Tour Length
Rates in USD $ – Change Currency
Per person, excl. international flightsOperator Rating
Other Tour Features
Filter by Operator
Filter by Accommodation
South Africa Private Safari Tours
It’s hard not to fall in love with South Africa when you visit and explore the country on a private safari. This kind of safari (where you’ll have the guide, driver and vehicle just for you and the others in your own traveling party) means that you’re in charge of your own safari experience, without having to accommodate the wishes of others whom you don’t know. You decide when to stop and when to move on, and you’ll have an expert guide at your disposal at all times to explain what you’re seeing. Yes, it’s more expensive than a group safari, but there’s no better way to enjoy the amazing wildlife and equally spectacular landscapes that South Africa has to offer.
-
4-Day Sabi Sand Safari at Umkumbe Bush Lodge
$1,068 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nelspruit (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Nelspruit (End)
Indigo Safaris
4.8/5 – 130 Reviews
-
5-Day Malamala Exclusive Fly in Safari
$3,672 to $5,514 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), MalaMala GR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Ranger Buck Safaris
5.0/5 – 36 Reviews
-
Top Rated Operator
7-Day South Africa Safari: Hluhluwe Elephant Coast
$3,818 to $4,669 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR, Elephant Coast (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 158 Reviews
-
Best Seller
5-Day Sabi Sands and Kruger Safari
$3,050 to $3,591 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
4.9/5 – 452 Reviews
-
4-Day Best of Kruger Park Safari - Midrange
$946 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Nhlalala Travel
4.9/5 – 42 Reviews
-
5-Day Luxury Kruger Park and Sabi Sand Safari
$2,921 to $3,240 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Chalet
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Safari.com
4.7/5 – 186 Reviews
-
3-Day Budget Friendly Crocodile River Kruger Park Safari
$660 to $729 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Mmilo Tours
5.0/5 – 126 Reviews
-
4-Day Kruger Park Camping Safari
$899 to $989 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Khalanga Safaris
5.0/5 – 69 Reviews
-
4-Day Exciting Kruger Park & Panorama Route Adventure
$1,001 to $1,332 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range HotelYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Red Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 116 Reviews
-
5-Day Perfect Kruger Safari Escape
$2,406 to $3,049 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Viatu
5.0/5 – 43 Reviews
-
Best Seller
5-Day Kruger and Greater Kruger Semi-Exclusive Safari
$1,284 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Safari With Us
5.0/5 – 225 Reviews
-
3-Day Luxury Lodge Safari in the Greater Kruger
$752 to $812 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
Shinzelle Safaris
4.9/5 – 66 Reviews
-
3-Day Mabula Game Lodge Safari - Mabula Game Reserve
$787 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Mabula GR (Waterberg Biosphere Reserve), Johannesburg Airport (End)
Africa Incoming
4.7/5 – 13 Reviews
-
10-Day Kruger Private Reserves & Cape Town
$4,142 to $4,252 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 – 125 Reviews
-
5-Day Cederberg Wilderness, West Coast &Ancient Rock Art
$323 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-drive
Mid-range Resort & Guest HouseYou Visit: Cape Town (Start), West Coast NP, Namaqualand, Nieuwoudtville (Town), Cederberg (Mountain Range), Cape Town (End)
Southern African Tours
4.8/5 – 66 Reviews
-
11-Day Cape Town & Kruger Safari South Africa
$5,775 to $6,072 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Kapama GR (Greater Kruger), Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Greatest Africa
5.0/5 – 32 Reviews
-
6-Day Kruger Package Bush and Elephants
$1,990 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Olifants West NR (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg Airport (End)
Ku Sungula Safari Lodge
5.0/5 – 10 Reviews
-
3-Day Kruger - Morning Bush Walk at Africa on Foot
$593 to $659 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Hoedspruit (Start), Klaserie NR (Greater Kruger), Hoedspruit (End)
Traipsing Africa's Safaris and Tours
5.0/5 – 102 Reviews
-
6-Day Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park
$2,963 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
BST Tours
4.8/5 – 30 Reviews
-
Top Rated Operator
4-Day The Greater Kruger Tshukudu Safari
$1,515 to $1,535 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Tshukudu GR, Kruger NP, O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
Go Touch Down Travel & Tours
4.8/5 – 157 Reviews
5 Questions About South Africa Private Safaris
![Anthony Ham](https://cloudfront.safaribookings.com/assets/experts/84x84/Anthony_Ham.jpg)
Answered by
Anthony Ham
Anthony has been traveling to, and writing about, safaris in southern Africa for nearly two decades. He has co-written Lonely Planet’s ‘South Africa, Lesotho & eSwatini’ and ‘Southern Africa’ guidebooks, and he is the author of ‘The Last Lions of Africa’.› More about Anthony
5 Questions About South Africa Private Safaris
![](https://cloudfront.safaribookings.com/assets/experts/42x42/Anthony_Ham.jpg)
When is a private trip recommended in South Africa?
“The best time for going on a South Africa private safari is during the Dry season months of May to September. Throughout this period, you can expect generally fine conditions, with mild daytime temperatures. The only downside about traveling at this time is that it can get very cold at night, especially from June to August. The Dry season is also the best time to go looking for wildlife in South Africa. That’s because as waterholes dry out, it’s easier to find the animals close to the last remaining sources of water. If you’re a birder, you may want to consider the period from November to April. This is when migratory birds from Europe and North Africa spend time in southern Africa in their hundreds of thousands. Whenever you’re planning to travel, you should always try and avoid South African school holiday periods. At such times, accommodations, roads and safari trails are often crowded to an uncomfortable level.”
