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Safaris From Johannesburg - Compare 724 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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4-Day Entabeni Safari with Lakeside Lodge
$949 to $1,092 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Entabeni GR (Waterberg Biosphere Reserve), Johannesburg (End)
Indigo Safaris
4.9/5 – 178 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
12-Day Luxury Kruger Safari & Mauritius Escape
$6,399 pp (USD)
South Africa & Mauritius: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp & Resort
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (City), Grand Baie (Town & Beach), Black River, Mauritius (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 195 Reviews
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4-Day 4 Star Mabula Game Lodge Big 5 2Hrs 30Min from Jhb
$858 to $961 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
4.9/5 – 158 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Private Kruger National Park Safari
$1,381 to $1,667 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Central Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Wild Planet Safari
4.9/5 – 240 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Tremisana Lodge - Kruger Park Safari
$1,414 to $1,483 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Greater Kruger, Kruger NP, Moholoholo Wildlife Centre (Wildlife Sanctuary), 3 Rondavels (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Viva Safaris
5.0/5 – 325 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Luxury Radisson Kruger Safari
$998 to $1,062 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)LuxuryHotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg Airport (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 3,520 Reviews
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![5-Day Malaria-Free Madikwe Safari]()
5-Day Malaria-Free Madikwe Safari
$4,283 to $6,162 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Madikwe GR, Johannesburg (End)
Ranger Buck Safaris
5.0/5 – 57 Reviews
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7-Day Ultimate Kruger Safari Tour
$2,176 to $2,634 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range HotelYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Red Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 125 Reviews
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![5-Day Kruger Park and Manyeleti Reserve Bongan Lodge]()
5-Day Kruger Park and Manyeleti Reserve Bongan Lodge
$931 to $1,007 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Manyeleti GR (Greater Kruger), Central Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Bongan Safaris
5.0/5 – 38 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
2-Day Radisson Safari in Kruger National Park
$675 to $716 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)LuxuryHotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Safarilink SA
4.9/5 – 510 Reviews
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Best Seller
![10-Day Kruger Private Reserves & Cape Town]()
10-Day Kruger Private Reserves & Cape Town
$4,604 to $5,088 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Klaserie NR (Greater Kruger), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Cape Town (End)
Safari Online
5.0/5 – 137 Reviews
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Best Seller
![3-Day Kruger National Park Experience]()
3-Day Kruger National Park Experience
$788 to $835 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Guest HouseYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris
5.0/5 – 190 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![4-Day Classic Kruger Park Safari]()
4-Day Classic Kruger Park Safari
$1,169 to $1,244 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Wildlife Safaris
5.0/5 – 301 Reviews
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![3-Day Kruger Safari and Panorama Route - Midrange]()
3-Day Kruger Safari and Panorama Route - Midrange
$756 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Nhlalala Travel
4.9/5 – 90 Reviews
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4-Day Private Kruger Park Safari and Panorama Route Tour
$1,468 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Junglers Adventure Tours
5.0/5 – 66 Reviews
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![1-Day Best Full-Day Big Five Safari from Johannesburg]()
1-Day Best Full-Day Big Five Safari from Johannesburg
$177 to $184 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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![4-Day Classic Kruger Safari]()
4-Day Classic Kruger Safari
$1,283 to $1,343 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Khalanga Safaris
5.0/5 – 91 Reviews
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![1-Day (1 to 3 Guests) Pilanesberg Private Sunrise Safari]()
1-Day (1 to 3 Guests) Pilanesberg Private Sunrise Safari
$270 to $281 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
Mmilo Tours
5.0/5 – 139 Reviews
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![6-Day Kruger & Sabi Sands Safari Tour]()
6-Day Kruger & Sabi Sands Safari Tour
$3,195 to $3,956 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Bush Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
African Family Safaris
5.0/5 – 10 Reviews
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![3-Day Dumela Camping Affordable Adventure]()
3-Day Dumela Camping Affordable Adventure
$507 to $557 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 – 25 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’.› 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...
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Incredible
Loved South Africa and will definitely go back. Our guide was very knowledgeable and took the time to stop the truck to explain and answers our questions. I highly recommend Wild Planet Safari and Eric our Tour Guide and Goodwill or...
IT
Amazing
We enjoyed a lot our 2 day safari at Pilanesberg Park. We stayed one night at Yvory Lodge, a five star accomodation. All details have been respectful at high level, from the pick up at our hotel. Strongly recommended.
US
Stunning vacation destination PACKED with wildlife!
We spent over a week in South Africa, and it was not nearly enough time. Getting there from the northwest US took a very long time, especially with insane flight delays, but the minute we arrived, it was amazing. We stayed in Camps Bay,...
Country of wonders
This was our first time to South Africa and we have had a smashing time from the start to the end. We landed in Johannesburg late and were going to another domestic flight, everyone in the airport was helpful to let us go through, simply...