Top Cape Town Safaris

There are plenty of high-quality Cape Town safaris to choose from. Looking at ratings and reviews given by previous customers, these are the best safaris available right now:

• Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

• 2-Day Safari Experience from Cape Town

• 5-Day Garden Route and Addo Safari—Best of South Africa Small Group Tour

• 2-Day South African Wildlife Tour with 4x4 Safari from Cape Town

• 3-Day Garden Route's Best Highlights with Safari from Cape Town

Cape Town safari prices vary widely depending on duration and inclusions. Most safaris that include round-trip transportation from Cape Town start around US$170 per person per day. However, keep in mind that you may have to pay a separate entrance fee at the game park, which can be around US$150. If you have your own transportation or can get yourself to the game park, you’ll just have to pay the entrance fee and can take a self-drive tour.

Yes, guided Cape Town safaris are considered worthwhile. Even though self-drive safaris are popular in South Africa, guided safaris ensure you know what you're looking at and let you relax and enjoy the scenery, versus trying to navigate driving on the opposite of the game park's bumpy roads. Plus, most guided safaris are in vehicles capable of going off-road, so that you can get even closer to the animals.

Per one customer who booked the Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip, "This was a very nice experience! Our tour guide, Chesney, was wonderful - very nice, with lots of interesting information, and always looking out for us. The first stop on our way to the safari, a wine tasting spot, was delightful. Lunch at the safari was good, and the actual safari, with tour guide Trevor, was so much fun! We saw lots of animals, and Trevor had a lot of great information about the animals. We are very happy that we took the tour. We can certainly recommend this for safari beginners."

Before booking Cape Town safaris, consider how important it is to you that you see all the animals in the Big Five—if you are hoping to see all five, make sure you book a safari at a game park that can guarantee those sightings. Also, read what’s included in the tour price: Some tours only cover the cost of the transportation and a buffet lunch, requiring you to pay a hefty entrance fee when you arrive at the game park. Alcoholic beverages often cost extra, too.

To fully enjoy Cape Town safaris, try to get a good seat in the vehicle for the game drive. If it’s a group game drive, you’ll want to sit up front or close to the guide so you can hear them. Also, bring binoculars as not all game drive vehicles include them. Make sure your phone or camera is fully charged if you plan to take photos or video.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Cape Town aside from Cape Town safaris. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Cape Town Shark Diving

• Cape Town Wine Tasting Tours

• Cape Town Helicopter Tours

• Cape Town Whale Watching

• Cape Town Sunset Cruises

Yes, you can do safaris from Cape Town. That said, they usually require a 2-hour ride each way, as the nearest game parks are located outside the city. For that reason, 2-day and multi-day safaris are popular, allowing you to enjoy game drives in both the evening and morning, without feeling rushed or like you only have one opportunity to see the Big Five.

It’s possible to see a large variety of animals on a Cape Town safari. Many of the game parks are home to the famous Big Five: rhino, leopard, lion, elephant, and buffalo. Of course, you can also see giraffes, impalas, zebras, ostriches, baboons, and other wildlife. If you go to Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, expect to see lots of birds and pollinators as it’s a plant safari experience.

Most game parks and nature reserves are at least a 2-hour drive from Cape Town. Fortunately, most safari packages include round-trip transportation, plus hotel pickup and drop-off. Generally speaking, the safari reserves farther from Cape Town are more likely to feel less commercial and zoo-like: South Africa’s best safaris are in its remote national parks.

Yes, Cape Town safaris are great for children, especially those who are interested in wildlife. That said, kids need to be able to sit still, as most game drives do not allow you to stand up in the vehicle (for safety reasons), and there isn’t much walking involved. If you’re traveling with children and need to bring a tablet or electronic device to entertain them, make sure you can switch the sound off or pack headphones.

You’ll want to wear light colors like cream and khaki on safaris: the African sun is intense, and they help you blend into the landscape. Long layers are also a good idea, as many game drives depart around sunrise or shortly before sunset when the animals are most active. While many game drive vehicles are covered, wearing a hat is also a good idea.