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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.
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9-Day Luxury Cape Town, Kruger NP and Victoria Falls
$5,369 to $6,339 pp (USD)
South Africa & Zimbabwe: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Kruger NP, Victoria Falls (End)
Off2Africa Travel
5.0/5 – 160 Reviews
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13-Day South Africa Self-Drive Escape Cape Town & Safari
$5,399 to $6,999 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLuxuryLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Winelands, Oudtshoorn (Garden Route), Garden Route, Kwandwe GR, Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport (Port Elizabeth), Port Elizabeth (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 189 Reviews
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Best Seller
11-Day 4 Star Cape Town Highlights, Kruger NP, Vic Falls
$4,008 to $4,802 pp (USD)
South Africa & Zimbabwe: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Cape Town (Start), Cape Town Airport (Cape Town), Cape Peninsula, Franschhoek (Winelands), Cape Town (City), Kruger NP, Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls Airport (End)
Gems of Africa Safari and Tours
5.0/5 – 146 Reviews
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5-Day Malamala Exclusive Fly in Safari
$4,389 to $7,600 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), MalaMala GR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
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Ranger Buck Safaris
5.0/5 – 52 Reviews
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![4-Day Soweto, Apartheid Museum and Kruger NP Safari]()
4-Day Soweto, Apartheid Museum and Kruger NP Safari
$977 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Soweto (Johannesburg), Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Nhlalala Travel
4.9/5 – 79 Reviews
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![4-Day Private Kruger Park Safari]()
4-Day Private Kruger Park Safari
$1,365 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Junglers Adventure Tours
4.9/5 – 62 Reviews
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![4-Day Madikwe Incredible Malaria-Free Big 5 Safari]()
4-Day Madikwe Incredible Malaria-Free Big 5 Safari
$3,375 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Madikwe GR, Johannesburg (End)
Viatu
4.9/5 – 99 Reviews
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![7-Day Garden Route & Addo National Park Safari Tour]()
7-Day Garden Route & Addo National Park Safari Tour
$1,741 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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3-Day Luxury Kruger Safari from Cape Town with Flights
$2,623 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Kruger NP, Cape Town (End)
Mmilo Tours
5.0/5 – 137 Reviews
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Best Seller
![5-Day Kruger and Greater Kruger Semi-Exclusive Safari]()
5-Day Kruger and Greater Kruger Semi-Exclusive Safari
$1,331 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
4.9/5 – 249 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![7-Day All Inclusive Safari in Madikwe & Sabi Sands]()
7-Day All Inclusive Safari in Madikwe & Sabi Sands
$7,639 to $8,212 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 – 536 Reviews
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5-Day Kruger, Canyon & Boat Tour at Luxury Safari Hotel
$1,337 to $1,364 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryHotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Central Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
Shinzelle Safaris
4.8/5 – 78 Reviews
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3-Day Sabi Sand - Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside
$663 to $752 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Nelspruit (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Nelspruit (End)
Traipsing Africa's Safaris and Tours
5.0/5 – 119 Reviews
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![4-Day The Greater Kruger Tshukudu Safari]()
4-Day The Greater Kruger Tshukudu Safari
$1,645 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
5.0/5 – 172 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![4-Day Fully Customisable Private Kruger Safari]()
4-Day Fully Customisable Private Kruger Safari
$1,532 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 2,685 Reviews
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![7-Day Kruger Private Reserves]()
7-Day Kruger Private Reserves
$4,208 to $4,538 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Hoedspruit (Start), Klaserie NR (Greater Kruger), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Hoedspruit (End)
Safari Online
5.0/5 – 134 Reviews
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6-Day Private Custom African Wildlife Safari (Mid-Range)
$3,297 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 – 12 Reviews
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![3-Day Luxury Safari Timbavati Kruger South Africa]()
3-Day Luxury Safari Timbavati Kruger South Africa
$2,452 to $2,736 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Greatest Africa
5.0/5 – 35 Reviews
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![5-Day Kruger Park and Panorama Route from Johannesburg]()
5-Day Kruger Park and Panorama Route from Johannesburg
$1,987 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Tourgy Tourz
4.9/5 – 38 Reviews
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7-Day Kruger Safari Experience Bush and Buffalos
$2,456 to $2,892 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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5 Questions About South Africa Private Safaris
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
Anthony Ham
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
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...
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...
IT
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...
US
Beautiful place with great food
I loved Cape Town as it was a wonderful city with delicious food. I personally didn’t experience feeling unsafe, but definitely be aware of the areas you’re in. Kruger was great as well for a short safari as it gives you great chances...
BE
MAGNIFICENT
I visited South Africa (Cape Town) for the first time in September '24 and fell immediately desperate in love. In no time Cape Town became my favorite city and South Africa my favorite destination. You can name it all: nature, culture,...
Great friendly and helpful people, affordable and beautiful
I love South Africa It’s a colorful country, most places are very safe, because of all the security organizations around. The food and restaurants are very good and and affordable. People are helpful and very friendly. They look like...