Best Safaris Near Cape Town

Photo Credit: Aquila Private Game Reserve

This 10,000-hectare reserve is known for its conservation efforts and excellent customer service. Aquila holds nothing back when it comes to its guests. There are three, half-day safaris available every day — early morning, afternoon, sunset, and options for full day tours and overnight packages. Sightings of the Big 5 are possible here, along with giraffes, hippos, antelope, and 170 bird species. Aquila’s main goal is to preserve and protect African wildlife. They have an on-site animal rescue center as well as leopard research facilities. 

• Distance from Cape Town: 2 hours (176km) northeast of Cape Town in the historic town of Touws River. This is a great option for those looking for a day trip only.
• Accommodation available: 4-star lodge offers standard rooms, family suites, and luxury cottages that include their very own fireplace. A restaurant, spa, infinity pool, wet bar, cigar lounge, and children’s entertainment center are also included.
• Other activities: Horseback safari, quad bike safari, fly-in safari (arrive at the reserve via helicopter!)
• Suggested tours:
  • Aquila Wildlife Safari Tour
  • Wildlife Safari at Aquila                                       

Photo Credit: Garden Route Game Lodge

This reserve offers two safari tours daily, each lasting roughly 2–3 hours. One departs in the early morning and the other in the late afternoon, since these are the times the animals are the most active. On the tour, you are likely to spot four out of the Big 5; lions, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos. You can also see giraffes, zebras, various antelope species, and free-roaming cheetahs. Overnight guests are offered sunrise and sunset safaris along with a tour of the reptile center which houses 28 different snake species, Nile crocodiles, and tortoises.

• Distance from Cape Town: 3 hours 40 minutes (350km) east of Cape Town in the village of Albertinia. It is possible to do as a day town from Cape Town, but it’s probably more comfortable to stay the night.
• Accommodation available: Room options in the 3-star lodge range from standard rooms, to family and luxury suites, to honeymoon chalets. Full restaurant with terrace dining is on site.
• Other activities: Families traveling with kids will love the 'Kids on Safari' option which allows children to explore and learn about the reserve under the guidance and supervisor of a field ranger. Bird fanatics will enjoy watching over 50 species of rare and native birds throughout the reserve. There is also a spa and pool at the lodge that’s perfect for unwinding after a long day on safari. 

Photo Credit: Inverdoorn Game Reserve

As self-proclaimed “luxury” safari, Inverdoorn may not be the cheapest on the list, but it’s certainly one of the most catered and comfortable. The reserve sits on 10,000 hectares in the arid Klein Karoo region. The grounds teem with birds and wildlife, including the Big 5, giraffes, zebras, hippos, impalas, springboks, and more. Inversdoorn is one of the most popular safaris in South Africa due to the high level of service provided by the staff and proximity to Cape Town.

Inverdoorn goes to great lengths to protect and preserve the animals that call their reserve home. RhinoProtect, a pricey security and research program specifically designed for the reserve’s resident rhinos, goes above and beyond to keep the animals safe from poachers. The Cheetah Sanctuary is another highlight. Visitors can view the fastest animal on earth partaking in running exercises that ready them for their release into their natural environment on the reserve.  

• Distance from Cape Town: 2 hours 30 minutes (200km) northeast of Cape Town in Breede River.
• Accommodation available: The 3-star Izibi Safari Lodge has stylish guest houses, up-scale chalets, and posh suites. Relaxation is the name of the game here with first-class culinary dining and poolside lounging.
• Other activities: 2-day one-night safaris, private safari, sunrise/sunset safaris, walk with giraffes, cheetah encounters, cheetah runs.

Photo Credit: Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Sanbona is the biggest reserve on the list with 58,000 sprawling hectares. Situated at the foot of the Warmwaterberg Mountains, the impressive landscape and some unique and rare wildlife are what sets Sanbona apart from the others. Another unique selling point is the ancient rock art that can be viewed in the reserve. Dating back 3,500 years, the fascinating drawings depict the rituals and spiritual beliefs of the ancient tribes, the San and the Khoi-Khoi.

Safaris take place at sunrise and sunset and last for roughly 3 hours. Visitors can experience multiple landscapes and habitats as well as the chance to see the Big 5, iconic white lions, cheetahs, and rare riverine rabbit. Sanbona also offers boat safaris, creating a new and innovative way to tour the reserve.

