Wildlife

SOUTH AFRICA

10 Best Wildlife Tours In South Africa

South Africa's standouts.

A shortlist of the 10 wildlife tours most worth booking in South Africa, with what each one is like on the day, who runs it, and what it costs.

10 Best Wildlife Tours In South Africa

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

Cape Town: Marine Wildlife Tour from the V&A Waterfront - Getting to the water: van transfer and the marine kiosk meeting point

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

Most Popular★ 4.6

90-minute hydrofoil eco-cruise from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront to spot whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, sunfish, and sea birds.

“This wildlife tour surpassed all expectations! We saw whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and a sunfish. All explained thoroughly by our skipper and guide, as well as background and history of the area. The boat was fast and you may get splashed if you sit at the front, especially if the winds are strong. As I…”

1,118 reviews1.5 hoursFrom $61by African Eagle Daytours

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Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town

Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town - The 3-Hour Open-Vehicle Game Drive (Where the Day Hits)

2.Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town

★ 4.0

Big Five safari day trip from Cape Town to malaria-free Aquila Game Reserve with pickup, 3-hour open-vehicle drive, and lunch.

“Fun tour! Get to see all the big 5 although there are very few of each animal. It is a big zoo so don’t expect it to be like a proper safari but still a great experience. A lot of it actually done in travelling too and from the game reserve so be prepared to…”

576 reviewsFrom $184.62by Cullinan Guided Journeys

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

From Cape Town: South African Wildlife and Safari 2-Day Tour - The early morning drive to Botlierskop: 450 km toward the Garden Route region

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

★ 4.7

Two-day Big Five safari from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn: Botlierskop and Buffelsdrift 4x4 drives, plus optional rescued-elephant observation.

“Absolutely loved the experience from pick up to drop off. TK was awesome! Not only a great driver, but a great person who explained the trip itinerary well, gave lots of nice info on the towns we were passing, and was always asking how everyone was doing along the way. He is also very open…”

411 reviews2 daysFrom $322by Hotspots2c Tours

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Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town

Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town - What you might see: dolphins, seals, penguins, whales, and surprise life

4.Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town

★ 5.0

Speed-boat ocean wildlife watching in Cape Town. Spot dolphins, seals, and penguins with a guide, plus epic views of Table Mountain.

“It was a wonderful experience. Paul is an excellent guide and great at spotting birds and animals of interest. The sunfish was probably the highlight for me.”

307 reviewsFrom $80.52by Ocean Wonder

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

2 Day South African Wildlife Tour with 4x4 Safari from Cape Town - Buffelsdrift bush drive plus the optional elephant observation walk

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

★ 5.0

Cape Town to Klein Karoo in 2 days for 4x4 safari drives at Botlierskop and Buffelsdrift, plus an optional elephant walk.

“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.”

251 reviewsFrom $279.50by Hotspots2c Tours

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Plettenberg Bay: Wild Cat and Wildlife Guided Tour

Plettenberg Bay: Wild Cat and Wildlife Guided Tour - Getting There and Meeting at Tenikwa (Simple, But Don’t Ignore Signs)

6.Plettenberg Bay: Wild Cat and Wildlife Guided Tour

★ 4.7

Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation in Plettenberg Bay: a guided 1-hour wild cat walk with white lion photos, conservation facts, and $27 value.

“It was a pleasure to see how well the animals were being cared for. Staff were knowledgeable and courteous and my guide, Wazi, was friendly and helpful. An excellent experience.”

206 reviews1 hourFrom $27by Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

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Cape Town: Dolphin & Ocean Wildlife Kayaking Adventure ⚓️

Cape Town: Dolphin & Ocean Wildlife Kayaking Adventure ⚓️ - The 2-hour rhythm: safety talk, launch, and wildlife search

8.Cape Town: Dolphin & Ocean Wildlife Kayaking Adventure ⚓️

★ 5.0

Kayak Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard for 2 hours to look for dolphins, penguins, seals and whales, plus Table Mountain views and garden drinks.

“Such a peacfull activity to do, expecting to only see dolfins and seals, we also saw penguins and other birds. I was not expecting the views of the incredible mother city.”

57 reviews2 hoursFrom $37by Truth Kayaking

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

Cape Town: 2-Day Wildlife Tour with Safaris and Luxury Stay - Botlierskop 4x4 safari: what Big Five searching really feels like

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

★ 4.8

Two-day Big Five safari from Cape Town with luxury tented lodging near Oudtshoorn, optional elephant time, and Route 62 road-trip scenery.

“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…”

51 reviews2 daysFrom $534by Hotspots2c Tours

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Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary Admission with Guided Tour

Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary Admission with Guided Tour - The guided walking safari: what happens during your 90 minutes

10.Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary Admission with Guided Tour

★ 4.5

Guided walk at Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa with a small-group guide, included entrance, and close big-cat viewing.

“Greeted the reception staff who were friendly and polite. The young lady told us to get a bite and start the 2:30 tour as they usually get the animals ready to be fed. We went to the overpriced quaint cafe in a beautiful setting close to the farm animals, which we did not go sRead…”

50 reviewsFrom $24.73by Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary

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