Cape Town to Safari - Affordable Deals, Travel Guide & More.
Are you yearning for an unforgettable African wildlife adventure? Yes?
Dubbed the Mother City of African safaris and arguably one of the most stunning cities on the African continent, Cape Town was made to be explored. This city’s beauty knows no bounds, from iconic destinations such as Table Mountain to fascinating parks like the Kruger National Park.
In this blog post, we introduce you to Cape Town’s top safari gems from iconic parks like the Kruger National Park to chic beach retreats like Boulders Beach. We’ve also included a safari itinerary that takes you along the Garden Route and introduces you to a breathtaking array of coastal wonders, adventure activities, and inspiring conservation initiatives in Cape Town’s safari destinations.
But First…
Here’s Where to Contact Us to Book a Kenya Safari
Call or WhatsApp at +254-704-532-105 for the best African safari packages. You can also email us at safarioffers@kenyaluxurysafari.co.uk
or safarioffers@ajkenyasafaris.com or James@ajkenyasafaris.com or even fill out our “Book a Safari Form.”
And Here’s a List of Most Booked Safaris
The Luxury, 5-Day, 4-Night L. Naivasha, L. Nakuru, & Masai Mara Safari
From £1359
The Super, 5-Day, 4-Night Nairobi & Masai Mara Safari
From £1134
The Magical, 6-Day, 5-Night Amboseli, L. Naivasha, & Masai Mara Safari
From £2234
The Adventures. 7-Day, 6-Night Kenya Wildlife Adventure
From £2060
The Magnificent, 7-Day, 6-Day Kenya Wildlife Safari
From £1945
The Top, 8-Day, 7-Night Kenya Wildlife Safari
From £2078
The Memorable, 5-Day, 4-Night Masai Mara Honeymoon Experience
From £1248
The Magical, 7-Day, 6-Night Honeymoon Safari to Kenya
From £2016
The Luxury, 8-Day, 7-Night Honeymoon Experience in Kenya
From £1948
The Romantic, 14-Day, 13-Night Kenya Honeymoon Safari
From £6317
Key Takeaways
- Explore Cape Town’s Safari Gems for unforgettable wildlife encounters and luxurious accommodations!
- Adventure activities & tours, conservation initiatives and sustainable eco-tourism practices await you in the Garden Route!
- Don’t miss whale watching in Hermanus or penguin encounters at Boulders Beach!
Exploring Cape Town’s Safari Gems
Cape Town is surrounded by an abundance of safari gems offering unforgettable wildlife experiences and luxurious accommodations. From the Aquila Private Game Reserve to the Inverdoorn Game Reserve and Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, you’ll literally be spoilt for choice.
Are you ready to uncover the best safaris near the Mother City? Let’s get to it!
Aquila Private Game Reserve
Nestled amidst the breathtaking Western Cape landscapes, Aquila Private Game Reserve offers an amazing Big Five safari experience just a short drive from Cape Town. Imagine the thrill of spotting lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffaloes all in their natural habitat! You get to witness that and more at the Aquila Private Game Reserve!
Guests can also choose from a variety of exhilarating activities, such as:
- Game drives
- Horseback safaris
- Quad bike expeditions
- Helicopter rides for a bird’s-eye view of the reserve
They can also unwind in one of the reserve’s luxurious chalets like the Premier Luxury Cottages or the Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa.
Inverdoorn Game Reserve
Experience the thrill of the Big Five at Inverdoorn Game Reserve, which is located a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Cape Town. This exciting reserve is home to:
- Lions
- Elephants
- Giraffes
- Zebras
- Hippos
- Wildebeest
The thing that sets Inverdoorn apart, however, is its unique cheetah rescue and rehabilitation center, where you can learn about the incredible conservation efforts to protect these endangered animals.
