As a first-time safari visiter and / or if you do not have the opportunity to travel around the country and have less time available, you can choose to book a safari near Cape Town or along the Garden Route. Near Cape Town and along the Garden Route there is only one game reserve, the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, as well as some private reserves / lodges that offer safari experiences. Some of the private reserves can be visited during the day on a day-safari, or depending on how interested you are to expeience the wild animals, you can spend one or two nights at a private lodge. This area is malaria free.

Upplev Sydafrika recommends a safari in one of the private reserves and accommodation at a nice private lodge, where usually the price is all inclusive, which includes all food (3 meals a day) and 2 guided game drives per day. In private reserves, skilled guides and trackers are often allowed to drive off road to get close to the animals. Some lodges offer bush walks with specially trained guides and where during the walk you focus on smaller animals and get to learn more about plants and nature.

Extra ordinary Safari Lodges of different characters

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve, an oasis in the wilderness, located in the rugged Cederbergs, offers a completely unique wilderness experience in South Africa. This family-run lodge is set in a 7,500 hectare private reserve with impressive wildlife and pristine mountain landscape. The accommodatioin is 5-star and offer South African-inspired cuisine, where indigenous herbs and vegetables are picked daily from the organic garden and incorporated into a special fynbos menu. Visiting Bushman’s Kloof during the flowering period, August to September is special, when the landscape is in bloom. Explore the unique access to more than 130 ancient mountain art sites, ancient San culture, some dating back to 10,000, along with experienced local guides.

Accommodation: Bushmans Kloof consists of 14 spacious rooms, two suites and two villas, surrounded by a garden. All are individually decorated with a beautiful collection of hand-picked art, antiques and furniture that together are reminiscent of the region’s history and culture. The private terraces have panoramic views of the wilderness. Children of all ages welcome.

Price indication: R8250 per person sharing/night all inclusive. Prices are for high season and other prices may apply during low and peak season.  

Grootbos Forest Lodge

Near the southern tip of Africa, between mountains, forests and the sea lies the beautiful Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. In the 2500 hectares of untouched wilderness lies the luxurious Grootbos reserve, whose fresh air, sea waves and unique fragrant fynbos (small shrub vegetation) are Grootbo’s hallmarks. Beautifully located on the hill with magical sea views, this unique environment gives a feeling of peace and quiet and recovery. In contrast to the tranquility, there are many exciting activities and excursion destinations available from Grootbos.

Accommodation: The modern and minimalist Forest Lodge consists of 16 romantic suites. A little separated from the main building, they are all beautifully placed, each with a veranda with a magical panoramic view of the sea. The suites have all the luxury facilities you could wish for and depending on the season there is access to both underfloor heating and air conditioning, fireplace and minibar etc.

Price indication: from R12,500 per person sharing/night full board and includes some activities. Prices are for high season and other prices may apply during low and peak season.

Sanbona Dwyka Tented Lodge & Tilney Manor

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is a three hour drive from Cape Town in the heart of the Little Karoo, along Route 62 – the world’s longest wine route. At the foot of the towering Warmwaterberg Mountains, Sanbona boastes 54,000 hectares of sculpted Cape Fold Mountains, Wide open Karoo plains, indigenous flora and fauna and rare examples of San rock art, some dating back more than 3500 years. Whilst the free roaming Big 5 call Sanbona home, it is the vastness of the landscape, the alluring atmosphere of stillness, an air of isolation amid the raw beauty and boundless plains that make Sanbona unique. Sanbona offers accommodation in three diffrent 5-star lodges and one 4-star mobile camp.

Accommodation: Dwyka Tented Lodge with 9 luxury tents, each with its own veranda and private plunge pool. The luxury tents offer various facilities that enable a comfortable stay, such as air conditioning, private mini-bar, outdoor shower etc. Children over the age of 16 are welcome at Dwyka Tented Lodge. Luxurious Tilney Manor consists of 6 spacious open-plan suites, each with its own veranda and beautiful mountain and landscape views. The suites have all the amenities you could wish for, such as air conditioning, fireplace, outdoor shower, etc. Children over the age of 12 are welcome at Tilney Manor.

Price indication: Dwyka Tented Lodge cost from R13,500 per person sharing/night and Tilney Manor cost R12,880 full board during high season. Other rates may apply during low and peak season.

Sanbona Gondwana Family Lodge

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is a three hour drive from Cape Town in the heart of the Little Karoo, along Route 62 – the world’s longest wine route. At the foot of the towering Warmwaterberg Mountains, Sanbona boastes 54,000 hectares of sculpted Cape Fold Mountains, Wide open Karoo plains, indigenous flora and fauna and rare examples of San rock art, some dating back more than 3500 years. Whilst the free roaming Big 5 call Sanbona home, it is the vastness of the landscape, the alluring atmosphere of stillness, an air of isolation amid the raw beauty and boundless plains that make Sanbona unique. Sanbona offers accommodation in three diffrent 5-star lodges and one 4-star mobile camp. Gondwana Lodge is the perfect sancturary for family, friends and groups with a child friendly pool, kids on safari programme, outdoor and indoor play areas for kids.

Accommodation: Gondwana Family Lodge consist of 12 contemporarry suits, 6 on the ground floor with private deck and 6 on the upstaris with private balcony. The suits consist of air conditioning, private mini bar etc. Children all ages are welcome.

Price indication: from R12,880 per person sharing/night full board during high season. Other rates may apply during low and peak season.

