Wildlife Safaris in Cape Town: 15 of Them, Priced and Timed

1.Big Five Game Reserve with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,409 reviews · 9 hours · from $236Our pick

Leave Cape Town for Aquila Private Nature Reserve in an air-conditioned minibus. After the 2.5-hour drive, enjoy a buffet lunch, then join an open vehicle safari with an English-speaking ranger. You may see lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and up to 172 bird species.

“Pickup was slightly late, but honestly nothing unexpected and everything ran smoothly afterwards. We were welcomed with drinks, had some good buffet food and a bit of time to relax before the safari started. The reserve itself is huge, with free-roaming animals, and even though I get the “big zoo” comparison some people make, I was genuinely fascinated the whole time. We saw so many animals and learned a lot - the guide explained everything in detail, made sure everyone could take photos, and was overall excellent. For anyone with limited time who still wants to see animals in a well-organized, stress-free way, this is a great tour. Everything was…”

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2.Marine Wildlife Tour from the V&A Waterfront

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,118 reviews · 1h 30m · from $61

Set out from the V&A Waterfront on a fast 90-minute marine wildlife cruise. Your English-speaking captain and guide search Table Bay for dolphins, Cape fur seals, penguins, sunfish, seabirds, and seasonal whales. The small boat gives you close views, though boarding, low rear seats, wind, and spray can be challenging.

“The tour guide was very friendly and his service was exceptional!! He even took some extra time outside of our tour time frame to show us some dolphins and whales! Definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Would highly recommend it for everyone!”

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3.Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 576 reviews · from $184

Travel from Cape Town to Aquila Game Reserve in an air-conditioned coach, then join a roughly three-hour open-vehicle drive through the Karoo. Your English-speaking ranger looks for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, and birdlife. Lunch, a welcome drink, and hotel pickup are included. Guides such as Denver, Max, Josh, and Abriel have earned special praise.

“Beautiful road from Cape Town in a comfortable vehicle. Timely pick up. Great lunch at the lodge. Amazing safari experience”

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4.Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 526 reviews · from $155Top rated

Leave Cape Town at 8:30 a.m. in an upmarket air-conditioned vehicle with a guide such as Mike, Werner, or Jamie. Cross Du Toitskloof Pass, pause for wine or coffee, then join a 2 to 3-hour Aquila game drive with buffet lunch and champagne. The reserve fee is extra, and private safari vehicles cost more.

“Mike was incredible! Very informative and cared for us the entire way! Made sure we were first in line for lunch and made sure we got the best seats! 11/10! So good, we canceled our other tours just to book with him!”

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5.Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 508 reviews · 9 hours · from $168

Travel from Cape Town to Aquila Private Game Reserve for a sunset drive in an open 4x4 truck. Expect a long but scenic day, a welcome drink, tea, coffee, snacks or buffet food, and a ranger-led search for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, and zebra. Guides such as Elda, Dona, Frank, and Josh are often praised for their commentary.

“The trip was amazing, both the driver to Aquila and the safari tour guide were amazing. They both explained things very well. On the way from CPT to Aquila our driver explained some history about CPT, the winefarms and the wars, it kept the drive entertaining. Shoutout to Dona (our driver) (with one a)😉. The safari tour guide was also very good. The park itself is beautiful aswell, it’s not the biggest, but it was big enough to see a lot of animals. We managed to see 4 out of the big 5. The leopard was the only one we didn’t see. Apart from the animals in the big 5…”

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6.South African Wildlife and Safari 2-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 411 reviews · 2 days · from $322

Trade Cape Town for two private reserves, two shared 4x4 drives, and one night in Oudtshoorn. You may spot rhinos, elephants, buffalo, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and more. Guides such as Nev, Denver, Dylan, and Ulrich are praised for making the long drives informative and fun. Add the elephant observation for about R640.

“We are group of 8 (family/friends) traveling together - This activity was absolutely perfect , The safari, accommodation, elephant walk (highly recommended!), the information provided by our guide during long drive, very interesting and useful. Jacob (guide) has organized for us everything - restaurant bookings, transfers and all other one more time: we are very happy and like to say big thank you!!”

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7.Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 350 reviews · 9 hours · from $167

Travel from Cape Town to Aquila Private Game Reserve for a sunset drive in an open 4x4 truck. Expect round-trip pickup, welcome drinks, snacks, and a 2 to 3-hour safari with an experienced ranger. Drivers such as Elda, Yannick, and Jean-Claude have added useful commentary on Cape Town and South Africa during the long drive.

