South Africa · WILDLIFE

Wildlife Trips in South Africa: 15 Ranked for a Real Itinerary

28 tours  ·  from $25

The good wildlife trips in South Africa go early, and in season they go very early. Here are 15 to lock in, what each one includes, and where they differ.

Cape Town: Marine Wildlife Tour from the V&A Waterfront - Meeting at the V&A Waterfront
Cape Town Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife, Wildlife in Cape Town

Cape Town: Marine Wildlife Tour from the V&A Waterfront

1.Marine Wildlife Tour from the V&A Waterfront

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,118 reviews · 1h 30m · from $61Our pick

Join African Eagle Daytours at the V&A Waterfront for a 90-minute English-language wildlife cruise. Your skipper searches Table Bay for dolphins, Cape fur seals, penguins, whales, sunfish, and seabirds, while sharing local ecology and Cape Town history. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available, and the small boat can offer close views, though boarding and rough water may challenge some passengers.

“Excellent tour guides and an amazing view into the marine wildlife of Cape Town. We saw penguins, seals, dolphins, cormorants, and jellyfish.”

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Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town - Leaving Cape Town in an air-conditioned coach
Big 5 Safaris, Big 5 Safaris in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Safari Tours, Safari Tours in Cape Town, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife in Cape Town

Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town

2.Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 576 reviews · from $184

Travel from central Cape Town to Aquila Game Reserve in the Karoo for a guided open-vehicle safari, buffet lunch, and welcome drink. You may see elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, and more than 170 bird species. Guides such as Denver, Mike, Josh, and Abriel are known for careful driving, animal facts, and warm service.

“Beautiful road from Cape Town in a comfortable vehicle. Timely pick up. Great lunch at the lodge. Amazing safari experience”

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From Cape Town: South African Wildlife and Safari 2-Day Tour - Leaving Cape Town for Botlierskop
2-Day Experiences, Cape Town Tours, Safari Tours, Safari Tours in Cape Town, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife, Wildlife in Cape Town

From Cape Town: South African Wildlife and Safari 2-Day Tour

3.South African Wildlife and Safari 2-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 411 reviews · 2 days · from $322

Ride open 4x4s through Botlierskop and Buffelsdrift, looking for rhinos, elephants, buffalo, lions, and smaller wildlife. Your English-speaking guide, perhaps Neville, Denver, Ulrich, or Maudi, handles the long drives, stops, and local tips. You sleep one night near Oudtshoorn, with several accommodation levels and an optional rescued-elephant observation.

“I had a wonderful time on this trip! Our driver, Maudi, made sure we were always comfortable and shared his local knowledge, which made the experience even more engaging. The safaris were fantastic, and we were lucky to have Enrico as our safari driver—he went above and beyond his duties to ensure we had an unforgettable experience. The accommodation was spotless, truly one of the best I’ve stayed in. The small, family-run hotel added a personal and charming touch. As a solo traveler, I felt very welcomed and easily connected with the rest of the group. Highly recommend!”

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Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town - Table Mountain and Robben Island from offshore
Cape Town Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife in Cape Town

Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town

4.Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 307 reviews · from $80Top rated

Join Ocean Wonder at the Oceana Power Boat Club for a two-hour wildlife search by powerboat. Guides Paul and Rob read the sea and adjust the route to local conditions, looking for dolphins, seals, penguins, whales, sunfish, seabirds, and more. Expect excellent views of Table Mountain and Robben Island, plus a cold, wet, bouncy ride at times.

“Dear Paul. Thank you so much for these amazing 2 hours. Sharing not just your knowledge and experience about ocean wildlife but also about waves, weather, wind, clouds combined with a speed boat body workout was really enriching and max fun. Thanks to your ability to read the ocean we saw dolphins, seals, penguins, moonfish and even whales on a perfect day. All the best for you and see you next time.”

