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Safaris From Johannesburg - Compare 668 Tours
So many incredible safari experiences begin in Johannesburg. That’s partly because it is Africa’s busiest international air gateway, with numerous flights arriving from around the globe every day. But it’s not just about the number of international flights. Johannesburg is a short drive (and an even shorter flight) from so many of South Africa’s best wildlife parks and reserves. Everyone knows about Kruger National Park and the reserves that surround it: you could easily just visit these and enjoy the most fantastic safari. But other options abound, and many of these have wildlife to satisfy both beginner and experienced safari-goers alike.
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Luxury Kruger & Victoria Falls Combo
$3,127 pp (USD)
South Africa & Zimbabwe: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hoedspruit (Town), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg Airport (Johannesburg), Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls Airport (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 2,865 Reviews
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4-Day Sabi Sands Luxury Fly-in Safari
$5,882 to $7,075 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sabi GR (Sabi Sands), Johannesburg (End)
Ranger Buck Safaris
5.0/5 – 53 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day South Africa Safari: Hluhluwe Elephant Coast
$4,099 to $4,750 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR, Elephant Coast (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 192 Reviews
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4-Day Greater Kruger Safari with Marc's Treehouse
$887 to $920 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Indigo Safaris
4.9/5 – 166 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Tremisana/Treehouse Kruger Park Safari
$887 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Viva Safaris
5.0/5 – 316 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Kruger Park and Panorama Adventure Safari
$603 to $892 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hazyview (Town), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
The Kruger Safari Co.
5.0/5 – 221 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Safari to Kruger National Park via Panorama Route
$1,168 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Wildlife Safaris
4.9/5 – 294 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Private Kruger and Panorama Route Family Tour
$1,381 to $1,667 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & ChaletYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Hoedspruit (Town), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Wild Planet Safari
4.9/5 – 236 Reviews
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Best Seller
4-Day Unforgettable Kruger Park Safari & Panorama Tour
$1,188 to $1,307 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)LuxuryHotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris
4.9/5 – 173 Reviews
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3-Day Kruger Park and Manyeleti Reserve Bongan Lodge
$723 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 12 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Manyeleti GR (Greater Kruger), Central Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Bongan Safaris
5.0/5 – 38 Reviews
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1-Day Best Full-Day Big Five Safari from Johannesburg
$179 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 20 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
Go Safari
5.0/5 – 53 Reviews
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1-Day (4 + Persons) Pilanesberg 6 Hour Sunrise Safari
$232 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 44 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
Mmilo Tours
5.0/5 – 137 Reviews
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4-Day Madikwe Incredible Malaria-Free Big 5 Safari
$3,375 to $3,711 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Madikwe GR, Johannesburg (End)
Viatu
5.0/5 – 106 Reviews
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1-Day Rhino and Lion Park and Elephant Sanctuary Tour
$298 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 4 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Elephant Sanctuary (Elephant Sanctuary), Johannesburg (End)
Tourgy Tourz
4.9/5 – 38 Reviews
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3-Day Sabi Sands Tented Camp Safari
$887 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Safari With Us
4.9/5 – 250 Reviews
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Best Seller
5-Day Affordable Greater Kruger Safari Combo
$2,260 to $2,819 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Karongwe GR, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 542 Reviews
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3-Day Dumela Camping Affordable Adventure
$496 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Guernsey NR, Kruger NP, O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
SafariLife
5.0/5 – 22 Reviews
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4-Day Semi Luxury Panorama Kruger Safari
$1,230 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)
Mid-range ResortYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Socioolite Travel and Tours
5.0/5 – 51 Reviews
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4-Day The Greater Kruger Tshukudu Safari
$1,645 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Tshukudu GR, Kruger NP, O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
Go Touch Down Travel & Tours
5.0/5 – 174 Reviews
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4-Day 4 Star Mabula Game Lodge Big 5 2Hrs 30Min from Jhb
$832 to $932 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Mabula GR (Waterberg Biosphere Reserve), Johannesburg (End)
Gems of Africa Safari and Tours
5.0/5 – 154 Reviews
5 Questions About Safaris From Johannesburg

Answered by
Anthony Ham
Anthony has written numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks, including ‘South Africa’, ‘Lesotho & eSwatini’ and ‘Southern Africa’. He has written about the region for magazines and newspapers worldwide. He is also the author of ‘The Last Lions of Africa’.› More about Anthony
5 Questions About Safaris From Johannesburg

