fledgling wine industries are found in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, and while they would not warrant a full holiday based on wine tasting, honeymooners exploring the many tourist attractions of these provinces would do well to sample the products of their cellars.
In the Free State, the Landzicht and Welriza Cellars at Jacobsdal, close to the province’s border with the Northern Cape, are producing well-rated wines.
A winelands honeymoon is a wonderful way to celebrate South African culture, scenery and our very finest tipple.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Cape Town Tourism
Tel: +27 (0)21 487 6800
Email: info@capetown.travel
Klein Karoo Wines
Tel: +27 (0)82 214 5910
Email: info@kleinkaroowines.co.za
Orange River Wines
Tel: +27 (0)54 337 8800
Email: admin@orangeriverwines.com
Midlands Meander
Tel: +27 (0) 33 3308195
Email: administration@midlandsmeander.co.za
Landzicht Wine Cellar
Tel: +27 (0)53 591 0164
Wilreza Wine Cellar:
Tel: +27 (0)53 591 0213
Email: wilketheresa@yahoo.com
How to get here
Most of the Western Cape wine routes are within an easy drive of Cape Town, with the exception of the Klein Karoo Wine Route, which involves a 5-hour drive. The area can also be accessed by flying into George on the Garden Route.
Upington would be the entry point to reach the Orange River wine farms. The town does have an airport hosting scheduled domestic air services.
The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands are easily reached from Durban or Pietermaritzburg, both of which have air connections to other South African cities.
The Free State farms at Jacobsdal could be reached by road from Kimberley or Bloemfontein.
Around the area
Lots of activities are on offer in the main wine regions of South Africa, and include hot-air ballooning, picnicking, hiking and horse-riding.
Get around
Having your own car is the best bet in terms of having access to nearby attractions and activities.
What will it cost
Your accommodation will be your biggest expense, though there is always a range to choose from, from 5-star establishments to guesthouses. Wine farms will usually charge nominal fees for tasting, but you'll also be able to buy wine at reduced rates compared to purchasing wine elsewhere.
Length of stay
You can easily spend a week or 2 enjoying a winelands honeymoon.
Where to stay
Accommodation is readily available, you can either stay on a wine estate or at the various bed & breakfasts in surrounding areas.
What to eat
South Africa's wine estates are also home to some of the finest restaurants in the country - so you are spoilt for choice when it comes to fantastic meals. Visit the Eat Out magazine guide to find out about the top restaurants on wine estates. The town of Franschhoek, about an hour's drive from Cape Town, is well known for its exquisite restaurants.
What's happening
There are regular wine festivals that happen all over the country. Visit the Wines of South Africa website for more information.
Best buys
Buying South African wines at source is economical. Most wine estates will happily organise the shipping of orders to both international and domestic addresses. Online orders can also often be placed.