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2 Day South African Wildlife Tour with 4x4 Safari from Cape Town - Overnight in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital
2-Day Experiences, 4x4 & Off-Road Tours, 4x4 & Off-Road Tours in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Safari Tours, Safari Tours in Cape Town, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife, Wildlife in Cape Town

2 Day South African Wildlife Tour with 4×4 Safari from Cape Town

5.2 Day South African Wildlife Tour with 4×4 Safari from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 251 reviews · from $279

Leave Cape Town early with a local guide such as Neville, TK, Denver, or Isaac for two 4x4 safaris at Botlierskop and Buffelsdrift. You will travel about 900 km, sleep one night near Oudtshoorn, and may add a paid elephant observation walk. Expect long drives, open-air vehicles, flexible guides, and a fast look at Western Cape wildlife.

“Excellent add on to a Cape Town adventure. The drive is long but our driver was informative and accommodating. The landscape is unforgettable. And the animals so wonderful to see.”

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Plettenberg Bay: Wild Cat and Wildlife Guided Tour - The five-minute safety briefing
Garden Route Tours, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife, Wildlife in Garden Route

Plettenberg Bay: Wild Cat and Wildlife Guided Tour

6.Wild Cat and Wildlife Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 206 reviews · 1 hour · from $27

Spend one hour walking through Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation & Awareness Centre with an English-speaking guide. You’ll see lions, leopards, cheetahs, servals, caracals, meerkats, marabou storks, and the Blue Crane from a safe walkway, including the striking white lion. Guides such as Wazi, Davidson, Bongiwe, and Daniel are praised for clear, caring explanations.

“It was incredible. We absolutely loved Bongiwe as our guide! She is amazing!”

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Schotia Safaris: Best Wildlife Encounters in Port Elizabeth - Four hours in an open 4x4 vehicle
Addo & the Eastern Cape Tours, Safari Tours, Safari Tours in Addo & the Eastern Cape, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife in Addo & the Eastern Cape

Schotia Safaris: Best Wildlife Encounters in Port Elizabeth

7.Schotia Safaris: Best Wildlife Encounters in Port Elizabeth

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 89 reviews · 6 hours · from $227

Leave your cruise ship in Port Elizabeth for a six-hour Schotia Safari in an open 4x4 vehicle. An English-speaking local guide leads four hours of wildlife viewing, with chances to see elephants, lions, zebras, and giraffes. Transport, reserve entry, water, snacks, and refreshments are included.

“Mir ist klar, dass es in einem Reservat keine "normalen" Straßen gibt, dass es eben einfache Wege sind. Aber in diesem Reservat sind die Wege dermaßen stark ausgefahren, dass riesige Löcher und Fahrrillen entstanden sind. OK - das kommt vor. Aber wenn dann der Fahrer mit Vollgas in diese reinfährt, damit er auf der anderen Seite auch wieder rauskommt, dann passiert es leider mehrfach, dass es einen aus dem Sitz katapultiert und man mit dem Kopf gegen das Dach des Fahrzeuges knallt. Das hätte ich nun wirklich nicht gebraucht. Wir haben mit anderen Besuchern gesprochen, die die Safari in diesem Reservat über einen anderen Veranstalter gebucht hatten - die hatten…”

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Cape Town: Dolphin & Ocean Wildlife Kayaking Adventure ⚓️ - From safety briefing to Atlantic launch
Canoes & Kayaks, Canoes & Kayaks in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife in Cape Town

Cape Town: Dolphin & Ocean Wildlife Kayaking Adventure ⚓️

8.Dolphin & Ocean Wildlife Kayaking Adventure ⚓️

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 2 hours · from $37

Meet the Truth Kayaking team at Mouille Point’s Prom Park, near the lighthouse, for a two-hour ocean paddle in stable surf skis. Guides including Vincent, Shanti, and Jordan’s team lead you past the Green Point Lighthouse, watching for dolphins, seals, penguins, whales, and sunfish. Finish with showers, music, and optional smoothies, matcha, or coffee.

