Ten of the best places to see animals in Cape Town and surrounds

From the Big Five to crocodiles and ostriches there’s something for everyone

Here’s our pick of creatures to visit in Cape Town and surrounds. If you aren’t up for the Aquarium’s predators or the wily crocodiles then give the butterflies or penguins a visit.

Saxenburg Wine Estate
Just 30 minutes out of Cape Town this stunning wine farm doubles up as a mini game park. Bontebok, zebras and springboks graze in the 35 hectare park. As well as the normal springbok there are black and white ones to keep an eye out for too. It’s a great day trip to make and you can stop by the wine estate and pick up one of Saxenburg’s excellent wines.
Price: Free when you visit the wine estate
Opening times: Monday - Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday – Sunday 10am – 5pm.
Polkadraai Road | Kuilsriver | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 903 6113      

Aquila Game Reserve
The safari experience starts with a buffet breakfast and a spectacular view of the Cape wilderness before you set out on a 2-3 hour game drive. The game rangers are extremely knowledgeable and will share interesting snippets of information with you throughout the drive. You could spot the Big Five as well as hippos, giraffe and over 170 different bird species. The reserve is just 90 minutes from Cape Town and is well worth a day trip.
Price: From R1300
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 7am – 8pm
Touwsrivier | Ceres | Western Cape | +27 (0)21 431 8400      

Fairy Glen Game Reserve
As well as the Big Five you can spot blue wildebeest, giraffes, eland, the endangered bontebok, zebras, lynx, oryx and other animals on the game drive. There is also a Khoisan Rock Art heritage site where you can see paintings that were made nearly 6000 years ago. Fairy Glen is only an hour away from Cape Town at the foot of the Brandwacht Mountains.
Price: Self drive prices start at R1225 (with children under 12 at half price), guided drives start at R1925.
Opening times: Morning drives leave at 8am and afternoon drives at 1pm.
Brandwacht Road | Worcester |+27 (0)21 424 9173  

Butterfly World
Visit the tropical garden in a greenhouse for a magical experience. They import 500-800 pupae per week so there are exotic butterflies all year round. Go on a warm day for active clouds fluttering about or visit on an overcast day if you prefer to see the beautiful patterns on their wings as they rest on the plants. There is also a meerkat enclosure, farm animals, spiders and iguanas to see while you’re there.
Price: Adults – R43, children – R25
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm
Route 44 | Klapmuts | Western Cape | +27 (0)21 875 5628      

Two Oceans Aquarium
With over 3000 living sea creatures, the Aquarium is well worth a visit. From circling sharks and spiky rock crabs to penguins and seahorses there’s so much to see. Don’t miss the feedings: penguins are fed at 11:45am and 2:30pm; predators are fed at 3pm. Go on a Sunday to watch the weekly shark feeding. At 3pm.
Price: Children under 4 get in free, and prices range from R48-R100.
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 9:30am – 6pm (including public holidays).
V & A Waterfront | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 418 3823   

Le Bonheur Crocodile farm
There are more than 200 crocodiles on this farm and guided tours of the ponds are conducted every half hour. It’s a great way to get up close and personal with these reptiles and you may get a chance to touch a baby crocodile. The farm is only 40 minutes from Cape Town and after visiting the crocs you can relax in their café, which overlooks a dam teeming with bird life.
Price: Adults – R32, children – R20
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm
Babilonstorenroad | R45 | Simondium | Franschhoek | +27 (0)21 863-1142

Cape Town Ostrich Ranch
Visit the farm for a 40 minute informative trail, including the museum, the ostrich leather factory, West Coast white-necked ostriches, black-necked ostriches, emus, ostrich chicks and incubators. You will also get the opportunity to sit on an ostrich if you’re feeling brave. The ranch is only about half an hour's drive out of Cape Town.
Price: Prices range from R15 – R60
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm
Van Schoorsdrif Road | Philadelphia | Western Cape | +27 (0)21 972 1955

Boulders Beach
Visit this penguin colony in its natural habitat on the beach. There are over 1000 penguins and this is one of only 28 sites in the world where you can see the African Penguin (of Jackass penguin as it’s known for its braying laugh).It’s also a nice beach for swimming so you can join the birds as they dive through the waves.
Price: Adults – R40, children – R15
Opening times:  Open daily. April – September: 8am-5pm, December – January: 7am-7:30pm, February – March: 8am -6:30pm, October – November: 8am – 6:30pm
Boulders Beach | Simon’s Town | +27 (0)21 786 2329

Cheetah Research Centre at Spier Wine Estate
Spier supports Cheetah Outreach by hosting it on the wine estate. The aim of the programme is to use hand-reared cheetahs as ambassadors to increase awareness, educate people and raise funds for this endangered species. Visit them to engage with the cheetahs and learn more about their cause. They also offer the opportunity to see a bat-eared fox.
Price: R10 gate fee, engaging with the cheetahs: adults – R110, Children (under 14) – R55. Engaging with the fox:  adults – R50, children – R30.
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 10am – 5pm, cheetah and fox encounters: 11am – 1pm, 2pm – 5pm, (fox encounters end at 3:30pm).
Spier Wine Estate |Stellenbosch | Western Cape | +27 (0)21 881 3242      

Oude Molen Eco-Village
Take your kids to this environmentally friendly village to visit the pot bellied pigs and other farm animals. There’s a cafe and farm stall where you can relax while the children play in a farm environment. Horse riding lessons are also available.
Price: Free
Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm
Alexander Street | Pinelands | Cape Town |+27 (0)21  447 8226

For stunning wine and thoroughbred horses visit Avontuur Wine Estate or visit the Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre. For a walk on the wild side try some of Cape Town's extreme sports.

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