For visitors to South Africa, there are many experiences that top the bucket list – things that tourists imagine when they arrive at this picturesque land. Sitting atop Table Mountain, swimming with the penguins at Boulders Beach, and tasting wine in one of the Cape’s countless lush vineyards.
And while most visitors will travel further afield for the iconic wildlife safari experience, what many don’t know is that you don’t need to go far from Cape Town to tick this incredible experience off your bucket list. There are beautiful nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries just a few hours drive from the Mother City and they are sure to fulfil your safari dreams.
Here are five of the best:
The Game Drive Safari experience at Villiera is the perfect option for those who are short on time, as this stunning wildlife sanctuary is only a 30-minute drive from Cape Town. Together with its neighbours, the Villiera Vineyards in Stellenbosch set aside 220ha of land as a wildlife sanctuary in 2009. A number of wild animals now call the land their home, including giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, springbok, and eland.
This safari experience is perfect for families, as kids will love seeing all the animals, from the wildlife during the safari, to the wild birds and even crocodiles at the local crocodile farm. The kids can even enjoy a juice tasting while you sip on your sparkling wines.
Another conveniently close reserve is Buffelsfontein, less than an hour out of the city. This reserve was once a cattle farm and is now home to some of the most majestic wildlife the country has to offer, including lion, rhino, buffalo, cheetah and giraffe.
If you have a bit more time and are ready for a short road trip, definitely check out the spectacular Aquila Reserve, located just two hours from Cape Town. The four-star park offers half-day or full-day tours and can even accommodate the more adventurous for an overnight safari.
You can make the drive to Aquila and spend the day before heading back to Cape Town, or you can treat yourself to the reserve’s luxury accommodation and make a weekend trip of it. Aquila Game Reserve also has a Rescue and Conservation Centre, which provides sanctuary to animals that can no longer survive in the wild.
Another great option for a quick drive from Cape Town is the Invedoorn Game Reserve in the Klein Karoo. The reserve offers vast, stunning views of the surrounding land and you can spot the Big Five roaming around in their element. You can make this a day trip but if you opt to spend the night, you can enjoy the incredible experience of a sunrise walking safari, where you’ll hear all the nearby wildlife at their most active time of day.
If you’re happy and willing to drive just a little bit further afield, you should absolutely head to the luxurious Gondwana Game Reserve for a weekend that will take your breath away.
Gondwana is the only fynbos reserve in the world to have the Big Five roam freely and the local flora and fauna alone make the drive worth it. There are grasslands and hills as far as the eye can see, all covered in beautiful local vegetation.
Given the abundance of wildlife safari options in and around the Western Cape, it is clear that travellers don't need to travel further afield to get the nature fix in South Africa. These amazing reserves are the perfect solution for those of us who fall head over heels for Cape Town and never want to leave!
