Gary Barlow’s Wine Tour: South Africa

Aside from being known as a legendary musician, composer and lead singer of the globally acclaimed group Take That, Gary Barlow’s latest endeavour sees the artist embark on a remarkable journey through South Africa’s extraordinary wine regions, with stops at Cape Town, Kruger National Park and more. Driven by his passion for wine, the series showcases some of the stunning landscapes, vibrant culture and world-class culinary experiences South Africa has to offer.

Following on from Gary’s trip to South Africa, our South Africa specialists have created a list of the destinations mentioned in the series with some expert tips that you should consider when planning your own luxury South Africa holiday and South Africa safari.

Franschhoek, the town where Gary meets fellow musician Eliot Kennedy, is a small village with a more relaxed pace in comparison to the other two areas of the winelands. The area revels in world-renowned restaurants and outstanding wine estates.

One of our favourite places to stay in Franschhoek: La Clé des Montagnes
Best time to visit the Winelands: November – March
Mentioned in: Episode 1

Paarl is South Africa’s third oldest town and aside from its incredibly diverse array of wine varieties, it is also a town bursting with character and beautiful scenery.

One of our favourite places to stay near Paarl: Grande Roche Hotel
Best time to visit the Winelands: November – March
Mentioned in: Episode 1

Stellenbosch is considered as the heart of ‘The Winelands’. Home to South Africa’s oldest wine route and many of the major vineyards including the Spier Wine Farm that is mentioned in the series, Stellenbosch is a must for those looking to sip through some of the best award-winning vintages of the region. Beyond its infamous roots in wine, Stellenbosch is known for its beautiful white-washed Cape Dutch architecture often found throughout the Western Cape.

One of our favourite places to stay in Stellenbosch: Delaire Graff Estate
Best time to visit the Winelands: November – March
Mentioned in: Episode 1

The historical coastal town of Hout Bay in Cape Town is a great place to stay for those seeking a seaside escape. As shown from the episode when Gary meets wildlife presenter, Michaela Strachan, in her hometown of Hout Bay, it is the perfect place to have an up-close and personal experience with the local seals. Due to its ideal location, you can also embark on scenic hikes through the trails of Table Mountain.

One of our favourite places to stay in Hout Bay: Tintswalo Atlantic
Best time to visit Hout Bay: November – March
Mentioned in: Episode 2

From whale watching and swimming with dolphins on the coast to exploring the history of the capital and Robben Island to witnessing the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town is a city of experiences.

One of our favourite places to stay in Cape Town: Cape Cadogan
Best time to visit Cape Town: November – March
Mentioned in: Episode 2

Hermanus is one of the best towns on the southern coast of the Western Cape for spectacular whale watching expeditions. The infamous Walker Bay that is seen in the episode when Gary and Ben Shephard meet one of the country’s youngest wine producers, Maanschijn, is a must see. If you arrive during the summer months, you may have the chance to experience the iconic sunset Braai celebrating the local heritage.

One of our favourite places to stay in Hermanus: Birkenhead House
Best time to visit Hermanus for whale watching: August – October
Mentioned in: Episode 3

In the episode, Gary and Jane McDonald head on a safari in one of the largest game reserves in Africa, Kruger National Park. Covering nearly 20.000km² of undisturbed savannah, woodland and riverine forest, Kruger National Park is one of the best African safaris and home to nearly 150 species of mammals including the Big Five and over 500 species of birds.

One of our favourite safari lodges in Kruger National Park: Dulini River Lodge
Best time for a safari in Kruger National Park: May – October
Mentioned in: Episode 4

Whether you are looking to explore the world-class winelands of the Cape or embark on the adventure of a lifetime with a South Africa safari, our South Africa experts will help you plan the holiday of a lifetime that is entirely tailor-made to suit your passions: +442039933538 or make an online enquiry.