Rain Farm Lodge Wine Tasting Safari

Posted on September 18 2018

This was a one day safari near Durban, a mini game safari if you will.  Which included wine tasting, cheese, chocolate truffles, chocolate brownies and caramel tarts (to name a few!), it was a delightful day of indulgence!  Just 35 minutes from Durban, Rain Farm Lodge is a great day tour activity for all ages.

Whether you are planning a quiet escape for two, or are going with a big group of friends, this is a fun activity either way.  Sometimes it’s nice to break out of your routine and do something different.  In my experience, getting out of town is one of the best ways to do this.

While we just went for the day, there is a huge array of lovely overnight accommodation here!

Rain Farm Lodge guest accommodation options:

• The farmhouse complex – comprises of 3 farm houses which sit in front of the river and are close by to one another making them perfect for a large group, or they can be booked separately
• Giraffe – perched above the dam with its own private pool, this lodge has beautiful views and an abundance of wildlife activity!
• Luxury dam units – 6 luxury units that are tucked away in the trees and face another picturesque dam
• Luxury tents – looking for a romantic getaway?  This is the accommodation for you, nestled in-amongst the tree-tops and overlooking Umhlali river, these tents are full of character and are an authentic way to experience the African bush!
• Waterbuck – sitting on stilts and overlooking yet another dam with gorgeous views of the rolling hills beyond, this wooden cabin has an outdoor shower and spa bath and its own private island with braai and picnic area
• Zebra honeymoon suite – a cute little thatched rondaval with a fireplace, large balcony with a jaccuzi, outdoor shower and mini kitchen

They offer a variety of game drives including a sunset game drive, a game drive and picnic, and a romantic game drive and picnic.  You can also arrange special events here such as kids parties, kitchen teas, bridal showers, proposals, weddings and conferences.

You can expect to see Zebra, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Warthog, a few kinds of buck, Ostrich, Emu and a whole host of beautiful birds.

Website: rainfarm.co.za

Where: F9 Rain Farm, Esenembe Road, Umhlali

Let’s talk Wine Tasting Safari!

I am admittedly not the biggest drinker, so I did more cheese and cracker sampling and photo-taking than anything else.  But when you’re surrounded by lovely scenery and even lovelier friends, it doesn’t really matter what you’re doing so long as you’re relaxed and having a good time.

So here we go…We got to Rain Farm Lodge around noon and were immediately swept off to the first cheese and wine table where we were given our “glass for the day” and told to guard it with our lives – which (surprisingly) proved to be solid advice.  Them wine glasses are like socks, they’ve got disappearing powers, who knew?

From here we were picked up by our safari guide and driven over to stop after stop

5 stops to be exact where we were left to enjoy ourselves for around 40 minutes.  Each venue was beautifully arranged with tables of delicious food, chairs, and a wine tasting table where there were 5 wines to sample at each stop.

The first stop was next to a lovely little dam one one side, and overlooking rolling hills on the other side.

We saw an elegant giraffe all on his own, sloping up the hill.  I love giraffes!  They’re just awesome.

The second stop was my favourite, nestled between a rocky outcrop and a crystal clear dam with a babbling brooke.  Not to mention the gorgeous fruit board that was waiting for us here, as well as the aforementioned truffles, brownies, and caramel tarts!

WOW…Look how YUM

Say hello to the caramel tartlets:

Annnnnd the chocolate brownie bites:

And now take in the tranquility of this little dam

Stop number three was beside a river surrounded by tall, thin trees that kept us cool on the warmest day of spring so far.

Number four took us to another little river, surrounded by huge trees.  This table was decorated with the most beautiful pink proteas.

And finally the fifth stop was enjoyed by yet another picturesque flowing river in the middle of the African bush.

On our drive back to the lodge we disturbed a group of ostriches who ran along in front of the game vehicle for a good while.

When we arrived back at the lodge there was more (MORE??! Yes, more) cheese and crackers waiting for us with a comforting glass of port.  We decided to warm up in the cozy bar and enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea and a game of darts before heading back to Salt Rock / Ballito.

All in all, our Rain Farm Lodge Wine Tasting Safari experience was well worth it.  And I’m pretty sure an overnight stay would be even more delightful and fully relaxing.

Have you stayed at Rain Farm Lodge or been on a Rain Farm Lodge Wine Tasting Safari?  What did you think?  Let me know in the comments, I always look forward to hear from you.