There are no authentic (natural) safaris near Cape Town. Shamwari is a nice area in the eastern Cape but you would need to drive six hours or flu 1h15m to PLZ and then drive 2 hours onward to get there. You might as well hop on a plane and fly non-stop to the three airports that service the southern portion of the Kruger ecosystem’s private reserves. This is one of the largest natural habitats for animals in Africa and you will almost certainly see the big five on a three day stay if you pick the right property.
The airport codes are HDS, MQP and SZK and each airport services a different set of safari lodges determined by proximity. There are non-stops to each airport from CPT each day.
If you want to provide dates and a per person budget I can make some very specific recommendations. I have been to South Africa on safari over 30 times.
Craig Beal – owner – Travel Beyond