Safaris · NATIONAL PARK SAFARIS IN CAPE TOWN
Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 national park safaris in Cape Town justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.
Leave Cape Town by air-conditioned minibus for Aquila Private Nature Reserve, crossing the Hex River Valley. After a buffet lunch, join an English-speaking ranger for a two-hour open-vehicle safari. You may see lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and up to 172 bird species.
“It was great! Our guide Kayim was fantastic, great ride”
Spend about nine hours traveling from Cape Town to malaria-free Aquila Game Reserve, where an English-speaking ranger leads a three-hour open-vehicle drive. Expect lions, rhinos, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, birds, a buffet lunch, and scenic Karoo views. Guides such as Denver, Max, Josh, and Abriel have earned particular praise.
“We are not really animal friendly but the whole experience of this safari was amazing, from the friendly and helpful driver/tour guide to the guide on the safari bus. Had an amazing day”
Travel from Cape Town to Aquila Private Game Reserve with guides such as Dona, Elda, or Frank, then ride an open safari truck at sunset. Expect a long but scenic day, a 45-minute wine tasting, welcome refreshments, buffet food, pool time, and a good chance to see four of the Big Five.
“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…”
Travel from Cape Town to Aquila Private Game Reserve for a sunset drive in an open 4x4 truck. You’ll have round-trip transport, a welcome drink, snacks, and an experienced ranger. The reserve offers close animal sightings, though the long drive and bumpy truck ride require patience.
“We had tue most amazing day, our driver Dona was absolutely amazing , told us so much about South Africa in our drive qas very friendly and made us all very comfortable was also a fantastic driver felt very safe. We saw 4 of the big 5 the Aquila Game reserve was absolutely magnificent we had a great guide Tyler he made every effort possible to make our Safari perfect. Thank you for such a wonderful experience.”
You’ll ride from Cape Town to Aquila Game Reserve, enjoy a welcome drink and buffet lunch, then spend three hours in an open safari vehicle with a ranger such as Tina, Thomas, or Josh. Expect close views of lions, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo, but treat leopard sightings as unlikely.
“We had a great trip. Collen was a wonderful guide and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience!!”
Travel from Cape Town through the Cape Winelands to Aquila Private Game Reserve. Your day includes roundtrip transport, lunch, bottled water, park fees, and a three-hour open-vehicle safari. Guides such as Ray, James, Josh, and Collen are praised for their wildlife knowledge and friendly service.
“Absolutely brilliant expert in what they do brilliant safari and very good customer service.safe and good”
Travel from Cape Town to a private Big 5 reserve for an evening 4x4 drive timed for golden hour. Your guide explains local wildlife and plants while you look for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, and zebra. French-speaking guide Enoch Mukidi Lokwa is available on some departures.
“The safari itself was good but the price for it was not included. This is just for the transfer and light snacks. You do not get the value for your money as you still have to pay for the actual safari upon arrival. The duration of the whole thing exceeds 3 hours so please bear this in mind. Communication with the host was very bad also.”
You fly from Cape Town to Johannesburg, continue by road to Hazyview, and enjoy sunset, full-day, and morning safaris in Kruger. Moses has guided early portions of the trip, while Tembo Guest Lodge provides two nights, breakfast, and a practical base near the park.
“Good- one and half day safari, not three days- AMAZING. Saw the big 5 Lovely guide and drivers. Attention to detail with journey there and back with lunch and consideration for comfort stops. Hotel lovely and very comfy. Flight time good. HotRead more”
You’ll travel from Cape Town to Fairview Wine Estate for five wine and cheese tastings, then continue to Aquila Private Game Reserve. A ranger-led 4x4 drive, buffet lunch, welcome drink, and hotel transport are included, but the reserve entrance fee of about R1890 per person is extra.
“O passeio é bem incrível! Tive oportunidade de ver diversos animais. O motorista e guia me buscou e levou até o hotel. Carro extremamente confortável. Leon é muito simpático e educado. Recomendo essa experiência!”
You’ll leave Cape Town by air-conditioned vehicle for a 2 to 3-hour Aquila safari with a ranger, followed by a buffet lunch and a Fairview wine-and-cheese tasting. Hotel pickup, water, and transport are included, but the reserve fee is extra and the “private” label may not guarantee a private safari vehicle.
“Driver was friendly and took good care of us. Our visit to Aquila was disappointing though because we didn’t get to see a number of animals including lions and hippos.”
You’ll leave Cape Town with an English or French-speaking guide, ride through the Cape Winelands, and spend about three hours at Aquila Game Reserve on an open safari vehicle. Expect a welcome drink, buffet lunch, wine tasting, and a chance to see lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and possibly leopards.
“Very good day trip. Our tour guide, Isidore was outstanding. He ensured we were in the right places and the right times and explained a lot both ways on the trip.”
Travel from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront to Aquila Private Game Reserve for a three-hour open-vehicle safari, guided by a ranger. Look for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, zebra, giraffes, and birds, then enjoy a buffet lunch before returning to the port area.
“Aquila Reserve was really very well kept. Animals were visible except for the leopard which we were told was sleeping during the day. Guide was very informative and made sure we all got a good look at the animals.”
Join guide Ordain Hove for an early start from Cape Town, a scenic drive through Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek, and Worcester, then breakfast, lunch, and up to three hours on safari at Aquila Game Reserve. A winery stop may be added on the return.
“Great tour leader in Ordain who was very informative and friendly. Great safari, seeing most of the big 5 (no leopards but didn't expect to see them). Very nice breakfast and lunch at Aquila too. Ordain was kind enough to take us wine tasting on the return trip. Highly recommended.”
Travel from Cape Town in a private luxury vehicle to Aquila Private Nature Reserve, then join about 15 other people for a 2 to 3-hour open 4x4 game drive. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, pool or bar time, and a Paarl wine tasting on the return journey.
“It is a beautiful place with friendly helpfully staff. The food was delicious and the drive was everything I expected and even more”
Travel from Cape Town through Paarl and Worcester to Aquila Private Game Reserve for a five-hour sunset outing. You get pickup, a guide, bottled water, and a game drive in search of the Big Five. Entrance fees are extra, and groups are limited to 10 people.
“This was a wonderful experience. I did both the day time and sunset safari and the sunset safari is hands down the better option. It was beautiful, the weather was wonderful, and the animals were so cool.”
Dunes, game drives, camps or snow.