Inverdoorn also offers:
- Cozy tented camps for a truly immersive safari experience
- Thrilling game drives
- Guided walks with giraffes
- The opportunity to learn about the reserve’s cheetah rescue program
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
Nestled in the Little Karoo, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve offers a luxurious safari experience with a twist. Not only can you spot the Big Five in their natural habitat, but Sanbona is also home to the rare and elusive white lions. These majestic creatures are a sight to behold, and a visit to Sanbona is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness them in the wild.
That, plus Sanbona Wildlife Reserve also caters to both families and luxury seekers, offering an array of activities and accommodation options. Some highlights include:
- Guided game drives
- Bush walks
- Luxurious lodges
- Safari tents
The Ultimate Cape Town Safari Itinerary
Are you eager to plan the perfect Cape Town safari itinerary? The Garden Route, a stunning stretch of coastline that connects Cape Town to the Eastern Cape, is an ideal starting point for your wildlife adventure.
Along the Garden Route, you’ll discover a diverse array of wildlife offerings, from the Big Five in luxurious private game reserves to unique coastal encounters with whales and penguins. Consider including some of these must-visit safari destinations in your itinerary along this iconic route.
Garden Route Game Lodge
Located along South Africa’s Garden Route, is the Garden Route Game Lodge, an exclusive boutique hotel that offers an amazing Big Five safari experience.
The lodge is home to a cheetah conservation center where you can spot up to 600 of these elusive cats and a reptile center where you can encounter anything from the vicious black mamba to the mighty anaconda, over 28 different snake species, tortoises, Nile crocodiles, and rock monitors.
Gondwana Private Game Reserve
Luxury meets sustainability at Gondwana, a private game reserve situated along the Garden Route in Mossel Bay. This eco-friendly reserve offers a diverse range of wildlife encounters, including:
- Elephants
- Zebras
- Hippos
- Giraffes
- Rhinoceros
- Lions
The reserve also boasts unique fynbos vegetation, which can only be found in the Western Cape of South Africa.
Accommodation at Gondwana private game reserve
Gondwana offers a variety of accommodation options, from luxurious lodges and safari tents to private villas. With a strong focus on sustainability and conservation, Gondwana Private Game Reserve ensures your safari adventure leaves a positive impact on the environment and local communities.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Nestled between mountains, forests, and stunning coastlines, the Grootbos private reserve is an award-winning five-star lodge which offers quite a unique safari experience. There’s everything to love about this reserve, from the exciting botanical walks and mammal sightings it offers to whale watching along the coast.
The private reserve also offers a diverse range of accommodation options, including:
- Garden-facing lodges
- Forest-facing lodges
- Private Villas
- And luxury Suites with panoramic ocean views
Other Notable Game Reserves Within the Garden Route Include;
- Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve
- Shamwari Private Wildlife reserve
Cape Town’s Coastal Wildlife Wonders
The coastal wildlife of Cape Town introduces a distinct perspective to the conventional safari experience. From the awe-inspiring whale watching in Hermanus to the heartwarming penguin encounters at Boulders Beach, the Mother City’s coastline teems with unforgettable wildlife experiences.
Whale Watching in Hermanus
Hermanus, a quaint harbor town just a short drive from Cape Town, is renowned for its incredible whale sighting opportunities. The town’s picturesque coastline provides the perfect backdrop for witnessing the majestic Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales, and Bryde’s Whales as they frolic in the waters during their annual migration.
Visitors can choose from a variety of tours, including boat-based tours and shore-based options. The best time to see these gentle giants is from June to November, when they visit the shores of Hermanus to mate and give birth. Don’t miss the chance to experience this awe-inspiring spectacle!
Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
For a truly unique wildlife encounter, head to the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, which is home to a thriving population of over 1000 breeding pairs of African penguins. Here, you can get up close and personal with the charming African penguins. You can also:
- Learn about the African penguin’s behavior and conservation efforts
- Take memorable photos with these lovely creatures
The best time to visit is during the summer months, especially between November and August, when the penguins are most active.
P:S: Late afternoon is an excellent time to spot plenty of penguins returning from foraging, so grab your camera and prepare for an unforgettable experience!
