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South Africa Self-drive Safaris & Tours
South Africa is a fabulous destination no matter how you organize your safari. But to go on a self-drive safari here can take things to a whole new level. The country has an excellent and well-maintained road network, and a self-drive trip or tour will give you so much freedom to enjoy what you’re seeing. Your safari operator will organize the vehicle and itinerary, but you’ll still have lots of opportunities to take control of your experience without having to consider others (which you would on most other kinds of safari). Above all, you’ll be exploring a country of exceptional natural beauty and variety, not to mention some amazing national parks filled with wildlife.
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Top Rated Operator
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
4.8/5 – 185 Reviews
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3-Day Cederberg Wilds & West Coast - Highly Recommended
$208 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-drive
Mid-range Hotel & Self Catering AccommodationYou Visit: Cape Town (Start), West Coast NP, Namaqualand, Nieuwoudtville (Town), Cape Town (End)
Southern African Tours
4.6/5 – 68 Reviews
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13-Day Cape Town and Garden Route Big Five Safari
$4,335 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Hermanus (Whales), Knysna (Garden Route), Plettenberg Bay (Garden Route), Tsitsikamma (Garden Route NP), Lalibela GR, Cape Town Airport (End)
Viatu
4.9/5 – 94 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Ivory Tree Lodge All Inclusive Safari Package
$1,015 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 2,401 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![11-Day Cape Town, Garden Route, Big 5 Safari (Self-Drive)]()
11-Day Cape Town, Garden Route, Big 5 Safari (Self-Drive)
$2,950 to $3,305 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Knysna (Garden Route), Lalibela GR, Port Elizabeth (End)
Pembury Tours
5.0/5 – 468 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![11-Day South Africa Self-Drive Adventure]()
11-Day South Africa Self-Drive Adventure
$6,861 to $9,812 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-drive
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Cape Town (Start), Hermanus (Whales), Garden Route, Kwandwe GR, Port Elizabeth (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 185 Reviews
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![3-Day Big Five Safari, Cape Agulhas & Karoo- Self-Drive]()
3-Day Big Five Safari, Cape Agulhas & Karoo- Self-Drive
$199 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-drive
Mid-range Guest House & HotelYou Visit: Cape Town (Start), Cape Agulhas (Highlight), Karoo NP, Cape Town (End)
Southern African Tours
4.6/5 – 68 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Kwa Maritane Lodge Fully Inclusive Safari Package
$996 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-drive
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 2,401 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![10-Day Self-Drive: Drakensberg, Battlefields and Safari]()
10-Day Self-Drive: Drakensberg, Battlefields and Safari
$3,099 to $3,299 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Durban (Start), Umhlanga (Town), Drakensberg Mountains (Mountain Range), Spioenkop GR, Nambiti GR, Johannesburg (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 185 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Bakubung Bush Lodge Fully Inclusive Safari Package
$793 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 2,401 Reviews
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![11-Day South Africa and Eswatini Self-Drive Safari]()
11-Day South Africa and Eswatini Self-Drive Safari
$1,052 pp (USD)
Eswatini & South Africa: Self-drive
Mid-range Guest House & HotelYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Soweto (Johannesburg), Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Greater Kruger, Kruger NP, Ezulwini Valley (Highlight), Hlane Royal NP, Cape Town (City), Cape of Good Hope (Cape Peninsula), Table Mountain (Cape Town), Cape Peninsula, Cape Town (End)
Southern African Tours
4.6/5 – 68 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Shepherd's Tree Fully Inclusive 5-Star Safari
$1,079 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 2,401 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Black Rhino Game Lodge Safari Package
$996 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 2,401 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Pilanesberg Luxury Tshukudu Lodge Safari
$1,031 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 2,401 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![2-Day Pilanesberg Bush Lodge Experience]()
2-Day Pilanesberg Bush Lodge Experience
$243 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-drive
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 2,401 Reviews
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Tour Operators Offering Custom Tours
Didn’t find the tour you were looking for? Get a free quote for a custom tour from the tour operators below. They can arrange private tours to any destination in South Africa.
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5 Questions About South Africa Self-drive 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 Self-drive Safaris
Anthony Ham
Where should I go on a South Africa self-drive safari?
