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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. While your safari operator will organize the vehicle and give you an itinerary, you’ll still have lots of opportunities to take control of your experience without having to take anyone else into consideration (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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Best Seller
11-Day South Africa Family Adventure
$6,214 to $8,463 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Hermanus (Whales), Garden Route, Kwandwe GR, Port Elizabeth (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 149 Reviews
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13-Day Cape Town and Garden Route Big Five Safari
$3,297 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Hermanus (Whales), Knysna (Garden Route), Tsitsikamma NP (Garden Route), Lalibela GR, Cape Town Airport (End)
Viatu
5.0/5 – 42 Reviews
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3-Day Big 5 Self-Drive Tour to Pilanesberg
$815 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
Safari.com
4.7/5 – 186 Reviews
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4-Day Big 5 Safari Lodge, Whales, Wine & Penguin Colony
$450 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Cape Winelands, Aquila GR, Hermanus (Whales), Boulder's Beach (Penguins), Cape Town (End)
Southern African Tours
4.7/5 – 65 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Black Rhino Game Lodge Safari Package
$875 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 1142 Reviews
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Best Seller
![10-Day Classic Cape & Kruger National Park Safari]()
10-Day Classic Cape & Kruger National Park Safari
$2,817 to $3,074 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Cape Winelands, Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
African Welcome Safaris
5.0/5 – 230 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)
$2,183 to $2,428 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Knysna (Garden Route), Lalibela GR, Port Elizabeth (End)
Pembury Tours
5.0/5 – 428 Reviews
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![14-Day Eswatini, Kruger Guided Self-Drive Budget Camping]()
14-Day Eswatini, Kruger Guided Self-Drive Budget Camping
$1,535 pp (USD)
Eswatini & South Africa: Self-driveCamping & Cottage
You Visit: Pretoria (Start), Malolotja NR, Mlilwane WS, Hlane Royal NP, Bulembu (Town), Southern Kruger, Central Kruger, Lekgalameetse NR, Pretoria (End)
Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours
5.0/5 – 15 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![10-Day Self-Drive: Drakensberg, Battlefields and Safari]()
10-Day Self-Drive: Drakensberg, Battlefields and Safari
$2,726 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge
You Visit: Durban (Start), Umhlanga (Town), Drakensberg Mountains (Mountain Range), Spioenkop GR, Nambiti GR, Johannesburg (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 149 Reviews
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16-Day Tropical Beaches and Big Five Luxury Honeymoon
$10,328 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Hermanus (Whales), Durban (City), mFulaWozi Wilderness GR, iSimangaliso WP, Phinda GR, Durban Airport (End)
Viatu
5.0/5 – 42 Reviews
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3-Day Big Five Self-Drive Safari to Mabula Game Lodge
$600 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Mabula GR (Waterberg Biosphere), Johannesburg (End)
Safari.com
4.7/5 – 186 Reviews
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![5-Day Garden Route, Big 5 Safari & Karoo - Self-Drive]()
5-Day Garden Route, Big 5 Safari & Karoo - Self-Drive
$554 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveGuest House & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Cape Agulhas (Highlight), Mossel Bay (Town), Knysna (Garden Route), Little Karoo, Cape Town (End)
Southern African Tours
4.7/5 – 65 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Kwa Maritane Lodge Fully Inclusive Safari Package
$875 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 1142 Reviews
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![11-Day Big Five Experience Self-Drive Budget Camping Tour]()
11-Day Big Five Experience Self-Drive Budget Camping Tour
$577 to $598 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveCamping & Bush Camp
You Visit: Pretoria (Start), Marakele NP (Waterberg Biosphere), Mapungubwe NP, Northern Kruger, Central Kruger, Southern Kruger, Pretoria (End)
Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours
5.0/5 – 15 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![13-Day South Africa Self Drive Honeymoon]()
13-Day South Africa Self Drive Honeymoon
$4,479 to $6,076 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Winelands (Highlight), Oudtshoorn (Garden Route), Garden Route, Kwandwe GR, Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport (Port Elizabeth), Port Elizabeth (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 149 Reviews
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![17-Day South Africa's Best- Hike & Luxury Big 5 Safari]()
17-Day South Africa's Best- Hike & Luxury Big 5 Safari
$7,906 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge & Private Villa
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Spioenkop GR, Drakensberg Mountains (Mountain Range), Nambiti GR, mFulaWozi Wilderness GR, iSimangaliso WP, Ballito (Town), Durban (End)
Viatu
5.0/5 – 42 Reviews
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![3-Day Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, Winelands & Whales]()
3-Day Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, Winelands & Whales
$356 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveHotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Cape of Good Hope (Cape Peninsula), Cape Winelands, Cape Town Surrounds, Cape Town (End)
Southern African Tours
4.7/5 – 65 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Ivory Tree Lodge All Inclusive Safari Package
$875 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 1142 Reviews
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![9-Day Big 5 - Kruger NP Self-Drive Mid Range Tour]()
9-Day Big 5 - Kruger NP Self-Drive Mid Range Tour
$710 to $775 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge & Bungalow
You Visit: Pretoria (Start), Northern Kruger, Central Kruger, Southern Kruger, Pretoria (End)
Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours
5.0/5 – 15 Reviews
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![14-Day Whale Coast & Madikwe Exclusive Honeymoon Safari]()
14-Day Whale Coast & Madikwe Exclusive Honeymoon Safari
$10,876 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLodge & Private Villa
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Hermanus (Whales), De Hoop NR, Madikwe GR, Johannesburg (City), Johannesburg Airport (End)
Viatu
5.0/5 – 42 Reviews
Related Searches
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 its western boundary, Kruger also has a number of game reserves, including world-famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve, that see fewer crowds but enjoy world-class wildlife viewing. Also in the northeast are Mapungubwe and Marakele National Parks and Pilanesberg and Madikwe Game Reserves, all of which are first-rate. Elsewhere in the country, Phinda Private Game Reserve, Addo Elephant National Park and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi 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, and if you stick to the speed limit and drive carefully, it's unlikely that you'll have any problems. Never drive on public roads at night: doing so will put you at risk of encountering wandering animals and also 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 accommodation places offer low- or shoulder-season prices. If you’re here to see birds, November to April is best, because 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, rising 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 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 accommodation places, 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...
Far exceeds your expectations
Really enjoyed my safari with Viva Tours in South Africa; the 6 day safari was a luxury because I had time to do 2 full days in Kruger Park and numerous game drives in their private reserve to ensure I saw all of the big five animals as...
NL
SA in general? It’s nice bin muged en a lot of people want something from you. I’m not used
About the safari it was nice only 3 days is more then enough. I was lucky enough to see the big 5 in the Kruger park. But I would say the bush walk was boring so not really necessary if you ask me. Or you have to be lucky to see ontregeling...
Spectacular 😍
We traveled to South Africa for a family holiday in March. We choose Kruger National Park for our safari destination and Nhlalala Travel for our tour guide. We stayed in the Kruger Gate Hotel which was fabulous. We did a sunset safari, full...
PH
Once in a lifetime experience
Our South Africa family holiday was a total blast! Maybe the best ever. South Africa is so blessed with natural beauty, including the people. And the wildlife? Second to none, IMHO. Joburg has so much history while Cape Town is one the most...