Simons Town is 30 minutes from Cape Town for penguins at Boulder Bay.

Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve for ostrich, baboons, maybe zebra if you are lucky or Bontebok antelope, plus spectacular views.

Seal Island in Hout Bay.

I've heard about Aquila Private Game Reserve within 2 hours of Cape Town. When the shark trips could not go out due to weather sometimes that was substituted.

Not sure about whales or Great Whites that time of year.

No whales they are around from June - Dec but you might spot a straggler. I recommend Wiesenhof conservation Park, about 1 hour from CT up the N1 past Paarl, take the tunnel on the way up get there before 11am & you can follow the truck that feeds the wildlife, such as zebra, gemsbok, kudu, cheetahs. On route back don't take the tunnel take the old road loads of monkeys (forget which species) sit beside the road. Do check the park opening when in CT as the website has been down for a long time. Somerset West up the N2 about 45 mins is now home to the cheetah outreach programme. There is another penguin colony at Betty's Bay along a scenic coastal drive towards Hermanus, you may spot more monkey's & fish eagles in this area.

The western cape is not a natural habitat for 'game' those that are there are manufactured for tourists, such as Aquila, natural habitat for game is in the Eastern Cape or Kruger.

Whale season is unfort in September but truly remarkable to see the whales.

In Jan try Bontepark Nature Reserve which is fantastic. See Bontebok, Cape Mountain Zebra, Stanley’s Bustard along the Breede River. Stay at the National park or in B&B's near Swellendam.

There is also a very upmarket lodge called Marco Polo Lodge. One hour from Cape Town. Set over 50 hectares, the game farm has been developed as a wildlife reserve. While the reserve is not open to the public, guests staying in the Safari Lodge are able to view a variety of game including ostrich, zebra, eland, bontebok and springbok.

If you are wanting an authentic game experience you would have to head towards the "Bush Veld" otherwise Aquila is your best bet for the Big 5 near Cape Town.

Simonstown is definitely not 30min outside of Cape Town. West Coast National Park is another option. Google it...

"Simonstown is definitely not 30min outside of Cape Town"

I was sure I went back and forth in about half an hour, maybe it took 45 minutes. What is your estimate of time between the two Africanj? Thanks.

I used to live in Fish Hoek, the town before Simon's Town & I can confirm it takes at least 45 mins from Cape Town to here so Simon's Town must be 50 mins.

Easy; Sanbona!

Only reserve near Cape Town that's really big enough to call itself a reserve. It's 54K hectares.

And even better; only reserve with free-roaming white lions in the world.

http://www.sunsafaris.com/safari/south-africa/western-cape/sanbona-wildlife-reserve/

Ciao,

J.

Thanks, Pixelpower. Seems like an exciting option. Do you know how common it is to see the white lions on a typical excursion to Sanbona?

Sightings guaranteed.

Well, if you stay for a couple of nights of course. If you only do a game drive or two, you might be unlucky. But not if you do like 4 or 6 (ic stay 2 or 3 days).