“Choosing where to go is one of the hardest decisions to make when you’re planning your South Africa self-drive safari. A lot depends on how much time you have to dedicate to your trip. And every person will be different in what they want to see. If you’re here to see wildlife, as most people are when on safari, you may want to focus on the country’s northeast. So many memorable safaris begin and end with Kruger National Park, and it’s certainly one of the best parks for wildlife anywhere in Africa. Along Kruger’s western boundary are a number of game reserves, including the world-famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve, that see fewer crowds but enjoy world-class wildlife viewing. However, these private reserves do not permit self-drive safaris. In order to explore them, you need to book into a lodge that offers all-inclusive packages with guided game drives in an open 4x4 vehicle. In the northwest, Pilanesberg Game Reserve is also a first-rate self-drive destination, and home to all the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino). Nearby Madikwe Game Reserve is even better, but as with Sabi Sands, self-drive game drives are not permitted. Mapungubwe and Marakele National Parks do allow self-drive but are notable more for their scenery than for large numbers of wildlife. Elsewhere in the country, Addo Elephant National Park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve and uMkhuze Game Reserve are also well worth considering. Other possible areas to explore if landscapes and wild natural beauty are a big part of why you’re here include the Drakensberg mountains, the south or west coasts of the country, or the big horizons of the Karoo or Kalahari in the north.”
1Is a self-drive trip in South Africa safe?
“A South Africa self-drive safari is generally safe, and most travelers return home with a suitcase full of good memories. Crime can be a problem in and around larger cities, but incidents are very rare in rural areas and extremely so in national parks and reserves. When driving through South Africa you can expect good roads. If you stick to the speed limit and drive carefully, it's unlikely that you'll have any problems. However, never drive on public roads at night. Doing so will put you at risk of encountering wandering animals and increase the chances of having an accident involving other vehicles. There is also very little danger to you from the wildlife that you’ll come across, as long as you remain inside your vehicle at all times when in wildlife areas and move around carefully at night if you’re camping. If in doubt, ask locals for their advice, and always do as they suggest.”
2What is the best time of the year for a self-drive safari in South Africa?
“The best time of year for your 4x4 South Africa safari is from May to September. This coincides with the Dry season in Kruger and many of the parks in the northeast. It’s when you can generally expect fine weather and mild (or even cool) temperatures. During the dry months, animals should be easier to find as they draw near to the last remaining water sources. Traveling at this time has the added bonus of being when most accommodations offer low- or shoulder-season prices. If you’re here to see birds, November to April is best. That’s when countless migratory bird species spend time in South Africa, before returning to Europe and North Africa. And keep an eye on South African school holidays when planning your trip: parks and reserves can get overrun during these weeks.”
3What type of vehicle is recommended for a self-drive tour in South Africa?
“You’ll almost certainly be driving a 4WD vehicle on your South Africa self-drive safari. Despite this, a 4WD is rarely necessary in most South African parks and reserves, where a 2WD or AWD is generally sufficient. Even so, most operators will give you a 4WD to make sure that you’re fine in any situation. There are two types of self-drive safaris. One is where you use the vehicle to get from one hotel, lodge or tented camp to the next. If you’re on this kind of safari and there is no camping component, you’ll drive a standard 4WD vehicle. If, on the other hand, you will be camping each night, or for at least some of the nights you’ll be driving through South Africa, you will probably drive a 4WD camper. This fully equipped vehicle may have a fridge, a rooftop or ground tent, camping and cooking equipment, and everything you need to camp self-sufficiently.”
4How much will this safari cost?
“Going on a self-drive safari through South Africa can vary greatly in cost but should start at around US$150 per person per day for a budget safari. This rises to around US$350 to US$400 per person per day for a more luxurious experience. This will be the price quoted to you by the safari tour operator, but it won’t include fuel, and may or may not include park entrance fees. One variable to consider is whether you’ll be camping (which is cheaper) or staying in hotels or lodges at the end of each day’s driving. If it’s the latter, there are so many different choices across a range of accommodations, which can mean a big variation in the cost of your overall safari. Other things that can impact the price of your self-drive safari include the months when you travel (high season is more expensive than low season) and how long you’ll be traveling for.”
5South Africa Reviews
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 savanna 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...
Lizzie is a reputed guidebook writer and author of the 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
South Africa has a wonderful range of landscapes, a near-perfect climate, and the choice of destinations, activities and itineraries is virtually inexhaustible. Aside from its beautiful coastline and cosmopolitan cities – both of which I...
My "go to" place where I can relax
I have now been to South Africa five times since my first visit in 2012 where I fell in love with most of the places I have visited - some not so much but when it's organised tours you don't have a choice. However this time I arranged it...
US
Amazing trip
Krugar was absolutely amazing. We were able to see the big 5 and so many others. The animals were plentiful, our guides were very fun and knowledgeable. Safety was first and foremost. I would love to go again. Everyone was so friendly. I...
CH
Amazing wildlife, amazing people, amazing food
South Africa is a place to visit if you look for a true adventure with breathtaking nature, unique cultutr and premium food / wine. It is a very save place and comparable cheap given the high quality products and service you get. March has...
AR
An amazingly beautiful country, with the nicest people
We had an amazing experience in South Africa. We felt welcomed, people were warm and nice. We were so grateful for their hospitality and amazed by the beauty of the different landscapes. We´d definitely like to visit again.