Best Safari Parks & Game Reserves Near Johannesburg

From Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city, you don’t need to go far to get out into the bush. There are plenty of safari parks and game reserves near Johannesburg, all within a four- to five-hour drive of the city. Day-trippers can head to reserves just an hour’s drive away, while those looking to spend a few days on safari can go farther afield.

Aside from the fact that the following game reserves are so close to the city, one of the best things about them is that they’re all in malaria-free areas, so there’s no need for medication. Spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino), hundreds of bird species and countless other animals, all in our selection of reserves and safari parks near Johannesburg.

280 Safaris From Johannesburg

1. Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Set in a scenic landscape of ancient volcanic hills, Pilanesberg Game Reserve lies in the transitional zone between the arid western Kalahari and moister eastern Lowveld. This combination has resulted in a wide variety of flora and fauna, including all the Big Five, with elephant and white rhino being especially common.

Plenty of guided tours are available here, but Pilanesberg is a great choice for self-drive visitors too. In addition to being one of the most diverse safari destinations near Johannesburg, the reserve is bordered by Sun City, a luxury resort complex that offers a wide range of activities for all age groups.

Pilanesberg is free of malaria, making it a great choice for families or those wanting to avoid antimalarial medication. Because it is so close to Johannesburg, it’s possible to visit as a day or overnight trip from the city. This makes it ideal for tourists short on time or residents making the most of their weekends.

• Distance from Johannesburg: 3 hours
• Where to stay: From basic chalets and safari tents to luxury lodges and family-friendly options, there are accommodations for all types of travelers
• Things to do: Game drives, photography from wildlife hides, bird spotting and hot-air balloon rides

79 Pilanesberg Safaris

2. Madikwe Game Reserve

Although it lies four to five hours’ drive from Johannesburg, Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the best safari options in the area. It is South Africa’s fifth-largest reserve and supports a wide diversity of wildlife including around 90 mammal and more than 350 bird species. Not only is it home to all the Big Five, it is also a good place to see cheetah and the endangered African wild dog.

Despite being state-owned, Madikwe operates much like a private game reserve. Day trips are not possible and self-drive game drives are forbidden. Visitors must book a package including meals, game drives and other activities at one of the upmarket lodges and camps set within the reserve. For families, it’s an excellent option because it lies in a malaria-free zone.

• Distance from Johannesburg: 4 to 5 hours
• Where to stay: Madikwe is home to several safari lodges. These range from simple eco lodges like Mosetlha Bush Camp to ultra-luxury options such as Madikwe Safari Lodge. All lodges offer packages inclusive of meals and guided game drives.
• Things to do: Game drives, fishing, bird watching, photographic safaris, ranger skills training, spa treatments and wellness classes

40 Madikwe Safaris

3. Mabula Game Reserve

Another of the best private Big Five game reserves near Johannesburg, Mabula Game Reserve has plenty of activities on offer besides the usual game drives. Located in the malaria-free Waterberg area of Limpopo Province, the reserve is home to lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, honey badgers, red hartebeest, eland, hyenas and jackals. There are also plenty of birds to spot, from the lilac-breasted roller to the Amur falcon.

Game drives are just the start of the activities on offer. Zip off on a quad bike, spend the evening on a guided stargazing drive or book a balloon ride over the reserve as the sun rises.

• Distance from Johannesburg: 2½ hours
• Where to stay: Mabula is home to several upmarket lodges and tented camps
• Things to do: Game drives, spa treatments, quad biking, bird walks, stargazing drives, dam picnics, tennis, bush walks, horseback riding, hot-air balloon rides and crocodile feeding demonstrations

Mabula Safaris

4. Dinokeng Game Reserve

Just north of the city of Pretoria, Dinokeng was the first (and is still the only) game reserve in Gauteng Province with free-roaming Big Five animals. In addition, you may be able to spot cheetahs, giraffes and brown hyenas.

There are self-drive routes for certain types of vehicles, but you can also go on guided drives, boat trips and walking safaris. Or you can try your hand at activities such as clay target shooting. For the more adventurous, there are opportunities for hot-air balloon rides and microlight flights.

• Distance from Johannesburg: 1 hour
• Where to stay: There are 30 different accommodations available, from self-catering cottages to four-star lodges
• Things to do: Game drives, boat cruises, bush walks, fishing, cultural tours, clay target shooting, hot-air balloon rides and microlight flights

Dinokeng Safaris

5. Welgevonden Game Reserve

Located in the Waterberg district of Limpopo Province, less than four hours north of Johannesburg, Welgevonden Game Reserve is another malaria-free safari destination that is easily accessible from the city. The reserve has plenty of accommodations and all game drives are conducted in open safari vehicles. There is a wide range of other activities on offer too, including walking and horseback safaris.

You can spot the Big Five among the 50 mammal species at Welgevonden. There are also rarer animals such as brown hyenas and honey badgers, plus around 300 different types of birds.

• Distance from Johannesburg: 3½ hours
• Where to stay: Welgevonden offers a range of accommodations, from self-catering and mid-range camps to luxury lodges and exclusive-use properties
• Things to do: Game drives, walking safaris, stargazing, horseback safaris and San Bushman rock-art tours

6. Plumari Private Reserve

In just 90 minutes, you can be out of Johannesburg and into the bush. Plumari Private Reserve is a beautiful area of bushveld, mountains and wetlands. It’s one of the closest Big Five game reserves to Johannesburg.

Animals you might see on a game drive include rhinos, lions, elephants, giraffes, porcupines and honey badgers. There are around 200 different bird species to spot too. The reserve also hosts a conservation breeding program for rare animals such as the black impala, sable antelope, king buffalo and golden wildebeest.

• Distance from Johannesburg: 1½ hours
• Where to stay: The four-star Askari Lodge and Spa has 48 suites and a spa, while the pet-friendly Warthogs Bush Lodge has 10 chalets
• Things to do: Game drives, horseback riding, clay target shooting, hiking, birding, trail running, 4x4 vehicle trails, mountain biking and spa treatments

7. Mziki Private Game Reserve

Mziki Private Game Reserve is just a couple of hours outside Johannesburg. It is home to three of the Big Five (elephants, buffalo and rhinos), along with wildebeest, zebras, giraffes and many types of antelope. It also has more than 300 different bird species. You can explore the reserve by barge or on foot, as well as in a game-drive vehicle.

Mziki is a brilliant option for families with children. There is no age restriction for wildlife viewing and the area is malaria-free. The reserve offers mini-ranger courses for kids to learn about identifying animal calls, species of trees and even how to prepare a vehicle for a game drive. The course also includes a camp treasure hunt, cultural experiences and a quiz at the end.

• Distance from Johannesburg: 2 hours
• Where to stay: Mziki Safari Lodge is the only accommodations in the reserve. It offers rooms in the main lodge, chalets and traditional circular, thatched-roof rondavels.
• Things to do: Game drives, birding, archery, fishing, barge cruises, bush walks and mini-ranger courses

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280 Safaris From Johannesburg

By Heather Richardson

UK

Heather Richardson is an award-winning travel writer, based in South Africa. She is interested in conservation stories, emerging destinations and adventure travel.

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