How much daily driving time should I expect on safari tours starting from Cape Town?

You'll spend about 4-6 hours per day on the road during safari tours from Cape Town. The first stretch from Cape Town to Cederberg takes around 4 hours to cover 180 miles, while getting to Kruger National Park means longer 6-7 hour drives covering 280 miles. You'll get to rest at nice places like Wedgeview Country House and Ndhula Lodge between drives.

What's the typical duration of safari tours when starting from Cape Town?

Most people choose tours that last 10-14 days, though options range from 9-49 days. The popular Cape Town to Kruger safari packs South Africa's highlights into 9 days, while trips like Cape Town to Namibia take 14 days to explore multiple parks. You'll stay at comfortable spots like Protea Hotel Knysna Quays and Royal Malewane along the way.

What's the recommended time of year for starting a safari tour from Cape Town?

Plan your trip during the dry winter months from May to September when temperatures stay around 65°F (18°C). Animals are easy to spot then since they gather near water sources. Summer (December-February) gets hot at 82°F (28°C) but it's perfect for enjoying Cape Town's beaches and wine regions. Places like Hollow on the Square in Cape Town and Royal Malewane keep you comfortable any time of year.

What are the best wildlife viewing opportunities on safari tours starting from Cape Town?

You'll have great chances to see the Big Five (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo) in Kruger National Park and Manyeleti Game Reserve. The Garden Route Game Lodge and Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, about 240 miles from Cape Town, offer malaria-free safaris. The best viewing times are during morning and evening game drives when temperatures are around 68°F (20°C).

How many different parks and reserves can I visit on safari tours from Cape Town?

Depending on how long your trip is, you can explore between 3-8 parks and reserves. Most tours visit Table Mountain National Park, Garden Route Game Lodge, and Kruger National Park. You'll stay at comfortable spots like Protea Hotel Knysna Quays and Royal Malewane along the way.

What unique experiences can I add to my safari tour from Cape Town?

Beyond wildlife watching, you can try wine tasting in Stellenbosch, whale watching in Hermanus (July-November), and hiking Table Mountain. Many travelers enjoy visiting local communities, sleeping in bush camps, and joining special photo safaris. Luxury lodges like Royal Malewane can arrange extras like spa treatments and gourmet dining experiences.

How much time should I spend in Cape Town before starting the safari portion?

Take 3-4 days to explore Cape Town before heading out on safari. This gives you enough time to visit Table Mountain, see the Cape Peninsula, explore the wine regions, and check out places like Bo-Kaap and Robben Island. As one TourRadar traveler said: "Having multiple days in Cape Town was perfect - we could explore the V&A Waterfront, take the cable car up Table Mountain, and still have time to relax before beginning our Safari adventure."

Safari Tours from Cape Town

Are you ready to see everything Cape Town has to offer? Witness headline acts at Kruger National Park where the Big Five flourish in their natural habitat. Choose premium lodging or glamping under stars - either way, you’ll have an amazing experience. Cape Town safaris combine urban sophistication with raw wilderness.

