North of the Magalies, or north of the ‘Mighty Apies’ as some say, there are many leisure activities on offer and yet so few people know about them. One of the most exciting developments is a small Kruger Park , which is called the Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve, only 30 minutes from Pretoria! The Dinokeng area covers the North East – Quarter of Gauteng . To make the people more aware of the Dinokeng area, the Wine Safari not only takes you on a virtual journey through some of the wine estates of the Western Cape but also on a slow route through the Dinokeng area where the Wine Safari is hosted by a number of superb and well organised lodges.

The Gecko Lodge (www.geckolodge.net) hosted the launch of the Bushveld Wine and Food Festival on the 19th September 2009.

Implementation plans are well under way with construction of the gates due to start soon. The reserve is already well stocked with a variety of game and the progressive introduction of lion, elephant and buffalo is also planned.

The Magnificent Wine Safari has created the ‘wine safari’ concept combining the best of both worlds, it’s a half day activity which is part bushveld experience and other part wine tour. There are 200 Lodges in the area and the lodges will also be rotated on a regular basis to keep the wine safari experience fresh and interesting.

INTO THE WILD

Past the N1 on Zambezi Drive, we turned north on the R573 towards Kwamhlanga for 35km and then left on the Hartbeesfontein turnoff for another 10km. At the Nyani Conservancy / Gecko Lodge signboard, we turned left onto the dirt road for approx 2km and then we were in the middle of the bush! On the way there, passing all the gates of the many game lodges, I got a very satisfying feeling as I realised that almost the entire Dinokeng area is aimed at conserving and protecting the wild to the full. No wonder the National Parks Board had no other choice than to select this area for the Big 5 game reserve so close to the city.

LET THE TASTING BEGIN

We arrived at Gecko Lodge to red carpet treatment and were given a branded wine glass from which we would sample 18 wines from seven different wine estates. Wine etiquette was presented by Charl Steyn, representing New View wines and whiskies, and wine and venison pairing was also explained well. Also included were cheese and snacks and there was a bar as well as more substantial meals available.

Later that evening, we were entertained by a band playing much enjoyed music and an open fire added to the atmosphere of being in the bushveld. We then went to the Leopardsong Game Lodge for the night, where the friendly staff greeted us in the pitch dark, an experience most memorable and special in the vastness of the bush. In the early hours of the morning, my wife opened the curtain to have a look outside and she disturbed a Nyala grazing nearby. But he just looked up, made eye contact and carried on grazing. The next morning we enjoyed a hearty five star breakfast before making our way back home with a head full of wine knowledge and that relaxed bushveld feeling.

As Pretoria is only 45kms away, The Wine Safari can be done any day of the week as a half day tour on request by guests, businesses and tour guides. The package includes visiting three lodges, a light lunch, tasting of 18 wines from seven different estates and a wine safari bag including a branded tasting glass, cap, map of the Dinokeng area and a bottle of water.
For more information www.thewinesafari.co.za or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it