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Safaris From Johannesburg - Compare 531 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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Best Seller
11-Day South Africa & Mauritius Family Safari & Beach
$7,087 pp (USD)
South Africa & Mauritius: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Resort
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Madikwe GR, Bel Ombre (Town & Beach), Mauritius (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 138 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
6-Day Tremisana/Treehouse Kruger Park Safari
$934 to $1,012 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Moholoholo (Wildlife Sanctuary), Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Viva Safaris
4.9/5 – 230 Reviews
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4-Day Greater Kruger Safari with Marc's Treehouse
$777 to $802 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
5.0/5 – 116 Reviews
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5-Day Kapama River Lodge Deluxe Suite Safari
$2,122 to $2,291 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)Luxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kapama GR (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
The Kruger Safari Co.
5.0/5 – 103 Reviews
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3-Day Luxury Kruger Private Concession Fly-in Package
$1,133 to $1,436 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Safari.com
4.7/5 – 186 Reviews
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3-Day Ultimate Kruger Park Open Experience
$614 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Guest HouseYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Elephant Whispers (Elephant Sanctuary), Kruger NP, Nelspruit (End)
Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris
4.8/5 – 59 Reviews
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6-Day Mjejane River Lodge, Kruger NP Tour
$1,933 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
BST Tours
4.8/5 – 29 Reviews
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Best Seller
![5-Day Malamala Exclusive Fly in Safari]()
5-Day Malamala Exclusive Fly in Safari
$3,677 to $5,086 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), MalaMala GR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Ranger Buck Safaris
5.0/5 – 17 Reviews
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![½-Day The Lion Park Johannesburg]()
½-Day The Lion Park Johannesburg
$86 pp (USD)
South Africa: ½ Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), The Lion Park (Wildlife Sanctuary), Johannesburg (End)
Nhlalala Travel
4.9/5 – 19 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![4-Day Classic Kruger Park Safari]()
4-Day Classic Kruger Park Safari
$973 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & BungalowYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Wildlife Safaris
5.0/5 – 246 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![3-Day Ultimate Kruger Budget Safari]()
3-Day Ultimate Kruger Budget Safari
$393 to $432 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 852 Reviews
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![4-Day Deluxe Safari in Tented Camp]()
4-Day Deluxe Safari in Tented Camp
$1,111 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range CampingYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
Khalanga Safaris
5.0/5 – 54 Reviews
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4-Day Kruger Private Reserve Safari
$926 to $1,168 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Karongwe GR, Johannesburg (End)
Africa Travel Portfolio
5.0/5 – 12 Reviews
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![3-Day Kruger Timbavati Safari South Africa]()
3-Day Kruger Timbavati Safari South Africa
$1,403 to $1,520 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Greatest Africa
5.0/5 – 30 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![3-Day Sabi Sands Tented Camp Safari]()
3-Day Sabi Sands Tented Camp Safari
$964 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Safari With Us
4.9/5 – 206 Reviews
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5-Day Ultimate Kruger Park Safari Inside the Reserve
$1,716 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourBudgetChalet & Bungalow
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Endless Summer Tours
5.0/5 – 58 Reviews
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2-Day Umkumbe Bush Lodge
$251 to $277 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
East Cape Tours
4.8/5 – 58 Reviews
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![4-Day Kruger Safari from Johannesburg]()
4-Day Kruger Safari from Johannesburg
$719 to $796 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 13 people per vehicle)
Mid-range HotelYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hazyview (Town), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Africa Incoming
4.6/5 – 10 Reviews
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6-Day Fly-in Self-Drive Kruger & Panorama Route Tour
$1,796 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-drive
Mid-range Lodge & Guest HouseYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Graskop (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Go Self-Drive Tours
4.8/5 – 11 Reviews
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![4-Day Kruger NP Big 5 & Panorama Route Tented Safari]()
4-Day Kruger NP Big 5 & Panorama Route Tented Safari
$675 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
The Mzansi Experience
4.8/5 – 55 Reviews
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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’.
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...
BR
Culture, adventure, beautiful landscapes, welcoming people: that's South Africa!
South Africa is wonderful. Exceeded my expectations. It is a country full of natural beauty, with a very rich culture and extremely welcoming people. I didn't feel unsafe at any point. I loved visiting its parks and reserves, its...
US
Better than I could have imagined
My husband and I booked flights to SA but didn't have a full plan, and about a week before we left decided to book a Safari in or near Kruger. I reached out to Safari Bookings who sent out questions to a few safari tour companies and...
Highly recommend
My friend and I booked the 4-Day Tremisana Kruger Park Safari with Viva Safaris. I couldn't rate it any higher. The whole experience was amazing, we saw so many animals, all the staff were amazing and the services including the food was...
CZ
fantastic wildlife experience at Sanbona Resort
We had a fantastic stay at Sanbona Wildlife Resort about 3 hours from CapeTown very well organized by Gems of Africa. After this safari we enjoyed a few days in CapeTown, one of our favorite cities in the world. Finally we went to...