Tour Length
Rates in USD $ – Change Currency
Per person, excl. international flightsOperator Rating
Other Tour Features
Filter by Operator
Filter by Accommodation
Safaris From Johannesburg - Compare 703 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.
-
Top Rated Operator
11-Day South Africa & Mauritius Family Safari & Beach
$6,974 to $7,671 pp (USD)
South Africa & Mauritius: Private tourLodge & Resort
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Madikwe GR, Bel Ombre (Town & Beach), Mauritius (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 149 Reviews
-
4-Day Greater Kruger Safari with Marc's Treehouse
$800 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Indigo Safaris
4.8/5 – 125 Reviews
-
4-Day Kapama River Lodge Game Safari
$2,024 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kapama GR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
_4618_5ebbb703a4b33.gif "Ranger Buck Safaris")
Ranger Buck Safaris
5.0/5 – 27 Reviews
-
3-Day Ultimate Kruger Park Open Safari Vehicle Tour
$607 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)Guest House
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Elephant Whispers (Elephant Sanctuary), Kruger NP, Nelspruit (End)
Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris
4.8/5 – 90 Reviews
-
![2-Day Pilanesberg National Park Safari]()
2-Day Pilanesberg National Park Safari
$333 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourChalet
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
Nhlalala Travel
4.9/5 – 33 Reviews
-
![5-Day Kruger Park and Manyeleti Bongan African Lodge]()
5-Day Kruger Park and Manyeleti Bongan African Lodge
$851 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 12 people per vehicle)Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Manyeleti GR (Greater Kruger), Central Kruger, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Bongan Safaris
4.9/5 – 18 Reviews
-
Top Rated Operator
4-Day Ultra Budget Glamping Kruger Safari
$515 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)Tented Bush Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg Airport (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 1126 Reviews
-
Top Rated Operator
![3-Day Classic Kruger Park Safari]()
3-Day Classic Kruger Park Safari
$780 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Wildlife Safaris
4.9/5 – 258 Reviews
-
2-Day Lukimbi Safari Lodge
$765 to $915 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger, Johannesburg (End)
East Cape Tours
5.0/5 – 61 Reviews
-
Top Rated Operator
4-Day Tremisana Lodge Kruger Park Safari
$885 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Viva Safaris
4.9/5 – 261 Reviews
-
![3-Day Kruger Safari and Swaziland Cultural Tour]()
3-Day Kruger Safari and Swaziland Cultural Tour
$869 to $956 pp (USD)
South Africa & Eswatini: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger, Mantenga Village (Highlight), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Balanta Imagine Safaris
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
-
![5-Day Tented Safari with Panorama Route Tour]()
5-Day Tented Safari with Panorama Route Tour
$1,347 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hoedspruit (Town), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Khalanga Safaris
5.0/5 – 62 Reviews
-
![3-Day Lux Bakubung Bush Lodge Pilanesberg National Park]()
3-Day Lux Bakubung Bush Lodge Pilanesberg National Park
$265 to $318 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 12 people per vehicle)Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
Gems of Africa Safari and Tours
4.9/5 – 98 Reviews
-
Best Seller
![3-Day Big 5 Budget Safari, Kruger National Park]()
3-Day Big 5 Budget Safari, Kruger National Park
$379 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Safari With Us
5.0/5 – 217 Reviews
-
5-Day Greenfire Game Lodge Safari
$1,470 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
The Kruger Safari Co.
5.0/5 – 125 Reviews
-
4-Day Safari in Style - Lodge Living & Kruger Safari Fun
$1,100 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Central Kruger, O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
Shinzelle Safaris
4.9/5 – 63 Reviews
-
![3-Day Johannesburg to Kruger National Park Safari]()
3-Day Johannesburg to Kruger National Park Safari
$595 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)Camping
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Mbombela Experience Tours & Transfers
5.0/5 – 32 Reviews
-
Best Seller
5-Day Luxury Sabi Sands Promotion
$3,119 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Safari.com
4.7/5 – 186 Reviews
-
![4-Day & 3-Night Kruger National Park Budget Safari]()
4-Day & 3-Night Kruger National Park Budget Safari
$583 to $649 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)Guest House
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger, Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
The Mzansi Experience
4.8/5 – 63 Reviews
-
![17-Day South Africa's Best- Hike & Luxury Big 5 Safari]()
17-Day South Africa's Best- Hike & Luxury Big 5 Safari
$7,891 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge & Private Villa
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Spioenkop GR, Drakensberg Mountains (Mountain Range), Nambiti GR, mFulaWozi Wilderness GR, iSimangaliso WP, Ballito (Town), Durban (End)
Viatu
5.0/5 – 42 Reviews
Related Searches
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
Anthony Ham
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...
Spectacular 😍
We traveled to South Africa for a family holiday in March. We choose Kruger National Park for our safari destination and Nhlalala Travel for our tour guide. We stayed in the Kruger Gate Hotel which was fabulous. We did a sunset safari, full...
PH
Once in a lifetime experience
Our South Africa family holiday was a total blast! Maybe the best ever. South Africa is so blessed with natural beauty, including the people. And the wildlife? Second to none, IMHO. Joburg has so much history while Cape Town is one the most...
CA
South Africa is a stunningly beautiful place and well worth a visit. It is also modern and sophisticated
We really enjoyed Pilanesberg and our game drives were the highlight of our trip. We saw a lot of amazing wildlife and really enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Our lodge was lovely and made us feel very spoilt
DE
So many different moments, sights, drives, people, accommodations - just GREAT! Never to forget!
It was such a great experience! Viva Safari (our tour operator) did a great job by showing us so many different aspects of the South African wildlife, the differences of Krueger NP and the Private Game Reserves as well as the struggling of...