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7-Day South Africa Safari Tours
South Africa is one of Africa’s most popular destinations. The wildlife viewing here is as good as anywhere, but few people come here for a stand-alone safari. The ever-changing landscapes include rugged mountains, fairy-tale forests, endemic fynbos, open savannah, tropical beaches and stark desert. South Africa’s 19 national parks and hundreds of reserves are dotted all around the country, so visits to these wildlife-dense areas are easily incorporated in a general holiday. A South African safari is rarely just that; pick and choose from all that’s on offer in this country of contrasts and you’ll have a holiday of a lifetime.
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day South Africa Safari: Hluhluwe Elephant Coast
$4,099 to $4,750 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR, Elephant Coast (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 189 Reviews
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7-Day Kwa-Zulu Natal Classic Bush & Beach Safari
$2,138 to $2,569 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Durban (Start), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Durban (End)
Indigo Safaris
4.9/5 – 164 Reviews
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Best Seller
7-Day Tremisana Lodge - Kruger Park Safari
$1,380 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 – 312 Reviews
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7-Day Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon & Kruger Park
$4,027 to $4,309 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Panorama Route (Highlight), Moholoholo Wildlife Centre (Wildlife Sanctuary), Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Kruger NP, Central Kruger NP, Greater Kruger, Johannesburg (End)
Mmilo Tours
5.0/5 – 137 Reviews
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7-Day Garden Route & Addo National Park Safari Tour
$1,709 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Hermanus (Whales), Oudtshoorn (Garden Route), Knysna (Garden Route), Tsitsikamma (Garden Route NP), Addo Elephant NP, Cape Town (City), Port Elizabeth (End)
Thiam Travels
4.7/5 – 9 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Luxury Kapama Kruger & Safari Club Victoria Falls
$4,425 pp (USD)
South Africa & Zimbabwe: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Greater Kruger, Kapama GR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (City), Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls Airport (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 2,728 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day All Inclusive Safari in Madikwe & Sabi Sands
$7,606 to $8,177 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Madikwe GR, Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg Airport (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 538 Reviews
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7-Day Kruger Safari and Cape Town Tour
$3,173 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 4 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Cape Town (City), Franschhoek (Winelands), Cape Peninsula, Robben Island (Cape Town), Cape Town (End)
Tourgy Tourz
4.9/5 – 38 Reviews
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7-Day Kruger Safari Experience Bush and Buffalos
$2,422 to $2,852 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Olifants West NR (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg Airport (End)
Ku Sungula Safari Lodge
5.0/5 – 17 Reviews
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7-Day 4-Star Kruger & Mozambique Beach Safari
$4,173 to $6,293 pp (USD)
Mozambique & South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Vilanculos (Town & Beach), Bazaruto Archipelago (Beach), Johannesburg (End)
Off2Africa Travel
5.0/5 – 160 Reviews
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7-Day Classic Big5 Safari Kruger National Park
$3,724 to $4,087 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryGuest House
You Visit: Nelspruit (Start), Kruger NP, Kruger Mpumalanga Airport (Nelspruit), Nelspruit (End)
African Safari Guru
5.0/5 – 65 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Kruger Untamed & Train on the Bridge Fly-in Safari
$4,155 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
The Kruger Safari Co.
5.0/5 – 220 Reviews
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7-Day Community Interaction and Conservation Experiences
$10,377 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hoedspruit (Town), Kapama GR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Ranger Buck Safaris
5.0/5 – 53 Reviews
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7-Day Luxury Safari Kruger National Park South Africa
$8,714 to $8,988 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Greatest Africa
5.0/5 – 35 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Cape Town & Malaria-Free Safari
$2,937 to $3,836 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Lalibela GR, Port Elizabeth (End)
Pembury Tours
5.0/5 – 473 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Private Kruger Camping Safari
$2,310 to $2,541 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Wild Planet Safari
4.9/5 – 235 Reviews
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7-Day Big 5 Walking Safari South Africa
$4,122 to $4,444 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Hoedspruit (Start), Selati GR (Greater Kruger), Hoedspruit Airport (Hoedspruit), Hoedspruit (End)
Outland Travel
5.0/5 – 4 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day South Africa Luxury Tour
$4,399 to $4,650 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Franschhoek (Winelands), Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Hoedspruit Airport (Hoedspruit), Hoedspruit (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 189 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Affordable Kruger & Victoria Falls Combo
$1,553 pp (USD)
South Africa & Zimbabwe: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (City), Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls Airport (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 2,728 Reviews
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7-Day Big5 Sabi Sand Greater Kruger & Phinda Reserve
$6,050 to $6,534 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Nelspruit (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Phinda GR, Richards Bay (End)
African Safari Guru
5.0/5 – 65 Reviews
6 Questions About 7-Day South Africa Safaris

