Top Western Cape Nature and Wildlife Tours

Spend some time out on the tranquil Knysna Lagoon aboard a leisurely cruise through the calm waters. Join a small group and sail on the pristine waters that are fed by the Indian Ocean. Feel the wind in your hair as you sail past Knysna heads, small coastal towns, and through the turquoise waters of Featherhead Bay.

Spotting the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo—is a priority for many visitors to South Africa and this tour is ideal for those with limited time. Travel from Cape Town by upmarket air-conditioned vehicle, enjoying views of the Breede River, Hex River Wine Valley, and Table Mountain along the way, then join a group safari drive at a private game reserve and enjoy some incredible wildlife-watching opportunities.

Maximize your chances of seeing whales with this boat tour from Hermanus. Learn about the magnificent mammals from a whale specialist as you head out onto the water. Depending on the time of year keep an eye out for humpback, Bryde's, and southern right whales, as well as dolphins and seals.

Face great white sharks in Gansbaai and Shark Alley with this experience. Start with breakfast and a safety briefing before boarding the boat. Then, slip into the cage for a close-up shark encounter or watch from the boat. Return to the harbor for a light lunch and a DVD viewing of the trip.

Go wild in the Western Cape on this Oudtshoorn overnight safari trip from Cape Town! Travel off the beaten track to get to see South Africa's wildlife and immerse yourself in nature. Visit Botlierskop Reserve - close to the coastal Garden Route region and Buffelsdrift in the heart of the Klein Karoo region - offering the perfect backdrop for an African wildlife experience. This trip offers guided 4x4 drives at two private game reserves; as well as a chance to observe rescued elephants roaming freely in nature (optional activity with extra costs). You'll overnight at the ostrich capital of the world about 5 hours driving from Cape Town. This tour is led by a local qualified tour guide and game rangers during safaris. This introduction tour is ideal for anyone that visits the Western Cape region and have limited time to see wildlife and most of the Big 5 in natural game reserve settings.

This is the perfect tour for time-tight travelers interested in scenic nature spots and wildlife encounters near Cape Town. Save time waiting for local buses and go on a half-day small-group tour instead. Ride in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle along False Bay’s coastline and stop at St. James Beach, Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, the Cape of Good Hope, and Old Cape Point Lighthouse.

Visit a penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve all in one day during this tour, including round-trip transport from Cape Town. First, catch sight of the endangered African penguins on the beach, and then travel over to Cape Point in the nature reserve. Spend ample time at Cape Point, and keep an eye out for ostrich, antelope, and whales.

Spend time outdoors and explore a vast 593-acre (240-hectare) wildlife sanctuary that’s home to a diverse range of animals such as antelopes, giraffes, wildebeest, and zebras. Instead of discovering the sanctuary on foot, save time and cover more ground by going on a guided horseback riding tour—a fun activity that’s suitable for all experience levels. Note that there is a strict 75kg weight limit for riders with no exceptions.

If you’ve only got limited time to explore the highlights of Cape Town, then this guided tour is a perfect choice. Rather than being stuck on a sightseeing bus with large tourist crowds, you can benefit from the luxury of a private tour for just your personal group. Check off Bo-Kaap, Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, and plenty more sights, with transport included along the way.

Get the most out of your time in Cape Town by choosing a private tour to tick off multiple dispersed highlights in a day. From Table Mountain to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the vibrant Bo-Kaap neighborhood, this tour has it all. Best of all, it’s private, which means door-to-door transportation, and perks along the way, such as a wine tastings session in Constantia.

Drive and hike around the Cape Peninsula during a full-day sightseeing tour with a focus on the region’s natural attractions and lots of fun options to choose at your own expense. Visit Boulders Beach, the Cape of Good Hope, and Cape Point Nature Reserve, and see a penguin colony as well as other wildlife. Private transportation and commentary from your guide ensure a comfortable and informative tour, making it ideal for first-time visitors.

Spend two days exploring the Garden Route and embarking on two safari drives. With a game ranger to lead you, you'll have the best possible chances of spotting elephants, hippos, giraffes, rhinos, lions, and other African animals. Stay overnight in a game lodge with breakfast and dinner included. This small-group tour makes getting out of Cape Town and into the African bush easy with all details arranged for you.

The vast size of Wilderness National Park can make it time-consuming to explore on foot, so make the most of your vacation and see more with this riverboat cruise option. The route showcases a variety of landscapes in a short space of time including wetlands, forests, villages, and places where luxury homes have been built. Along the way, look out for an abundance of wildlife; including kingfishers, baboons, and otters.

Embark on a safari cruise in pursuit of the Marine Big 5: dolphins, African penguins, the Cape fur seal, the bronze whaler sharks, and several whale species. Over the course of two hours, you and your group will head out to where your guide knows these animals like to hang out, learning about the marine environment through guided commentary on the way.

View sharks up close on this cage-diving tour from Gansbaai. Guests take turns in the 8-person cage for incredible encounters with great whites and bronze whaler sharks, as well as other marine species such as stingrays and sun fish. While not in the cage, you can enjoy on board refreshments and shark sightings from the viewing deck of the boat. Includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

Lion’s Head—located in Table Mountain National Park—is known for being a top hiking location that offers incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Hottentots Holland Mountains. With this guided hike, you can safely explore this landscape without the worry of getting lost. Choose from a sunrise or a sunset hike, and enjoy plenty of photo stops along the way. This hike requires a good fitness level and comfort with heights.

The Atlantis Sand Dunes sand dunes are the only true white sand dunes near Cape Town. Experience the thrills of riding an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) at the dunes that are as tall as 164 feet (50 meters) on a private tour, with a guide at all times to ensure your safety and take photos of your adventure.

Spend a day at the Aquila Game Reserve, the closest one to Cape Town, on this safari tour. Get excited to see the Big Five game animals and endangered species on this worry-free trip, which includes pickup at your Cape Town hotel. This is one of the easiest safari tours near Cape Town, on a private game reserve in a malaria-free area.

Embark on a close-encounter whale and dolphin watching tour with one of Knysa's only permitted close-encounter tour operators. Step aboard a boat with an experienced captain and travel to the waters just off the South African coastline. During your travels, listen to in-depth commentary about the marine animals' biology and behavior. Keep an eye out for large pods of dolphins, Brydes whales, Southern right and humpback whales.

Enjoy an exciting whale watching excursion cruise from Gansbaai. Leave the harbor and head for the cliffs of De Keldar to look for Southern right whales, which mate and give birth in this area every year. Keep an eye out for other sea life, including dolphins, sharks, and penguins. Booking ahead guarantees your spot on the boat for the day you prefer to go.

Explore the Western Cape of South Africa at a much faster pace than a walking tour. With this horseback riding safari, enjoy beautiful coastal views on an untouched stretch of beach and look out for local wildlife at the same time—your journey visits places where giraffes, water buffalos, and zebras have been spotted before.

There is so much beauty on the Cape Peninsula and any visit to Cape Town should include a day exploring the Cape of Good Hope. We are Cape Town locals with a love for the natural environment and we incorporate this element on our tours, such as this tour and hike combo! - We are locals who have grown up on the Cape Peninsula - We are flexible on the day and can adjust the tour to your interests - You will get to a couple quieter corners, albeit still experiencing the top Cape Peninsula highlights - Our knowledge of the natural environment adds huge value to your experience

Explore the beauty of the Cape Winelands on this horseback riding tour that's suitable for all experience levels—from beginners to advanced riders. There’s no need to plan a route or worry about getting lost, as a guide is with you throughout. A highlight is a climb to the top of Paarl Mountain—a route that would be much more challenging if traveling on foot rather than on horseback.