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19 December 2022 by Norire Arakelyan
Kick back, fill up your glass and take in two of travel's most gratifying experiences – exquisite wine and spectacular wildlife. Seeing the world's unique wildlife finds itself somewhere on all of our bucket lists. Below, we explain how you can combine it with nature's other glorious gift – wine. It almost sounds too good to be true.
However, no matter whether you're savouring a good glass of authentic wine from a world-class vineyard or coming up close with some of the world's most extraordinary animals, a few select places allow you to enjoy both, as this beautiful mix of nature and taste intertwine harmoniously.
Whilst South Africa's Cape Winelands combine effortlessly with Botswana's wildlife-rich Okavango Delta, there's also plenty of inspiration to be found on the other side of the Indian Ocean. As one of the world's premium wine producing countries, Australia's native wildlife often draws less attention. But with everything from dolphins and kangaroos to koalas and crocodiles, there's certainly plenty to draw nature enthusiasts down under. Below, we discover the best places in the world to experience both wine and wildlife.
Australia
Australia's warm climate, clean air, big skies, pounding surf and huge open spaces are a world away from our own crowded island. But in such a vast country, it's impossible to see everything in one fell swoop. So, why not begin with arguably its most distinctive asset - its unique wildlife. What's more, you can enjoy it all with a glass of wine, experiencing the very best of the country's urban, natural and culinary world at the same time.
For the best experience, we recommend our 17-day tailor-made journey for an in-depth introduction to the myriad highlights of South & Western Australia, giving you a chance to taste the world-class wines of award-winning Barossa Valley, as well as seek out endemic wildlife such as kangaroos, koalas, the elusive kookaburra along with friendly quokkas.
South Africa
Wildlife takes centre stage in this magnificent country. With everything from giant whales in Hermanus to the wildlife-rich Kruger National Park, it doesn't come much bigger and better for animal enthusiasts. There's even room for the Big Five, who also call South Africa their home. But, it doesn't end there. South Africa is also one of the world's best wines producing countries, with a plethora of award-winning vineyards. How do you mix it all together we hear you ask?
To combine it all together in one impressive holiday, why not take our action packed 11-day Cape, wine & whales itinerary. Here our specially designed itinerary allows you to sample delicious wines paired with the finest gourmet food in some of South Africa's most notable restaurants, whilst also offering the best platform for whale watching in some of the world's most fertile waters. To cap it all off, why not speak with our experts about extending your stay in southern Africa with our recommended Botswana extension, offering the ultimate safari experience in the teeming wetlands of the iconic Okavango Delta, the perfect compliment to an already memorable holiday experience.
New Zealand
New Zealand boasts some truly wonderful landscapes and with such an abundance of fresh mountain air and wide open spaces, its of little surprise that this remarkable country also produces a wealth of outstanding modern and traditional cuisine along with some of the world's finest wines. But aside from its wonderful landscapes, outstanding natural beauty and culinary exploits, New Zealand is also home to some incredible wildlife, particularly when it comes to its marine life. Backed by snow-capped mountains, Kaikoura is the best place in New Zealand for watching whales and dolphins as well as seals. You can also enjoy an incredible amount of migratory birds, particularly in regions such as Marlborough Sound, along with the possibility of spotting flightless Kiwis.
Our incredible 25-day comprehensive Culinary Highlights of New Zealand itinerary includes visits to some of the country's unmissable spots including Marlborough Sounds and the epic Franz Josef Glacier, along with the unique wildlife of Waiheke Island and Kaikoura. With more wineries than one cares to count, there's all the opportunity to experience the finest scenery and wildlife with a glass of wine in hand.
Argentina
Argentina stretches from the tropics almost to Antarctica, so it's no surprise that its wildlife ranges from the toucans and butterflies that flit through the spray of Iguazú Falls to the crowds of Magellan penguins that line the beach at Punta Tombo. Likewise, whether you're in the countryside or the city, up in the mountains or by the coast, Argentina's food and wine is always excellent. Famed for its full-bodied malbec, the Andean town of Mendoza is ever-popular, with visitors keen to explore the region's sprawling vineyards, fed by the melting snow of some of the continent's highest peaks.
Encompassing the best of these incredible regions in one itinerary, our 13-day Natural Wonders of Argentina holiday knits together all of the above and more. The wildlife in the Iberá Wetlands is prolific, with caiman, capybara, marsh deer, armadillo and more than 300 bird species making their home among the peaceful creeks and lagoons. We highly recommend extending this itinerary by adding on the peaceful town of Mendoza, for arguably the best vineyards in all of South America.
