Cape Town Safari Day Trips

You don't need to fly to Kruger to go on safari. Several private game reserves in the Western Cape are close enough to Cape Town for a day trip, and all of them are free of malaria. A day trip includes return transport, a game drive in an open vehicle and a meal at the lodge.

These reserves are fenced and set in the dry Karoo, so the landscape and the number of animals are different from Kruger. They are a good introduction for families and anyone short of time.

Reserves you can visit

Aquila Private Game Reserve

About two hours from Cape Town. Day trips include a game drive and buffet lunch, with optional quad bike or horseback safaris. Overnight packages are also available. See Aquila.

Inverdoorn Game Reserve

About two and a half to three hours from Cape Town, near Ceres. Morning and afternoon safaris, with overnight options. See Inverdoorn.

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

A large reserve on Route 62, about three hours away. Best visited for one or two nights.

Garden Route reserves

Gondwana, Botlierskop and Buffelsdrift are four hours or more from Cape Town, so we recommend an overnight stay. See our Garden Route tours.

How a day trip works

• Early pickup. Expect a pickup from your hotel between 5 and 6 am.
• Game drive. Two to three hours in an open 4x4 with a ranger.
• Lunch. A buffet or set meal at the lodge, then free time or an optional activity.
• Return. Back in Cape Town in the early evening. Plan on a 10 to 12-hour day.

Day trip or overnight?

An overnight stay gives you an afternoon and a morning drive, when animals are most active, with far less time on the road. If you can spare one night, it is worth it.

If seeing a lot of wildlife is the main goal, consider a few days in Kruger or the Eastern Cape instead. See South Africa Big 5 safaris.

Good to know

• Some reserves keep lions in a separate predator camp; your ranger will explain how sightings work.
• Mornings in open vehicles are cold from May to September, so bring a warm jacket, hat and gloves.
• Summer days in the Karoo are hot. Bring sunscreen, a hat and water.
• These reserves are a good choice for children, as there is no malaria risk.