When I thought of Cape Town before first visiting, I thought of a bustling city environment, intense history, and beautiful landscapes. While going on a safari wasn’t necessarily what immediately came to mind, it’s certainly a unique activity that most people don’t have the chance to partake in.

These safaris are just a short drive from the center of the city, where you’ll find yourself immersed in a genuine wildlife experience. I’ve gone ahead and detailed the 5 top Cape Town safari tours currently out there, so you know it’ll be worth your time and money. Let’s jump right in!

Be sure to see our reviews of Cape Town Paragliding Experiences, Shark Cage Dives and Helicopter Rides.

Best Cape Town Safari Tours

	Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip	2 Day Safari Experience from Cape Town	Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town
Location:	Hotel pickup and drop-off included	Hotel pickup and drop-off included	Radisson RED Cape Town V&A Waterfront, No. 6, Silo, Silo Square
Start:	8:30 AM	6:00 AM	9:00 AM
Duration:	10 hours	2 days	9 hours
Includes:	Professional guide, round-trip transport from Cape Town, transport in an upmarket vehicle, buffet lunch with a glass of champagne	Breakfast, Dinner, accommodationd, Driver/guide, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, 3 Course Dinner, Breakfast on Day 2, 2 x Game Drives	Return Transfers from Radisson Red Hotel with English speaking driver only, Experienced game ranger on game drive, Open vehicle game drive (non private), Lunch
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Cape Town Safaris For 2024

1. Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip
2. 2 Day Safari Experience from Cape Town
3. Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town
4. Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town
5. 2 Day South African Wildlife Tour with 4×4 Safari from Cape Town

Cape Town Safari Reviews

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

If it’s your first time in Cape Town (or Africa, really), I highly recommend taking up an experience you can’t get anywhere else, like this safari. The Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip combines education, culture, and thrilling wildlife encounters from a trusted company that places safety of every being at the forefront.

With the luxury of a well-curated, all-inclusive day trip, everything is taken care of for you – all you have to do is bring your sense of adventure! The day starts out with a convenient hotel pickup at 8:30 am, so you don’t have to worry about heading to a meet-up spot or organizing separate transportation.

Our upmarket, climate-controlled vehicle was very comfortable, smooth, and featured big windows ideal for appreciating the wonderful views of the natural landscapes outside. Our guide was very friendly, ensuring everyone was comfy while offering conversational yet educational stories of the land and culture of the area.

After making a stop to admire Table Mountain and Breede River Valley/Hex River Valley, we finally arrived at the Du Toitskloof Wines for a proper wine tasting, as well as some amazing coffee right next door at the Ou Meul Bakery & Cafe! Honestly, I’d probably do the trip just to have some of their Bootleggers coffee and pastries again!

After fueling up, we arrived at the massive 10,000 hectare Aquila Safari Reserve private game farm complete with a free glass of champagne, fantastic buffet lunch, and game drive. we had a pro game ranger there to lead the way on our 2 to 3-hour drive, where we got the chance to see all of the Big 5 (lions, elephants, buffalo, leopard, and rhino)!

We saw every one but leopards, and wow, was it something special! After that thrilling experience, we stopped for a little break at the Du Kloof Lodge which sits right on the Molenaars River, with the Witteberg Mountain in the background.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

2. 2 Day Safari Experience from Cape Town

Are you on the lookout for one of the most comprehensive wildlife experiences one could have around Cape Town? Then the 2-Day Safari Experience from Cape Town should be at the top of your list.

As you can probably guess from the title, it is an experience that spans 2 days, filled with delicious food, amazing views, learning opportunities, and the chance to see incredible wildlife. With a professional game ranger there to guide you, you know you’re in good hands and have excellent chances of spotting these breathtaking animals.

Your tour starts off with a convenient hotel pickup at 6:00 am to ensure you really have a full day to take advantage of, setting off on a wonderful route to the southern point at Cape Agulhas.

Our vehicle was very comfortable and our guide/driver did a great job at keeping us engaged while carefully navigating the route, stopping first at a gorgeous lighthouse to explore a bit and take photos before heading to Garden Route Game Lodge. The lounge is very comfy, and we had a solid amount of time to rest before heading on our Big 5 sunset safari!

The Big 5 sunset safari was simply jaw-dropping, getting into the wilderness and spotting elephants, hippos, giraffes, rhinos, lions, and other beautiful creatures! After our safari, we enjoyed a delicious 3-course dinner, with top-notch service and delicious drinks.

We then took a well-deserved rest in the wooden chalets under the starry African sky, ready for an early morning with a delicious breakfast before heading for an early morning game.

