South Africa · BIG FIVE GAME DRIVES

Big Five Game Drives: The 15 Best Reserves to Book

98 tours  ·  from $10

Lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo, all in one day, without leaving the Cape or the Highveld. These 15 compare the private reserves on drive time from the city, vehicle size, whether lunch is in and how honest the sightings really are.

From Cape Town: Big Five Game Reserve with Lunch - The 8:20 pickup and the road through the Hex River Valley
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From Cape Town: Big Five Game Reserve with Lunch

1.Big Five Game Reserve with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,409 reviews · 9 hours · from $236Our pick

Travel from Cape Town through the Hex River Valley to Aquila Private Nature Reserve. Your small group joins an English-speaking ranger for a two-hour open-vehicle safari, with lunch at the lodge. Expect close views of elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and plenty of birdlife.

“Excellent day out. The host was really friendly, the safari itself was a fun experience - and was longer than we expected. Saw a lot of animals while we were in the truck too”

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Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour - Starting at The Great White House in Kleinbaai
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Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour

2.Marine Big 5 Boat tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 593 reviews · 2.5 - 10 hours · from $155

Set out from Kleinbaai with Marine Dynamics Whale Tours to search for the Marine Big 5 around Dyer Island. Expect a safety briefing, warm gear, about two hours at sea, a marine biologist on board, soup afterward, and an optional penguin sanctuary visit with Cape Town transfers.

“We could not hear well what the guide was telling us through the loudspeakers but we could ask her if we wanted to know something. Apart from that we saw whales for a lot of time (unbeatable experience), sharks, playful seals and penguins (from a distance). We are very satisfied and we highly recommend it”

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Little Brak River: Botlierskop Guided Game Drive - Meeting your guide at Little Brak River
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Little Brak River: Botlierskop Guided Game Drive

3.Botlierskop Guided Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 589 reviews · from $40Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve for a three-hour open-vehicle drive through 4,200 hectares near Mossel Bay. Look for rhinos, lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, cheetahs, and more. Guides such as Chris, Neil, Rico, and Mandela are praised for sharp animal knowledge and good humor.

“Botlierskop is a wonderful, upmarket place for a game drive. Despite not seeing any lions (there had been lots the day before, we were told!), we had a great time and saw numerous other animals and birds, from giraffe to zebra to rhinos. We were confident that our driver/ranger wanted us to see as much as possible. And boy, did he work that bone-shaker four wheel drive to the max! Lunch was great too. Highly recommened and excellent value for three hours. Thank you.”

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Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town - The Cape Town departure and Karoo road
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Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town

4.Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 576 reviews · from $184

Travel from central Cape Town to Aquila Game Reserve in an air-conditioned coach, then join a three-hour open-vehicle safari with an English-speaking ranger. Look for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, and more. A welcome drink and buffet lunch are included.

“Fantastic experience seeing the animals up close! I would suggest some padding in the tour vehicles as many people were hitting their knees on the metal seat supports from the very bumpy tracts we traveled on. Great guide (Habibi) who Read more”

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Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip - Du Toitskloof Pass and the first mountain views
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Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

5.Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 526 reviews · from $155Top rated

Travel from Cape Town with guides such as Mike, Werner, or Jamie through Du Toitskloof and the Breede River Valley to Aquila Safari Reserve. Expect a buffet lunch, champagne, and a 2 to 3 hour group game drive, with a private safari vehicle available for an added fee.

“Werner my tour guide and driver was super! Fun, courteous, knowledgeable about the area and country. The winery was lovely and a good tasting. Aquila was great. I lucked out and had Jana as my guide. She is the conservationist for the reseRead more”

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Cape Town: Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive - The pickup and the long road east
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Cape Town: Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive

6.Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 508 reviews · 9 hours · from $168

Travel from Cape Town to Aquila Private Game Reserve for a sunset drive in an open 4x4 truck. Expect a long scenic day, a wine tasting stop, welcome drinks and snacks, expert ranger commentary, and a real chance to see four of Africa’s Big Five. Guides such as Elda, Dona, Frank, and Willy vary by departure.

