Top 9 Game Reserves Near Cape Town in 2024

Ever wondered why Cape Town is continuously voted as the most beautiful city in the world? This read is going to answer that question. Cape town is famously known as the mother city because of its natural beauty, mountains, beaches, and mind-blowing biodiversity. Several game reserves in cape town allow you to see Big fives – lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and leopards. The city is remarkable with the presence of mountains and busiest ports. The surrounding areas of the city offer a wealth of flora, from the splendor of the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden to a World Heritage Site. To make your trip easy, we have picked 9 stunning game reserves near cape town. The best city to visit right now is looking for you!

Top 9 Game reserves near cape town

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Sanbona is the answer to the question of which is the best game reserve near Cape Town. under the Warmwaterberg Mountains, sanbona can provide a visual treat to its visitors. The unique boat safari in Bellair Dam paves the way to Big fives and several others, including white lions, riverine rabbits, cheetahs, zebras, and over 200 bird species. Another attraction is ancient cave paintings, mainly San and Khoi-Khoi rocks. The best times to visit Sanbona are January, February, March, and December. You must stay a day in Sanbona because most safaris occur at sunrise and sunset. 

Distance from Cape Town – 230 km or two and half hours

Cost per Person – R2300 per night

Accommodation – There are three lodges to stay in sanbona. They are the campsite, Dwyka Tented Lodge, and the Gondwana Lodge.

Activities – Game drives, boat safaris, rock art viewing and walking safaris, birdwatching

Gondwana Game Reserve

Gondwana game reserve is one of the most scenic safari parks near Cape Town. This diversified wilderness covers 11,000 hectares (27,001 acres), including hills and valleys. This game reserve is home to the Big 5, giraffes, hippos, different antelopes, lions, endangered Cape mountain zebras, kudu, springbok, and an abundance of birds like orange-breasted sunbirds. The best time to visit the Gondwana game reserve is in the dry winter, from May to August. 

Distance from Cape Town – 381 km or four hours

Price per person – R200 – R225

Accommodation – There are options, such as full-board and half-board luxury safari lodges and private villas. 

Activities – 4×4 wildlife drives, mountain biking, guided bush walks, private guided walking safaris, fishing, environmental preservation projects, and golf.

Inverdoorn Game Reserve

Inverdoorn game reserve is one of the most luxurious game reserves near Cape Town. It is located in Klein Karoo. In 2012 Inverdoorn became the destination for big fives with the introduction of herds of elephants. Within it, you can also see western cape cheetah conservation. You can see animals like elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo, the elusive leopard, herds of eland, gemsbok, zebra, or hippos near the dam. The best season to visit Inverdoorn is between the spring and summer months. These are from September to April.

Distance from Cape Town – 157 km or two and half hours 

Cost per person – Around R3000 for one night.

Accommodation: There are various options available according to your budget. Inverdoorn Safari Lodges or the luxurious Kuganha Tented Camp and Spa are some of them. 

Activities – Included game drives, safari walking, cheetah encounters, birding, and swimming.

Aquila Private Game Reserve

Are you running out of time? Then this is yours. Aquila private game reserve offers plenty of customer-friendly safaris. This is the closest game reserve near cape town. It is situated in Southern Karoo between Langeberg and Outeniqua. Aquila is a 10,000-hectare nature conservatory and home to the Big Five, including rhino, elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, antelopes, and over 170 bird species. It also has the Aquila Animal Rescue and Conservation Center for safari animals who have been saved but can no longer survive in the wild and Cape leopard research. The best time to visit this game reserve is during spring, that is, September to November. 

Distance from cape town – 177 km or two hours 

Cost per person – R 1500 for safari

Accommodation: Aquila offers a lodge with four stars and opulent cottages.

Activities –  4×4 game drive, quad bike safari, horseback safari, helicopter flying safaris

Garden Route Game Lodge

Garden Route lodge is the best game reserve near Cape Town. The Garden Route offers the ideal chance to travel this breathtaking coastal route from Cape Town eastward. This reserve is a Home to the Big 5, zebras, cheetahs, giraffes, small mammals, rich birdlife, and different types of antelopes. The drive includes refreshments in between the drive. The best time to visit this reserve is from February to April. 