Answered by
Ariadne van Zandbergen
Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert and photographer. She and her husband form a team who write and update many travel guides. South Africa has been her home for the last 25 years. She has traveled around the country extensively, visiting all its parks and reserves regularly for work and leisure.› More about Ariadne
6 Questions About 7-Day South Africa Safaris

Is one week enough time for a safari in South Africa?
“Variety is key in South Africa and it is easy to spend two or three weeks on holiday in this huge country. One week would be a short holiday in a country with so much to offer, but it would be a great amount of time for a safari alone. A typical tour in South Africa consists of one or more safaris mixed in with other attractions. Most people visit Kruger National Park, a huge ecosystem offering excellent wildlife viewing. In 7 days you can tag on some sightseeing before or after the safari, or you can use the time to explore the less-visited central and northern parts of the park. For a rounded holiday, you can extend your safari to include highlights, such as Cape Town, the scenic Garden Route, the tropical beaches of KwaZulu-Natal and lots more.”
1How much will this safari cost?
“South Africa has safari options to suit every budget. As a guideline, you can expect prices for a 7-day budget safari to start at about US$1,100 per person, while mid-range tours start at around US$1,500 per person. Compared to some other safari destinations, South Africa offers great value for money. The good road network and abundance of facilities make self-drive holidays a popular option. While this is mostly alluring to people who like to travel independently, there are great guided tours on offer as well. Shared safaris are usually budget-friendly, especially camping or glamping tours. Private tours offer more flexibility. The overall price of the tours depends hugely on the level of accommodation. Lodges and rest camps in and outside the national parks are often moderately priced, but luxury packages in a much higher price bracket are offered by most private game reserves. South Africa is big, but low-cost domestic flights make travel between cities efficient and cheap. However, high-end fly-in safaris that fly you directly to the reserves’ airstrips are generally more pricey. Always get a few quotations before making a final decision.”
2Where should I go on a 7-day tour in South Africa?
“There are many options for a 7-day South Africa tour. Kruger NP is one of Africa’s most famous safari destinations. It’s hard to beat when it comes to seeing a big variety of animals. The same is true of the private reserves bordering Kruger, many of which share the same ecosystem with open fences. While Kruger is highly recommended for self-drive visitors and budget travelers, the private reserves offer a different kind of experience. Here your expert guide will get you close to all of the Big Five in an open-sided safari vehicle. Whereas in Kruger you need to stay on the roads, you’ll go off-road in the reserves, so look forward to some exhilarating close-up encounters here. Other great wildlife areas include KwaZulu-Natal, with a cluster of scenic coastal reserves, and the desert of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park bordering Namibia. The Zululand reserves are renowned for their high densities of rhinos, and Kgalagadi is sufficiently off the beaten track to appeal to even the most adventurous travelers. Cape Town and the beautiful Garden Route are a great choice for a one-week tour too. Although the Cape doesn’t have the same authentic African flavor as other parts of the country, Big Five reserves, such as Shamwari and Kwandwe Game Reserves, offer a great alternative to the better-known Sabi Sands near Kruger. Elephant-lovers should not miss out on Addo Elephant National Park where big herds can be seen at strategically placed waterholes.”
3What is the best time of the year for a South Africa trip?
