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Safaris From Johannesburg - Compare 671 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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Best Seller
4-Day Tremisana Lodge Kruger Park Safari
$963 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Viva Safaris
4.9/5 – 304 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
3-Day Luxury Radisson Kruger Safari
$688 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)LuxuryHotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 2,061 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Kapama River Lodge Deluxe Suite Safari
$2,816 to $3,497 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)Luxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kapama GR (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
The Kruger Safari Co.
5.0/5 – 197 Reviews
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12-Day Luxury Kruger Safari & Mauritius Escape
$4,999 to $5,799 pp (USD)
South Africa & Mauritius: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp & Resort
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (City), Grand Baie (Town & Beach), Black River, Mauritius (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 178 Reviews
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4-Day Kruger Safari & Private Game Reserve Highlight
$1,310 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Greater Kruger, Johannesburg (End)
Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris
4.9/5 – 147 Reviews
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2-Day Kruger National Park Safari
$478 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Nhlalala Travel
4.8/5 – 61 Reviews
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7-Day Kruger Safari Experience Bush and Buffalos
$2,370 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Olifants West NR (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg Airport (End)
Ku Sungula Safari Lodge
5.0/5 – 12 Reviews
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4-Day Entabeni Safari with Lakeside Lodge
$869 to $894 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Entabeni GR (Waterberg Biosphere Reserve), Johannesburg (End)
Indigo Safaris
4.7/5 – 150 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
6-Day Sabi Sands and Kruger Park Safari
$4,631 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 522 Reviews
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10-Day Kruger Private Reserves & Cape Town
$4,505 to $5,088 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Klaserie NR (Greater Kruger), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Cape Town (End)
Safari Online
5.0/5 – 131 Reviews
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4-Day Private Kruger Park Safari
$1,322 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Junglers Adventure Tours
5.0/5 – 54 Reviews
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3-Day Luxury Mdluli Game Lodge Kruger National Park
$529 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Gems of Africa Safari and Tours
4.9/5 – 132 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
3-Day Sabi Sands Tented Camp Safari
$858 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Safari With Us
4.9/5 – 243 Reviews
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Best Seller
3-Day Kruger National Park Camping Safari
$964 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
Khalanga Safaris
5.0/5 – 83 Reviews
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1-Day Best Full-Day Big Five Safari from Johannesburg
$174 pp (USD)
South Africa: Day tourShared tour (max 20 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
Go Safari
5.0/5 – 51 Reviews
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5-Day Unforgettable Big 5 Kruger Safari
$2,939 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Viatu
5.0/5 – 86 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Private Kruger Camping Safari
$2,310 to $2,541 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Wild Planet Safari
4.9/5 – 230 Reviews
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5-Day Ultimate Kruger Park Safari Inside the Reserve
$1,904 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Endless Summer Tours
5.0/5 – 70 Reviews
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6-Day Private Custom African Wildlife Safari (Mid-Range)
$3,166 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Ukhozi Tours
5.0/5 – 8 Reviews
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5-Day Ultimate Kruger NP Big 5 & Panorama Route Safari
$823 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
The Mzansi Experience
4.5/5 – 84 Reviews
5 Questions About Safaris From Johannesburg
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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
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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
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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...
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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...
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Beautiful country with lovely people
We loved Mdluli safari lodge resort and our package of four days safari. Everything was included except for the drinks which was smooth. The weather was good, pretty hot though and the bushes were pretty densed. So it was a little harder to...
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Marvellous
In January we visited South Africa for the first time, on the occasion of my 70th birthday. We were recommended to start with Safari, so we started our adventure in Johannesburg, with 5 days 4 nights in Kruger park. We arrived at the lodge...
Magnificent country with friendly people
We visited port Elizabeth and Capetown on a cruise. These were modern cities with great facilities restaurants and tours. Felt very safe at all times. All expenses were very reasonable.
Climate on our trip was excellent. Not too hot.
Great holiday destination
Why have I not visited South Africa before? I’m not sure but I’m glad I finally did! Such an impressive beautiful country full of beautiful people with so much to see and do. My 10 day visit to Cape Town and the Cape province was short...