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Top 20 Best South Africa Safaris - Compare 1,026 Tours

4.6/5  –  1,302 South Africa Safari Reviews

South Africa is a special place to go on safari. The choice of national parks, game reserves and private conservancies is second to none in southern Africa. And it’s all watched over by a highly professional safari industry with an extensive record in making your safari the most memorable experience it can be. The variety of wildlife and habitats or landscapes is similarly excellent, and South Africa has some of the most accessible wildlife destinations on the continent. And when your safari is over, exciting cities, wine regions and world-class beaches are never far away.

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6 Questions About Best South Africa Safaris

1. Why should I go on a safari to South Africa rather than to another country?
2. What are the best safari parks and reserves in South Africa?
3. Where can I see the Big Five in South Africa?
4. How much time do I need in order to have the best South Africa safari?
5. What is the best choice for accommodations on a South Africa safari?
6. What is the typical cost of a South Africa safari?
 
 

6 Questions About Best South Africa Safaris

Answered by Anthony Ham

Why should I go on a safari to South Africa rather than to another country?

“South Africa has everything you could want from a safari: amazing wildlife, stirring landscapes and some of the best guides and safari operators in Africa. For a start, South Africa is much easier to explore than most other safari countries. With very few exceptions, you don’t need a 4WD to visit South African national parks, which makes it ideal for those going on their first self-drive safari. If you’re visiting as part of a tour, South Africa’s safari industry is also extremely professional, meaning tours are often outstanding, and the parks and reserves are run to the highest standards. Although many of its parks and reserves are popular with safari travelers, there are also numerous opportunities to escape the crowds, especially in the country’s many private game reserves. South Africa’s weather is another positive factor. Thanks to its milder weather conditions compared to other safari countries, safaris are possible here throughout the year. And fantastic safaris are possible across all budget categories. Perhaps most importantly of all, South Africa’s wildlife is among the best and most varied on the continent. There are opportunities to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo), all of Africa’s big cats (cheetah, lion and leopard), extraordinary birdlife and all manner of other species, from meerkats to giraffe and zebra.”

1

What are the best safari parks and reserves in South Africa?

“Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s best national parks and is an excellent place to see wildlife. One of the largest parks in southern Africa, Kruger has a vast network of paved trails, excellent accommodations to suit most trip budgets, and fabulous wildlife that includes the Big Five. Surrounding the national park, particularly along the western perimeter, are some of Africa’s best private game reserves, including Sabi Sand, Manyeleti, MalaMala and Timbavati. These reserves have more exclusive accommodation options, far fewer visitors and much quieter safari trails, and with no fences between them and Kruger, they share much the same wildlife as the park itself. Timbavati is the only place where I’ve seen the Big Five on a single afternoon’s game drive. Other South African parks and reserves where you’re almost guaranteed a fantastic safari experience include Madikwe Game Reserve, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Phinda Game Reserve.”

2

Where can I see the Big Five in South Africa?

“There are numerous parks and reserves in South Africa where you can see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo). Kruger NP and the surrounding private reserves (including Sabi Sand and Timbavati) are the country’s most famous Big Five destinations, but they’re not the only places where this is possible. Of the national parks, Addo Elephant and Pilanesberg National Parks are also home to the Big Five. While a drawback of Pilanesberg is that it can get busy, seeing all five there is not unusual, even on a short safari. Among the private reserves where sighting the Big Five is possible are Madikwe, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, Phinda, Thanda, Kariega, Karongwe and Welgewonden. Not many travelers know that the ‘Big Five’ was a term coined by hunters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It refers to the animals that were considered to be the most dangerous animals to hunt.”

3

How much time do I need in order to have the best South Africa safari?

