Safaris / Game Drives
Western Cape
The Western Cape unfolds as a collision of ocean and mountain, where the Cape Fold Belt ripples inland in sandstone ridges that trap cool Atlantic air against warm valleys. From Cape Town the Table Mountain massif drops sheer into the sea, giving way to the crescents of the West Coast, the dunes of the Agulhas plain where two oceans meet, and eastward to the forested cliffs of the Garden Route. Inland, the Cederberg and Hex River ranges shelter the Breede River vineyards, while beyond the Outeniqua the Little Karoo opens into arid scrub, koppies and dry riverbeds under vast skies.
This mosaic breeds the Cape Floral Kingdom, dominated by fynbos, proteas, ericas and restios that cling to poor soils and fire cycles. Where fynbos meets renosterveld and succulent Karoo, wildlife persists in pockets. You will find Cape mountain zebra, bontebok and eland on reserves like De Hoop and Bontebok National Park, klipspringer and baboons on rocky slopes, caracal and Cape leopard moving at night, and dassies sunning on boulders. The coast adds African penguins at Boulders, Cape fur seals, southern right whales calving in Hermanus bays, and great white sharks patrolling False Bay, while estuaries host flamingos and fish eagles.
Below is a list of game farms and national parks available in the Western Cape.
Aquila
Our Cape Town safari has been rated as one of the Top 10 best day trip destinations by Sawubona Magazine and Time Out Magazine. Aquila’s 22- seater, traditional safari vehicles are led by experienced field guides, giving guests the best possible chance of seeing South Africa’s iconic Big 5, along with a variety of other native wildlife.
Your safari field guide will take you through Aquila’s 10,000-hectare wildlife reserve, sharing insights into the landscape, animals, and unique Karoo environment along the way.
This convergence of biomes supports a mix of wildlife. Addo Elephant National Park anchors the region with elephants, lions, leopards, black rhino, Cape buffalo, eland, and kudu, while its marine section protects southern right whales and white sharks, making the Big Seven. Mountain zebra roam the Karoo parks at Mountain Zebra and Camdeboo, alongside springbok, gemsbok, and reintroduced cheetah. Thicket shelters bushbuck, duiker, and vervet monkeys, while Wild Coast estuaries host otters and dolphins, Knysna turaco and fish eagle in forests, with blue cranes on high grasslands.
Africamps
BOUTIQUE GLAMPING IN SOUTH AFRICA
AfriCamps is all about boutique glamping at the most beautiful working farms, estates, and reserves in South Africa. Our custom-designed boutique glamping tents are fully furnished with everything you need for a comfortable self-catering stay – from kitted kitchens and spacious showers to our iconic Buitengewoon Wood-fired Hot Tubs. Guests can experience the freedom and beauty of the great outdoors without compromising on the comforts they love. Our tents and properties are suitable for close friends, couples, and families. Where will you take your glamping adventure?
Your safari field guide will take you through Aquila’s 10,000-hectare wildlife reserve, sharing insights into the landscape, animals, and unique Karoo environment along the way.
This convergence of biomes supports a mix of wildlife. Addo Elephant National Park anchors the region with elephants, lions, leopards, black rhinos, Cape buffalo, eland, and kudu. At the same time, its marine section protects southern right whales and white sharks, which are part of the Big Seven. Mountain zebra roam the Karoo parks at Mountain Zebra and Camdeboo, alongside springbok, gemsbok, and reintroduced cheetah. Thicket shelters bushbuck, duiker, and vervet monkeys, while Wild Coast estuaries host otters and dolphins, Knysna turaco and fish eagle in forests, with blue cranes on high grasslands.
Botlierskop Private Game Reserve
Discover the untamed beauty of 6,000 hectares of pristine wilderness along South Africa’s iconic Garden Route. At Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, every moment is designed to immerse you in a truly authentic and luxurious safari experience.
Family-owned and proudly independent, Botlierskop is a malaria-free sanctuary where Africa’s most iconic wildlife roam freely – from lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and cheetah to zebra, giraffe, hippo, and more.
Choose from an exceptional collection of accommodations: the romance of our Tented Lodge, the privacy of self-catering Bush Villas, or the family-friendly charm of our Village Lodge. Day visitors are also welcome to enjoy our dedicated Day Visitor Facilities.
At Botlierskop, you’ll be embraced not only by wilderness and luxury, but also by our heartfelt hospitality.
Buffelsfontein
Situated in the heart of the West Coast, an hour away from Cape Town, you’ll find Buffelsfontein Game & Nature Reserve. This 1600 ha family-owned reserve is home to some of Africa’s greats, such as Lion, Buffalo, White Rhino, and Giraffe. Visitors can either enjoy an unforgettable guided game drive, a delicious meal, a good night’s rest, or a team building/conference that will keep everyone talking for years to come.
Bushmans Kloof
A wilderness oasis
Cradled by the rugged Cederberg Mountains, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat offers a unique South African escape. Part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, this 7,500-hectare ecological oasis pairs five-star luxury with inspired local cuisine. Days here are spent exploring wide-open plains, remarkable wildlife, and pristine mountain landscapes, with rare access to more than 130 ancient rock art sites – some over 10,000 years old.