Sanbona Explorer Camp

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is a three hour drive from Cape Town in the heart of the Little Karoo, along Route 62 – the world’s longest wine route. At the foot of the towering Warmwaterberg Mountains, Sanbona boastes 54 000 hectares of sculpted Cape Fold Mountains, Wide open Karoo plains, indigenous flora and fauna and rare examples of San rock art, some dating back more than 3500 years. Whilst the free roaming Big 5 call Sanbona home, it is the vastness of the landscape, the alluring atmosphere of stillness, an air of isolation amid the raw beauty and boundless plains that make Sanbona unique. Sanbona offers accommodation in three diffrent 5-star lodges and one 4-star mobile camp. The 4-star mobile Explorer Camp offers adventurrous guests an authentic walking experience while sleeping in mobile tents around a camp fire. Explorer Camp is open on weekends from October to April and accepts only 6 guests. The camp specializes in walking safari.

Accommodation: The Explorer Camp offers 3 canvas tents that can sleep a maximum of two people each. The tents are placed in fairly close proximity to one another, without encroaching on the privacy of the other tents. Children over the age of 16 are welcome at Explorer Camp.

Price indication: Contact Upplev Sydafrika for more informaiton and rates.

Botlierskop Tented Lodge

Botlierskop Private Game Reserve with its 3500 hectares, is located along the Garden Route, about 4,5 hours from Cape Town and 3 hours from George Airport. The malaria-free family-owned reserve is home to the big 5, among other things, and many rare antelopes. There is also a unique bird life. Visit Botlierskop during the day or spend a few nights. Botlierskop offers accommodation in four different lodges; The Tented lodge, The Manor House, The Village Lodge and Self-catering Bush Villas. In addition to a nice spa, the lodge offers activities that include horseback riding safaris, guided safaris, etc.

Accommodation: Botlierskop Tented Lodge consists of 21 spacious and elegantly furnished tents in different sizes, all with wooden decks and desirable facilities. The tents are a bit secluded with beautiful views of the river and with the mountains in the background. Children over the age of 6 are welcome at Botlierskop Tented Lodge.

Price indication: Contact Upplev Sydafrika for more information and rates.

Garden Route Game Lodge

Garden Route Game Lodge, with its 1500 hectares, is located along the Garden Route, about 3,5 hours from Cape Town. In the malaria-free area you can experience the Big 5 and during a two-night stay there is a great opportunity to spot 4/5 Big 5. Other common animals found in the area are zebra, wildebeest, springbok, impala and other antelopes. A perfect family lodge with various accommodation in chalets and suites.

Accommodation: The lodge consists of 8 Sunset Ridge Luxury Suites, 16 Lodge rooms and 18 private chalets. All suites, rooms and chalets have air conditioning, a mini-bar and the Sunset Ridge suites have their own private pool.

Price indication: Contact Upplev Sydafrika for more information and rates.

De Hoop Nature Reserve

De Hoop Nature Reserve, a 34 000-hectare conservancy, often referred to as the ‘jewel of the Western Cape’. Located little more than three hours’ drive from Cape Town, this remarkable coastal reserve is particularly famous for offering some of the world’s best land-based whale watching. During winter and spring (July to November) Southern Right whales migrate here from Antarctica to calve and breed in the warm seas offshore. Since 1985 these waters have been designated as a Marine Protected Area, and sea life has flourished. While whales are the stars of the show, guests may also look forward to sighting dolphins, seals and myriad sea birds. De Hoop Nature Reserve’s is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, wealth of biodiversity. Alongside the remarkable fynbos vegetation, more than 260 bird species have been recorded in the reserve – including the Western Cape’s only breeding colony of the endangered Cape Vulture.

Morukuru Beach Lodge

Morukuru Beach Lodge is located in the spectacular De Hoop Nature Reserve. A luxurious private beach villa in a pristine environment, right on the beach and the white dunes. Morukuru is the perfect destination for couples (honeymooners) as well as small families. During the whale season, you can experience whales playing and breaching right outside the window from your suite. Morukuru Beach Lodge can be booked exclusively.

Accommodation: Beach Lodge consists of 5 luxury suites, of which 2 are family suites and 2 standard suites, all with panoramic sea views and a Honeymoon suite with partial sea views that is placed secluded. All suites overlook the white dunes and the beautiful fynbos vegetation (small shrub vegetation).

Price indication: from R10,000 per person sharing/night all inclusive during high season. Other rates may apply during low and peak season.

Lekkerwater Beach Lodge

Lekkerwater Beach Lodge enjoys an enviable position perched between land and sea atop the ancient dunes of De Hoop. Lekkerwater – meaning ‘good water’ in the Afrikaans language – offers a comfortable beach-safari experience in a truly magical setting. With a rich history, incredible fauna and flora, pristine beaches, rolling hills and abundant sea life, the focus at Lekkerwater is on an exceptional nature-based experience. Here we offer a new kind of luxury. The indulgence of wide open spaces, peacefulness and privacy, gorgeous sea views, the smell of the ocean, barefoot beach walks and incredible sunsets. At the main lodge the focus is on offering a home from home hospitality and dining experience.

Accommodation: With 7 intimate and individual off-grid suites (1 family and 6 standard), simply decorated in a bright and breezy coastal feel, each boasts a private deck overlooking the breath taking five-kilometre stretch of secluded beach.

Price indication: from R9500 per person sharing/night all inclusive during high season. Other rates may apply during low and peak season.