Day 2’s early adventure was so much fun, with a knowledgeable guide who filled us full of fun facts and insight into the land and natural habitats of the local wildlife. We got to see a few animals we didn’t see the day prior, which was exciting! After, we headed along the coast, arriving at Betty’s Bay where we got to see a local penguin colony!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town

Perhaps you don’t want to commit to an overnight adventure but still want the thrill of a safari excursion. If that sounds like you, check out the Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town.

This tour not only offers you the opportunity to see the Big Five along with up to 170 bird species, with no long drives or waits – just immediate access to one of the region’s top game reserves.

You can choose to be picked up in the morning at your hotel or port and get ready for an approximately 2-hour journey out to Aquila, in a comfortable, spacious bus with your guide.

The guides do a great job of narrating along the way, with interesting educational commentary, fun facts, and anecdotes relating to the surrounding environment and wildlife. Upon arrival at the reserve, we were paired with a professional game ranger and hopped into a durable open-top vehicle made specifically for adventuring amidst the flora and fauna.

Spanning over 24,000 acres, the possibilities of seeing wildlife in their natural habitats are virtually endless – from zebra and gemsbok to lions and buffalo! It really felt like we were in some kind of movie or alternate reality, being able to see these majestic creatures so close up!

Our guide provided us with engaging, detailed explanations of the different animals we came across, and their behaviors, which was really interesting to learn about.

We didn’t feel rushed at all on our drive, and afterward, we got to indulge in a delicious buffet lunch that was filled with fresh ingredients! The drinks were nicely-priced as well and very delicious, for the cherry on top of an already amazing day!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town

Next up is the Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town which also takes you to the private Aquila Game Reserve located in the heart of the Karoo semi-desert region. It’s another fantastic full-day tour that will give you a taste of the wild without committing to an overnight adventure like some of the others require.

This is also a great selection if you’re particularly interested in birds, as the Aquila Game Reserve is especially known for its nearly 200 bird species that call it home!

This 9-hour excursion has everything covered, with round-trip transportation, a convenient hotel pickup with flexible start times, and a guide who knows just about everything you could ever want to learn.

Upon arrival, we were treated to a complimentary welcome drink which foreshadowed a great day with top-notch customer service and views. We were met with a game ranger where we all boarded an open-air safari vehicle to kick off our game drive!

If you didn’t already know about the “Big Five” you will after today, with the chance to see the elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and rhinos. The leopards are notoriously a bit more elusive so we didn’t get to see them, but I was pleasantly surprised by how many birds I got to see for the first time!

The endangered Aquila Black Eagle was particularly fascinating, and I felt so lucky to get to see them thriving in an environment that properly protects them.

After our drive, we headed back for a delicious buffet lunch at no extra cost, where we all excitedly reminisced on the experience we just had.

Our guide did a fantastic job and really made a difference in our experience, ensuring that we were at the beginning of the line for minimal wait times, knew how to navigate the area properly, and really made sure we all had a smooth time. I couldn’t have asked for a better time!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. 2 Day South African Wildlife Tour with 4×4 Safari from Cape Town

I couldn’t write this guide without including the phenomenal 2-Day South African Wildlife Tour with 4×4 Safari from Cape Town! Offering an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the raw flora and fauna of the region, this will surely be a highlight of your trip.

If you really want the “full experience”, this overnight trip is one of the best out there. Start off by being picked up in the morning right at your hotel lobby, taking off in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle and head out the the beautiful Klein Karoo.

Along the way, your guide will regale you with interesting historical, cultural, geological, and biological background about the region. Then, arrive at a Garden Route region game reserve, where you’ll get to partake in a Big 5 tour in an open 4×4 vehicle at Botlierskop game reserve near Mossel Bay.

We saw giraffe, white rhino, lions, elephants, zebras, wildebeest, kudu, and more – it felt like we’d stepped into The Lion King or something! With 2 guided 4×4 drives with an expert ranger to lead the way, we felt comfortable with their knowledge and attention to safety.

After that, we entered ostrich country where we enjoyed an optional braai BBQ dinner, tried ostrich meat, and then spent the night nearby. After a tasty, hearty breakfast, you’ll set off on an open-topped 4×4 bush drive for a rugged adventure to see Cape buffaloes, elephants, and other massive critters!

We learned a ton about the ecosystem and smaller animals and insects, which was a nice contrast to the other rides we took. After that, we had plenty of time to see 3 rescued elephants up close at an observation center that keeps them safe before heading back!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience