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South Africa Day Trips
South Africa is one of Africa’s most popular holiday destinations. The country’s wildlife, history, vibrant cities and varied landscapes make this nation fascinating to explore. You need at least a couple of weeks to see a fraction of what the country has to offer. Sometimes, however, there is the need for a day trip. You might be a business traveler looking for the best way to spend a free day. Or maybe you’re planning a self-drive holiday and you want to book a 1-day safari in Kruger National Park or a township tour. Even if you like to travel independently, there are situations where it makes sense to let the professionals take over. The good news is there are plenty of day trips available to just about every attraction in the country.
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Best Seller
1-Day Pilanesberg Full Day Open Safari with Lunch
$186 to $202 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 – 5,236 Reviews
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1-Day Kruger Safari Adventure
$159 to $171 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Hazyview (Start), Kruger NP, Hazyview (End)
Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris
5.0/5 – 224 Reviews
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1-Day Full-Day Pilanesberg Safari Tour - Malaria Free
$294 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
BST Tours
4.8/5 – 33 Reviews
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1-Day Pilanesberg GR Tour
$226 to $253 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
Africa Moja Tours & Safaris
5.0/5 – 215 Reviews
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1-Day (4 + Persons) Pilanesberg 6 Hour Sunrise Safari
$472 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 44 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
Mmilo Tours
5.0/5 – 143 Reviews
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![1-Day Lion Park Experience with Pretoria Sightseeing]()
1-Day Lion Park Experience with Pretoria Sightseeing
$173 to $185 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 3 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), The Lion Park (Wildlife Sanctuary), Johannesburg (End)
Knap Tours
4.8/5 – 53 Reviews
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![1-Day Tooth & Claw Sunset Safari Schotia Game Reserve]()
1-Day Tooth & Claw Sunset Safari Schotia Game Reserve
$245 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth (Start), Schotia GR, Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth (End)
Rawson Touring
4.0/5 – 1 Reviews
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1-Day Private Soweto, Apartheid Museum & African Lunch
$208 to $249 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Soweto (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
Ukhozi Tours
5.0/5 – 21 Reviews
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½-Day Shuttle from Johannesburg to Hazyview
$65 to $78 pp (USD)
South Africa: ½ Day tourShared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hazyview (End)
Safarilink SA
4.9/5 – 1,561 Reviews
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![1-Day (1 to 3 Guests) Pilanesberg Private Sunrise Safari]()
1-Day (1 to 3 Guests) Pilanesberg Private Sunrise Safari
$367 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
Mmilo Tours
5.0/5 – 143 Reviews
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1-Day Kruger National Park Safari
$149 to $155 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 12 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Hazyview (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Hazyview (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 5,236 Reviews
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![1-Day Kruger National Park Tour]()
1-Day Kruger National Park Tour
$156 to $170 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Hazyview (Start), Kruger NP, Hazyview (End)
Africa Moja Tours & Safaris
5.0/5 – 215 Reviews
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![1-Day Full Game Drive Safari at Dinokeng Game Reserve]()
1-Day Full Game Drive Safari at Dinokeng Game Reserve
$225 to $236 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Dinokeng GR, Johannesburg (End)
Knap Tours
4.8/5 – 53 Reviews
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½-Day Kruger National Park Morning Safari
$114 to $123 pp (USD)
South Africa: ½ Day tourShared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Hazyview (Start), Kruger NP, Hazyview (End)
Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris
5.0/5 – 224 Reviews
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![1-Day Addo Elephant National Park Safari Open-Sided 4x4]()
1-Day Addo Elephant National Park Safari Open-Sided 4x4
$256 to $273 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth (Start), Addo Elephant NP, Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth (End)
Rawson Touring
4.0/5 – 1 Reviews
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![1-Day Wildlife Encounter at Rhino & Lion Park (Full Day)]()
1-Day Wildlife Encounter at Rhino & Lion Park (Full Day)
$191 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Rhino & Lion Sanctuary (Wildlife Sanctuary), Johannesburg (End)
BST Tours
4.8/5 – 33 Reviews
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1-Day Private Custom Ndebele Art & Culture Tour
$294 to $344 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Mabhoko (Cultural Village), Johannesburg (End)
Ukhozi Tours
5.0/5 – 21 Reviews
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½-Day Shuttle from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg
$65 to $78 pp (USD)
South Africa: ½ Day tourShared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Hoedspruit (Start), Johannesburg Airport (End)
Safarilink SA
4.9/5 – 1,561 Reviews
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1-Day Shared Kruger National Park Safari from Hazyview
$149 to $155 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Hazyview (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Hazyview (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 5,236 Reviews
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![½-Day Kruger NP Tour from Hazy View]()
½-Day Kruger NP Tour from Hazy View
$149 to $163 pp (USD)
South Africa: ½ Day tourShared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Hazyview (Start), Kruger NP, Hazyview (End)
Africa Moja Tours & Safaris
5.0/5 – 215 Reviews
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6 Questions About South Africa Day Trips
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 South Africa Day Trips
Ariadne van Zandbergen
Are there day trips available to any South African parks or reserves?
“Although an overnight stay is recommended, there are day trips available to many South African parks and reserves. You can book a full- or half-day trip to Kruger NP in an open-sided safari vehicle when staying in Hazyview or surrounds. Even if you have your own transport, a guided trip is highly recommended. Your knowledgeable guide will know the best routes and will be able to point out lots of things you might miss when self-driving. The open vehicle is a bonus too. You’ll feel closer to nature and the added height makes for better viewing. You’ll need to drive further for a day safari from Johannesburg; Pilanesberg and Dinokeng Game Reserves are popular options. You can even spend a day on safari when in Cape Town; Aquila GR is only a two-hour drive away. There are more options on the Garden Route. Addo Elephant National Park, the third-largest national park in the country, is only about 60km/37mi from Port Elizabeth. The KwaZulu-Natal game reserves can be visited on day trips too. You can book a day trip to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve from Durban or the popular coastal holiday town of St Lucia.”
