Can anyone recommend a game reserve that is reasonably close to Cape Town? My wife and her colleague have a couple of free days after a conference and I would like to find somewhere for her to see some of the big 5.

Direct flight to Nelspruit and drive to Kruger. And yes I know its not close, but it is rather easy.

How about Addo near Port Elizabeth?

Shamwari is well recommended:

http://www.shamwari.com/

Shamwari

Sanbona is Shamwari's sister reserve and is close to Cape Town. 2/3 hour drive. If you're considering flying to the Eastern Cape, Kwande is in my opinion hands down the best private reserve in the Eastern Cape.

We stayed a few days at Lalibela on our trip in April. It was pretty spectacular!

quote:

Originally posted by RCG:
How about Addo near Port Elizabeth?

My wife and I went to Addo while on our PG safari back in 2011 and had a GREAT time there! I highly recommend it!

-John

I agree. Addo and Mountain Zebra Park are a "Must See".

Also you must stay in Graaff Reinett and Craddock. ( old Victoria Hotel)
Best to get on Google and look around.

I recomend Alan Tours out of Port Elizabeth. Alan is a great guide and a wise bushman. My family and I have spent nearly a month in total with him over the last decade. He will pick you up at any airport and show you the "real Africa".
He speaks several different local languages and he can sure cook Kudu steaks on a Braii. Get him to tell you stories about his lion hunting days while he is cooking and sipping a glass of wine. Brian

PS. Say, Brian and Sandy told you and you get a discount!

The nearest 'real' game reserve is Addo Elephant National Park. An two-hour flight from Cape Town brings you to Kruger National Park. The third one is Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park. All three are fantastic. Number one for me is Kruger - since 35 years already. A couple of years I had been based just outside Kruger. Extremely stunning is Kgalagadi, a complete different world.

As a tourist guide, with visitors from oversees, I'm touring these game reserves on a regular basis.


http://www.kapstadt.de/schindlers-africa

I agree with Sunshine. Kruger is amazing and going with a guide as sugested makes it the best. We have not been to Kgalagadi but will.
Brian

PS. I just google "Sunshine" Schindlers Africa. He has a nice website. I will check him out next time for Kgalagadi and Kruger. Brian

Port Elizabeth is flying time from Cape Town, but Shamwari sure is great.

My suggestion would be to stay as close to Cape Town as possible. In fact if they put: 120 Plein St, Cape Town in the GPS it will take them to a rather small, private and safe (no guns allowed inside) reserve.

Last reviews I heard included: a number of animals were seen but mostly baboons and monkeys encountered. Highly entertaining with a number of ridiculous acts performed.

Nice one, Pieter