BIG5 private Safari near Cape Town
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 12 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is BIG5 private Safari near Cape Town worth booking?
BIG5 private Safari near Cape Town is a 9-hour experience in Cape Town, South Africa, from $3919 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 12 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (12)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $3919 per person
Enjoy an unforgettable safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve, just a short drive from Cape Town. Known for conserving the unique Karoo ecosystem and supporting the Touws River community, Aquila offers a family-friendly w
What you get
- Private transportation
- Tour guide
- Bottled water
- Entrance fees
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Lunch
About this experience
Enjoy an unforgettable safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve, just a short drive from Cape Town. Known for conserving the unique Karoo ecosystem and supporting the Touws River community, Aquila offers a family-friendly wildlife experience ideal for travelers with limited time. Our professional Santacruise Tours guide will ensure your journey is informative, comfortable, and memorable. Please Note: * Aquila is an independent private game reserve. Santacruise Tours does not manage the reserve, its facilities, or its wildlife. * Wildlife sightings and animal behavior are unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed. * Santacruise Tours provides private transportation to and from the reserve only. * Game drives are shared with other guests and are operated by Aquila’s qualified ranger guides.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Tour guide
- Bottled water
- Entrance fees
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Lunch
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
What you'll see and do
This is a half day afternoon safari. Arrival time is 12pm starting with lunch and followed by 4 X 4 safari drive.
180 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Ends at
We drop off where we picked up
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 13 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Santacruise Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 12 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
12 verified traveler reviews for BIG5 private Safari near Cape Town. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing driver, Amazing Experience!!
We booked this tour with Tingo and I can honestly say the trip would have been a completely different experience had we not. The company really makes or breaks a trip. Professionally, Tingo was prompt and ready at 5am in the morning with a fantastic attitude. Throughout the entire trip he spoke to us about landmarks, culture, and any other questions we had. The conversation never died and was so informative. I left the car feeling so much more informed and aware of life here. If you have the chance to book with Tingo, don’t walk, run at the opportunity. He made this trip all the more magical. AND he made a point to realize what we were interested in so he stopped at the most beautiful viewpoint for us. Thank you, Tingo!!
Response from the operator: Wow—thank you so much for such a beautiful and thoughtful review! 🙏✨ It truly means the world to me to hear that I could make your experience even more special. Hosting you was an absolute pleasure, and I’m so glad the journey, conversations, and stops along the way added to the magic of your trip. I always aim to tailor each experience to my guests’ interests, so knowing you enjoyed the viewpoints and cultural insights makes it even more rewarding. Thank you again for trusting me with your journey, and I hope to welcome you back to South Africa very soon!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing driver, great conversations!
We had day tour with Tingo where he picked us up at 05:00 to get to the private game safari location. Not only was he on time. He was an amazing driver who was very insightful about South Africa. We had a great conversation the whole ride there and back where we learned so much about the country. On our way back he stopped at amazing view points so we could see more of the beauty of Cape Town/SA. If you are looking for a transfer I’d definitely book with Tingo.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words! 🙏 It was truly a pleasure hosting you and sharing the journey to the private game safari. I’m glad you enjoyed the conversations, the views, and the beauty of Cape Town along the way. Your support means a lot, and I really appreciate you choosing to travel with me. Wishing you many more amazing adventures, and you’re always welcome back to South Africa
via Tripadvisor
Tingo is so knowledgeable about South African History
Our guide Tingo was amazing. Our trip to the Safari Park was comfortable. Tingo was so knowledgeable about the history and culture of Capetown.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really glad you enjoyed the safari and felt comfortable throughout the journey. It was a pleasure sharing some of South Africa’s rich history and culture with you along the way. I truly appreciate you choosing Santacruise Tours and hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon
via Viator
Day safari
We took the trip up to Aquila for the day and we are glad we did . Had breakfast when we arrived. We know it’s not the biggest in South Africa but it is well worth the trip. We went out on the truck and straight away we seen giraffe with its baby . The elephants come right up to the truck was amazing. We the drove for a bit then saw zebras and rhinos. The tour guide was full of experience and knowledge and had been there for 10 years. We then saw the lions what was fantastic so close . We seen all others animals and wild baboons. Had buffet lunch which was good then relaxed about the pool. It is a must if you go to Cape Town
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I’m so glad you enjoyed the day safari at Aquila—sounds like it was a truly special adventure. Seeing the giraffe and her baby, elephants up close, and of course the lions must have been unforgettable moments. It’s wonderful to hear that the guide’s knowledge and experience made the trip even more enriching. And a relaxing lunch by the pool is the perfect way to end a safari! We’re thrilled you found it worthwhile and hope to welcome you back for more amazing experiences in South Africa soon!
via Tripadvisor
Not worth it. A joke.
Crap. It’s all fenced in. No natural brush. They feed the animals hay which they try to hide by putting it in dried creek beds but it’s visible. The lions are in an enclosure secluded from other animals so they are fed too. They tell you that you will be lucky to see animals but with no high brush the animals are visible from miles away. This was equal to an amusement park ride. Yes you’ll see all the animals so that’s cool but we had just done a real safari so this was a joke to us. We opted for the quad ride which was fun but our leader explained NOTHING and seemed very stoned. The van ride from cape town was hell. A few seats don’t allow for leg room. I’m 5’8 and literally didn’t fit my legs in the seat. It’s 2.5 hours away. No ac either. He had it blasting but it wasn’t cool. Worst five hours of the trip (just the van).
Response from the operator: We apologize for your experience. Aquila is one of our suppliers and will pass your concerns to them. As for our accommodations for transportation we apologize for your uncomfortable ride. If you return on holiday we would love the opportunity to make your trip more memorable. We, at SantaCruise pride ourselves on giving the most memorable holiday experience and do not expect anything less.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- 4+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $3919 to $8108
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Santacruise Tours, who run 4 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.8.
See everything Santacruise Tours runsWhy this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
BIG5 private Safari near Cape Town: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cape Town.
How much does BIG5 private Safari near Cape Town cost?
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Prices start at $3919 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cape Town usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does BIG5 private Safari near Cape Town take?
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Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cape Town is not rushed.
Is BIG5 private Safari near Cape Town worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 12 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable family friendly in Cape Town, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule BIG5 private Safari near Cape Town?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is BIG5 private Safari near Cape Town suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 4. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 9-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book BIG5 private Safari near Cape Town?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cape Town can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cape Town and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does BIG5 private Safari near Cape Town start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cape Town within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cape Town?
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On Outty we rank every Cape Town experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Penguins Day Tour from Cape Town, Table Mountain, Boulders Penguins and Cape point Day Tour, Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cape Town?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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