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Safaris From Johannesburg - Compare 667 Tours
So many incredible safari experiences begin in Johannesburg. That’s partly because it is Africa’s busiest international air gateway, with numerous flights arriving from around the globe every day. But it’s not just about the number of international flights. Johannesburg is a short drive (and an even shorter flight) from so many of South Africa’s best wildlife parks and reserves. Everyone knows about Kruger National Park and the reserves that surround it: you could easily just visit these and enjoy the most fantastic safari. But other options abound, and many of these have wildlife to satisfy both beginner and experienced safari-goers alike.
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Top Rated Operator
1-Day Pilanesberg Full Day Open Safari with Lunch
$138 to $157 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 1232 Reviews
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Best Seller
11-Day South Africa & Mauritius Family Safari & Beach
$7,128 to $7,841 pp (USD)
South Africa & Mauritius: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Resort
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Madikwe GR, Bel Ombre (Town & Beach), Mauritius (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 149 Reviews
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Best Seller
4-Day All-Inclusive Kruger Safari with Hoyo Hoyo
$1,500 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Safari.com
4.7/5 – 186 Reviews
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4-Day Kapama River Lodge Game Safari
$2,118 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kapama GR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Ranger Buck Safaris
5.0/5 – 28 Reviews
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2-Day Kruger National Park Safari
$550 to $605 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Nhlalala Travel
4.9/5 – 38 Reviews
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3-Day Best Budget Kruger Park Safari
$581 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetGuest House
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Nelspruit (End)
Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris
4.8/5 – 96 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Ultimate Kruger & Panorama Experience
$897 to $986 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Guest HouseYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hoedspruit (Town), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Wild Planet Safari
4.9/5 – 206 Reviews
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5-Day Kruger Park and Manyeleti Reserve Bongan Lodge
$890 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Manyeleti GR (Greater Kruger), Central Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Bongan Safaris
5.0/5 – 23 Reviews
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5-Day Kruger Park & Private Game Reserve Safari
$1,587 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hoedspruit (Town), Kruger NP, O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
Shinzelle Safaris
4.9/5 – 63 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Safari to Kruger National Park via Panorama Route
$1,040 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Wildlife Safaris
4.9/5 – 264 Reviews
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2-Day Motswiri Private Safari Lodge - 1 Night
$476 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Madikwe GR, Johannesburg (End)
East Cape Tours
5.0/5 – 61 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Tremisana/Treehouse Kruger Park Safari
$947 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Viva Safaris
4.9/5 – 265 Reviews
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5-Day Private Game Reserve + Kruger National Park
$1,393 to $1,539 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Self Catering AccommodationYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Phalaborwa (Town), Tshukudu GR, Kruger NP, O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
Khalanga Safaris
5.0/5 – 64 Reviews
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2-Day Kruger Mid Range Safari from Johannesburg
$487 to $548 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Balanta Imagine Safaris
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
3-Day Sabi Sands Tented Camp Safari
$987 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sand GR (Greater Kruger), Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Safari With Us
5.0/5 – 219 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Greenfire Game Lodge Safari
$1,536 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
The Kruger Safari Co.
5.0/5 – 130 Reviews
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3-Day Johannesburg to Kruger National Park Safari
$618 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Mbombela Experience Tours & Transfers
5.0/5 – 32 Reviews
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4-Day & 3-Night Kruger National Park Budget Safari
$594 to $660 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Guest HouseYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
The Mzansi Experience
4.7/5 – 64 Reviews
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5-Day Walking Safari and Eco-Lux Kruger Escape
$3,046 to $3,490 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Bush Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Viatu
5.0/5 – 42 Reviews
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3-Day Touch Timbavati & Open Orpen Gate to Kruger Park
$816 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Wildlife Encounters
5.0/5 – 20 Reviews
5 Questions About Safaris From Johannesburg
Answered by
Anthony Ham
Anthony has written numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks, including ‘South Africa’, ‘Lesotho & eSwatini’ and ‘Southern Africa’. He has written about the region for magazines and newspapers worldwide. He is also the author of ‘The Last Lions of Africa’.› More about Anthony
5 Questions About Safaris From Johannesburg
What are the best places to go on safari from Johannesburg?