“You should plan to spend as much time on safari as you can, but 10 days to two weeks is an ideal amount of time. You could easily spend a week in the Greater Kruger area alone, especially if you decide to spend a few days in the park and then a few more in the surrounding private game reserves. That said, if you only have a week available for the entire South African leg of your holiday, spending it in and around Kruger would be one of the best weeks you could have on safari. Which other areas you visit depends on which type of landscapes you wish to experience and which animals you wish to see. You could easily fill the extra day or week by focusing on the parks in one of the country’s main wildlife areas. These include Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, the Kalahari and Karoo, or the Eastern and Western Capes. And, of course, if you can stay longer than two weeks, you could get to see more of these remarkable areas. One final thing to remember is that you’re more likely to make the best use of your time, and see the maximum amount of wildlife in the time you have available, if you visit on one of the many safari tours available in South Africa.”

4

What is the best choice for accommodations on a South Africa safari?

“South Africa has some of the best safari accommodations you’ll find anywhere, though which you choose will depend to a large extent on your budget. At the budget end of the price spectrum, most national parks have excellent and well-priced camping and cabin accommodations. The same applies in the mid-range category, and you may even find some simple tented camps in the private game reserves alongside Kruger, including in Timbavati Nature Reserve. You will find high-end accommodations in some national parks, but luxury safari lodges and tented camps are a real specialty of the private reserves. Most lodges and tented camps have on-site dining and bar areas. Some also have swimming pools. The main difference between lodges and tented camps is that the camps have large and often luxurious safari tents with canvas walls – so you can lie in bed at night and listen to the night sounds of Africa. Most high-end lodges and tented camps offer all-inclusive packages that include meals, game drives and other highlights.”

5

What is the typical cost of a South Africa safari?

“There is a great range in possible prices for South African safaris. A budget camping safari will cost from US$100 to US$200 per person per day, while luxury, high-end options start at $500 per person per day, but can go much higher. There are, of course, lots of possibilities in between. How much you pay will depend on a handful of variables that include: the type of accommodations you choose; whether you travel in low, shoulder or high season; whether you choose a private, group or self-drive safari; how many people in your traveling party (single travelers may pay a supplement); and whether you travel by road or by air around South Africa. And whatever your choice, make sure you understand what the cost of your safari includes. In most cases, it should cover transfers, accommodations, driver, vehicle, guide, game drives, park or reserve entry fees, meals and some drinks. There may be some differences for self-drive safaris (no guide or driver, for example), and some activities may cost extra. Always ask your tour operator for a list of inclusions and exclusions.”

6

South Africa Safari Reviews

4.6/5 1,302 Reviews
Expert
Emma Gregg  –  
United Kingdom UK

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
5/5

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...

Full Review

Expert
Mike Unwin  –  
United Kingdom UK

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
5/5

South Africa’s astounding array of landscapes – from semi-desert to savannah 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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David Seymour  –  
United Arab Emirates AE
Reviewed: Jun 15, 2026
Combines unforgettable Big 5 safaris with some of the world's most spectacular panoramic landscapes.
5/5

This was my first trip to South Africa. It was extremely successful and delivered exactly what I was hoping for from a safari. I saw all of the Big 5 and a wide variety of other wildlife. The guides impressed me with their knowledge of both...

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Manjit  –  
Canada CA
Reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
Beautiful Country Nice People
5/5

We spent 5 days around Cape Town, 4 days driving garden route to Port Elizabeth. 4 around Kruger and 2 in Joberg. We had a very enjoyable trip, visiting important sites, great scenery and good wildlife. We didn't visit wine country. We took...

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Sergio Nicolás Deligiannis  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
Unforgettable!
5/5

A few days in the wild doing a safari in Sabi Sands, South Africa 🌍 Up before sunrise for the 6am game drive, the bush still cold and dark, mist sitting low over the grass, the sky slowly turning pink and orange as the sun came up....

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Tom from Ireland  –  
Ireland IE
Reviewed: Jun 7, 2026
Wonderful travel destination, particularly for people looking for up-close wildlife encounters.
5/5

We had a wonderful safari experience in and around Kruger National Park organised by Wildlife Safaris. We booked their 6-day/5-night Kruger Park and private lodge tour and we found the backroom staff to be most helpful throughout the...

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All 1302 South Africa Safari Reviews