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Safaris From Johannesburg - Compare 673 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 Sabi Sand Arathusa Safari Lodge
$2,355 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 4,232 Reviews
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5-Day Kruger NP Deluxe Safari Incl Panorama Route
$1,418 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg Airport (End)
The Mzansi Experience
4.8/5 – 109 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Kruger Park and Private Game Reserve Experience
$2,499 to $2,555 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & Guest HouseYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris
5.0/5 – 204 Reviews
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Best Seller
4-Day South Africa Safari Tour in Madikwe
$3,699 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Madikwe GR, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Wayfairer Travel
5.0/5 – 204 Reviews
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![10-Day Kruger Private Reserves & Cape Town]()
10-Day Kruger Private Reserves & Cape Town
$4,879 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 – 139 Reviews
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![10-Day South Africa Wildlife Safari Tour]()
10-Day South Africa Wildlife Safari Tour
$3,054 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 – 27 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![5-Day Safari to Kruger Park plus Panorama Route]()
5-Day Safari to Kruger Park plus Panorama Route
$1,741 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Central Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg Airport (End)
Wildlife Safaris
5.0/5 – 316 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Kruger Park, Hluhluwe & St Lucia Safari
$2,015 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, Hluhluwe (Town), Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland Park (KZN Parks), King Shaka Airport (End)
Viva Safaris
5.0/5 – 342 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
3-Day Greenfire Game Lodge Safari
$943 to $1,069 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Greater Kruger, Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
The Kruger Safari Co.
4.9/5 – 285 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day En-Suite Tlou Tented Safari Camp in Pilanesberg
$800 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 – 919 Reviews
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![4-Day Best of Kruger & Panorama Route - Luxury Treat]()
4-Day Best of Kruger & Panorama Route - Luxury Treat
$1,303 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg Airport (End)
Nhlalala Travel
5.0/5 – 104 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
$249 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 – 59 Reviews
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6-Day Exclusive Kruger/Private Luxury Lodge Safari
$4,407 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Ukhozi Tours
5.0/5 – 18 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Luxury Sabi Sands Promotion
$6,360 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, Johannesburg (End)
Safari.com
4.8/5 – 222 Reviews
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5-Day Epic Safari in Kruger Park and Blyde Canyon
$2,106 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range ChaletYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Endless Summer Tours
5.0/5 – 74 Reviews
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2-Day Panorama Route, Boat Trip, Close Animal Encounters
$816 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Panorama Route (Highlight), Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Mmilo Tours
5.0/5 – 143 Reviews
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![5-Day Safari with Night Drive and Panorama Route Tour]()
5-Day Safari with Night Drive and Panorama Route Tour
$1,658 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
4.8/5 – 106 Reviews
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![4-Day Dumela Affordable Glamping Adventure]()
4-Day Dumela Affordable Glamping Adventure
$900 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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8-Day Luxury Big Five Safari
$4,076 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Go Touch Down Travel & Tours
5.0/5 – 177 Reviews
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![5-Day Luxury Safari Kruger National Park South Africa]()
5-Day Luxury Safari Kruger National Park South Africa
$5,039 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Klaserie NR (Greater Kruger), Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Johannesburg (End)
Greatest Africa
5.0/5 – 37 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...
HU
A wonderful country, with wonderful people. Just don't have to use so much barbed wire!
We were lucky, 2 and a half of the 4 games were sunny, at the end we ran into the rain, but not as much as now, these days. The organization was professional, the accommodation, the transfers, the food, besides the big 5, we also had...
IT
beautiful trip
Our trip was wonderful. We stayed at the Tremisana Lodge, a clean and lovely place. But the real value of this place is the people, always smiling, in a family atmosphere. We even found a little gift at Christmas dinner. Thank you for...
Bucket list trip / Safari completed
Has been on my bucket list for many years to do a safari and everything we had planned went smoothly. Dealings with company (Wayne) amazing and efficient - nothing was too much trouble Accommodation was basic, but more than sufficient for...
NL
My favourite country! And I’ve seen many countries
Everything was very well organised through safaribookings. And we had a very friendly driver, Gavin. Aquila was a very nice game reserve. They take good care of the animals. The resort was beautiful. We had a great stay and two very nice...