South Africa · SAFARI

The 15 Best Safaris & Game Drives in South Africa

196 tours  ·  from $24

A game drive can be two hours out of Johannesburg or three days in the lowveld. These 15 sort the private reserves, the national parks and the multi-day runs by what they cost, how far you travel and whether malaria tablets come into it.

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari - The 5:45 a.m. pickup and long road north
Johannesburg Tours, National Parks, Pilanesberg Safaris, Pilanesberg Safaris in Johannesburg, Safari, Tour Reviews

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

1.Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,327 reviews · 12 hours · from $186Our pick

Leave Johannesburg early for two open-vehicle game drives in Pilanesberg, with 4.5 to 5 hours in the reserve. Guides such as Petrus, Martin, and Desmond are praised for sharp animal spotting and lively explanations. Expect elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and a chance at the Big Five.

“I think this was an extremely amazing experience. It was extremely good value the guy who were friendly, informative, and helpful. I enjoyed my experience and would highly recommend this.”

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From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge - The road from Cape Town to Hermanus
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From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge

2.2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 928 reviews · 2 days · from $533

Travel in a small group of up to 12 from Cape Town with guides such as Chris, Vaughan, Benjamin, or Frank. Stop at Hermanus, Betty’s Bay, and Cape Agulhas, then spend a night at Garden Route Game Lodge with dinner and two safari drives.

“The game lodge and safari guide was such an amazing experience and we’re so knowledgeable about the animals. But most of all our transport guide Benjamin was exceptional! Made the journey so pleasurable, pointing out landmarks, answering question and taking us to see extra tourist attractions a long the way! Thanks Benjamin.”

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Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari - Morning pickup from Port Elizabeth, Bluewater Bay, Colchester, or Addo
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Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari

3.Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 872 reviews · 9 hours · from $186

Join Afroventures Tours and Safaris for a nine-hour Addo safari from Port Elizabeth, Bluewater Bay, Colchester, or Addo. Guides such as Freddy, John, Sidwell, and King Elvis lead small groups in an air-conditioned 4x4 with a window seat for every passenger, plus lunch and refreshments.

“Great safari in Addo! Our guide was excellent, we saw many animals, and learned a lot about the area. Highly recommended!”

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Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari - The 5:30 am start from Hazyview
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Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari

4.Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 799 reviews · from $158Top rated

Leave Hazyview at 5:30 am for a private Kruger National Park safari led by guides such as Senzo, Didi, or Patrick. Spend about nine hours seeking the Big Five, cheetahs, African wild dogs, and birds, with breakfast and lunch stops. The private format suits families, photographers, and bird watchers.

“Very happy with the service provided. Good communication right from when the booking was made. Senzo, our guide was knowledgable and jolly. He picked us up right from our chalet on time and explained the details on the way to the park. Throughout the day, he catered to our needs and kept explaining various details about the park and wildlife. I would highly recommend him.”

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Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria - Your first game drive in the open 4x4
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Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

5.Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 718 reviews · from $159

Leave Johannesburg or Pretoria early for Pilanesberg National Park, then join a professional ranger for morning and afternoon open-vehicle safaris. You’ll have time for lunch at the Pilanesberg Center beside a waterhole, with a small group capped at 10 people and return transport included.

“My very first Safari experience. The initial drive takes a while but once at the Safari it’s a magical place. Would 100 percent recommend this tour.”

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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

6.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

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

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

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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Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg - Arriving at Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris
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Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg

8.Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 418 reviews · from $240

Meet before sunrise at Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris for a safety briefing and a one-hour flight over the Magaliesbergs and Cradle of Humankind. Your pilot provides commentary, then you return for post-flight drinks, a sparkling-wine buffet breakfast, and a flight certificate.

“It is a well oiled machine all over! The facilities, the staff, the breakfast, the flight everything ia a above average experience! Well done to all! The weather permitted us to experience all the fun and this special experience!”

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From Cape Town: South African Wildlife and Safari 2-Day Tour - The early road from Cape Town to Botlierskop
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From Cape Town: South African Wildlife and Safari 2-Day Tour

9.South African Wildlife and Safari 2-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 411 reviews · 2 days · from $322

Travel from Cape Town or Stellenbosch to Oudtshoorn for two safari drives at Botlierskop and Buffelsdrift. You may spot rhinos, elephants, buffalo, lions, and more. Guides such as Nev, Denver, Ulrich, and TK are known for making the long drives engaging. Add the elephant observation for about R640.

“Ulrich was fantastic, making everyone comfortable by being super friendly, clear and informative. The safaris were fab and we saw so much. Food at the backpackers was amazing.”

