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Top 20 Best South Africa Safaris - Compare 1,117 Tours
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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4-Day Sabi Sand Reserve Luxury Safari, Greater Kruger
$3,299 to $3,992 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryBush Camp
You Visit: Skukuza (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Skukuza (End)
Wayfairer Travel
5.0/5 – 221 Reviews
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Best Seller
5-Day Sabi Sands Elephant Plains Lodge Safari
$1,807 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
5.0/5 – 4,997 Reviews
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Best Seller
10-Day Kruger Private Reserves & Cape Town
$5,088 to $5,638 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 – 144 Reviews
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3-Day Greater Kruger Comfort Glamping Experience
$634 to $729 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Greater Kruger, Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
The Kruger Safari Co.
4.9/5 – 346 Reviews
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3-Day Kruger NP Budget Tour
$631 to $702 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Africa Moja Tours & Safaris
5.0/5 – 178 Reviews
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![5-Day Sabi Sands + Kruger Park Combo Safari]()
5-Day Sabi Sands + Kruger Park Combo Safari
$2,783 to $3,131 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Hoedspruit (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Skukuza (End)
African Family Safaris
5.0/5 – 25 Reviews
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4-Day Kwazulu Natal Safari with Nambiti Plains Lodge
$1,630 to $1,721 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Durban (Start), Nambiti GR (KZN Parks), Durban (End)
Indigo Safaris
4.9/5 – 226 Reviews
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![10-Day South Africa Wildlife Safari Tour]()
10-Day South Africa Wildlife Safari Tour
$2,973 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
5.0/5 – 55 Reviews
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3-Day Budget Pilanesberg Camping Safari
$607 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 – 1,463 Reviews
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7-Day Tremisana Lodge - Kruger Park Safari
$1,558 to $1,673 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 – 359 Reviews
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![5-Day Safari to Kruger Park plus Panorama Route]()
5-Day Safari to Kruger Park plus Panorama Route
$1,701 to $1,871 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 – 331 Reviews
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![5-Day Kruger National Park South & Panorama Route]()
5-Day Kruger National Park South & Panorama Route
$1,351 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Kruger NP, Matsamo Cultural Village (Cultural Village), Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg Airport (End)
Nhlalala Travel
4.8/5 – 112 Reviews
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![4-Day Kruger Park and Manyeleti Bongan African Lodge]()
4-Day Kruger Park and Manyeleti Bongan African Lodge
$996 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 12 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Manyeleti GR (Greater Kruger), Central Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Bongan Safaris
5.0/5 – 44 Reviews
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![8-Day Cape Town and Sabi Sand Safari Honeymoon]()
8-Day Cape Town and Sabi Sand Safari Honeymoon
$9,932 to $10,998 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Sabi Sabi GR (Sabi Sands), Johannesburg Airport (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 585 Reviews
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![4-Day Kruger, River Under Your Balcony 24/7 & 6 Drives]()
4-Day Kruger, River Under Your Balcony 24/7 & 6 Drives
$1,134 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Mmilo Tours
5.0/5 – 143 Reviews
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6-Day Exclusive Kruger/Private Luxury Lodge Safari
$4,267 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 – 20 Reviews
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5-Day Luxury Kruger Park and Sabi Sand Safari
$4,480 to $4,860 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Safari.com
4.8/5 – 294 Reviews
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![13-Day Cape Town and Garden Route Big Five Safari]()
13-Day Cape Town and Garden Route Big Five Safari
$5,690 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Hermanus (Whales), Knysna (Garden Route), Plettenberg Bay (Garden Route), Lalibela WR, Cape Town Airport (End)
Viatu
4.9/5 – 172 Reviews
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![4-Day Rejuvenation, Body Reset and Reconnecting]()
4-Day Rejuvenation, Body Reset and Reconnecting
$1,100 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Greater Kruger, Southern Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Lenong Wilderness
4.9/5 – 14 Reviews
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![9-Day Luxury Cape Town, Kruger NP and Victoria Falls]()
9-Day Luxury Cape Town, Kruger NP and Victoria Falls
$5,501 to $7,362 pp (USD)
South Africa & Zimbabwe: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Kruger NP, Victoria Falls (End)
Off2Africa Travel
4.9/5 – 229 Reviews
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6 Questions About Best South Africa Safaris
Answered by
Anthony Ham
Anthony has written numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks, including ‘Botswana & Namibia’, ‘South Africa’ and ‘Southern Africa’. He also writes about the region for magazines and newspapers around the world, including the ‘New York Times’. He is the author of ‘The Last Lions of Africa’.› More about Anthony
6 Questions About Best South Africa Safaris
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 vehicle to visit South African national parks, which makes it ideal for those going on their first self-drive safari (an unguided safari where you drive yourself). 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.”
1What 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 reserves, including Sabi Sands, Manyeleti, MalaMala and Timbavati. These reserves have more exclusive accommodations, 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 Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Phinda Game Reserve.”
2Where 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. Kruger NP and the surrounding private reserves (including Sabi Sands and Timbavati) are the country’s most famous Big Five destinations, but they’re not the only places where this is possible. Addo Elephant National Park and Pilanesberg Game Reserve 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 Welgevonden. 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.”
3How 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 2 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 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 KwaZulu-Natal, the Kalahari and Karoo, or the Eastern and Western Capes. And, of course, if you can stay longer than 2 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.”
4What 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 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.”
5What 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 US$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. 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.”
6South 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 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...
Amazing experience
Our recent trip to Kruger & Sabi Sands was the best thing we have ever done. It was such an incredible experience. We saw all of the big five as well as so many more animals. The sunsets are incredible, our accommodation was great and the...
South Africa is a breathtaking destination where spectacular wildlife, stunning landscapes.
Our South African safari was truly one of the most unforgettable experiences of our lives. From the moment we entered the reserve, we were surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, endless plains, and incredible wildlife. Every game drive felt...
The best alternative - Safari on foot.
A 3 day walking safari with Africa-on Foot in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, a Big 5 game reserve in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. It sits within the Greater Kruger…. Walking up to 15km a day, with 2 guides, carrying .404...
Better in life than on tv
We should have extended our three day to a four day Safari. We visited multiple reserves, we did a sunset safari, a sunrise safari and an all day at Krueger national Park. It’s just amazing to see these animals in the wild. I think the...