The Closest Safari Options to Cape Town

Let’s face it, Cape town is not the first place that comes to mind when you think of a safari in South Africa. However, you’ll be pleased to know that we have some of the finest reserves within driving distance of the Mother City – all with magnificent game viewing, including opportunities to spot the Big Five.

Once you’ve chosen your ideal vehicle from our wide selection – whether you’re looking for a hardy 4×4 or a cushy SUV – you can start planning an adventure that combines Cape Town’s Mediterranean appeal with South Africa’s incredible wildlife. Read on to learn more about these epic destinations.

Photo: Unsplash

Why Choose a Cape Town Safari?

Simply put, it’s fairly easy to combine your visit to Cape Town with a safari, even if you’re strapped for time. Cape Town is one of South Africa’s premier tourist destinations, thanks to iconic attractions like Table Mountain (a New7 Wonder of the World), Robben Island, and the Cape Winelands. In fact, there’s so much to do here that you might end up wanting to stay forever.

Some visitors combine a trip to Cape Town with an additional flight to safari areas like Kruger National Park. However, you really don’t have to go that far to see incredible wildlife. The Mother City even has its own national park, Table Mountain National Park, which spans much of the Cape Peninsula. Here, you can see African penguins at Boulders Beach, spot antelope at Cape Point, or go bird-watching around Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.

However, you might be thinking more along the lines of the Big Five, Africa’s mightiest animals. They are the African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, black and white rhinoceros, and the king of the jungle itself, the African lion. Believe it or not, these animals live in several private game reserves just outside of Cape Town, and although it’s a far cry from Kruger’s bushveld, the Western Cape has a distinct wildness of its own.

So, why opt for a Cape Town safari? Well, you can head out on a game drive early in the morning and still have the whole day at your disposal to enjoy everything else the Cape has to offer!

Photo: Getty

Nature Reserves in and Around Cape Town

Before we get to the Big Five, let’s explore some truly spectacular nature reserves in and around Cape Town. As mentioned, there’s Table Mountain National Park, which includes the Table Mountain section, Silvermine-Tokai section, and the Cape Point section. Furthermore, it includes a dedicated Marine Protected Area (MPA) where you can observe whales, dolphins, seals, and sharks in their natural habitat.

Here are some of our picks for top nature reserves in the Cape:

• Rondevlei Nature Reserve: Grassy Park, Cape Town. Home to Cape Town’s last remaining wild hippopotamuses and plenty of bird life.
• West Coast National Park: Langebaan, West Coast. Under two hours from Cape Town, this reserve has antelope, zebra, and plenty of birds and is famed for the wildflowers that bloom each spring.
• Kogelberg Nature Reserve: Betty’s Bay, Overberg. This fynbos-rich nature reserve is home to a herd of wild horses.
• Cederberg Wilderness Area: West Coast. The Cederberg is home to incredible natural rock formations where enigmatic creatures like the Cape leopard stalk their prey.

Photo: Unsplash

Private Game Reserves Under 2 Hours from Cape Town

As mentioned, you can see large animals without ever having to leave the Western Cape. Here are our top picks for private game reserves close to Cape Town:

Thali Thali Game Lodge

This 1,460 hectare private game reserve borders the West Coast National Park and offers a classic Weskus experience. Animals here include buffalo, blue wildebeest, springbok, ostrich, zebra, gemsbok (oryx), and giraffe, and you can see all of them on daily guided game drives. You can stay in self-catering chalets, glamping tents, or the large farmhouse. There’s also a restaurant and bar that’s ideal for sundowners.

Buffelsfontein Game & Nature Reserve

Another West Coast gem, Buffelsfontein is perfect for self-drive safaris and is only about an hour’s drive from Cape Town, making for a great day trip. Opt to follow the game rangers in your 4×4 rental or book a limited spot on one of the reserve’s viewing trucks. You can spot four of the Big Five here: lion, buffalo, rhinoceros, and leopard. Other wildlife includes cheetah, zebra, giraffe, kudu, and red hartebeest. Accommodation options include a wild bush camp and various self-catering options.

Aquila Private Game Reserve

Aquila is arguably Cape Town’s premier Big Five safari destination. It lies nestled between the Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains and is also home to numerous other indigenous species, including various birds of prey. Aquila is special because it reintroduced the Big Five to a region they’ve been absent from for centuries. This restoration project also includes the dedicated Animal Rescue Centre (ARC), a non-profit endeavour that cares for animals that can never be released back into the wild. The centre’s specialists also rehabilitate endangered and injured wildlife on their way to re-wilding.

Accommodation options include both lodges and cottages, and after a long day of game drives, you can unwind at the excellent on-site spa.

Photo: Getty

Game Reserves 2-3 Hours From Cape Town

Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve

Inverdoorn is Aquila’s sister reserve and is also home to the Big Five. However, this Karoo wilderness’ major draw is its a successful Cheetah Rehabilitation Centre. Before Searl Derman took ownership of the reserve, visitors could interact with the cheetahs, creating an ethical dilemma for wildlife lovers. Today, Inverdoorn asserts a strict “no-touch” policy that allows guests to see these incredible cats up close – without infringing on their animal rights.

Inverdoorn also has hippo, giraffe, zebra, and numerous other species, all of which contribute to an an unforgettable safari experience within touching distance of Cape Town. Accommodation includes a lodge, a tented camp, and various self-catering options.

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve spans a whopping 62,000 hectares at the foot of the Warmwaterberg Mountains in the Little Karoo. Not only does it offer exceptional game viewing, but it’s also a haven for a huge variety of flora and some rare examples of San rock art. Wildlife includes the Big Five, hippo, eland, zebra, and the highly elusive riverine rabbit – one of the most endangered mammals on the planet.

In fact, Sanbona is on the verge of being declared an official nature reserve in partnership with CapeNature. Its non-profit model, which focuses on re-wilding the Little Karoo, aims to conserve this unique landscape for future generations and inspire other private game reserves to follow suit. Accommodation options include the Dwyka Tented Lodge, Gondwana Family Lodge, and Tilney Manor.

Photo: Getty

Some of your best memories will be made on safari trips, from sipping on a flask of hot chocolate or coffee at sunrise to spotting an animal you’ve always wanted to see in the wild. If this article has taught you anything, it should be that you don’t have to take a lengthy holiday for a safari – you can do it all from Cape Town. With Drive South Africa all of these options are just a click away, so make sure that you use our nifty booking tool at the top of the page to find your ideal vehicle.

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