Top Western Cape Nature and Wildlife Tours

Come face to face with a great white shark in Gaansbaai and Shark Alley. After pickup from central Cape Town, travel to Gaansbaai for breakfast and a safety briefing. Onboard the boat, you can slip into the cage in the water to get a close-up look at the sharks or enjoy the view from the boat. Afterwards, head back to the harbor for a light lunch and to watch a DVD of the boat trip.

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.

Learn about the lives of South Africa's wild cats on a 1-hour guided 'experience' tour of Tenikwa Wildife Centre, along the country's Garden Route. Enter the habitats of various cats such as cheetah and caracal and get up close with lions and leopards while your guide provides details on each species and their roles in the environment. You'll also have an opportunity to see meerkats, marabou storks and visit a penguin splash pool. This walking tour is ideal for families or anyone wanting to learn more about these carnivorous creatures.

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.

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.

With this horseback riding safari, you can explore the West Coast of South Africa at a much faster pace than a walking tour. Enjoy beautiful coastal views on an untouched stretch of beach and look out for local wildlife at the same time, as the journey visits places where giraffes, water buffalos, and zebras have been spotted before.

See Cape Town’s landmarks from a new vantage point and learn more about aquatic life with this exciting boat tour. Enjoy the company of a professional guide and skipper who can teach you lesser-known facts about the local environment and the incredible creatures that live in the ocean. If you’re lucky, you may even spot dolphins during the trip.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Animal lovers visiting Cape Town—get ready for a penguin-themed adventure. Ride with ease in an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup to Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, without having to worry about parking or navigating public transport. After purchasing your entry ticket, you can enjoy plenty of time to walk around and see the colony of endangered African penguins roaming freely in the wild.

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.

At the Game Reserve, you can expect an exciting day filled with wildlife sightings, including the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard as well as various other animals like giraffes, zebras and antelopes). You'll go on safari drives led by experienced guides, off-the-beaten-path-routes, luxurious accommodations amidst breathtaking landscapes while creating unforgettable experiences and enjoy delicious meals. A complementary educational tour on their lion rehabilitation program and the Reserve's sustainable food program is included. Full day, overnight and private tours can be arranged beforehand (additional costs may apply & subject to availability)(contact us) If you are the only traveler, a 100% surcharge will be applicable. (contact us)

Experience South Africa's Karoo vegetation and wildlife from open game-viewing vehicles on this bush safari on a small, private reserve. Be on the lookout for hippos, giraffes, eland antelope, zebras, buffalo, springbok, and more. Along the way, stop for a refreshment break at one of the scenic lookout points, and take in 360-degree panoramic views of the area as well as the Swartberg Mountains.

An ideal way to tick off multiple nature spots and a wildlife attraction in a day—this tour includes stops at Gordon’s Bay, the Cheetah Outreach preservation center, and Strand Beach. To save you the hassle of finding a parking spot, the tour includes round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, making it the ultimate stress-free day with hotel pickup included.

Our safari offering is authentic and small scale. We operate 9 seater land cruisers instead of the 20+ safari trucks used by most safari operators near Cape Town. We ensure we only have qualified guides that can create an immersive experience, not only about animals, but also about plant-life and the cultural heritage of the San people along the west coast. We embrace the fact we are not the Kruger, and pride ourselves in our beautiful varied coastal landscape and only have indigenous wildlife that can thrive in this ecosystem.

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.

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.

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.

Visit the Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Penguin Colony with your own private guide on this tour. Along with taking in coastal scenery and visiting the penguin colony, you'll have the chance to try locally roasted coffee and do a little shopping. Round-trip transfers from your hotel are included for a relaxed private experience.

Discover the top attractions in Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope with ease on this full-day private tour. Explore Cape Town highlights such as Table Mountain and Camps Bay before driving to Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point, Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, and more.