10 best Safari tour packages from Cape Town

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Safari
South African Escape
4.4 (39 traveler reviews)
"The accomadation was reallly nice just long trips in the bus and the 1 night stays were tiring."
Jenny, traveled in October
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Cape Town, Robben Island, Table Mountain, Kalk Bay,Stellenbosch,Hermanus,Swellendam,Mossel Bay,Botlierskop,Knysna,Tsitsikamma National Park,Stormsrivier,Garden Route,Oudtshoorn,Robertson,Paarl,Johannesburg,Kruger National Park,Skukuza,Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve,Bourke's Luck Potholes,Soweto+18 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English
Operator
Expat Explore Travel
29% Off
From $2,930
US$2,087per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
South Africa & Victoria Falls - A Small Group Journey
5.0 (5 traveler reviews)
"The safari was unforgettable, lions, rhinos, giraffes, you name it, we saw it! Then to wrap up with Victoria Falls… wow."
Joel, traveled in May
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Cape Town, Table Mountain, Chapman's Peak, Simon's Town,Johannesburg,Sandton,Soweto,Victoria Falls+4 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English
Operator
Sky Vacations
29% Off
From
US$2,789per person
+$899 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
Cape Town - Garden Route - Addo Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
4.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Oudtshoorn, Knysna,Addo Elephant National Park,Port Elizabeth+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Garden Route
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore South Africa
29% Off
From
US$1,190per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
Journeys: Explore Cape Town & Kruger National Park National Geographic
4.7 (16 traveler reviews)
"The sites, the safaris (worth every early morning start), would not have been the same without Johannes' passion, knowledge, and diplomacy."
Katrina, traveled in July
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg,Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve,Kruger National Park,Karongwe+3 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
National Geographic Expeditions with G Adventures
25% Off
From $4,599
US$3,449per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Handpicked adventures loved by our team
TourRadar Curated
Safari
Cape and Namibia Adventure
4.8 (22 traveler reviews)
"One off the best trips ever."
Michael, traveled in May
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Cape Town, Lamberts Bay, Fish River Canyon National Park,Namib-Naukluft Park,Swakopmund,Etosha National Park,Windhoek+4 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
25% Off
From $2,899
US$2,174per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
1-Day Cape Town Coastal & Peninsula Scenic Tour
5.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
1 day
Destinations
Cape Town, Hout Bay, Simon's Town, Kalk Bay
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Knap Tours Limited
25% Off
From
US$269per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
3 day Botlierskop Garden Route Glamping and Whale Coast Safari with Private transfers
4.8 (2 traveler reviews)
"The tour was very nice and very well organized."
francesca, traveled in January
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Cape Town, Hermanus, Botlierskop
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Garden Route
Operated in
English
Operator
Hotspots2c - Africa Select Journeys
25% Off
From
US$2,550per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Safari
11 Days Cape Town, Garden Route & Kruger Explorer
4.6 (16 traveler reviews)
"The Western Cape was surprisingly charming, and the highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the various safaris."
Alexander, traveled in April
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Cape Town, Chapman's Peak, Simon's Town, Atlantis,Table Mountain,Sedgefield,Tsitsikamma National Park,Stormsrivier,Oudtshoorn,Johannesburg,Kruger National Park,Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve+8 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English
Operator
Cape Xtreme
25% Off
From
US$2,625per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
Cape Town and Garden Route Adventure Tour
5.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay,Tsitsikamma National Park,Jeffreys Bay,Addo Elephant National Park,Oudtshoorn+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Garden Route
Operated in
English
Operator
Amatungulu Tour
25% Off
From
US$1,990per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Safari
Cape, Safari & Falls: South Africa to Victoria Falls – 9 Days
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"The game drives are amazing. Highly recommended."
Ian, traveled in February
Duration
9 days
Destinations
South Africa Zimbabwe Botswana
Age Range
Ages 6+
Operated in
English, German
Operator
T.S TOURS
25% Off
From
US$6,200per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
5 day Best of South Africa Highlights: Garden Route with Addo National Park
4.7 (180 traveler reviews) award winner
"A fantastic tour. You see and experience so much."
John, traveled in March
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Oudtshoorn,Addo Elephant National Park,Jeffreys Bay,Tsitsikamma National Park,Knysna,Sedgefield,Wilderness National Park,Wilderness,Botlierskop,Garden Route+9 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Regions
Garden RouteAddo Elephant Park+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Hotspots2c - Africa Select Journeys
25% Off
From
US$776per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Safari
10 day Cape & Garden Route Package - optional accommodation
4.6 (29 traveler reviews)
"The overall experience combined beautiful scenery, wildlife, culture, history, and local experiences in a way that felt both authentic and well organized."
Harold, traveled in April
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Cape Town, Table Mountain, Simon's Town, Stellenbosch,Oudtshoorn,Addo Elephant National Park,Jeffreys Bay,Knysna,Tsitsikamma National Park,Sedgefield+6 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Country Region
Garden Route
Operated in
English
Operator
Hotspots2c - Africa Select Journeys
25% Off
From
US$1,432per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Our most booked and loved tours
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Safari
Garden Route & Addo Group Adventure - 6 Days
4.8 (131 traveler reviews) award winner
"Absolutely fantastic. We lucked out with the group we traveled with - they were simply great."
Priya, traveled in August
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Cape Town, Betty's Bay, Hermanus, L'Agulhas, Oudtshoorn,Wilderness National Park,Sedgefield,Knysna,Tsitsikamma National Park,Addo Elephant National Park,Wilderness,Mossel Bay+7 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Garden Route
Operated in
English
Operator
Earthstompers Adventures
25% Off
From
US$811per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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Safari
4 day Kruger Safari from Cape Town
4.0 (1 traveler review)
"The safari drives were thrilling, and the accommodations were clean and comfortable."
Anthony, traveled in February
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
National Park
Kruger National Park
Operated in
English
Operator
Africa Moja Tours And Safaris
25% Off
From
US$1,250per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
South Africa Splendour: Cape, Safari & Victoria Falls – 11 Days
5.0 (3 traveler reviews)
"The best start to explore the beauty of Africa."
Kesa, traveled in June
Duration
11 days
Destinations
South Africa Zimbabwe Botswana
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, German
Operator
T.S TOURS
25% Off
From
US$8,600per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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