Best Safari Parks & Game Reserves Near Johannesburg

From Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city, you don’t need to go far to get out into the bush. There are plenty of safari parks and game reserves near Johannesburg, all within a four-hour drive of the city. Day-trippers can head to reserves just an hour’s drive away, whilst those looking to spend a few days on safari can go further afield.

Aside from the fact that these game reserves near Johannesburg are so close to the city, one of the best things about them is that they’re all in malaria-free areas, so there’s no need for medication. Spot the Big Five, hundreds of bird species and countless other animals, all in our selection of reserves and safari parks near Johannesburg.

Safaris From Johannesburg

1. Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Pilanesberg Game Reserve is positioned between the arid Kalahari and the lush Lowveld, a combination of landscapes that results in a wide variety of flora and fauna. There are plenty of guided tours available, but Pilanesberg is a great choice for self-drive visitors too. It’s undoubtedly one of the most diverse safari parks near Johannesburg, and is close to Sun City – a luxury casino resort. The park claims to have most of South Africa’s indigenous animals living within its confines, including, of course, the Big Five.

As it’s free of malaria, the Pilanesberg is a great choice for families or just those wanting to avoid anti-malaria medication. The safari park is close to Johannesburg and it’s possible to do a day trip from the city, making it ideal for tourists short on time or Jozi residents making the most of their weekends.

• Distance from Johannesburg: 3 hours
• Accommodation options: From basic chalets and safari tents to luxury lodges and family-friendly options, there is a style of accommodation for all types of travelers.
• Activities: Game drives, photography from wildlife hides, bird spotting and hot-air balloon rides.

Pilanesberg Tours

2. Madikwe Game Reserve

Just a 4½-hour drive away, Madikwe is one of the best game reserves near Johannesburg. Although state-owned it operates as a private game reserve and all activities are conducted by luxury safari lodges. It’s the fifth biggest reserve in South Africa and home to the Big Five (lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and buffalo). For families, it’s an excellent option because it’s also a malaria-free zone.

On a game drive around the reserve, you could encounter any of the 66 large mammals that live here, alongside 300 bird species. African wild dogs, one of the most popular animals to spot on safari, are also found here. Day trips are not possible, so you must stay in one of the reserve’s accommodation options.

• Distance from Johannesburg: 4½ hours
• Accommodation options: Madikwe is home to several safari lodges, ranging from eco-camps to ultra-luxury options, such as Molori Safari Lodge and Madikwe Safari Lodge.
• Activities: Game drives, fishing, bird watching, photographic safaris, ranger skills training, spa treatments and wellness classes.

Madikwe Tours

3. Mabula Game Reserve

Another one of the best private Big Five game reserves near Johannesburg, Mabula Game Reserve has plenty of activities on offer besides the usual game drives. Located in the malaria-free Waterberg area of Limpopo, the reserve is home to lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, honey badgers, red hartebeest, eland, hyenas and jackals. There are also plenty of birds to spot, from the lilac-breasted roller to the Amur falcon.

Game drives are just the start of the activities on offer. Zip off on a quad bike, spend the evening on a guided stargazing drive or book a balloon ride over the reserve as the sun rises.

• Distance from Johannesburg: 2½ hours
• Accommodation options: Mabula is home to several upmarket lodges and tented camps.
• Activities: Game drives, spa treatments, quad biking, bird walks, stargazing drives, dam picnics, tennis, bush walks, horse riding, hot-air balloon rides and crocodile feeding demonstrations.

Mabula Tours

4. Dinokeng Game Reserve

Just north of Pretoria, Dinokeng was the first (and is still the only) game reserve in Gauteng with free-roaming Big Five animals. In addition, you may be able to spot cheetahs, giraffes and brown hyenas.

There are self-drive routes for certain types of vehicles, but you can also go on guided drives, boat trips and walking safaris, or try your hand at activities such as clay pigeon shooting. For the more adventurous, there are opportunities for hot-air balloon rides and microlight flights.

• Distance from Johannesburg: 1 hour
• Accommodation options: There are 30 different accommodations available, from self-catering cottages to four-star lodges.
• Activities: Game drives, boat cruises, bush walks, fishing, cultural tours, clay pigeon shooting, hot-air balloon rides and microlight flights.

Dinokeng Tours

5. Welgevonden Game Reserve

Located in the Waterberg district of Limpopo, less than four hours north of Johannesburg, Welgevonden Game Reserve is another malaria-free safari destination that is easily accessible from the city. There are plenty of accommodation options and all game drives are conducted in open safari vehicles. There is a wide range of other activities on offer too, including walking and horseback safaris.

You can spot the Big Five, which are included in the 50 mammal species at Welgevonden. There are also rarer animals, such as brown hyenas and honey badgers, plus around 300 different types of birds.

• Distance from Johannesburg: 3½ hours
• Accommodation options: Welgevonden offers a range of options, from mid-range camps to luxury lodges, and from self-catering to exclusive-use properties.
• Activities: Game drives, walking safaris, stargazing, horseback safaris and San Bushman rock art tours.

6. Plumari Private Reserve

In just 90 minutes, you can be out of Johannesburg and into the bush. Plumari Private Reserve is a beautiful area of bushveld, mountains and wetlands. It’s one of the closest Big Five game reserves to Johannesburg.

Animals you might see on a game drive include rhinos, lions, elephants, giraffes, porcupines and honey badgers. There are around 200 different bird species to spot too. The reserve also hosts a conservation breeding program for rare animals such as the black impala, sable antelope, king buffalo and golden wildebeest.

• Distance from Johannesburg: 1½ hours
• Accommodation options: The four-star Askari Lodge and Spa has 48 suites and a spa, whilst the pet-friendly Warthogs Bush Camp has 10 chalets.
• Activities: Game drives, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, hiking, birding, trail running, 4x4 trails, mountain biking and spa treatments.

7. Mziki Private Game Reserve

With three of the Big Five (elephants, buffalo and rhinos), wildebeest, zebras, giraffes and many types of antelope, Mziki is just a couple of hours outside Johannesburg. There are over 300 types of birds and there are options to explore the reserve by barge or on foot, as well as in a game-drive vehicle.

Mziki Private Game Reserve is a brilliant option for families with children. There is no age restriction for game viewing and the area is free of any malaria risk. The reserve offers mini-ranger courses for kids to learn about identifying animal calls, species of trees and even how to prepare a vehicle for a game drive. The course also includes a camp treasure hunt, cultural experiences and a quiz at the end.

• Distance from Johannesburg: 2 hours
• Accommodation options: Mziki Safari Lodge is the only accommodation in the reserve and offers rooms in the main lodge, chalets and traditional circular, thatched-roof rondavels.
• Activities: Game drives, birding, archery, fishing, barge cruises, bush walks and mini-ranger courses.

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Safaris From Johannesburg

By Heather Richardson

UK

Heather Richardson is an award-winning travel writer, based in South Africa. She is interested in conservation stories, emerging destinations and adventure travel.

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