West Coast Private Game Reserve · Yzerfontein

Go on safari near Cape Town

The West Coast Private Game Reserve is just outside Yzerfontein and offers daily game drives, horseback safaris, as well as accommodation options on the reserve.

1700+ ha reserve

Our game reserve covers more than 1700 ha of dunes and coastal fynbos, allowing for a varied habitat. It is the closest safari destination to Cape Town.

Wildlife variety

Our game reserve is home to Giraffe, Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeest, Eland, Waterbuck, Hartebeest, Springbok, Steenbok, Duiker and Ostrich. If you are lucky you may also spot a Caracal.

Family friendly

Game drives and horse rides* are great family activities. *Please note, horse safaris on the reserve are only available to riders with intermediate and advanced ability.

Guests in the open Land Rover on a game drive through the reserve
Morning and afternoon, every day

Safari near Cape Town

Daily game drives

Whether you are looking for an activity from Cape Town, or already on the West Coast, our reserve offers a convenient option to join us for a 2.5 – 3 hour game drive. Our safaris start and finish at the Weskus Padstal, easy to find and with safe parking. We strive to offer quality game drive experiences in small groups. Our safaris are operated in open 9-seater Land Rovers with qualified guides. The game drives include a bush coffee/tea break with simple snacks.

Adult (12 and up)
R850
Child (3 – 11)
R350
Private vehicle
R4,500
Kids under 3
Allowed if you book a private vehicle

Book your safari near Cape Town

For transport options to and from the reserve please have a look at the Safari from Cape Town page, or explore all our experiences.

In our nature

Are you looking for a safari near Cape Town?

West Coast Private Game Reserve is only 1 hour away. Bordering West Coast National Park, just outside Yzerfontein, our private game reserve is the most convenient and family-friendly safari destination on the West Coast.

  • The safari Land Rover beside a salt pan on the reserve, seen from the air

    The land

    The reserve is comprised of multiple game farms that opened their fences in 2024 to form a private game reserve stretching 2000 ha.

  • A herd of Cape buffalo in the fynbos

    The wildlife

    Home to Giraffe, Cape Buffalo, Zebra, Eland, Wildebeest, Springbok, Waterbuck, Hartebeest, Ostrich, Steenbok, Duiker, and more elusive species such as Caracal, Porcupine and Leopard.

  • Orange and purple spring flowers in the veld

    The plants & flowers

    The Game Reserve covers three West Coast biomes, moving from dunes to strandveld to sand fynbos, 2 of which are considered endangered biodiversity areas, each with unique flora to boast.

Come stay with us

Accommodation options

The Salt Mine – Rooikat Safari Collection

The premier accommodation offer on the West Coast Private Game Reserve. 2 private self-catering houses (Porcupine and Caracal House), located along the salt pans in the centre of the reserve. Each house has 2 en-suite bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a campfire area and a KolKol hot tub with a view. Enjoy the tranquillity of the wild, only 15 minutes from the beach and Yzerfontein.

Giraffe walking past the salt pans at sunset, with the Salt Mine houses behindThe KolKol hot tub beside a salt pan at sunset

More to do

Other experiences

Explore all our experiences: full day trips from Cape Town, horseback safari trails and the Cape to Coast safari.

  • Safari experiences · Daily game drives

    West Coast Safari

    Safari game drives on the West Coast Private Game Reserve, in 9-seater open Land Rovers with qualified guides, starting and finishing at the Weskus Padstal.

    From R850 per person

  • Cape to coast · The closest safari destination from Cape Town

    Safari from Cape Town

    Cape to Coast: a safari day trip including transfers to and from Cape Town, with time for a lunch in Yzerfontein and a walk on the beach.

    From R1,850 per person

  • Horseback safari trails · Safari & beach rides

    Horseback Safaris

    Discover the reserve on horseback. Rides on the reserve for competent riders, beach rides for riders of any ability, with West Coast Horse Trails.

    From R1,250 per person

  • Full day trip from Cape Town · The best of nature & culture

    Safari & San Heritage Experience

    Full day trip from Cape Town: a morning safari on the reserve, then lunch and guided tours at the !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre.

    From R2,750 per person

Packages & promotions · Popular

Whales & Safari package

Combine a 3 (or more) night stay at the Rooikat Safari Collection private houses with a whale-watching excursion and a private game drive on the West Coast Private Game Reserve.

Pricing
From R9,825 per person, based on 4 pax, low season. Per person, seasonally variable.
Stay
3+ nights at Rooikat private safari houses
Includes
Whale excursion and a private game drive
Min age 12
Seasonally available Nov – March
  1. Day 1 Arrive and settle in at your private house on the West Coast Private Game Reserve. Enjoy the sunset, take a soak in the hot tub and relax.
  2. Day 2 Head out in the morning to Yzerfontein Harbour (15 min away), where you will meet up with the boat crew and receive your safety briefing for the whale excursion. You will head out soon after in search of Humpback and Southern Right Whales as well as dolphins, seals and penguins. After the boat ride you will return to the harbour for a hearty lunch and debrief, before returning home to your Rooikat house.
  3. Day 3 Enjoy your time on the reserve and go on either a morning or afternoon private game drive and have a chance to see Giraffe, Zebra, Buffalo, Wildebeest, Eland, Springbok and much more, in our 9- or 7-seater Land Rover open game drive vehicle.
  4. Day 4 Departure.

Inclusions: 3 nights at the Rooikat private houses – 1 whale excursion including lunch – 1 private game drive. Exclusions: the houses are self-catering, and only lunch is included on the day of the whale excursion. Horse safaris and other activities on the reserve can be booked as optional extras.

How to find us

On the R27, an hour north of Cape Town

Booking office
West Coast Padstal (Weskus Padstal)
Corner of the R27 and the R315, Yzerfontein, 7351
Get directions
Call or WhatsApp
066 525 1994 · WhatsApp

Game drives

Our reservations office and starting point is at the West Coast Farmstall (Weskus Padstal), on the corner of the R27 and the R315 to Yzerfontein. Arrive half an hour before your drive for coffee, a rusk and your briefing.

Accommodation

From the R27 take the R315 turn-off towards Yzerfontein, then turn right when you see the sign for the West Coast Private Game Reserve, about halfway down the road to Yzerfontein. Follow the signs to your accommodation.

Horse rides

Rides start at the West Coast Horse Trails stables just outside the reserve; they send directions with your booking.