What are the best places to go on safari from Johannesburg?
“You can visit Kruger National Park from Johannesburg, and it’s a fantastic safari destination. It’s easy to get to and around, it’s a massive park with so much wildlife to see seemingly at every turn, and there’s accommodation to suit every budget. If it all gets too crowded, then you could easily spend time in one of the private reserves (such as Sabi Sand Game Reserve, but there are many more) along Kruger’s western boundary. These reserves share the same wildlife with the national park. Other fabulous safari parks within reach of Johannesburg include Pilanesberg Game Reserve, and Marakele and Mapungubwe National Parks, while Madikwe Game Reserve is one of my favorite safari destinations anywhere in southern Africa. If you fly from Johannesburg, then you could easily reach just about anyplace in South Africa.”
1What are the pros and cons of a self-drive trip from Johannesburg?
“The best thing about a self-drive safari from Johannesburg is the freedom that you’ll enjoy. In fact, a self-drive safari is the best way to make sure that your safari experience is exactly as you want it to be. You decide where to go and when. If you find a lion on a kill or an elephant herd up close, then you’re the one who decides how long to stick around. And you don’t have to worry about what other travelers want to do. In short, you’re the boss of your trip. The downside of a self-drive safari is that if something goes wrong, you’re the one on the scene who has to deal with it (although a phone call to your safari operator will probably get someone there quickly to help). Most likely nothing will go wrong: it never has for me on my many self-drive safaris. Another possible negative is that you won’t have a guide to show you around or other safari travelers to share the experience with.”
2Should I go for a group or private safari from Johannesburg?
“There are lots of different versions of the Johannesburg safari, but the most popular are group or private safaris. A group safari means that you will share your trip with other travelers: you will share a guide, a vehicle for game drives and other activities. Whether this is a pro or a con will depend on your perspective: you might make lifelong friends, or you might prefer to be alone. And if you’re looking for a cheap or affordable budget safari, then a group safari will almost certainly be your only option. A private safari means that you will have your own guide and vehicle, and you’ll be the only one(s) out on the game drive. Obviously, you’ll be paying for it all yourself, which can be expensive. But it does allow for a more intimate safari experience and you’ll often end up forging really strong bonds with your guide and driver.”
3Can I see the Big Five animals on a trip from Johannesburg?
“You are spoiled for choice when it comes to seeing the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) on a safari near Johannesburg. The most obvious place where this is possible is Kruger National Park and the surrounding reserves. I once saw the Big Five on a single afternoon game drive in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Closer to Johannesburg and very accessible, Pilanesberg Game Reserve can be crowded, but it’s an easy place to see elephant and rhino. Buffalo, lion and leopard can be harder to see, but they are possible to find with some luck. Another excellent destination for seeing the Big Five on a safari from Johannesburg is Madikwe Game Reserve. This is a fantastic place, with so much wildlife, first-rate expert guides and far fewer visitors than you’ll share the safari trails with in Kruger or Pilanesberg. It’s also a good place to possibly sight African wild dogs.”
4How much will this safari cost?
“As with any safari destination where there are many different packages and tours, the cost of a safari from Johannesburg varies greatly. If you’re on a multiday, cheap budget camping safari, you might be able to organize a safari that starts at around US$100 to US$150 per person per day. This should include guide, driver, vehicle, camping equipment, park entry fees, food, some drinks and game drives. But for this price, you may be expected to help out around camp with cooking and washing up, as well as setting up and taking down tents. For a more luxurious experience, prices start at around US$400 per person per day, but could go significantly higher for the best tented camps in high season (October to March) and if you’re on a private safari. If your safari involves any flights, this will also push up the price considerably. However much you pay, make sure you get a full list from your safari operator of what your safari price includes, so you don’t get any nasty surprises when it’s time for you to pay.”
5South Africa Safari Reviews

Emma is an award-winning travel writer for Rough Guides, National Geographic Traveller, Travel Africa magazine and The Independent.
Where Big Five safaris are big business, there’s a wealth of choice
Glorious images of elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffalo parading through pristine bush are central to South Africa’s popular image. So it comes as a surprise to some first-time visitors that, in reality, the proportion of this...

Mike is an award-winning wildlife writer, former editor of Travel Zambia magazine and author of the Bradt Guide to Southern African Wildlife.
A world in one country
South Africa’s astounding array of landscapes – from semi-desert to savanna and snow-capped mountain to coral reef – means it offers a greater variety of wildlife experience than any other African country. There are surely few other...

Amazing
My experience in South Africa was great! I found very nice, kind and respectful people. The Safari experience was incredible I was very happy there, and also my experience in Cape Town. I will repeat my trip to South Africa! I want to...
A country everyone should experience at least once!
Cape Town is a must, lots to see and do! There are load of good restaurants and pubs but I think Quay Four deserves a mention. We had a fantastic meal here. We stayed in the in Onomo Waterfront hotel, it was good value for money, clean and...
Fantastic once in a lifetime family trip
We were a family group of adults looking to celebrate retirement. A group of eight of us booked through Safaribookings.com with Wild Planet Safaris. We spent 11 days in beautiful Souh Africa. The wildlife and scenery were second to none and...
Amazing Country!!
A group of us travelled to Cape Town for business (all women) but also had time for sightseeing. We came across our Tour Guide, Munier Daniels (@agentktours) by chance but what a find! We travelled the Peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope,...