3-Day BIG 5 Safari near Cape Town

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Safari itinerary · Cape Town

3-Day BIG 5 Safari near Cape Town

Just 3 Hours from Cape Town — Treat yourself to an unforgettable Big 5 safari experience with a 3-day stay at the exclusive Dwyka Tented Lodge at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. Nestled in a dramatic desert landscape just a scenic 3-hour drive from Cape Town, this all-inclusive retreat blends luxury, adventure, and world-class wildlife viewing, all in one incredible getaway.

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From R 26 430 per person

Duration3 days
Your staySanbona Dwyka Tented Lodge
From, per personR 26 430
TransfersIncluded

The journey

About this itinerary.

Just 3 Hours from Cape Town — Treat yourself to an unforgettable Big 5 safari experience with a 3-day stay at the exclusive Dwyka Tented Lodge at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. Nestled in a dramatic desert landscape just a scenic 3-hour drive from Cape Town, this all-inclusive retreat blends luxury, adventure, and world-class wildlife viewing, all in one incredible getaway.

Where you'll travel: Cape Town

Day 01

Arrival and the Journey to Sanbona

Your adventure begins with a scenic three-hour drive from Cape Town to the breathtaking Sanbona Wildlife Reserve.

On arrival, you’ll check in at the luxurious Dwyka Tented Lodge, a 5-star escape nestled in a dramatic Karoo landscape. After settling into your elegant suite, you’ll head out on your first Big 5 game drive, where you might spot elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo, and leopards in their natural habitat.

As the sun sets over the plains, return to the lodge for a gourmet dinner beneath the stars.

Arrival and the Journey to Sanbona

Day 02

Big 5 Safari & Wilderness Wonders

Start your day with an early morning game drive, guided by expert rangers who will help you track wildlife and share fascinating insights about the reserve.

After breakfast back at the lodge, enjoy a few hours at leisure—perhaps by relaxing on your private deck or indulging in a spa treatment. In the afternoon, another game drive awaits, offering more opportunities for incredible sightings.

Later, take in the magic of the night sky during a guided star-gazing session before retiring to the comfort of your luxury tent.

Big 5 Safari & Wilderness Wonders

Day 03

Farewell to the Bush & Return to Cape Town

Enjoy one final sunrise safari and a hearty breakfast before checking out of the lodge. Your return road transfer will take you back to Cape Town, bringing you full circle to where the journey began.

If you’ve chosen the optional city extension, you’ll check into a stylish 5-star hotel in Green Point—just minutes from the iconic V&A Waterfront and Cape Town’s vibrant heart.

Optional combo as a pre- or post-safari extension.

Farewell to the Bush & Return to Cape Town

Day 04

Cape Peninsula Discovery

After breakfast, set off on a full-day Cape Peninsula tour. Travel along the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive and take in breathtaking coastal views.

Highlights of the day include visiting the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, strolling along the Cape of Good Hope, and snapping photos at Cape Point. It’s a day filled with unforgettable landscapes, wildlife, and the best of the Cape’s natural beauty.

Cape Peninsula Discovery

Day 05

Cape Town City Highlights

On your final day, immerse yourself in the culture and history of Cape Town with a half-day city tour. Visit Table Mountain (weather permitting), explore the colourful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, and stroll through Company’s Garden.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy—whether that means shopping, dining, or simply soaking up the views around the bustling V&A Waterfront.

Cape Town City Highlights

The complete package

Everything included.

Stay

Dwyka Tented Lodge

  • 2 Nights in 5-star in Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
  • All meals, a limited selection of house beers, wines and soft drinks

Experiences

Dwyka Tented Lodge

  • Two daily safari activities in an open game drive vehicle

Round-trip Road Transfers

  • Cape Town (location of your choice) to Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

The same as booking direct

Rates and dates.

Per person sharing for the complete package. Final pricing depends on dates, room category and party size.

Valid until 30 Apr 2026

Show prices in

Green season

1 May 2026 – 30 Sept 2026

R 26 430

per person

International flights excluded

Shoulder

1 Oct 2026 – 14 Dec 2026

R 32 380

per person

International flights excluded

Festive

15 Dec 2026 – 11 Jan 2027

R 41 230

per person

International flights excluded

Low season

12 Jan 2027 – 31 Mar 2027

R 39 380

per person

International flights excluded

The rate is for the complete package, per person sharing. A single supplement may apply for solo travellers. We offer a price match guarantee, just ask your specialist.

Your specialist for this itinerary

Cearl Marney

Cearl Marney

Safari Specialist - Southern Africa

Knows 3-Day BIG 5 Safari near Cape Town backwards. Your direct contact from first enquiry to the day you come home.

Shann ShawDarren Robertson

With Shann and Darren across the team.

"Jolene was simply extraordinary. She put together what became an absolutely incredible African trip for us in the space of barely three weeks, and from the outset her responsiveness, knowledge and genuine enthusiasm were exceptional. Nothing was ever too much trouble, responses were almost immediate, and she very quickly understood exactly what we were looking for, our expectations and the way we like to travel. More than simply being an expert at what she does, Jolene genuinely cared about making the trip special for us, and that came through in every aspect of her planning. What particularly impressed us was the flexibility with which she brought everything together. We already had some of our own arrangements in place, including international flights and staying with friends in Cape Town, but Jolene seamlessly incorporated those into the overall itinerary and still organised all the surrounding logistics and transfers. The safari component she designed was outstanding, taking us through Kruger, Victoria Falls, Chobe and the Okavango Delta, before finishing in Cape Town and the Stellenbosch wine region. Every part flowed beautifully and the lodges, experiences and logistics were exceptional. Just as importantly, Jolene stayed in contact throughout the trip at all the key moments, which made travelling so much easier. She would check us in for our internal flights and send through the boarding passes, confirm transfers the day before each pick-up, and make sure everything was in place before we ever had to think about it. That attention to detail, and the fact that she was always one step ahead, removed so much of the usual travel stress and allowed us simply to enjoy the trip. It was genuinely the trip of a lifetime, put together in an extraordinarily short timeframe, and Jolene deserves enormous credit for making it all happen. We could not recommend her highly enough."
August 2026 · Australia · with Jolene Welsh · Verified on Trustpilot ↗

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From your first enquiry to the day you come home, one named safari specialist looks after every detail. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours.

Included. Complimentary travel insurance, with cancellation cover of up to $5,000 per person, on bookings paid by 25th September 2026. Details

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Included

Complimentary travel insurance. Cancellation cover of up to $5,000 per person, on bookings paid by 25th September 2026.

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