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Safaris From Johannesburg - Compare 677 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
4-Day Unforgettable Kruger Park Safari & Panorama Tour
$1,331 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
5.0/5 – 200 Reviews
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10-Day South Africa Wildlife Safari Tour
$2,565 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Tented Camp & ResortYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hazyview (Town), Kruger NP, Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Cape Town (End)
Africa Incoming
4.8/5 – 20 Reviews
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Best Seller
6-Day Sabi Sands and Kruger Park Safari
$5,026 to $5,623 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 569 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
6-Day Southern & Central Kruger Park plus Private Lodge
$2,350 to $2,598 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Central Kruger NP, Karongwe GR, Johannesburg (End)
Wildlife Safaris
5.0/5 – 315 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
1-Day Pilanesberg Full Day Open Safari with Lunch
$177 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 4,137 Reviews
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4-Day All Inclusive Fly-in Tour to Kruger's Imbali Lodge
$2,424 to $2,655 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Safari.com
4.6/5 – 199 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Tremisana/Treehouse Kruger Park Safari
$1,057 to $1,104 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 – 338 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), Le Morne (Beach), Black River, Mauritius (End)
Wayfairer Travel
5.0/5 – 202 Reviews
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![4-Day Timbavati Luxury Fly-in Safari]()
4-Day Timbavati Luxury Fly-in Safari
$4,973 to $5,082 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Johannesburg (End)
Ranger Buck Safaris
4.9/5 – 60 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day En-Suite Tlou Tented Safari Camp in Pilanesberg
$747 to $796 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
Safarilink SA
4.9/5 – 823 Reviews
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![5-Day Kruger Park and Manyeleti Reserve Bongan Lodge]()
5-Day Kruger Park and Manyeleti Reserve Bongan Lodge
$951 to $1,029 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 – 40 Reviews
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![3-Day Kruger Safari from Johannesburg]()
3-Day Kruger Safari from Johannesburg
$455 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Africa Moja Tours & Safaris
4.9/5 – 26 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
$182 to $195 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 – 58 Reviews
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![4-Day Safari and Panorama Route Tour]()
4-Day Safari and Panorama Route Tour
$1,344 to $1,345 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Panorama Route (Highlight), Kruger NP, O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
Khalanga Safaris
5.0/5 – 102 Reviews
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![3-Day Kruger Safari and Swaziland Cultural Tour]()
3-Day Kruger Safari and Swaziland Cultural Tour
$1,072 pp (USD)
South Africa & Eswatini: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Mantenga (Cultural Village), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Balanta Imagine Safaris
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
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![½-Day Lion and Safari Tour in Johannesburg]()
½-Day Lion and Safari Tour in Johannesburg
$142 pp (USD)
South Africa: ½ Day tourShared tour (max 3 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), The Lion Park (Wildlife Sanctuary), Johannesburg (End)
Tourgy Tourz
4.9/5 – 41 Reviews
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6-Day Kruger to Cape Town Tour with Flights Included
$2,253 to $2,479 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range HotelYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Cape Town (City), Cape Peninsula, Table Mountain (Cape Town), O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Cape Town (End)
Red Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 127 Reviews
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![3-Day Dumela Glamping Affordable Adventure]()
3-Day Dumela Glamping Affordable Adventure
$572 to $645 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Moditlo GR (Blue Canyon GR), Kruger NP, O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
SafariLife
5.0/5 – 28 Reviews
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![3-Day Big 5 Kruger Park Safari at Mjejane River Lodge]()
3-Day Big 5 Kruger Park Safari at Mjejane River Lodge
$1,024 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Greater Kruger, Johannesburg (End)
Mmilo Tours
5.0/5 – 142 Reviews
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![3-Day Luxury Mdluli Game Lodge Kruger National Park]()
3-Day Luxury Mdluli Game Lodge Kruger National Park
$578 to $640 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Gems of Africa Safari and Tours
5.0/5 – 169 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...
Absolutely sensational.
Best holiday for years. Saw up close all animals i had hoped for, the guides were incredibly passionate and very skilled to get us a great experience. I knew that id enjoy this experience but it was fantastic.
NZ
Amazing wildlife and people
A great time at all the different safari parks including Kruger. Great guides. Accomodation was first class as was the food People very conscious of what the parks do for them and there families and they are conservationists and great...
TW
We chose to visit SA because of the diversity of tourist attractions.
We found the package from Viva Safari and MoAfria through this platform. We chose to visit SA because of the diversity of tourist attractions; you could experience safari tours, majestic geological landscapes, and UNESCO-certified...
South African Safari Dream comes to life
Visited South Africa in October 2025, and done a tour to that went to Kruger National Park and the surrounds. Whilst the mornings are early starts and the days are long, it makes it worth it when you enter the safari tracks and you spot a...