The 15 Wildlife Trips in South Africa That Earn Their Price

1.Marine Wildlife Tour from the V&A Waterfront

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,118 reviews · 1h 30m · from $61Our pick

From the V&A Waterfront, you’ll board a fast hydrofoil-style boat with an English-speaking skipper and guide. Look for dolphins, Cape fur seals, penguins, whales, sunfish, and seabirds while enjoying close views of Table Mountain and Robben Island. Pickup from Cape Town hotels is optional.

“love the small boat experience....you get more interaction with the crew who were friendly and very informative...saw lots of marine life too”

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2.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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3.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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4.Ocean Wildlife Encounter in Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 307 reviews · from $80Top rated

Join Ocean Wonder at Oceana Power Boat Club for a two-hour wildlife search with skipper Paul or Rob. The route changes with sea and weather conditions, so you may see dolphins, seals, penguins, sunfish, whales, seabirds, or simply enjoy Cape Town from offshore. Expect spray, wind, and a lively ride.

“Great boat and very worthwhile way to spend a couple hours. Paul was a friendly and knowledgeable guide and knew where to find all the marine life. Can’t believe the concentration of species we saw in just a couple hours: whales, dolphins, sunfish, penguins, jellyfish, and seabirds. And all with great views of Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles from the ocean. Highly recommended!”

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5.2 Day South African Wildlife Tour with 4×4 Safari from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 251 reviews · from $279

Leave Cape Town early with a local guide such as Neville, TK, or Denver, then cross Route 62 to Botlierskop and Oudtshoorn. You’ll take two open 4x4 drives, spend one night near the ostrich capital, and may add a guided elephant observation at Buffelsdrift for about R700.

“Excellent trip. Two safaris and saw numerous animals including lions, zebras, giraffes, rhinos.... Guide / driver was very good”

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6.Wild Cat and Wildlife Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 206 reviews · 1 hour · from $27Best value

At Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation & Awareness Centre, an English-speaking guide leads you along walkways beside lions, leopards, cheetahs, servals, caracals, and a white lion. You may also see meerkats, marabou storks, and the Blue Crane. Allow extra time for the shop and café.

“Great experience. Learned a lot about the wild cats of Africa. Excellent service from the tour guide”

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7.Schotia Safaris: Best Wildlife Encounters in Port Elizabeth

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 89 reviews · 6 hours · from $227

Leave your cruise ship for a six-hour Schotia Private Game Reserve safari from Port Elizabeth. You ride in an open 4x4 with an English-speaking local guide, spend about four hours on game drive, and stop for snacks, drinks, and water.

“Mir ist klar, dass es in einem Reservat keine "normalen" Straßen gibt, dass es eben einfache Wege sind. Aber in diesem Reservat sind die Wege dermaßen stark ausgefahren, dass riesige Löcher und Fahrrillen entstanden sind. OK - das kommt vor. Aber wenn dann der Fahrer mit Vollgas in diese reinfährt, damit er auf der anderen Seite auch wieder rauskommt, dann passiert es leider mehrfach, dass es einen aus dem Sitz katapultiert und man mit dem Kopf gegen das Dach des Fahrzeuges knallt. Das hätte ich nun wirklich nicht gebraucht. Wir haben mit anderen Besuchern gesprochen, die die Safari in diesem Reservat über einen anderen Veranstalter gebucht hatten - die hatten…”

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8.Dolphin & Ocean Wildlife Kayaking Adventure ⚓️

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 2 hours · from $37

Join Truth Kayaking at Mouille Point for a two-hour Atlantic paddle in a stable surfski. English-speaking guides such as Vincent and Shanti lead you past Green Point Lighthouse, with chances to see dolphins, seals, penguins, whales, and sunfish. Finish with showers, Wi-Fi, music, and smoothies, matcha, or coffee.

“An absolute vibe from start to finish! The guides were absolute legends, kept the energy high, had us laughing the whole time and ended up hanging out afterwards with a matcha and bagel. Obviously the views of Cape town from the water are unreal but getting to see dolphins and even some whales on this particular outing was extra special. Honestly, couldn't recommend it enough.”