Adventure Activities and Tours for Wildlife Enthusiasts
If you’re a wildlife enthusiast seeking an adrenaline-pumping adventure, Cape Town has got you covered. From biking in Table Mountain National Park to full-day wildlife tours, there’s no shortage of thrilling activities and tours designed to quench your thirst for adventure.
Mountain Biking in Table Mountain National Park
For an exhilarating adventure that combines stunning scenery with a healthy dose of wildlife spotting, biking in Table Mountain National Park is an experience not to be missed. The park’s diverse flora and fauna provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable ride, with routes catering to a variety of skill levels.
The thrilling routes in Table Mountain National Park include the Panorama Loop in Silvermine, the Deer Park Loop, and the Newlands Forest Loop. Along the way, you’ll encounter a variety of wildlife species, such as dassies, porcupines, mongooses, snakes, lizards, tortoises, and the rare Table Mountain ghost frog. So what are you waiting for? Strap on your helmet, hop on your bike, and start exploring!
Full-Day Wildlife Tours
For those seeking a more immersive wildlife experience, full-day tours provide the perfect opportunity to explore multiple safari destinations in a single day. These action-packed tours typically include game drives, bush walks, and bird watching, ensuring a diverse range of wildlife encounters.
One popular option for a full-day wildlife tour is a visit to Aquila Game Reserve and Inverdoorn Game Reserve, both of which promise incredible wildlife and scenery sightings.
Conservation Initiatives in Cape Town’s Safari Destinations
Cape Town’s safari destinations are not only about thrilling wildlife encounters; they also play a crucial role in the conservation of South Africa’s unique ecosystems and endangered species. Through various initiatives, these reserves and parks are making a positive impact on the environment and local communities.
In this section, we highlight some of the inspiring conservation initiatives in Cape Town’s safari destinations, such as cheetah rescue and rehabilitation programs and sustainable eco-tourism practices.
Cheetah Rescue and Rehabilitation Programs
Cheetah rescue and rehabilitation programs, such as the one at Inverdoorn Game Reserve, play a vital role in the protection and preservation of endangered animals. Through these programs, cheetahs are rescued from harmful situations, provided with expert care, and when possible, rehabilitated and released back into the wild.
By visiting wildlife sanctuaries and conservation centers that focus on cheetah conservation, you’re not only supporting the incredible work being done to protect these majestic animals but also raising awareness about the challenges they face in the wild. Why not support the conservation of these magnificent creatures by joining a cheetah rescue and rehabilitation program during your upcoming Cape Town safari adventure?
Sustainable Eco-Tourism Practices
Sustainable eco-tourism practices, like those implemented at Gondwana Private Game Reserve and Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, ensure the long-term preservation of wildlife and their habitats. These practices focus on preserving natural habitat, aiding in conservation, and empowering local communities.
Summary
Whether you’re seeking an adrenaline-pumping mountain biking experience or a luxurious eco-reserve getaway, the Mother City has something for every wildlife enthusiast. So what are you waiting for! Pack your bags and embark on your ultimate African wildlife journey in Cape Town!
Frequently Asked Questions
Your most frequently asked questions answered
Can you go on a safari from Cape Town?
Yes, you can go on a safari from Cape Town! Just under two hours away is the Aquila Game Reserve, one of the top safari experiences near the city. Gondwana Game Reserve is also approximately five hours away and is another great option if you have limited time to explore!
How much does a safari cost from Cape Town?
You can find Safari tours from Cape Town ranging from \$172 – \$12092 per person, making it affordable to anyone! With Tour Search you can further customize your experience and look for the best option for you.
How far is Kruger safari from Cape Town?
Covering a distance of nearly 2,000 km (or 1,250 mi), a direct flight from Cape Town to Kruger National Park only takes about two and a half hours. However, travelers may need to book a connecting flight via Johannesburg, which could add an extra hour or two to the journey.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town’s safari destinations?
Visit Cape Town’s safari destinations in the summer, from November to February, for the best chance to spot incredible wildlife!