Wild Vine Travel: Rooted in Place, Shaped by Story
Wild Vine Travel was founded by lifelong South African friends whose earliest memories are threaded through the landscapes of the Western and Eastern Cape. These are not destinations we discovered later in life — they are places that shaped us. Places we returned to again and again as children, teenagers, and adults, learning their rhythms, seasons, and quiet corners over time. They are, quite simply, part of our DNA.
From long summers spent savouring the winelands, to road trips tracing the coast and weekends disappearing into the vastness of the Karoo and untamed bush of the Eastern Cape, our relationship with South Africa has always been deeply personal. It is this lived connection — rather than a checklist of highlights — that underpins everything we do at Wild Vine.
Over the past two decades, some of our founders have worked within South Africa’s wine industry, gaining an intimate understanding of the people, places, and stories behind some of the country’s most celebrated vineyards. Tables have been shared in cellars and farm kitchens, relationships built slowly over time, and a deep appreciation formed for the craftsmanship, heritage, and provenance that define South African wine culture. These experiences opened doors not just to exceptional wines, but to the quieter, more authentic moments that travellers rarely encounter on their own.
But wine was never the whole story.
To truly disconnect from the noise of the modern world and reconnect with ourselves, we found ourselves returning again and again to the landscapes that offer space — physical, mental, and emotional. Savouring the fruits and dramatic scenery of the Cape Winelands. Meandering down the Garden Route, where coastal forests meet long, open beaches. Venturing inland into the expansive Klein Karoo, where time slows and the horizon seems endless. And journeying into the wild, open spaces of the Eastern Cape, where a well-paced safari has the power to recalibrate the soul.
These journeys taught us something important: the way you travel matters as much as where you go.
Wild Vine grew organically out of years spent planning trips for friends and family. What began as casual recommendations quickly became something more considered — refining routes, discovering places worth lingering in, and quietly curating experiences that felt natural rather than staged. We learned which roads to take, which farms welcomed unhurried visits, which lodges understood the value of stillness, and which moments were best left unscheduled.
Over time, a philosophy emerged.
We believe that meaningful travel is built on local knowledge, personal relationships, and a deep respect for people, place, and wildlife. It’s about slowing down enough to notice details, to listen, and to allow a destination to reveal itself. This approach aligns naturally with slow travel in South Africa — a country best experienced at a considered pace, where the distance between places is part of the story, not an inconvenience.
Today, Wild Vine operates as a bespoke travel company in South Africa, designing journeys that are entirely tailored to the individual. No two itineraries are the same, because no two travellers are the same. Every journey begins with a conversation — understanding your interests, your pace, your curiosity, and what you hope to feel when you travel.
Our itineraries often weave together seemingly contrasting experiences into a single, seamless story. These vineyard-to-safari journeys are at the heart of what we do — connecting South Africa’s celebrated wine regions with its extraordinary wildlife in a way that feels intuitive and unforced.
For travellers drawn to South African wine tours, we offer access to both iconic estates and boutique wine farms that reward curiosity. From Stellenbosch wine experiences rooted in tradition to the elegance of Franschhoek wine estates and private wine tastings hosted by passionate winemakers, our approach is always personal. Wine, for us, is about context — the land it grows in, the people who craft it, and the meals and conversations that accompany it.
Beyond the winelands, our journeys take travellers off the beaten track in South Africa, into places that feel expansive and restorative. The Klein Karoo, with its arid beauty and quiet open landscape and wide open skies, offers a powerful counterpoint to the coast. The Garden Route invites exploration at a gentler pace, where nature sets the agenda. And the Eastern Cape delivers some of the country’s most rewarding safari experiences and untouched beaches— intimate, uncrowded, and deeply moving.
As custom safari specialists, we design wildlife encounters that prioritise respect, conservation, and authenticity. We work closely with private reserves and conservation-led lodges that share our commitment to responsible tourism in South Africa. These are places where wildlife is protected, local communities are supported, and travellers are invited to observe rather than consume.
Our role as private tour operators in South Africa is not simply to arrange logistics, but to act as trusted advisors— curating experiences, anticipating needs, and ensuring that every element of your journey flows seamlessly. Whether travelling by guided transfer or embarking on a thoughtfully planned luxury self-drive through South Africa, our itineraries are designed to feel effortless while remaining deeply immersive.
In 2026, Wild Vine will extend this philosophy into a new chapter, hosting curated travel experiences around Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. We will welcome New Zealand travellers journeying to South Africa for the matches against the Springboks, offering accommodation and experiences that extend far beyond the stadiums. These journeys are designed to showcase the depth and diversity of the country — from wine regions and coastlines to wildlife encounters and cultural experiences — ensuring that the trip becomes as memorable as the rugby itself.
To support this, we have partnered with a born-and-bred New Zealand travel advisor, ensuring there is a relatable voice on the other end of the phone. This partnership allows us to better understand the expectations, preferences, and travel styles of our New Zealand guests, while delivering experiences grounded in local South African expertise. Together, our team works closely with each traveller to create a journey that feels both familiar and extraordinary.
When you travel with Wild Vine, you are welcomed into South Africa not as a visitor, but as a guest. We invite you to experience the vibrancy of our cities, the beauty of historic and modern vineyards beneath towering mountains, and the long coastal roads that reveal new perspectives with every turn. We take you off-grid into the vastness of the Karoo, where silence becomes a luxury in itself, and into the Eastern Cape, where unforgettable safari moments unfold naturally, without spectacle.
Every Wild Vine journey is thoughtfully crafted and entirely bespoke. We listen carefully, plan intentionally, and remain present throughout your travels to ensure that the experience feels seamless, personal, and deeply rewarding.
At our core, we believe that great travel — like great rugby — is built on respect, tradition, and shared stories. It’s about connection: to place, to people, and to moments that stay with you long after you return home.
We look forward to planning journeys that are not just memorable, but meaningful — and to creating stories that become part of your own travel legacy. It’s about how you travel, who you meet, and the lasting connection you form with the landscapes, people, and stories along the way.