“It was an incredible experience, we seen 4 of the big 5 and had a very memorable day. Elda is a wonderful guide who made the day very interesting and enjoyable. She gave us lots of information and commentary on the way to Aquila about Cape Town and the local areas we passed through. The transportation was also very comfortable and driver very safe. Thank you!”

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From Cape Town: Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive - The sunset safari is the main event
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From Cape Town: Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive

7.Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 350 reviews · 9 hours · from $167

Travel from Cape Town to Aquila Private Game Reserve for a sunset safari in an open 4x4 truck. Your day includes hotel pickup, a welcome drink, tea, coffee, snacks, an experienced ranger, and a strong chance of seeing lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and hippos.

“It was a very nice sunset game drive! We had a very good guide who explained a lot about the animals. I would always recommend to take the sunset drive because there is a very good chance to see a lot of animals (we saw 4/5 big 5‘s and from a very very close distance right next to the vehicle). We only had a little time at the reserve for using the pool and having lunch though, but the nice safari tour made that up!”

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Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Full Day Big 5 Safari Tour - Entering Hluhluwe-Imfolozi through Nyalazi Gate
Big Five Game Drives, Big Five Game Drives in St Lucia, Full-Day, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Safaris, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Safaris in St Lucia, Safari, St Lucia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Full Day Big 5 Safari Tour

8.Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Full Day Big 5 Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 310 reviews · from $96

Leave St Lucia at 5:00 am for a full-day safari in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. Your ranger leads a small group of up to nine in an open vehicle, with breakfast, a South African braai lunch, water, blankets, and conservation fees included. Arnaud, also called Arno, is one named guide.

“It was a fantastic day! Without going into the animals we saw, as that depends on luck, let me share the good and bad points of this tour. Arnaud, our guide, always had a smile on his face, answered every question, and provided a lot of inforRead more”

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Hluhluwe-Imfolozi: Big 5 Full or Half-Day Safari - The 5:00 AM pickup from St Lucia
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Hluhluwe-Imfolozi: Big 5 Full or Half-Day Safari

9.Hluhluwe-Imfolozi: Big 5 Full or Half-Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 280 reviews · 390 - 510 minutes · from $87

Set out from St Lucia at 5:00 AM for a small-group safari through Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. Your English-speaking ranger, such as Sifiso, Kyle, Theo, or Jabu, tracks rhino, elephant, lion, buffalo, and other wildlife. Full-day trips include breakfast and a South African barbecue lunch.

“Perfect trip from St. Lucia to Hluhluwe. Our guide Lindo was so good and made the experience special. Many sightings and a great piece of nature.”

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Cape Town: Marine Big 5 Ocean Safari from V&A Waterfront - Leaving the V&A Waterfront by catamaran
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Cape Town: Marine Big 5 Ocean Safari from V&A Waterfront

10.Marine Big 5 Ocean Safari from V&A Waterfront

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 278 reviews · 1h 30m · from $68

Cruise from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront on a luxury catamaran with an English-speaking crew. Search for dolphins, seals, penguins, whales, and sunfish while passing Table Mountain, the Twelve Apostles, Clifton, and Camps Bay. Bring a windbreaker and keep your wildlife expectations flexible.

“Unfortunately we didn’t see any whales, but we had a very fun time, and for that price it was absolutely worth it.”

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Half Day Lion Park tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria - The drive to Lion & Safari Park
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Half Day Lion Park tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria

11.Half Day Lion Park tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 274 reviews · from $100

Ride from Johannesburg to Lion & Safari Park in a small, air-conditioned group, then take a two-hour open-vehicle drive through the predator enclosure. You can see white lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, giraffes, and cubs, with time for lunch and African crafts afterward.

“We had a wonderful tour and our guide was excellent. Highly recommend this tour. We saw the animals at feeding time which was a bonus.”