• Distance from Cape Town: 3 hours 15 minutes (256km) east of Cape Town in the town of Montagu. Unfortunately, due to the sheer size of the reserve, the establishment doesn't entertain day trips. Hence, spending the night is mandatory.
• Accommodation available: Environmentally-friendly 5-star accommodation in the form of luxury tented lodges with private spa baths. Or book an entire manor complete with private bar, pool, and his and her bathrooms.
• Other activities: Birdwatching, walking and hiking trails, rock art tours, and one of the best stargazing in South Africa. For those traveling with children, there’s a kids program that caters to little ones’ interests while educating them on the importance of conservation.

Claiming to be the closest Big 5 safari to Cape Town, this reserve does a lot of business with day-tripping tourists. While it’s true the Big 5 do call this reserve home, even the reserve admits that spotting a leopard is a rare occurrence. Located at the foot of the Brandwacht Mountains, surrounded in vegetation, fauna, and flora, Fairy Glen is rugged, natural, and full of wildlife.You’ll feel days away from the big city even though the reserve is only roughly an hour away from Cape Town.

The reserve offers half day safaris (with or without transportation from Cape Town), as well as overnight safari options. The tours can be conducted by vehicle or horseback. A nature walk to the Brandwacht Dam is included in the overnight safaris with a chance to see 250 bird species. 

• Distance from Cape Town: 1 hour 20 minutes (113km) from Cape Town in the town of Worchester. This is the closest day-trip option on our list.
• Accommodation available: Overnight safari guests have the option to stay in either the standard or luxury chalets. Bar and Braai (BBQ) facilities and an outdoor pool are included with the accommodation.
• Other activities: Hiking trails.

This 2,500-hectare private nature reserve is an award-winning eco-tourism destination near Cape Town in South Africa. Overlooking the pristine beaches of Walker Bay, this reserve has 118 species of birds and 29 mammal species as well as ancient forests that are home to rare and endangered plants. The reserve is especially known for its marine safaris during which you can spot whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins. The Grootbos Foundation is dedicated to conserving the local wilderness and has pioneered sustainability initiatives in the region.

• Distance from Cape Town: 2 hours (160km). 13km past Stanford on the R43.
• Accommodation options: Two lodges have private suites with private decks, fireplaces and outdoor showers. You can opt to stay in a private luxury villa as well. 
• Other activities: Marine safaris, birdwatching, hiking trails, horseback riding, whale watching and botanical tours. 

Buffelsfontein, a former cattle ranch, reopened in 2002 as a 1,600-hectare game reserve. One of the game reserves closest to Cape Town, Buffelsfontein is home to four of the Big 5: lions, buffaloes, white rhinos and giraffes. Travelers can also see cheetahs, zebras, kudus, elands and oryxes in the reserve. Game drives take place twice a day and must be booked in advance. Travelers can go for either a three-hour game drive or one that lasts for 90 minutes. Overnight accommodation is available in bush camps, chalets and a guesthouse. The reserve also has a restaurant as well as a bar.

• Distance from Cape Town: 1 hour (80km)
• Accommodation Options: A wide variety of accommodation options ranging from bush capms and basic chalets to luxury cottages and gusthouse rooms are available gor travelers. 
• Other activities: Bike tours and bush camping

Before deciding on which safari near Cape Town to embark upon, consider your priorities. If you’re traveling with children, there are a few reserves that are more family-friendly than others. If traveling in comfort is a must, there are luxury options overflowing with South African hospitality. Or if it’s all about which animals you’re going to see, be it the Big 5 or a rare encounter with the White lion, there are safaris that can practically guarantee what you will spot these. Whichever safari you choose, we doubt you’ll be disappointed!

When you are done with the safari, you might want to try other activities available in and around Cape Town. We highly recommend taking on one of the many hiking trails in Cape Town or pursuing the famous road trip – The Garden Route. 

You can gather helpful tips from our travel guide on how long to spend in South Africa. Feel free to get in touch with our travel experts for a customized tour of South Africa.

For a seasonal overview, see our article on the best time to visit South Africa.