1What can I expect from a 1-day South Africa safari?
“On a typical 1-day safari, you’ll be picked up at your accommodation at dawn to get to the park not much after sunrise when animals are most active. You might have a transfer to the park first from where you may start the safari in an open-sided vehicle. You’ll spend the morning looking for animals. Early morning, before it gets too hot, is a good time to spot predators on the prowl. When animals retreat to the shade, it’s time to stop for lunch. You might be at a lodge, rest camp or picnic spot, but chances are you’ll be overlooking a waterhole. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to see some thirsty animals drinking before heading off on the afternoon game drive. You’ll be looking for more animals before you get dropped off back at your hotel in time for dinner.”
2Is it safe to book a day trip to South Africa?
“As long as you book with a reputable tour operator, day trips in South Africa are very safe. Crime inside the parks is almost unheard of, but you should take normal safety precautions in urban areas. Cities can be hot spots for crime throughout the world, and Johannesburg in particular has a bad reputation. When you’re not familiar with a city, you might put yourself at risk because you don’t know which areas to avoid and what might bring trouble. Therefore, it is recommended to book a trip if you have a day spare and you would like to explore. You will be collected and dropped off at your hotel or the airport, and your safety will be taken care of throughout the day. The guide’s presence alone will make you a very unlikely target.”
› More about South Africa Safety & Security 3Is it possible to see the Big Five on a 1-day safari in South Africa?
“South Africa has many great Big Five parks and reserves that can be visited on a 1-day safari. Of course seeing all of the Big Five is never guaranteed. Kruger and Addo Elephant NPs are popular Big Five destinations, but you’re unlikely to see all of them in just one day. That shouldn’t be an issue though. You’ll see plenty of wildlife, and not knowing what you’ll see is part of the attraction. Animals move around in large areas, big parts of these not even accessible to visitors. Some small private game reserves, such as Aquila GR near Cape Town, offer something close to a guaranteed Big Five experience. While these safari parks offer great entertainment for the whole family, they don’t have the authenticity or wilderness appeal of a large ecosystem such as Kruger NP and the KwaZulu-Natal game reserves.”
4What day trips are available in Cape Town?
“Cape Town is one of South Africa’s biggest tourist attractions, so there is a huge array of fantastic day trips to choose from. You could literally fill a whole holiday in this vibey city that’s surrounded by natural beauty. A city tour takes in Cape Town’s historical landmarks and museums. A highlight is setting foot in the pentagonal-shaped Castle of Good Hope, the oldest existing colonial building in South Africa. Other highlights include the aerial cableway to the top of Table Mountain for a bird’s-eye view of the city and a short hike on the rocky plateau. You don’t have to venture far out of the city to find pristine wilderness. A day trip to the Cape Peninsula brings you to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve with its rugged cliffs and idyllic bays. Don’t miss out on a visit en route to Boulders Beach with its colony of African penguins. Another popular day trip is a Cape Winelands tour. A drive through the region’s scenic vineyard-covered mountains is a lovely way to spend the day. You might stop for a delicious lunch at one of the wine estates and you’ll have plenty of opportunities for wine tasting and shopping too. You can also book a day trip to nearby Aquila Game Reserve where you may get to see all of the Big Five and much more.”
5What day trips are available in Johannesburg?
“Although Johannesburg might seem a bit intimidating and lacking in character at first, there is plenty to keep you busy here, including day trips. Don’t hole up in your hotel if you have a day to spare in this African city. Take in the views from the Top of Africa (223m/732ft), the tallest building in Africa. Learn about South Africa’s turbulent past in the Apartheid Museum, and get a glimpse of township life today in Soweto. Other nearby attractions include Sterkfontein Caves, famous for important fossils dating back more than 3 million years, and Cullinan Diamond Mine. If you want to go on a short safari from Johannesburg, an overnight stay is recommended. However, if time is restricted, you can visit Pilanesberg GR for the day. Be aware though, that it will be a long day out in the car.”
6South Africa Reviews
Lizzie authored many guidebooks, including Footprint guides to South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
South Africa Is Rightly Celebrated for Its Magnificent Natural Beauty and Excellent Choice of Parks and Reserves
South Africa has a wonderful range of landscapes, a near-perfect climate, and a choice of destinations, activities and itineraries that’s virtually inexhaustible. Aside from its beautiful coastline and cosmopolitan cities – both of...
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...
FR
Wonderful experience
The safari was excellent. Everything well planned, the team was wonderful, took care of us. Wild Planet Safari was definitely a good choice. The experience was great. We had opportyunity to see so many animals and wild life. Landscapes are...
SA
South Africa is the best destination for wildlife, scenic beauty, birding, dining, and friendliness.
I went to South Africa expecting a poor utilities. I was astonished of how everything is organized and how civilized the country is. I went to Kroger Park where I saw the big 5 animals. The Safari was organized and the cars operate in...
South Africa is beautiful, wounded, and full of wildlife.
We loved South Africa overall. It is a beautiful country, with dramatic scenery, excellent wildlife viewing, interesting history, friendly people, and some of the best food we have had anywhere outside of France. It was also surprisingly...
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...