Distance from cape town – 342 km or 4 hours

Cost per person – R 280

Accommodation: The 3-star lodge provides options like chalets, family accommodations, and luxury suites.

Activities – include sunrise and sunset game drives, guided walking safaris, cheetah tracking, fishing, birding, and reptile encounters. 

Fairy Glen Game Reserve 

Under the Brandwacht mountains, with a tranquil environment, you can find Fairy glen game reserve. You can reach Fairy Glen within an hour, making this the nearest game safari from cape town. You will get the opportunity to see animals from proximity here. Games in Fairy Glen include lions, cape buffalo, elephants, rhinos, and leopards. Apart from its animal wealth, Fairy glen catches our eye with its plantations and greenery. You will be able to find a 6,000 years old African Khoisan Bushmen Rock Art heritage site inside the reserve. The best time to visit this game reserve is the summer season which is from December to April.  

Distance from cape town – 113 km or an hour 

Cost per person – R2000 for one night

Accommodation: There are various options like lodges and chalets. 

Activities: Include natural safaris, horseback safaris, rock art watching, nature walks, cycling safaris, and personal and intimate safaris. 

Buffelsfontein Game & Nature Reserve

Buffelsfontein is another one you can catch within an hour on your journey to the west coast.This is the best game reserves for safaris near Cape Town However, it’s conveniently close to the pristine beaches of Yzerfontein, the West Coast Fossil Park, the Kwha ttu San cultural center, and the ideal time of year for people who enjoy exploring. They have an excellent game resource, including four big cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, Eland, Oryx, Blue Wildebeest, Mountain Reedbuck, Red Hartebeest, and wildebeest. The best time to visit Buffelsfontein is from May to September. 

Distance from Capetown – 95 km or less than an hour 

Cost per person – for three hours R 500 or R5000 for a complete vehicle private drive.

Accommodation: There are various options available such as lodges. Cottages. Chalets and bush camps according to your preferences. 

Activities – include bike drive game, saddle game drive, horse safaris, Catch & Release fishing, and Clay pigeon shooting.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Travel to the southeast of Cape Town will lead you to Grootbos private nature reserve. The reserve, at the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, is the best place to see the Marine Big Five, which includes great white sharks, southern right whales, bottlenose dolphins, and African penguins. Almost 800 distinct plant species can be found in the 2,500-hectare reserve, including six that were only recently identified and 100 threatened species. The best time to visit Grootbos private nature reserve is from August to November.

Distance from Cape Town – 156 km or two hours 

Cost per person – Around R2000 for one night

Accommodation – forest lodge, Garden lodge and luxury private villas.

Activities – Bird watching, botanical 4×4 tour, horse riding, cage diving with white sharks, and whale watching.  

Thali Thali Game Lodge

Near Langebaan, along the R27, is the 1,460-hectare Cape West Coast wildlife and fynbos reserve known as Thali Thali. They have a wide range of games like cape buffalo, red hartebeest, water buffalo, oryx, giraffe, blue wildebeest, eland, kudu, zebra, sable antelope, and springbok. With its diverse flora and fauna, Thali Thali maintains its commitment to biodiversity. The best time to visit this reserve is between May to September. 

Distance from cape town – 130 km or one and a half hour 

Cost per person – R1500

Accommodation: You can choose lodging options at Thali Thali Game Lodge, including the roomy farmhouse, self-catering chalets, and roomy luxury tents with en-suite toilets and kitchens.

Activities – Game drives, archery lessons, bird watching, kid-friendly play area. 

Read more: Top 11 Game Reserves Near Johannesburg in 2023

Read more: Top 10 Game Reserves Near Durban in 2023

Documents Required for Foreigners Visiting Game Reserves Near Cape Town

1. Passport: A valid passport with at least 30 days beyond your intended departure date and two blank visa pages.
2. Visa: Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa to enter South Africa. Check the specific requirements for your country.
3. Travel Insurance: While not mandatory, having travel insurance is highly recommended to cover any medical expenses.
4. Yellow Fever Certificate: Required if traveling from or through a yellow fever endemic area.
5. Identification Documents: Carry a copy of your passport or other ID at all times, as officials may request it.

Legal signatures are crucial for validating agreements and ensuring accountability, providing evidence in disputes, and confirming compliance with local regulations, protecting both travelers and service providers.