“South Africa can be visited at any time. However, if wildlife viewing is your main interest, the best time of the year for a safari in South Africa is from May to September. This is the South African winter, which corresponds to the Dry season in most of the country (the exception is the Cape Town area, which experiences winter rainfall). As the bush dries out animals gather around remaining water sources, such as rivers and waterholes. At this time, the lush vegetation of the Wet season shrivels away, which makes spotting easier as well. While the South African winter is most productive for seeing lots of wildlife, you have to keep in mind that early mornings and evenings can be very cold in open vehicles. Always bring warm clothes for those game drives. The shoulder month of September is lovely as it is the end of the Dry season, but temperatures start to increase a little. Depending on the balance of your holiday you might prefer the warmer summer months from October to April, when conditions are ideal for spending time on the beach and sightseeing in general.”
4Which animals am I likely to see?
“You’ll see plenty of animals on a 7-day safari in South Africa. With a bit of luck, you might even see the Big Five. Your chances are quite good when spending 3 or 4 days in Kruger NP. Even more so in the nearby private reserves where off-road driving makes sightings easier. Elephant, buffalo and giraffe are easily seen. So is lion, but leopard and cheetah sightings are more hit-and-miss. However, leopard is the flagship animal in Sabi Sand Game Reserve, where you might see more than one on a three-hour game drive. Other private reserves, such as Phinda Game Reserve, offer amazing cheetah sightings. You might spot a rhino in Greater Kruger, but the best place to see these endangered heavyweights is in the KwaZulu-Natal reserves and the private reserves of the Eastern Cape. A safari is about a lot more than the Big Five though. You’ll see a great variety of animals, many you might not even known exist. You might see monkeys and baboons, jackals, bat-eared foxes and hyenas, crocodiles and hippos, mongooses and warthogs. You’ll see lots of different antelope species, from the tiny steenbok that freezes when spotted, to the massive but very shy eland. With about 850 birds recorded, South Africa is a fantastic birding destination too.”
5Can I extend my trip with a beach holiday?
“There are lots of opportunities to extend your South Africa safari with some time on the beach. South Africa’s 2,850km/1,770mi coastline is as varied as it is long. The calm, warm waters of the Indian Ocean on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal are most suitable for a conventional beach holiday. The Eastern Cape beaches are less developed and offer an off-the-beaten-track alternative. The beautiful southern beaches along the Garden Route are lovely in summer but very cold in winter. Active visitors wanting to explore, walk or cycle as well as relax enjoy this area most. If none of this is tropical enough for you, you can take a short flight to Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar or Mozambique to experience true island bliss.”
6South Africa Reviews

Anthony is a photographer and writer for travel magazines and Lonely Planet, including the guides to Kenya and Botswana & Namibia.
South Africa: World-class Safaris
South Africa is one of my favourite places to go on safari, with all the necessary ingredients for a wildlife experience that will begin your enduring love affair with the continent. Primary among these ingredients is the wildlife....

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...

South Africa is so diverse and has it all! Some of the kindest people in the world
Kruger National Park was such a delight! We were lucky with great weather and a lot of animal sightings! I am so grateful for this experience and will reflect on it in the future. I can't wait to go back!

Amazing
I really enjoyed the Safari to Kruger. The camping experience and private tour was everything we hoped for. The amount of wildlife we saw was mind boggling and now going to the zoo will be a disappointment. To see them in their natural...

Exceeded our expectations
Visited South Africa in May 2025. 4 nights in Cape Town then flew to Kruger for a 5 day safari at Tresimana Lodge. The staff and guides were wonderful. Enjoyed the tours at their private reserve and enjoyed the bush walk down to the river...

The country that will remain in my heart
South Africa has always been in my mind and in particular to enjoy the view of free animals in the savannah or bush. I was able to give myself this gift for my 60th birthday and I’m happy that I did! The trip both in the area of Cape...