Category Safari

South Africa · SAFARI

The 15 Best Safaris in South Africa, Compared

328 reviewed

Kruger for scale, Addo for elephant without the malaria tablets, the Karoo reserves for a day out of Cape Town. Below are the safaris worth the money, with what each drive costs, how long you are genuinely in the vehicle, and which park fits the trip you have already booked.

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari - The Morning Game Drive: Open-Air Wildlife Time and Dam Birds

1.From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,327 reviews · 12 hours · from $186Our pick

Full-day Big Five safari from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg in an open vehicle, with expert guides, lunch, and unforgettable wildlife.

“I think this was an extremely amazing experience. It was extremely good value the guy who were friendly, informative, and helpful. I enjoyed my experience and would highly recommend this.”

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From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge

From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge - Cape Town to Cape Agulhas: Hermanus and Betty’s Bay Coastal Stops

2.From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 928 reviews · 2 days · from $533

Two days from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas with Big Five-style safari drives and one night at Garden Route Game Lodge.

“Wonderful adventure with our amazing guide Chris! Highly informative, transportation was comfortable and accommodations were beautiful. We saw so many animals on our game drives and so much variation in the area landscape during our travels. Highly recommend .”

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Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari

Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari - The Big 7 story you’ll hear in the jeep

3.Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 872 reviews · 9 hours · from $186

Full-day Addo safari with hotel pickup, lunch, and a small-group guided drive for elephants, lions, black rhinos, and more.

“We had an amazing tour! Sidwell was our guide. Very informative , made sure everyone saw as much as possible. Saw two lions hunting a buffalo . They gave up quickly and chased a few warthogs! Really interesting to watch! Highlight was all the Elephants. Overall Great Experience and Highly recommended!!”

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Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari

Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari - Pickup from Hazyview: what your morning flow feels like

4.Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 799 reviews · from $158Top rated

Private full-day Kruger safari from Hazyview with a pro guide, Big Five game drive goals, rest camp breakfast, lunch stop, water included.

“Very happy with the service provided. Good communication right from when the booking was made. Senzo, our guide was knowledgable and jolly. He picked us up right from our chalet on time and explained the details on the way to the park. Throughout the day, he catered to our needs and kept explaining various details about the park and wildlife. I would highly recommend him.”

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Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria - Lunch at the Pilanesberg Center, Use That Break Like a Pro

5.Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 718 reviews · from $159

Full-day Big Five safari from Johannesburg with two open-vehicle drives and lunch at a waterhole, plus easy hotel pickup.

“They take 10 passengers per vehicle when they are vehicles for nine people. Without being able to give my opinion, I found myself in front with the driver. We don't enjoy the view because we are too low. You have to walk on the seat when Read more”

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Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town

Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town - Pickup from central Cape Town: smooth start, then a long road day

Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip - Hotel pickup, highway views, and the Du Toitskloof Pass stop

Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg

Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg - Getting to Bill Harrops in Skeerpoort, and what 4 hours really means

From Cape Town: South African Wildlife and Safari 2-Day Tour

From Cape Town: South African Wildlife and Safari 2-Day Tour - Pickup morning: what to expect when you leave around 6 to 7 AM

From Johannesburg: Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour

From Johannesburg: Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour - Pickup and transfer: comfortable and organized, with a local route vibe

Kruger National Park – Private full day Safari trip.

Kruger National Park - Private full day Safari trip. - Price and value: what you pay, what you still need to budget

11.Kruger National Park – Private full day Safari trip.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 347 reviews · from $166

Private full-day Kruger safari from Hazyview with early Pabeni Gate access, a dedicated guide, bottled water, and real Big Five odds.

“Our guide Keegan was great! From the time of pickup, through the tour…the experience was incredible! We saw so much in the day. The tour was convenient and exceeded well above our expectations.”

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Full-Day All Inclusive Safari with Traditional Braai Lunch

Full-Day All Inclusive Safari with Traditional Braai Lunch - How the two game drives maximize Big 5 chances

2 Day Safari Experience from Cape Town

2 Day Safari Experience from Cape Town - Price and value: what you are really paying for

13.2 Day Safari Experience from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 326 reviews · from $447

Two days from Cape Town to the Garden Route with Big Five drives, Cape Agulhas, Hermanus whales, and penguins.

“Frank was our driver/host - which picked us up at the hotel. He was more than a driver, he was attentive, helpful, informative, and patient. Our ride from Cape Town to Garden Route Game Lodge was very nice! We were able to stop for breakfast (The Restio - Amazing cappuccino and almond croissant) and breaks as needed. The stop in Agulhas - "The Actual Southernmost Tip of African mainland (and) Where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans Meet." If you ever get the opportunity to do this 2 day safari, ask for Frank as your driver. Once we arrived at Garden Route Game Lodge, the check-in was seemless, as well as…”

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Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Full Day Big 5 Safari Tour

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Full Day Big 5 Safari Tour - Entering the Wilderness Area at Nyalazi Gate

14.Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Full Day Big 5 Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 310 reviews · from $96

Sunrise Big Five safari from St Lucia into Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, with ranger, breakfast, braai lunch, and open-air game drives.

“It was a fantastic day! Without going into the animals we saw, as that depends on luck, let me share the good and bad points of this tour. Arnaud, our guide, always had a smile on his face, answered every question, and provided a lot of inforRead more”

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5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari – Best of South Africa Small Group Tour

5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour - Day 2: Cango Ostrich Show Farm, Cango Caves, then sleeping near Addo

15.5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari – Best of South Africa Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 291 reviews · from $575

A packed 5-day small-group circuit from Cape Town featuring Addo elephants, Garden Route hikes, and Jeffreys Bay beach time.

“This must have been the best guided tour I have ever been on. Our Guide, Uriel, had exceptional knowledge about everything around the places we visited and beyond and organized everything perfectly. It felt more like traveling with a friend than someone who is getting paid for it after the first few hours into the trip already. If you travel solo or with friends I strongly recommend the dorm option as you will meet a lot of nice people along the way and have a lot of social activity in the evenings.”

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