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9.2-Day Wildlife Tour with Safaris and Luxury Stay

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 51 reviews · 2 days · from $534

Leave Cape Town early for Botlierskop and Oudtshoorn, then spend the night at luxury Buffelsdrift Lodge or a selected farm stay. You’ll join two shared 4x4 drives, travel Route 62, and may add a close elephant observation. Guides such as Maudi, Dylan, and Denver are noted for safe, helpful service.

“Résultat mitigé. Dylan, le guide était top. Je le recommande vivement. Le programme est intense sur les 2 jours avec de longs trajets de 6h. Mais vous n’avez pas le choix si vous venez de Captown. Les van ne sont pas confortables. Concernant les 2 safari, cela me paraissait plus être un grand zoo sans enclos plutôt qu’un safari. J’ai moins apprécié le 1er safari Bufflesdrift car plus petit et beaucoups moins d’animaux. En revanche les lodges surplace et l’environnement étaient magnifiques. Il n’y avait pas de lions dans les 2 réserves. Suppléments éléphant cher, mais sympa car nous avons pu les approcher de très près et de les toucher.…”

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10.Guided Wildlife Tour and Forest Walk with Lunch Platter

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 40 reviews · 4 hours · from $63

Spend four hours at Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre with a private English-speaking guide. See South African wild cats, including a white lion, walk old Tsitsikamma forest paths, spot birds and orchids, and finish with a lunch platter and wine, beer, or fruit juice.

“Great tour! Extremely friendly staff and inviting environment. Truly a hidden gem. Surreal nature surroundings and amazing initiative! Highly recommend for groups of friends or couples who love being in nature.!”

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11.Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 12 hours · from $263

Travel from Johannesburg or Pretoria to Pilanesberg in a small group of up to 13. After the 2.5-hour drive, choose an open safari vehicle or closed minibus for game drives around an extinct volcano. Guides such as James and Peter explain the wildlife, with lunch, water, entry fees, and return transport included.

“Nosso transporte feito pelo sr. Jason foi tranquilo e pontual, ida e vinda. Muito atencioso e solícito. Nosso tour pelo parque foi muito legal, não vimos os Big Five, apenas w deles, mas vimos muitos outros animais. E o mais divertido foi a briga de girafas e os elefantes invadindo a rua, passando ao lado do carro e até indo atrás. O motorista Peter foi muito bem nas explicações.”

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12.Wildlife Safari, Olive, Beer & Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 18 reviews · 1 day · from $432

Travel from Cape Town in a small group of up to seven with guide Ian or another English-speaking driver. See rhinos, lions, giraffes, and zebra at Buffelsfontein, taste olive oil and wine, enjoy Darling Brew, sample local toffees, and return via Bloubergstrand.

“Amazing! Ian our guide was very informative, kind, and helpful. Safari was great - was able to see all the wildlife we wanted to and the olive tasting was unique!”

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13.From Malelane: Half Day Kruger Park Wildlife Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 6 hours · from $102

Leave Malelane around 05:00 to 05:30 for a six-hour Kruger safari in an open vehicle. Your English-speaking guide searches for the Big Five, shares bush knowledge, and uses a two-way radio to track sightings. Stop at a Kruger camp for breakfast and shops before returning.

“Sehr bemühter Guide mit interessanten Fakten zu den Tieren.”

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14.Visit Port Elizabeth :Addo Elephant Park Wildlife Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 5 reviews · from $156

You’ll spend about four hours exploring Addo Elephant National Park with an English-speaking guide, hotel, airport, or port pickup, and a chance to see elephants, lions, and other wildlife. Freddy is one guide named in the experience feedback. Park entry and light refreshments are included.

“We were right in the middle of the elephants. It was fantastic. Especially in the car. It was a great place to take photos.”

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15.Wildlife Lovers Big 5 Safari at 2 Game Reserves

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 14 hours · from $246

Leave Durban around 5 AM for a 2.5-hour drive at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, lunch at Hilltop Camp, then a four-hour open 4x4 safari at Manyoni. Your small group may work with guides such as Tambo, Wanda Boy, David, or Mzamo, with binoculars and wildlife books provided.

“It was great! The private game reserve was excellent! Our driver Tambo and guide Wanda Boy were the best! Highly recommend.”

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