Garden Route Game Lodge
Set against the backdrop of the majestic Langeberg mountain Range, the Garden Route Game Lodge guards the entrance to South Africa’s world-famous Garden Route Coast.
Only 3½ scenic hours’ drive from Cape Town, this malaria-free, family-owned and operated private game reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife and birdlife, including the Big 5.
Visitors to the Garden Route Game Lodge can enjoy game viewing in open Landrovers, Luxury safari, luxury accommodation, and a memorable dining experience in one of our African-style restaurants.
Gondwana Game Reserve
Luxury Private Game Reserve located in the Garden Route with free-roaming Big 5 amidst colourful Fynbos vegetation.
Gondwana is Home to lion, white rhino, eland, red hartebeest, endangered Cape Mountain Zebra, springbok, kudu, hippo, and Cape buffalo, to name a few. Gondwana is also home to the southernmost elephant herds in the world.
Hartenbos Private Game Lodge
Hartenbos Private Game Lodge is a privately-owned escape set in the malaria-free region of Hartenbos, Mossel Bay, situated on the Garden Route. The reserve is surrounded by pristine fynbos and alive with wildlife — from Rhino, Buffalo, Hippo, Giraffe, Eland, Golden Wildebeest, and Zebra to more than 25 species of antelope, including the renowned Springbok.
It is also a sanctuary for smaller predators such as the black-backed jackal, caracal, bat-eared fox, and civet. For bird enthusiasts, the skies and bushveld are filled with a dazzling variety of birdlife, from raptors and waterbirds to vibrant bush birds, making the lodge a paradise for birdwatching.
And now, an exciting new chapter begins: the Lions have arrived, adding even more wonder to the safari experience at Hartenbos Private Game Lodge!
Indalu Game Reserve
ELEPHANT WALK & INTERACTION
Join us for an experience of a lifetime as you go on a guided walk with our elephants. Our experienced guides will introduce you to our gentle giants for an informative session as you get to walk and interact with them and feed them a healthy snack bucket. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a calm and friendly attitude, and a giant love for elephants. Ample photo opportunities. Weather permitting.
Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve
Less than 2.5 hours from Cape Town, Inverdoorn offers an exclusive Big 5 safari experience in the malaria-free Tankwa Karoo. Spanning 10,000 hectares of untouched wilderness, this Western Cape game reserve blends luxury with a deep commitment to wildlife conservation. As home to the Cape’s leading cheetah conservation project and vital Karoo land restoration efforts, Inverdoorn is dedicated to protecting the region’s unique biodiversity.
Here, guests can immerse themselves in the rich landscapes of the Western Cape, from endemic renosterveld and fynbos bushveld to sweeping Karoo vistas where native wildlife roam freely. When night falls, experience the magic of sleeping under a starlit sky, with the distant calls of the wild echoing across South Africa’s remote interior.
Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve
A Kagga Kamma adventure means stepping into another world and discovering a whole new perspective.
Kagga Kamma is not ‘just’ a holiday destination… It is an experience of time, feeling as though it is standing still as the sun travels across the sky,
casting shadows over Huts and Caves. It is a feeling of overwhelming peace while staring across a landscape of red sand and wild flowers.
It is a moment etched into the fabric of South African culture. It is a heritage passed down through the generations, and it is ours; our Kagga Kamma.
Kuganha
The Tented Camp
Set deep within a rewilded 10,000-hectare private Big 5 reserve, Kuganha Luxury Tented Camp is an ultra-luxury, wellness-led safari retreat just 2.5 hours from Cape Town.
Designed for those seeking profound stillness, space, and restoration, Kuganha blends elemental Karoo landscapes, immersive wildlife encounters, and fully private in-suite spa sanctuaries – a first for Africa.
Melozhori
Melozhori is undoubtedly one of the most exclusive game reserves in the Western Cape. With only 5 spaciously positioned accommodation options for a maximum of 18 guests, without any other signs of civilization in sight, you are completely secluded and immersed in pure wilderness. Ranging from an expansive Lodge to romantic Eco-Pods, each accommodation offering is luxuriously and stylishly fitted for your utmost comfort and enjoyment, including our very popular wood-fired hot tubs and rim flow pools.
Mont Eco Private Game Reserve
In the heart of the enchanting Klein Karoo, where the golden light kisses vast, untamed landscapes, lies Mont Eco Private Game Reserve – a sanctuary of serenity and wonder. Here, time slows, and nature’s symphony unfolds in perfect harmony, inviting you into a world where luxury and wilderness entwine.
Venture into the wild on expertly guided game drives, where seasoned rangers reveal the hidden poetry of the bushveld. Watch as giraffes move with elegant grace, elephants traverse ancient pathways, and the spirit of Africa pulses in every rustling leaf and distant roar. Wrapped in warmth beneath soft blankets and hooded ponchos, you will journey in comfort, enveloped by the vast, untouched beauty that stretches beyond the horizon.