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Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve: 2-Hour Game Drive - Starting at the Safari Center
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Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve: 2-Hour Game Drive

12.Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve: 2-Hour Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 267 reviews · 2 hours · from $55

Spend two hours in a 2,200-hectare reserve below the Tsitsikamma Mountains, riding with an English-speaking ranger in search of rhinos, leopards, giraffes, hippos, zebras, crocodiles, antelope, and birds. Bring a warm jacket and arrive 30 minutes early at the Safari Center.

“Excellent, saw lots of animals, elephants, giraffe, lion, buffalo, springbok, rhino & baby, crocs, tortoise, ostrich and more. Our guide was very good, very informative”

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Port Elizabeth: Schotia Game Reserve Safari with Port Pickup - Why Schotia offers a different safari setting
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Port Elizabeth: Schotia Game Reserve Safari with Port Pickup

13.Schotia Game Reserve Safari with Port Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 263 reviews · 5 hours · from $233

From Port Elizabeth Harbor, ride to Schotia Private Game Reserve for a guided open-vehicle safari near Addo. Guides such as Norman, Donald, Marilyn, and Robert work hard to find lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, hippos, and more. Snacks, drinks, park fees, and round-trip transport are included.

“Norman the Tourguide did a phantastic job . All the best for him , he is such a friendly guy , and he knows a lot about the animals in the Park . Thank You very much .”

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Botlierskop Private Game Reserve: 3.5-Hour Sunset Game Drive - Setting out in an open game-viewing vehicle
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Botlierskop Private Game Reserve: 3.5-Hour Sunset Game Drive

14.Botlierskop Private Game Reserve: 3.5-Hour Sunset Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 227 reviews · from $64

Spend 3.5 hours on a late-afternoon open-vehicle drive through Botlierskop Private Game Reserve near Mossel Bay. Your English-speaking guide looks for rhinos, lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, buffalo, and birds, with a drinks and snacks stop included. Arrive early if you want lunch or time by the pool.

“Everything was great. Nice animals in almost their natural habitat, a knowledgeable and nice guide.”

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From Sun City: Pilanesberg National Park 3-Hour Game Drive - Into Pilanesberg’s extinct volcanic crater
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From Sun City: Pilanesberg National Park 3-Hour Game Drive

15.Pilanesberg National Park 3-Hour Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 216 reviews · from $49

Travel from Sun City into Pilanesberg’s extinct volcanic crater for a 3-hour drive in a 25-seat open safari vehicle. English-speaking guides such as Jeremy, Peter, and BY help you spot wildlife, explain conservation, and make the most of morning or afternoon departures.

“The activity was fantastic and the guide, Jeremy, was outstanding. the only unpleasant thing was the poor road conditions that caused a bumpy and uncomfortable ride. otherwise, the activity was worth every penny.”

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New in Big Five Game Drives

★ 5.0Lion Park Tour in Open Safari VehicleFrom $1186 reviews
★ 4.5Lion parkFrom $1835 reviews
★ 4.3Kruger National Park Game Drive (Half-Day PM)From $1043 reviews
★ 4.8Lion Park Safari and Cultural Village TourFrom $21912 reviews
★ 4.0Half-Day Big 5 Safari TourFrom $2027 reviews
★ 4.9Dinner in the Bush & Safari Game DriveFrom $1717 reviews
★ 4.9Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park – Open Safari Vehicle Game DrivesFrom $1918 reviews
★ 4.5Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Day TripFrom $24213 reviews
★ 3.3Half Day Tala Game Reserve & Natal Lion Park from DurbanFrom $19016 reviews
★ 5.0Park View Game Drive at Schotia Safaris with LunchFrom $2397 reviews
★ 3.8Aquila Reserve Safari with Lunch and Winery VisitFrom $1233 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day Schotia Game Reserve & Giraffe Walk (Open 4×4)From $2426 reviews
★ 4.9Full-Day Private Big 5 Safari in Kruger National Park11 reviews
★ 4.5Full Day Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Tour from DurbanFrom $2267 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day Addo Park & Schotia Game Reserve (Open 4×4 vehicle)From $3057 reviews

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Safari196Kruger National Park Safaris71Addo Elephant Park Safaris47Pilanesberg Safaris23Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Safaris17National Parks89Wildlife18
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