Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town in Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town

Outty Ranking 57 4.6 · 17 traveler reviews9 hoursFrom $241
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Outty Ranking

57/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.6/5

Based on 17 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town worth booking?

Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town is a 9-hour experience in Cape Town, South Africa, from $241 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 17 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
57 / 100
Rating
4.6/5 (17)
Duration
9 hours
From
$241 per person

Visit an incredible Game Reserve on this full-day safari tour! With hotel pickup from your central Cape Town hotel included, this day trip provides a worry-free experience so all you have to do is get excited for your ex

What you get

    About this experience

    Visit an incredible Game Reserve on this full-day safari tour! With hotel pickup from your central Cape Town hotel included, this day trip provides a worry-free experience so all you have to do is get excited for your exploration of the private, malaria-free reserve. Take an unforgettable game drive through the park, watching out for famous Big Five animals, as well as endangered species.

    What's included

    Included

    • Lunch
    • Open vehicle game drive (non private)
    • Experienced game ranger on game drive
    • Return Transfers from Radisson Red Hotel with English speaking driver only

    Not included

    • All Beverages
    • Souvenir purchases at curio shop
    • All extras not mentioned above.

    What you'll see and do

    1. Touwsrivier

      Welcome drinks on arrival, 3-hour open-vehicle game drive, buffet lunch

      300 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Cape Town

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 8 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Cullinan Guided Journeys

    Know before you go

    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Ship to arrive the night before or early morning and guests need to be disembarked by 08H00
    • At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
    • Guests may be travelling with other guests from the same cruise ship
    • Minimum 2 guests required and maximum 20 guests.
    • Even though the tour has a maximum 20 guests limit , the reserve can however accommodate more than 20 guests.
    • The game drive at the reserve will be conducted with other guests that are not part of the Cruise ship.
    • Ship departure time should not be before 20H00

    Photos

    Aquila Private Game Reserve, LionsCape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town in Cape Town, photo 3Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town in Cape Town, photo 4Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town in Cape Town, photo 5Dining AreaBuffet

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 17 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Food and drink

    3 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Small groups

    2 mentions

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Traveler reviews

    17 verified traveler reviews for Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    12
    4 star
    4
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Cheryl_S · June 2025

    Customer service

    Due to our long and many days of rescheduling, we were unable to attend. But we had fantastic support from our tour operator the whole time. Thoroughly recommend viator and we have several more trips planned with them.

    Response from the operator: Good Afternoon Thank you for taking the time and providing us with your feedback.

    via Viator

    David_K · March 2025

    Our ship was late getting...

    Our ship was late getting into port but we were pleasantly surprised that the tour company waited almost 2 hours past pickup time to allow guests to meet up. The safari itself was great with so many photo opportunities. Buffet lunch was varied and good.

    Response from the operator: Good Afternoon Thank you for taking the time and providing us with your feedback.

    via Viator

    denisemyers · March 2025

    Aquilla shore excursion on a fog day

    Our ship was delayed getting into Port. Abraham, our driver waited for us to arrive before departing for Aquilla. He also waited for another couple for a very long time as they were two hours late he had to depart for the safari to get us there in time for lunch and was successful even though he was dealt a bad hand by weather. Vino was a wonderful tour guide at Aquilla. He was very knowledgeable and got us excellent views of all the animals. We enjoyed our safari jeep ride. The lunch was very good and we enjoyed our sparkling sauvignon upon arrival .

    Response from the operator: Good Morning Thank you for taking the time and providing us with your feedback

    via Viator

    JMRM_N · January 2025

    If you have the time and...

    If you have the time and money to visit Kruger Park, you can skip this tour. The Aquila Private Game Reserve is actually a very large zoo without cages, where they feed some animals. The advantage is that the animals are easy to watch. During our visit we saw hippos, giraffes, ostriches, lions, Cape buffalo, springboks, rhinos and elephants. It is a two-hour drive from Cape Town. You will lose the entire day from 8:30 - 17:00 for two hours of safari. If this is the only safari you can do in South Africa, definitely participate. Expect a fairly massive activity.

    Response from the operator: Good Morning Thank you for taking the time and providing us with your feedback.

    via Viator

    Fjodor_D · May 2024

    Recommended for sure!

    Amazing tour, small group and we even saw all big 5 animals. What an experience! Quite expensive, tbh, but it really is something special!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    9 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $241 to $4330
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    6
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Cullinan Guided Journeys, who run 25 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 59.7.

    See everything Cullinan Guided Journeys runs

    Why this scores 57

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)78
    Review evidence (18% weight)48
    Booking momentum (14% weight)40
    Value for money (12% weight)74
    Listing quality (10% weight)69
    Local standing (8% weight)40
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cape Town.

    How much does Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town cost?

    +

    Prices start at $241 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 Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town take?

    +

    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 Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 17 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable outdoors in Cape Town, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town?

    +

    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 Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from Cape Town?

    +

    Around 6 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?

    +

    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 Cape Town Shore Excursion: Big Five Game Reserve from 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?

    +

    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 Town: Lion's Head Sunrise/Sunset Hike, Cape Town Airport Private Transfer, Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town. 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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