“What a phenomenal experience. The guides were far more upbeat and groovy than I have ever experienced around the world! They all had boundless knowledge of the ocean that they call home and too were comprehensive in knowing the inns and outs of Cape Town. Great post tour recommendations on where to hang and lap up more experiences like theirs in different genre's. Thanks Truth Travel for the kayaking trip of a lifetime. Check you in the future!”

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Cape Town: 2-Day Wildlife Tour with Safaris and Luxury Stay - Botlierskop: your first open 4x4 game drive
2-Day Experiences, Cape Town Tours, Safari Tours, Safari Tours in Cape Town, Tour Reviews, Tours, VIP, Wildlife, Wildlife in Cape Town

Cape Town: 2-Day Wildlife Tour with Safaris and Luxury Stay

9.2-Day Wildlife Tour with Safaris and Luxury Stay

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 51 reviews · 2 days · from $534

Leave Cape Town or Stellenbosch for two safari drives at Botlierskop and Buffelsdrift, with a night at luxury Buffelsdrift Lodge or another selected stay. Guide Maudi, Dylan, or Denver may lead the road trip. Expect long drives, small groups of up to 13, open 4x4 vehicles, and an optional elephant observation.

“Résultat mitigé. Dylan, le guide était top. Je le recommande vivement. Le programme est intense sur les 2 jours avec de longs trajets de 6h. Mais vous n’avez pas le choix si vous venez de Captown. Les van ne sont pas confortables. Concernant les 2 safari, cela me paraissait plus être un grand zoo sans enclos plutôt qu’un safari. J’ai moins apprécié le 1er safari Bufflesdrift car plus petit et beaucoups moins d’animaux. En revanche les lodges surplace et l’environnement étaient magnifiques. Il n’y avait pas de lions dans les 2 réserves. Suppléments éléphant cher, mais sympa car nous avons pu les approcher de très près et de les toucher.…”

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Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary Admission with Guided Tour - The best time to see active animals
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Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary Admission with Guided Tour

10.Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary Admission with Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · from $24Best value

Walk through Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary with a professional guide such as Xola, Elvis, Riko, or Bazil. The 90-minute tour visits rescued lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, pumas, and local wildlife. Groups are capped at 16, and afternoon visits may offer better animal activity.

“We booked the Boma and night tour with wildcats. Our experience was good but there were quite a few frustrations.”

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Plettenberg Bay: Private Guided Wildlife Photography Tour - Cheetahs and the conservation story behind the photographs
Garden Route Tours, Guided, Photography Sessions, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife, Wildlife in Garden Route

Plettenberg Bay: Private Guided Wildlife Photography Tour

11.Private Guided Wildlife Photography Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 49 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $41

Spend about two hours with a private English-speaking guide at Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Center. You will photograph cheetahs, leopards, caracals, servals, and a white lion, learn about South African wild cats, and join a life-enrichment activity for non-releasable animals. Guide Davidson has received special praise for his patient explanations and generous photo time.

“This is a working conservation establishment so what you see depends on what they are caring for at the time. We saw more animals than anticipated. All looked well cared for & our guide clearly has a love of animals. He was knowledgeable and informative.”

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Port Elizabeth: 4x4 Wildlife Safari & City Sightseeing Tour - Wezandla African Craft Market for a useful first stop
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Port Elizabeth: 4×4 Wildlife Safari & City Sightseeing Tour

12.4×4 Wildlife Safari & City Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 41 reviews · 7 hours · from $199

This seven-hour Port Elizabeth tour combines Donkin Reserve, Wezandla African Craft Market, Cape Recife Lighthouse, SANCCOB penguins, wine tasting, and a two-hour open-vehicle safari. Your English-speaking guide, including guides such as Nina or Shaheedah, handles hotel pickup and drop-off while you look for elephants, giraffes, zebras, and rhinos.