“You can visit Kruger National Park from Johannesburg, and it’s a fantastic safari destination. It’s easy to get to and around, it’s a massive park with so much wildlife to see seemingly at every turn, and there’s accommodation to suit every budget. If it all gets too crowded, then you could easily spend time in one of the private reserves (such as Sabi Sand Game Reserve, but there are many more) along Kruger’s western boundary. These reserves share the same wildlife with the national park. Other fabulous safari parks within reach of Johannesburg include Pilanesberg Game Reserve, and Marakele and Mapungubwe National Parks, while Madikwe Game Reserve is one of my favorite safari destinations anywhere in southern Africa. If you fly from Johannesburg, then you could easily reach just about anyplace in South Africa.”
1What are the pros and cons of a self-drive trip from Johannesburg?
“The best thing about a self-drive safari from Johannesburg is the freedom that you’ll enjoy. In fact, a self-drive safari is the best way to make sure that your safari experience is exactly as you want it to be. You decide where to go and when. If you find a lion on a kill or an elephant herd up close, then you’re the one who decides how long to stick around. And you don’t have to worry about what other travelers want to do. In short, you’re the boss of your trip. The downside of a self-drive safari is that if something goes wrong, you’re the one on the scene who has to deal with it (although a phone call to your safari operator will probably get someone there quickly to help). Most likely nothing will go wrong: it never has for me on my many self-drive safaris. Another possible negative is that you won’t have a guide to show you around or other safari travelers to share the experience with.”
2Should I go for a group or private safari from Johannesburg?
“There are lots of different versions of the Johannesburg safari, but the most popular are group or private safaris. A group safari means that you will share your trip with other travelers: you will share a guide, a vehicle for game drives and other activities. Whether this is a pro or a con will depend on your perspective: you might make lifelong friends, or you might prefer to be alone. And if you’re looking for a cheap or affordable budget safari, then a group safari will almost certainly be your only option. A private safari means that you will have your own guide and vehicle, and you’ll be the only one(s) out on the game drive. Obviously, you’ll be paying for it all yourself, which can be expensive. But it does allow for a more intimate safari experience and you’ll often end up forging really strong bonds with your guide and driver.”
3Can I see the Big Five animals on a trip from Johannesburg?
“You are spoiled for choice when it comes to seeing the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) on a safari near Johannesburg. The most obvious place where this is possible is Kruger National Park and the surrounding reserves. I once saw the Big Five on a single afternoon game drive in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Closer to Johannesburg and very accessible, Pilanesberg Game Reserve can be crowded, but it’s an easy place to see elephant and rhino. Buffalo, lion and leopard can be harder to see, but they are possible to find with some luck. Another excellent destination for seeing the Big Five on a safari from Johannesburg is Madikwe Game Reserve. This is a fantastic place, with so much wildlife, first-rate expert guides and far fewer visitors than you’ll share the safari trails with in Kruger or Pilanesberg. It’s also a good place to possibly sight African wild dogs.”
4How much will this safari cost?
“As with any safari destination where there are many different packages and tours, the cost of a safari from Johannesburg varies greatly. If you’re on a multiday, cheap budget camping safari, you might be able to organize a safari that starts at around US$100 to US$150 per person per day. This should include guide, driver, vehicle, camping equipment, park entry fees, food, some drinks and game drives. But for this price, you may be expected to help out around camp with cooking and washing up, as well as setting up and taking down tents. For a more luxurious experience, prices start at around US$400 per person per day, but could go significantly higher for the best tented camps in high season (October to March) and if you’re on a private safari. If your safari involves any flights, this will also push up the price considerably. However much you pay, make sure you get a full list from your safari operator of what your safari price includes, so you don’t get any nasty surprises when it’s time for you to pay.”
5South Africa Safari 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...
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...
Nice View, Various Tourist Attraction and Mostly Nice People
I was told before visiting South Africa that it is a dangerous country. But after visiting for 10 days, I would say it's not true. As long as you always alert, not taking only photos, you will find South Africa is a nice country that you...
Ivory Wilderness was Wonderful
We spent 4 days at Ivory Wilderness camp on the Klaserie River - just south of Kruger I have been on safari many times and this was as good as it gets. Animals everywhere. Lions, leopards, elephants, Rhinos, buffalo, hippo, wild dogs,...
Amazing trip
We are truly devastated that we have had to return to the UK. Our stay at Greenfire lodge was absolutely fantastic and we can't wait to return. Everything from the collect at Johannesburg Airport to our return was 100%. Lavender at...
It was a dream!
It was the most stunning beautiful trip and our first Safari but not the last for sure. We dreamt the eyes wide open.
Thank you a million for all your assistance and advises.
Looking for the next safari in Botswana maybe this time.