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From Johannesburg: Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour - Entering Lion and Safari Park
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From Johannesburg: Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour

10.Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 384 reviews · 5 hours · from $167

Travel from Johannesburg or Pretoria with an English-speaking guide such as Thapelo, Dusty, or Sipho, then join a one-hour open-vehicle drive through Lion and Safari Park. Expect close views of lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, and possibly a rare white lion. Feeding sessions may be visible on some afternoon departures.

“i was hoping to pet a baby lion but instead I got to watch them feed the lions. super amazing experience. Can not miss!!!!”

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Kruger National Park - Private full day Safari trip. - Nine hours of wildlife watching
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Kruger National Park – Private full day Safari trip.

11.Kruger National Park – Private full day Safari trip.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 347 reviews · from $166

Spend about 10 hours exploring Kruger National Park from Hazyview with a private driver-guide such as Gerri Smith or Keegan. Enter through Pabeni Gate, search for the Big Five, learn about wildlife and plants, and return to Perry’s Bridge without camping overnight.

“We saw 4 of the big 5. Gerrie was amazing. We were extremely happy with this tour. It made our trip.”

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Full-Day All Inclusive Safari with Traditional Braai Lunch - Waterholes, elephants, and the value of patience
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Full-Day All Inclusive Safari with Traditional Braai Lunch

12.Full-Day All Inclusive Safari with Traditional Braai Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 345 reviews · 9 hours · from $186

Join a small group of up to nine for morning and afternoon game drives in Addo Elephant National Park. Guides such as Stephen, Steve, and Mostaff track elephants, lions, rhino, buffalo, and more, with a South African braai, drinks, and park fees included.

“Our guide, Steven was great. Very informative and found a lot of wildlife for us. The lunch was very good. All in all a great day.”

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2 Day Safari Experience from Cape Town - Cape Agulhas and the southern tip of Africa
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2 Day Safari Experience from Cape Town

13.2 Day Safari Experience from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 326 reviews · from $447

Leave Cape Town at 6am for Cape Agulhas, an overnight stay at Garden Route Game Lodge, and sunset and sunrise safari drives. Your driver-guide may be Vaughan, Chris, Benjamin, or Frank, while reserve guides such as Abi or Zandre lead the wildlife drives. Return via Hermanus and Betty’s Bay.

“The 2 Day Safari Experience was amazing!! Both the Tour guide and Ranger informed the guests about the iternary and both had a good sense the humor. The dinner and breakfast at the Lodge was outstanding. I would highly recommend it”

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Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Full Day Big 5 Safari Tour - Entering Hluhluwe-Imfolozi through Nyalazi Gate
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Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Full Day Big 5 Safari Tour

14.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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5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour - Day 2: Ostriches and the Cango Caves
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5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari – Best of South Africa Small Group Tour

15.5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari – Best of South Africa Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 291 reviews · from $575

Travel from Cape Town through Route 62, Oudtshoorn, Addo, Jeffreys Bay, Tsitsikamma, Knysna, and Wilderness with a local guide. Expect long drives, four breakfasts, shared accommodation options, an Addo game drive, wine tasting, Cango Caves, and optional bungy jumping, surfing, horse riding, and ziplining.

“Maudi was a great tour guide! The tour and sites were amazing. Maudi was very engaging, kept the tour on track and made us all feel like a family. Highly recommended tour!”

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New in Safari

★ 5.0Lion Park Tour in Open Safari VehicleFrom $1186 reviews
★ 4.7Kruger Park Scheduled Full day Safari Drive from HoedspruitFrom $13053 reviews
★ 4.7Kruger Park Safari from MaputoFrom $2705 reviews
★ 5.0Kruger National Park: Wildlife-Watching SafariFrom $633 reviews
★ 5.0Kruger National Park Safari (Full Day)From $1263 reviews
★ 5.0Kruger National Park: Morning Safari22 reviews
★ 4.7Kruger National Park & Blyde River Canyon 4 Day SafariFrom $1,4353 reviews
★ 5.0From Malelane: Kruger National Park Afternoon SafariFrom $1023 reviews
★ 4.7Kruger National Park – 5 Day Safari TourFrom $1,1714 reviews
★ 4.0Kruger National Park: 4-Day Ultimate Safari TourFrom $1,1613 reviews
★ 4.8Kruger National Park – 4 Day Safari TourFrom $94619 reviews
★ 4.8Kruger National Park 4-Day Luxury Safari9 reviews
★ 3.0Kruger National Park: 3-Hour Walking SafariFrom $1388 reviews
★ 4.1Kruger National Park 3 Days Best Ever Safari from Cape TownFrom $1,89911 reviews
★ 5.0Kruger National Park: 3 Day Safari TourFrom $7847 reviews

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Big Five Game Drives98Kruger National Park Safaris71Addo Elephant Park Safaris47Pilanesberg Safaris23Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Safaris17National Parks89Wildlife18
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