Big Five Safari and Wine Tasting from Cape Town - One Day

Wine, mountains, and lions in one loop from the city

A full-day guided tour from Cape Town that pairs Breede River Valley wine tasting and mountain scenery with a Big Five safari at Aquila game reserve. The day includes hotel pickup and dropoff, a professional guide, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, wine tasting at Du Toitskloof Wines, lunch and a 2–3 hour game drive at the reserve. Game park entry is paid separately and includes a welcome drink and access to see lions, elephants, buffalo, leopard and rhino on the same afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley

• 08h30 pick up from hotel
• Drive along N1 past Language Monument
• Travel up Du Toitskloof Pass and view scenery
• Enjoy Breede and Hex River Valley scenery
• Stop for wine tasting and coffee break
• Arrive at game reserve for lunch and safari
• 2-3 hour guided game drive
• Comfort break at Du Kloof Lodge
• Return to Cape Town via Huguenot Tunnel
• Drop off at hotel around 18h30

The experience

The day starts at 8:30am from your hotel in an upmarket vehicle with a professional guide. You head north on the N1 past Paarl, then climb through Du Toitskloof Pass. A stop at the top lets you see Table Mountain receding behind you and the Hex River Valley opening ahead. The route itself is the first payoff: the drive through the winelands is the reason most people book this instead of two separate trips.

By mid-morning you reach Du Toitskloof Wines in the Breede River Valley, where you can taste wines from six surrounding farms (the Chenin Blanc is award-winning, wine tasting costs R60 per person). If wine is not your thing, the Ou Meul Bakery & Cafe next door serves Bootleggers coffee and homemade pastries, and both spots let you browse gift shops with the Du Toitskloof mountain range as your backdrop. This is a real stop, not a rushed photo moment. You have time to sit and eat.

Afternoon shifts to Aquila, a 10,000-hectare private game reserve where you arrive to a complimentary glass of bubbly (alcohol-free available) and a buffet lunch. The 2–3 hour game drive follows with a professional ranger: groups stay around 14 people per vehicle, so you are not crammed in. This is where the Big Five appear: lions, elephants, buffalo, leopard and rhino are all reintroduced here, and a single afternoon gives you a real chance to see them. Game park entry is paid separately (R2365 per person low season, R2555 mid season, R2785 peak season, children half price), and prepayment is required: your guide arranges it and sends you a payment link. On the return, you stop for a comfort break at Du Kloof Lodge on the Molenaars River, then drive back through the Huguenot Tunnel and arrive at your hotel around 6:30pm.

What’s included

• Professional guide and hotel pickup and dropoff.
• transport in an air-conditioned upmarket vehicle.
• wine tasting at Du Toitskloof Wines (R60 per person, optional).
• coffee and pastries at Ou Meul Bakery & Cafe (optional).
• game park entrance, welcome drink, buffet lunch and 2–3 hour guided game drive at Aquila (paid separately).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 20

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 146

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Born in Africa Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want wine tasting and a Big Five safari in one day with a guide managing the route and timing, rather than piecing together separate experiences.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I see all five of the Big Five animals in one afternoon at Aquila?

Aquila game reserve has lions, elephants, buffalo, leopard and rhino all reintroduced on the property, so a single afternoon gives you a real chance to see all five on the 2–3 hour game drive. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the reserve is designed for this possibility.

What is included in the Aquila game reserve entrance fee?

The game park entry covers a complimentary glass of bubbly or alcohol-free alternative, a buffet lunch, and the 2–3 hour guided game drive with a professional ranger. The entrance fee is R2365 per person in low season, R2555 mid season, and R2785 in peak season. Children are half price.

Do I have to do wine tasting, or can I skip Du Toitskloof Wines?

Wine tasting at Du Toitskloof Wines costs R60 per person and is optional. If you prefer not to taste, the Ou Meul Bakery & Cafe is right next door and serves coffee, pastries and lunch items instead.

What time does the tour pick me up and drop me off?

Pickup is at 8:30am from your hotel or accommodation in Cape Town. The tour returns and drops you off at approximately 6:30pm the same day.

How many people travel together on the game drive?

The standard game drive groups around 14 people per vehicle with a professional ranger. A private game drive is available at an additional cost of R3555 for the vehicle (maximum 8 people).

Is the game park entrance fee included in the tour price?

No. The game park entrance fee is paid separately and is not included in the tour price. Prepayment is required, and your guide will arrange it and send you a payment link before the day.