Combining Cape Town plus Safari just got easier. This article is a great starting point for planning your Cape Town and Safari itinerary. Cape Town has become the gateway to Safari in Africa, and it makes sense. Why not combine your Safari with a stopover in one of the best cities in the World?
If you are looking to chat with a Safari Expert for additional advice who can help you plan your dream Luxury Safari Experience, here is a link to Stanely Safaris; they are our trusted Safari Experts. Using a company like Stanley Safaris will not cost you anything!
Check out Where to go on Safari in Africa?
Can I have a Safari Experience in Cape Town?
There are some fun Safari Experiences near Cape Town if you have a limited budget or time. However, if you want an authentic safari experience, some of the best national parks, safari lodges, and game reserves are within 2 to 4 hours of Flight from Cape Town. Don't get us wrong, there are some Beautiful lodges 1-2 hours away from Cape Town, and you will see animals (sometimes even the big 5), BUT it's just on another level when you are in a big national park like Kruger National Park.
International Direct Flights to Cape Town
Cape Town now has multiple direct flights from America (Thank You Delta), Uk, Europe and Asia. So why not fly direct into Cape Town, spend a couple of days (or weeks) exploring the mother city, and then catch a short direct flight to one of these amazing Safari locations?
Domestic Flights from Cape Town to Safari
Kruger National Park (South Africa)
Sabi Sands (South Africa)
Hoedspruit (Limpopo)
Flight times and Approx Return Flight Costs:
Start | Destination | Approx Flight Time | Approx $ (return) |
Cape Town | Johannesburg | 2 Hours | $90-240 |
Cape Town | Hoedspruit (Kruger National Park) | 2 Hours | $200-400 |
Cape Town | Namibia | 2.5 Hours | $180- 400 |
Cape Town | Botswana | 3 Hours | $180- 500 |
Cape Town | Zimbabwe | 3 Hours | $180- 500 |
Cape Town | Zambia | 3 Hours | $180- 500 |
Cape Town | Garden Route | 1 Hour | $100- 200 |
How to get to Sabi Sands
Sabi Sands (A part of Greater Kruger National Park) is one of the best places on the planet to view wildlife. Sabi Sands also has some incredible luxury safari lodges (Londolozi Private Game Reserve, Ulusaba (Virgin Limited) private game reserve)
In terms of flights to the Sabi Sands - there are three options to consider:
Cape Town to Hoedspruit (Sabi Sands and Timbavati Reserves)
Cape Town to Mpumalanga (Southern Sabi Sands)
Cape Town to Skukuza (Kruger National Park and Southern Sabi Sands)
Luxury Cape Town and Safari Package
It's become very popular for international tourists to combine a stay in Cape Town with a Luxury Safari—tourism's own surf 'n turf! Here is a list of our favourite companies offering Luxury Cape Town and Safari Packages.
Stanley Safaris. (Bespoke Safari Itinerary Experiences)
Stanley Safaris was started by Shaun Stanley in 2020. Shaun is one of the most respected Safari experts in the world. Having been in the industry for over 30 years (starting out as a Guide), his new company specialises in Luxury and Unique Safari Experiences. We love his personal touch, and you can always trust Shaun to put together the Safari itinerary of your dreams.
Safari Video: SoCoMunity for Stanley Safaris
One of the pros of using a company like Stanley Safaris is that you will pay the same price if you go directly to the lodge. Companies like Stanley Safaris are unbiased when planning itineraries and find you the best experiences to fit your budget and requirements.
African Bush Camps
African Bush Camps have a wide variety of Lodges throughout Southern Africa, specialising in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. African Bush Camps were founded by Beks Ndlovu. Beks is a Professional Guide from Zimbabwe with a passion for preserving remote lands and Africa. African Bush Camps do great conservation work too.
Go2Africa (Biggest Safari Booking Agent)
Go2Africa is the biggest Safari booking company in the world. They offer great service and a very informative website, and they are one of the most trusted players in the Safari booking game.
Best Time to Visit Cape Town for Safari
The Best Time for Safari is the winter months of June to October. The Winter Months are dry months, which means there is less vegetation and fewer watering holes. This results in Animals gathering together at water holes that haven't dried up, making game viewing a lot easier. Add to that, the winter months are a lot cooler with less rain. That said, you can have a great Safari experience all year round; each season brings unique aspects to the table.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town? Traditionally, most tourism to Cape Town happens in the summer months, from November to February. Much like Safari, Cape Town is beautiful all year round. Decide what experience you want and plan around that.
To Summarise, The Best times to Visit Cape Town and go on Safari are November, February, and March. These transition months between Summer and winter are low season, which means better prices and more value.
Cape Town to Kruger National Park Safaris
This is a trendy option for tourists visiting Cape Town and having a world-class experience.
Kruger National Park is one of the biggest National Parks in the world, at 19,623 km2 (7,576 sq mi), and it is famous for its incredible Wildlife Viewing.
How to get to Kruger National Park From Cape Town
Driving: Driving from Cape Town to Kruger National Park will take you about 20 hours. It's almost a complete cross-country trip (South Africa). If you have time and want to drive across South Africa, this is an option.
Fly into Johannesburg and Rent a Car from ORT. This is one of the cheapest ways to get to Safari from Cape Town. The drive from Johannesburg to Kruger is around 5 hours.
Fly directly into Kruger or Next to Kruger (Hoedspruit). If you value time and not money, this is a very convenient way to get to Safari. A flight into Kruger can be 2-3x the price of flying into Johannesburg. However, in 2 hours, you will be in the heart of Safari, being picked up at the Airport by your Safari Guide in a game-viewing vehicle.
Safari From Cape Town to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
With a 2-hour direct flight from Cape Town to Harare (Zimbabwe), this is a great option if you are looking to combine Cape Town, Safari and Victoria Falls.
Cape Town and Garden Route Safaris
The Garden Route has some great Safari options if you want somewhere between flying to a significant Safari reserve and visiting a Safari lodge near Cape Town.
Safari Experience Ideas.
The Zebra Migration in Nxai Pan Botswana
About the author:
Craig Howes is the founder of CityofCapeTown and SoCoMunity. He is a world-renowned Safari and Wildlife Photographer and filmmaker from Cape Town. In 2020, Craig Howes was awarded the World Safari Influencer of the Year.
