The private game reserves closest to Cape Town are in the Karoo, about two to two and a half hours away by road. Aquila Private Game Reserve, near Touws River, is about 175 km from the city and just under two hours outside peak traffic, and it runs day trip safaris with game drives of about two to three hours. A game reserve day trip from Cape Town is a long day for a short time with the animals, so it suits visitors who cannot spare a night, while those who can usually do better staying over.
Which game reserves can you reach in a day from Cape Town?
Two reserves come up most often for visitors based in Cape Town.
| Reserve | Where | From Cape Town | Day visits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquila Private Game Reserve | Near Touws River, out along the N1 | About 175 km, just under 2 h | Yes, half-day and full-day safari options |
| Inverdoorn | Tankwa Karoo | Less than 2.5 h | Its website lists overnight stays, so ask the reserve about day visits |
Aquila describes itself as a Big 5 reserve. Inverdoorn offers Big 5 game viewing and runs a cheetah conservation project, and the Tankwa Karoo is malaria-free. Both are in the Karoo, a drier and more open landscape than the Cape coast.
The large national parks in the north of the country, such as the Kruger, are not day trips from Cape Town. They are a flight away and need several nights.
How an Aquila day trip works
Aquila runs half-day options in the early morning, the afternoon and at sunset, and full-day options that add horseback, quad bike or combination outings. A game drive typically lasts two to three hours, in an open safari vehicle with a ranger.
Guests cannot drive themselves inside the reserve. Day visitors park in the reserve's car park near reception and check in at the Day Visitor Centre. So your driver takes you to the reserve, waits while the ranger takes you out, and drives you home. The reserve's rules and the order of its programme are its own, so book the safari directly or ask the concierge to book it, and confirm the check-in time before anything else is planned.
Timing the day
Everything works backwards from the reserve's check-in time. An early morning safari means leaving Cape Town in the dark. An afternoon or sunset safari means a later start and a drive home after dark.
| Example: afternoon safari | |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | Collection in the city |
| 12:00 | Arrive at the reserve, check in and lunch |
| 13:30 | Game drive |
| 16:00 | Back at the Day Visitor Centre |
| 16:30 | Leave for Cape Town |
| 18:30 | Back in the city, traffic permitting |
That fits inside the ten hours of a full day. The distance does not: the round trip is about 350 km against the 250 km included, so extra kilometres are billed per kilometre at the rate on your quote and appear on it before you confirm. Aquila is within about 200 km of Cape Town, so it is quoted as a full day with extra distance. Inverdoorn is further, so ask the concierge how it is quoted.
Is a safari day trip worth it?
Answer this honestly before you book, because it is a long day.
It works well when you are in Cape Town for a short stay with no time for the north, you want children to see large animals in a safe, guided setting, or you have a party who would never agree on a two-night lodge but will all enjoy one afternoon.
It is the wrong choice when wildlife is a main reason for your trip to South Africa. Four hours on the road for a two to three hour game drive is a compromise. Game viewing is often best in the early morning and the evening, and a day visitor sees one of them at most. If you can spare a night or two, stay at the reserve. The concierge can arrange the transfer there and the collection afterwards, and an overnight itinerary is quoted individually.
What to bring for a Karoo game drive
- Layers. Open vehicles are exposed. A winter morning in the Karoo is cold, and a summer afternoon is hot. Bring a warm layer and a hat in any season.
- Sun protection. There is little shade on a game drive.
- Binoculars and a camera with a zoom. Animals are not always close to the vehicle.
- Something to do on the drive. Two hours each way is a long stretch for children. Wi-Fi in the vehicle helps.
Chilled water is in the vehicle, and the driver handles any bags.
Why a private driver for a safari day
Tour companies run safari day trips with transport from Cape Town, and Aquila offers its own return transport as a paid extra. For one or two people happy to keep to a set schedule, that is a sensible option.
A private driver makes sense when you want the day on your own timing, when you are a family or group who would rather travel together, or when the drive home after a long day should be time to rest. The rate is per vehicle, never per person. Parties of nine or more travel in two vehicles, one driver each, on one booking. Driver, fuel and tolls are included. The safari, meals at the reserve and any extras are for your own account unless itemised on the quote.
If you are fitting a safari into a longer stay, see the guide to the best day trips from Cape Town to weigh it against the alternatives, and a private driver for several days for how a longer booking works. Visitors planning a road trip east should also read the guide to the Garden Route. The day trips page explains what a full day includes.
Common questions
Can you see the Big 5 on a day trip from Cape Town?
Aquila describes itself as a Big 5 reserve and runs day safaris, but no reserve can promise which animals you will see on a single game drive. Ask the reserve what has been seen recently.
How long is the drive to a game reserve from Cape Town?
About two hours to Aquila, near Touws River, and less than two and a half hours to Inverdoorn in the Tankwa Karoo, outside peak traffic.
Can we drive into the reserve ourselves?
Not at Aquila. Guests cannot self-drive inside the reserve. Day visitors park at reception and go out with a ranger in an open safari vehicle.
Is it suitable for young children?
Ask the reserve about age limits on its game drives and activities before you book. For the drive, give the concierge the children's ages and the right child seats are fitted before pickup.
To plan a safari day, send the concierge the reserve and safari you have in mind, the date, the number of people and where you are staying. The concierge replies with a written quote and a booking reference.