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5-Day South Africa Safari Tours
With its ever-changing landscapes, South Africa is one of Africa’s most popular holiday destinations. It features dramatic mountains, stark deserts, lush forests, endemic fynbos, savannah woodland and idyllic tropical beaches. No wonder the country is a favorite with many outdoor enthusiasts. Aside from its scenic beauty, the wildlife is the country’s biggest asset. South Africa is dotted with 19 national parks and more than 100 other provincial and private reserves. Unsurprisingly, there are endless opportunities for a 5-day South Africa safari.
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Kruger Park, Private Lodge & Panorama Route
$1,428 to $1,604 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Hazyview (Town), Johannesburg (End)
Wildlife Safaris
4.9/5 – 281 Reviews
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5-Day Luxury Kruger Park and Sabi Sand Safari
$2,921 to $3,240 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Safari.com
4.7/5 – 186 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Tremisana Lodge Kruger Park Safari
$1,059 to $1,100 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Greater Kruger, Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Viva Safaris
4.9/5 – 301 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Sabi Sands Umkumbe Lodge Safari
$1,427 to $1,570 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Sabi Sabi GR (Sabi Sands), Johannesburg (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 1,792 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![5-Day Sabi Sands and Kruger Safari]()
5-Day Sabi Sands and Kruger Safari
$3,079 to $3,688 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 504 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![5-Day Greater Kruger Budget Glamping Safari]()
5-Day Greater Kruger Budget Glamping Safari
$682 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Greater Kruger, Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Central Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
The Kruger Safari Co.
5.0/5 – 180 Reviews
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![5-Day Sabi Sand & Kruger Ensuite Safari from/to Joburg]()
5-Day Sabi Sand & Kruger Ensuite Safari from/to Joburg
$1,595 to $1,834 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Wild Kruger
4.9/5 – 58 Reviews
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Best Seller
5-Day Private Parks Kruger - Two Different Game Lodges
$1,646 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Hoedspruit (Start), Klaserie NR (Greater Kruger), Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Hoedspruit (End)
Wildlife Encounters
5.0/5 – 23 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![5-Day South Africa Luxury Tour]()
5-Day South Africa Luxury Tour
$3,419 to $3,671 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge & Hotel
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Kapama GR (Greater Kruger), Hoedspruit Airport (Hoedspruit), Hoedspruit (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 172 Reviews
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![5-Day Safari with Night Drive and Panorama Route Tour]()
5-Day Safari with Night Drive and Panorama Route Tour
$1,517 to $1,549 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Panorama Route (Highlight), Kruger NP, O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
Khalanga Safaris
5.0/5 – 77 Reviews
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![5-Day Malamala Exclusive Fly in Safari]()
5-Day Malamala Exclusive Fly in Safari
$3,688 to $5,537 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), MalaMala GR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Ranger Buck Safaris
5.0/5 – 41 Reviews
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![5-Day Unforgettable Big 5 Kruger Safari]()
5-Day Unforgettable Big 5 Kruger Safari
$2,337 to $2,961 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Viatu
5.0/5 – 63 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![5-Day Private Kruger Safari and Panorama Route]()
5-Day Private Kruger Safari and Panorama Route
$1,840 to $2,024 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range ChaletYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Wild Planet Safari
4.9/5 – 223 Reviews
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![5-Day Kruger National Park South & Panorama Route]()
5-Day Kruger National Park South & Panorama Route
$1,066 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Camping & LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg Airport (End)
Nhlalala Travel
4.9/5 – 53 Reviews
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![5-Day Luxury Mdluli Game Lodge Kruger National Park]()
5-Day Luxury Mdluli Game Lodge Kruger National Park
$996 to $1,080 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 – 119 Reviews
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5-Day Special Kruger Park & Panorama Route Adventure
$1,351 to $1,635 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range HotelYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Moholoholo (Wildlife Sanctuary), Johannesburg (End)
Red Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 117 Reviews
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5-Day Luxury Safari Big Five
$1,955 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, Johannesburg (End)
Go Touch Down Travel & Tours
5.0/5 – 165 Reviews
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Best Seller
![5-Day Kruger NP Deluxe Safari Incl Panorama Route]()
5-Day Kruger NP Deluxe Safari Incl Panorama Route
$1,089 to $1,198 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg Airport (End)
The Mzansi Experience
4.5/5 – 79 Reviews
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5-Day Sabi Sand Luxury Safari with Chitwa Chitwa
$5,634 to $6,083 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Hoedspruit (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Hoedspruit Airport (Hoedspruit), Hoedspruit (End)
Indigo Safaris
4.6/5 – 142 Reviews
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![5-Day Timbavati's Aerial Odyssey a Safari like No Other]()
5-Day Timbavati's Aerial Odyssey a Safari like No Other
$1,107 to $1,251 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
African Wildlife Plains
4.7/5 – 6 Reviews
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6 Questions About 5-Day South Africa Safaris
Answered by
Ariadne van Zandbergen
Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert and photographer. She and her husband form a team who write and update many travel guides. South Africa has been her home for the last 25 years. She has traveled around the country extensively, visiting all its parks and reserves regularly for work and leisure.› More about Ariadne
6 Questions About 5-Day South Africa Safaris
Ariadne van Zandbergen
Is 5 days enough time for a trip in South Africa?