“It was an amazing experience! The group was only 4 persons in a very comfortable car. It was the only option for this park where an entrance fee, safari, welcome drinks, and transportation were included into the price and we didn’t have to pay anything extra! The park is more like a big zoo but we were prepared for that and that’s not that bad because you will be able to see most of the animals and in wild parks you can drive 2 days and miss elephants in the end.”

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8.2 Day Safari Experience from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 326 reviews · from $447

Leave Cape Town at 6am for a packed two-day trip along the southern coast. Visit Africa’s southern tip, enjoy sunset and morning game drives at Garden Route Game Lodge, sleep in a private chalet or lodge room, and stop in Hermanus and Betty’s Bay. Drivers such as Chris, Vaughan, Benjamin, and Frank have been praised for making the long road journey worthwhile.

“Fantastic 2 days. Our driver/guide Benjamin is WONDERFUL. The safari lodge is excellent..so were the meals. We saw lots of animals.”

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9.Marine Big 5 Ocean Safari from V&A Waterfront

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 278 reviews · 1h 30m · from $68

Set out from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront on a 90-minute luxury catamaran ride with an English-speaking crew. Look for dolphins, cape fur seals, penguins, whales, and sunfish while passing Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Clifton, and Camps Bay. Binoculars, muffins, hot chocolate, and bottled water are included. Crew members may include Leslie, Bennie, Patrick, or Captain Lorenzo.

“Great tour, great guys. 10/10 tour. Love the sunfish and muffins”

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10.2 Day South African Wildlife Tour with 4×4 Safari from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 251 reviews · from $279

Leave Cape Town early for Botlierskop’s 4x4 safari, then sleep in Oudtshoorn before a second bush drive at Buffelsdrift. You’ll travel with a local guide such as Neville, Denver, TK, or Isaac, see wildlife in two very different reserves, and return along Route 62. Expect long driving days, flexible lodging, and an optional elephant observation for about R700.

“Excellent trip. Two safaris and saw numerous animals including lions, zebras, giraffes, rhinos.... Guide / driver was very good”

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11.Cape Town Ocean Safari: Speed Boat Adventure in Table Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 242 reviews · 1 hour · from $31Best value

Set out from Quay 5 in a small boat carrying up to eight people. Expect a fast ride from the V&A Waterfront, then slower wildlife searches around Table Bay, with views of Table Mountain, Robben Island and the Atlantic coast. Skippers such as Ricardo, Andrew, Theo, Michaela and Yousef have led recent trips.

“Good experience on the boat, riding the waves and looking for sea creatures”

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12.Aquila Game Reserve Safari Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 183 reviews · 8 hours · from $342

Spend eight hours traveling from Cape Town to Aquila Game Reserve, with hotel pickup, a welcome drink, buffet lunch, and a three-hour open-vehicle game drive. Guides such as Thomas, Djiby, Collen, and Tina have earned praise for safe driving and friendly commentary. Expect close animal sightings, but remember this is a managed reserve, not a wild national park.

“Amazing day! However, they tried to cancel on me the night before for being a solo traveler. I didn’t let them get away with that.”

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13.Aquila Game Reserve: Afternoon Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 166 reviews · from $109

Meet your English-speaking ranger at Aquila Private Game Reserve for a welcome drink, four-star buffet lunch, and a 2 to 2.5-hour vehicle safari across 10,000 hectares of Karoo country. You’ll look for the Big Five, hear local wildlife stories, enjoy leisure time by the infinity pool, and leave at 4 PM.

“Our guide was super nice, taking time and giving opportunities for pictures. He had a great knowledge. The reserve is nice and for sure does a good thing for animals!”

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14.Aquila Private Game Reserve: Sunset Safari with Entry Fee

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 158 reviews · from $63

Drive yourself to Aquila Private Game Reserve by 3 PM for a welcome drink, snacks, and a 2 to 3 hour sunset safari in an open 4x4. Your ranger shares animal facts and bush stories as wildlife heads toward water. Pool time, the labyrinth, giant chess, and optional spa treatments round out the visit.

“The all experience, from the reception from the stuff members, the food and most of all the excitement of the big 5 reserve.”

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15.Marine Biologist Led Safari Tour – V&A Waterfront

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 130 reviews · 1h 30m · from $84

Take a 90-minute RIB safari from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront with an onboard marine biologist such as Amir, Ismail, or Benji. Search Table Bay for dolphins, seals, penguins, sunfish, birds, jellyfish, and possibly whales, with Table Mountain and Robben Island in view. Every ticket also funds marine education through the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation.

“Great tour, the tour guide was very nice and knowledgeable. We were able to see two types of dolphins, penguins and seals. I definetly recommend it if you’re in Cape Town.”

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