Cape Town Safari: 2021 is the Year to Go

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South Africa travel is easily a safari hot spot with Cape Town being the perfect launching pad. A lot of us only think of the Kruger area and assume that Cape Town, despite being a beautiful city with Table Mountain, is merely a stopping point to get to the Winelands.  There are actually a plenty of activities that make Cape Town a safari destination in its own right.

African Safari at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Go off the grid on an African safari just three hours from Cape Town at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve and stay at Sanbona Dwyka Tented Lodge. The reserve is a conservation success story — reintroducing the Big Five and others into its natural habitat. What makes this property most appealing during South Africa travel is the chance to see magnificent, rare white lions roaming freely. You will also find evidence of ancient tribes since your tent (there’s only nine) is located in the old hunting grounds of the Khoisan people. Plunge pools are the perfect place to cool down while simultaneously taking in views of the wild. This is a family-friendly region as well with opportunities for little ones to play sports, go on cultural walks, and learn about the amazing wilderness surrounding them. At night, attempt to count the glistening stars (it’s nearly impossible) as you gather around the crackling fire.

Flower Safari at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Filling your lungs with fresh air on a Cape Town safari is easy to do around South Africa’s Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. The fynbos flower safari isn’t your normal safari adventure, but we’re ok with that when there’s a blanket of blooms all around us. The lodges are peaceful havens surrounded by land and sea — making the biodiversity a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Creature comforts are not sacrificed when you can pick from the Forest Lodge, Garden Lodge, or the Villa. A guide can lead you through the fynbos where you will encounter an explosion of scents and color.

Doing Good On Your Cape Town Safari

Ker & Downey guests contribute directly to the on-site landscaping training for locals. Over the years we’ve also supported the planting of 600 trees as part of a milkwood reforestation project. The area was once devastated by wildfires and human intervention. A tree is planted for every one of our clients traveling to South Africa.

The best part about a stay at Grootbos is it provides an opportunity for visitors to leave a positive impact in the community. Training programs prepare locals for hospitality and tourism jobs through the Green Futures College breaking the cycle of poverty. Meanwhile kiddos between the ages of six to 19 get to learn hockey, soccer, canoeing, and rugby. The Football Foundation gives youngsters an opportunity to have a healthy meal, learn teamwork, and attend sports matches.

Ancient History Safari

On your South Africa travel , we’ll take you on a short jaunt outside Cape Town to the Cederberg, a mountainous region with lots to see and do. Learn about the San, the original inhabitants of Southern Africa with a culture that goes back over 20,000 years. Follow an archaeologist through the dusty landscape around Bushmans Kloof. You’ll see jagged rock formations and ancient caves with over 130 rock art sites thousands of years old. Rust-colored depictions of elephant herds and hunters carrying bows and arrows line the cave walls. Modern day wildlife sightings include baboons, caracals (a wild cat), honey badges, and leopards. There’s also Cape mountain zebras to see on your Cape Town safari.

Ocean Safari Activities to add to Cape Town Safari

South Africa is one of the world’s shark diving hot spots. The thrill of seeing a great white shark emerge from the murky, chilly depths during a shark cage dive off the Western Cape of your Cape Town safari is hard to describe. We’ll take you out to sea to spot these massive creatures in their element. To read more about the ins and outs of a shark dive, hit this link where we answer the most frequently asked questions about this daring travel adventure.

Besides sharks, there’s also a good chance of encountering the other Marine Big Five — seals, penguins, southern right whales, and dolphins — in the Cape region during your South Africa safari since it’s the tip of the continent. Throw on a swimsuit in Simons Town to wade in the water with penguins often found waddling among the giant boulders. It’s a delightful sight — one that kids would certainly enjoy too.

We quite like dining alfresco in Hermanus during our Cape Town safari. “The whales come so close to the rocky shore. I felt so tiny in comparison” says our Nicky Brandon, Vice President of Sales and Marketing recalling her recent adventure. Hermanus is one of the world’s top spots for spotting these magnificent mammals during their annual pilgrimage from Antarctica to Walker Bay to give birth.

South Africa is a must-see on the continent and a Cape Town safari shouldn’t be missed. Contact us to plan your future getaway to the tip of Africa.

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