Cape Town Safari & Wildlife Tours — Big Five, Sharks, Whales & Penguins
From a Big Five game drive at Aquila to Great White shark cage diving and marine boat tours, Cape Town packs land and ocean wildlife into easy day trips.
Available
7 options
Avg. rating
4.7 - 3,918 reviews
From
$149 ZAR
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Safari & Wildlife: what to know before booking
From a Big Five game drive at Aquila to Great White shark cage diving and marine boat tours, Cape Town packs land and ocean wildlife into easy day trips.
- Availability
- 7 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $149 ZAR before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.7 stars across 3,918 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Aquila Reserve (~180 km from the city); shark and marine trips from the Cape coast; penguins and birds on the Peninsula
- Best time
- Whale season runs roughly June–November; game drives are best in the cooler morning
- Ticket note
- Date-specific; sea-based trips may be rescheduled for weather — check the cancellation terms
Safari & Wildlife in Cape Town
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Everything you should know before you book
You don't have to leave the Cape for the Big Five. The Aquila Game Reserve, about two hours from the city, runs game drives with lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard, available as a long day trip or an overnight. Closer in, the African penguin colony at Boulders and the World of Birds sanctuary in Hout Bay are gentle, family-friendly wildlife stops.
The ocean is the other safari. Cape Town is one of the world's great spots for Great White shark cage diving, run from Gansbaai and the False Bay coast, and marine boat tours head out to seals, dolphins, and — in season — whales. Cage dives and marine trips depend on weather and sea conditions, so a flexible, free-cancellation booking is worth having.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do a Big Five safari from Cape Town in a day?
Yes — the Aquila Game Reserve runs full-day trips with transport from the city, with game drives in the morning and afternoon. Overnight options give you two drives and more time.
When can you see whales near Cape Town?
Southern right whales are usually visible from roughly June to November, with Hermanus and the Cape coast among the best vantage points. Marine boat tours and land viewing both work in season.
Is shark cage diving safe?
Cage dives use a secured steel cage and certified operators, and you don't need to be a diver — you breathe at the surface and duck under to watch. Trips are weather-dependent and can be moved.