1Will we spend all our time with the guide on a private safari?
“On most private safari tours in South Africa, the guide will be with you whenever you need them, and you’ll be on your own for as much of the rest of the time as you’d like. Unless your private trip is a self-drive safari, you’ll need a guide and a driver when exploring the parks and reserves. Take this as an opportunity to learn about the animals and landscapes you’re seeing and ask as many questions as you like about local life. You may end up making lifelong friends with those who are looking after you. When you’re not out looking for animals, or when you’re not traveling between destinations, you’ll have lots of time to be alone. Many hours in a safari day are given over to relaxing, eating and drinking, and it will be up to you whether you want company or not.”
2Which parks and reserves should we visit on a private South African safari?
“South Africa has an exceptional portfolio of parks and reserves, and which ones you visit will depend on what sort of holiday you’d like to have. A good place to start is to decide which animals and landscapes you’d like to see, and then do your own research to plan which places are best for seeing them. If you want wildlife to be the centerpiece of your safari, consider visiting the country’s northeast. Here there is a good chance you can see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), as well as cheetah, African wild dog, hyena, giraffe, zebra and so much more. Kruger National Park is rightly famous around the world for its incredible wildlife-viewing possibilities. But you can also see many of the same animals with fewer crowds and possibly even have a more exclusive safari experience in the neighboring reserves, such as Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Pilanesberg Game Reserve is similarly good, but also busy. So why not consider Madikwe Game Reserve or the private Welgevonden Game Reserve, both of which are much more intimate. These are just the start, with so many other possibilities right across the country.”
3How much do South African private safari packages cost?
“There are as many different safari packages and tours as there are safari operators in South Africa. As a result, prices vary greatly, from a base of US$150 per person per day for a private budget camping safari, up to US$600 per person per day, or even more, for a luxury private safari. Factors that can affect the per-day cost of your safari include the number of days you’ll be traveling, how much of the country you wish to see, and when you plan to go on safari. Traveling in high season (which can include local school holiday periods) is usually more expensive than traveling at other times. You should always make sure that you understand what is and what isn’t included in the quoted cost of any safari. As a minimum, expect the quoted price to include a private guide, driver and vehicle, as well as all accommodations, park entry fees, guided game drives, meals and water. Apart from game drives, ask which (if any) activities are included as well.”
4What type of vehicle can I expect?
“On most South Africa private safari tours, you’ll spend a large proportion of your time getting around in a 4WD vehicle. This is certainly the case for the time you spend inside the country’s parks and reserves, where your driver will take you around in a 4WD safari vehicle. These specially adapted vehicles most often have open sides (which are perfect for seeing, and feeling close to, the animals), canvas roofs (to keep out the sun and any rain) and tiered seating. For getting between the various destinations that are a part of your safari, you will most likely travel in a normal 4WD vehicle (which won’t be open-sided). This may vary depending on the size of your traveling party and whether you need a larger vehicle or extra vehicles. It is also possible that you may need to fly between destinations, either in a commercial plane (for getting between South African towns) or a small (six- to 20-seater) charter plane. The latter is used primarily for flying into the small airstrips in more remote and/or exclusive areas of some parks and reserves.”
5South Africa Reviews
![](https://cloudfront.safaribookings.com/assets/experts/42x42/Emma_Gregg.jpg)
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...
![](https://cloudfront.safaribookings.com/assets/experts/42x42/Lucy_Corne.jpg)
Lucy is travel writer for a range of publications, including Lonely Planet's guides to Africa, Southern Africa and South Africa.
An array of animals
Of all the African countries people visit on safari trips, South Africa is probably the easiest to travel around. Infrastructure is excellent, accommodation for every budget is abundant and wildlife-watching opportunities stretch far beyond...
![Germany Germany](https://cfstatic.safaribookings.com/images/flags/de.png)
Awesome landscape and impressive game drives
It was an amazing trip to Greater Kruger Sabi Sands incl. two nights stay in Umkumbe Lodge. What a woderful experience. Everthing was perfect. The tour operator MoAfrica tours, the transfer from the airport with safari link, the lodge and...
![New Zealand New Zealand](https://cfstatic.safaribookings.com/images/flags/nz.png)
A country of great diversity in geography, landscapes, wildlife, culture, people and wealth
Our trip to South Africa had some highs and lows. We self-drove for 10 days from Port Elizabeth, along the Garden Route and into Oudtshorn and Franshoek. It was a very affordable country for us to visit and we had some great experiences but...
![United States United States](https://cfstatic.safaribookings.com/images/flags/us.png)
I loved the animal viewing on the safari!
We booked two different safaris in June 2024 with Ranger Buck Safari team. The first safari was the Buffalo Camp in Kampama game reserve. The staff was wonderful and the glamping tents where nice. The game drives started on time and the...
![United States United States](https://cfstatic.safaribookings.com/images/flags/us.png)
Wonderful!
I’ve wanted to go on a safari since I knew what they were. I went on a 5 day trip with Bongan Safaris and loved it! I saw the Big 5 and many more. I also took a day trip to see Blyde Canyon, among other wonderful sites. Everyone I...