“Nina made our day, everything was so perfect. We saw the Hotspots of Port Elizabeth, Had an exiting Safari, nice wines to try, and the beautyful Beach at the Lighthouse. We had so many awesome impressions and a lot of fun.”

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Guided Wildlife Tour and Forest Walk with Lunch Platter - Starting at Tenikwa near Plettenberg Bay
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Guided Wildlife Tour and Forest Walk with Lunch Platter

13.Guided Wildlife Tour and Forest Walk with Lunch Platter

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 40 reviews · 4 hours · from $63

Spend four hours at Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre with an English-speaking private guide. See South Africa’s wild cats, including a white lion, then walk gentle Tsitsikamma forest paths past orchids, fungi, streams, and old hardwood trees. A prepared lunch platter with wine, beer, or fruit juice is included.

“The guide was excellent and truly passionate. He was incredibly knowledgeable and answered all our questions fully. Lots of laughter too!”

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Wildlife Safari, Olive, Beer/Wine Tasting Day Tour from Cape Town - Darling Olives and the appeal of a tasting stop
Cape Winelands Tours, Drinking Tours, Food & Drink, Food & Drink in Cape Winelands, Safari Tours, Safari Tours in Cape Winelands, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife, Wine Tours

Wildlife Safari, Olive, Beer/Wine Tasting Day Tour from Cape Town

14.Wildlife Safari, Olive, Beer/Wine Tasting Day Tour from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $227

Join guide Ian of African Moon Adventures for a nine-hour Cape Town day trip combining a Buffelsfontein game drive with Darling olive, wine, toffee, and craft beer tastings. Your air-conditioned minivan holds no more than seven people, with hotel pickup, bottled water, tea, and coffee included. Lunch and alcoholic drinks cost extra.

“Ian was an amazing tour guide and didn't mind being our own personal photographer haha. He even takes his own pictures throughout the tour and posts them on the Facebook page for you to save later on. There was only two of us on this tour which was great because we were able to add additional stops along the way! You can also use this tour company African Moon Adventures to go to other popular locations too such as Boulders Beach and Cape Point, or customise your own trip for a reasonable rate. The ride to the safari was roughly an hour, with a stop along the way to get…”

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From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari - Choosing an open jeep or closed minibus
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From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari

15.From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 12 hours · from $263

Travel from Johannesburg or Pretoria to Pilanesberg with a small group of up to 13 people. Jason handles the road transfer, while guides such as James or Peter lead the game drives. Choose an open safari vehicle for the best views, or a closed minibus for extra shelter. Lunch, water, park fees, and hotel pickup are included.

“Nosso transporte feito pelo sr. Jason foi tranquilo e pontual, ida e vinda. Muito atencioso e solícito. Nosso tour pelo parque foi muito legal, não vimos os Big Five, apenas w deles, mas vimos muitos outros animais. E o mais divertido foi a briga de girafas e os elefantes invadindo a rua, passando ao lado do carro e até indo atrás. O motorista Peter foi muito bem nas explicações.”

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New in Wildlife

★ 4.02-Day Schotia Safaris & Addo Wildlife ReserveFrom $7164 reviews
★ 4.8Full-Day Addo Elephant Park Wildlife TourFrom $1564 reviews
★ 5.0Wildlife-Watching SafariFrom $633 reviews
★ 5.0Wildlife Lovers Big 5 Safari at 2 Game ReservesFrom $2465 reviews
★ 5.0Guided Marine Wildlife Cruise and Cape Point TourFrom $1703 reviews
★ 4.315 Wine Tasting & Wildlife Small Group TourFrom $1123 reviews
★ 4.8Visit Port Elizabeth :Addo Elephant Park Wildlife SafariFrom $1565 reviews

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Safari Tours290Big 5 Safaris44Elephant Tours41Lion & Rhino Parks21Aquila Game Reserve Tours33Cheetah Encounters9National Parks98Wildlife Sanctuaries10
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