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 1700 ha of dunes and coastal fynbos, allowing for a varied habitat. It is one of the closest safari destinations 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.
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.
The reserve · safari near Cape Town
West Coast Private Game Reserve
A 1700 ha private game reserve 1 hour from Cape Town, just outside Yzerfontein and bordering West Coast National Park. See its free-roaming wildlife on a guided game drive or horse ride, and stay over in one of its self-catering places to stay.
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The land
Three neighbouring farms opened their fences in 2024 to form a 1700 ha reserve: a conservation buffer zone between West Coast National Park and Yzerfontein, with natural salt pans, three springs and a seasonal stream.
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The wildlife
Giraffe, Cape buffalo, eland, zebra, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, waterbuck, springbok, steenbok, duiker and ostrich roam free. Porcupine, caracal and honey badger are rarely seen, and leopard is a rare visitor.
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The plants & flowers
Strandveld on the dunes closer to the sea and Sand Fynbos on the flats further inland, each with its own plants. From August to October the reserve flowers, more after a wet winter.
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.
More to do
Other experiences
Explore all our experiences: full day trips from Cape Town, horseback safari trails and the Cape to Coast safari.
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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
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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
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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
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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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Gallery
Seen on the reserve
More from the reserve on Instagram and Facebook, and in the blog.
How to find us
On the R27, 1 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.