As dusk settles, retreat to your exquisitely designed sanctuary – a haven of peace and refinement where nature’s whispers drift through elegantly appointed rooms. Every detail is crafted for comfort, every space infused with tranquillity. Our dedicated team ensures that your stay is effortless, with impeccable service that speaks of true hospitality.
Indulge in culinary artistry as gourmet dishes, inspired by the land’s rich flavors, are served with warmth and care. Every meal is an experience, every sip and bite a celebration of the senses.
At Mont Eco, we do more than offer a getaway – we create moments that linger long after you depart. Whether you seek quiet reprieve beneath starlit skies or the thrill of encountering wildlife in their natural domain, this is a place where memories are woven into the very fabric of the land.
Nambiti Hills
Welcome to Nambiti Hills
Located in the Nambiti Big 5 Reserve, our lodge is situated on a prime sector offering visitors an unforgettable safari escape with all the indulgences.
Prepare to be whisked away from the stresses of a routine lifestyle and be welcomed by the serenity of nature.
Sanbona
Uncover the story Behind sanbona
Immerse yourself in a landscape where wildlife and flora leave you truly captivated and transformed. Sanbona is one of South Africa’s largest privately-owned nature reserves, stretching across 62 000 hectares of rich protected ecosystems within two biodiversity hotspots. This vast track of land in the Little Karoo outside Montagu, a mere 3.5 hours drive from Cape Town along Route 62, is owned by a non-profit company focused on steering conservation to the forefront of the safari experience. Sanbona offers an authentic and contrasting natural space, striving to create a balance where critically important ecosystems, endangered wildlife, and flora can prosper for the benefit of future generations. As a private game reserve in the Western Cape, Sanbona offers four different accommodation options, each with its own distinctive style and appeal. Spend the day exploring every corner of this immense reserve, endless open plains and sculpted Cape fold mountains adorned with San rock art, the endemic flora, and some of South Africa’s most sought-after wildlife.
Swartberg Game Reserve
A Family Legacy
In 1998, the Geldenhuys family began the process of acquiring over 8000 hectares of land at the foot of the Swartberg Mountain range (a World Heritage Site) in the Klein Karoo, Western Cape. The land was used to develop Swartberg Private Wildlife Estate, Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, and Wildehondekloof Private Game Reserve.
A partnership was formed between the Geldenhuys and Frew families to consolidate the Swartberg Collection, a proudly South African-run operation.
Andre’ and Nicki Geldenhuys, founders of the Swartberg brand, have deep roots in travel and tourism. They founded Seekers Travel in 1989, a company that would move over 1 million people in and out of South Africa.
After selling the company to Tourvest in 1998, Andre lent his expertise and sat on their board for a number of years.
The next generation, a dynamic wildlife and tourism enthusiast, now runs wildlife experiences on the Swartberg Game Reserve. This is one part of the collection.
Touwsberg Private Game and Nature Reserve
Settled in the Klein Karoo, next to the R62, this piece of heaven is surrounded by amazing nature, free-roaming game, and mountain ranges.
The Game Reserve presents a rapidly disappearing quality lifestyle as well as security and privacy, combined with unrestricted adventure against the southern slopes of the spectacular Touwsberg range.
7000 hectares of the most spectacular panoramas and vast Little Karoo landscapes form the Touwsberg Private Game Reserve and Nature Reserve, and we are proud to be able to offer a piece of this paradise for you to enjoy.
Tswalu
In Setswana, Tswalu means ‘a new beginning.’
Tswalu is the largest private reserve in South Africa, covering 1200 square kilometres (over 460 square miles). Located on the edge of the southern Kalahari, this vast and remote reserve is a destination in itself, offering the only safari of its kind in an ecologically significant and unique landscape rich in biodiversity. Our luxury safari camps provide the backdrop to privately guided encounters with diverse wildlife in one of Africa’s last remaining semi-arid wildernesses.
Tswalu’s story is one of restoration, regeneration, and hope. Protecting biodiversity and securing habitat for wildlife to thrive has been at the core of this ambitious conservation project for over 25 years. Our mission has always been to restore the Kalahari to itself. Every night a guest spends with us helps to offset the cost of conservation in a privately protected area while positively impacting those who call the Kalahari home.
West Coast Safaris
1700+ ha reserve
Our game reserve covers more than 1700ha of dunes and coastal fynbos, allowing for a varied habitat. It is the closest safari destination to Cape Town.
Wildlife Variety
Our game reserve is home to Giraffe, Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeest, Eland, Kudu, Waterbuck, Hartebeest, Springbok, Steenbok, Duiker, and Ostrich. If you are lucky, you may also spot a Caracal.
Family Friendly
Game drives and horse rides* are great family activities.
Wolfkop
Lying 5km from Citrusdal at the foothills of the Cederberg mountain range, Wolfkop Nature Reserve is a 450-hectare private property of undulating land, unique fauna and flora, and sweeping views of the Citrusdal valley. Featuring nine privately-appointed houses, the reserve offers a perfect setting for relaxation, reflection, and an unbeatable array of outdoor activities. The dwellings all offer the utmost privacy from each other and the outside world and blend in perfectly with their stunning surroundings. This is a place where time truly stands still.