“Five days is enough time for a safari, but it would be very short for a South African holiday. South Africa has a lot to offer and you can easily spend two or three weeks on holiday in this varied country. Differing to holidays in other safari countries in Africa, a typical South African holiday consists of one or more safaris mixed in with other highlights. On a 5-day safari you can visit Kruger National Park and the Panorama Route, a scenic drive connecting waterfalls and several viewpoints over the Drakensberg escarpment and the Blyde River Canyon. Although this combination is very popular for good reason, there are many other areas offering excellent wildlife viewing that are worth exploring too. And then there are the mountains, the cities, the scenic coastline of the Garden Route, and much more.”
1How much will this safari cost?
“South Africa is a relatively affordable safari destination. As a guideline, you can expect prices for a mid-range safari to start at about US$1,000 per person, while luxury tours start at around US$1,500 per person. There are options for every budget. With its well-developed road network and generally modern facilities, the country lends itself to a self-drive safari – an affordable option if you like to travel independently. When booking a guided tour, you have the choice between joining a group or a private safari. The former is usually more budget-friendly, but the latter gives you more flexibility. There is a huge choice of accommodation options in South Africa. Lodges and rest camps in and outside the national parks are often moderately priced, but most private game reserves offer luxury packages in a higher price bracket. Domestic flights between South African cities are well priced, but high-end fly-in safaris where you fly directly to the reserves’ airstrips come with a hefty price tag. I recommend getting a few quotations before booking a 5-day South Africa safari.”
2Where should I go on a 5-day safari in South Africa?
“There are several options for a 5-day safari in South Africa. Most popular is Kruger NP. This vast ecosystem is the size of a small country. The south of the park is most accessible, but central and northern Kruger are less crowded. Both guided and self-drive safaris are good options in Kruger. Although part of the same ecosystem, the private game reserves bordering Kruger offer a very different experience. Here your expert guide will get you close to all of the Big Five in an open-sided safari vehicle. Whereas you need to stick to the roads in Kruger, you’ll go off-road in the reserves, so expect some exciting close-up encounters here. This doesn’t come cheaply but the whole package with luxury accommodation, gourmet food and outstanding service is worth every cent. The cluster of KwaZulu-Natal reserves, including Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, Ithala and uMkhuze Game Reserves, is very different. This tropical area with rolling hills and lush vegetation is particularly scenic. Rhinos are prolific here and the birding is outstanding. There are some other excellent 5-day safari packages available if your holiday is centered on Cape Town and the Garden Route. Addo Elephant National Park, Gondwana, Shamwari and Kwandwe Private Game Reserves are all Big Five destinations.”
3What is the best time of the year for a South Africa trip?
“The best time of the year for a safari in South Africa is from May to September. This is the South African winter, which corresponds to the Dry season in most of the country (the exception is the Cape Town area, which experiences winter rainfall). Water in the bush dries out as the Dry season progresses, and animals are easier to find as they gather around rivers and waterholes. The shriveling vegetation makes animal spotting easier too. Although this is the most productive time for wildlife viewing, you must keep in mind that early mornings and evenings can be very cold in open vehicles. The shoulder month of September is perhaps best as it is the end of the Dry season, but temperatures start to increase a little. If you want to combine your safari with other highlights or time on the beach, you might prefer the warmer summer months from October to April.”
4Which animals am I likely to see on a 5-day South Africa safari?
“You can see a big variety of animals in South Africa. You’ve got a good chance of seeing the Big Five when spending 3 or 4 days in Kruger NP. Even more so in the adjacent private reserves where off-road driving makes sightings easier. Elephant, buffalo and giraffe are common throughout. Of the big cats, lion is easiest to see but you need a fair amount of luck to see the secretive leopard in Kruger. This sought-after cat is, however, the flagship species of the bordering Sabi Sand Game Reserve. White rhinos are quite common in southern Kruger, but the best place to see these endangered heavyweights is in the KwaZulu-Natal reserves. The Big Five aside, it is really the variety in antelope species that sets South Africa apart as a wildlife destination. Look out for the stately spiral-horned greater kudu or the more localized nyala. The red duiker can be seen scurrying away in coastal forests, while the dainty steenbok, which freezes its motion when spotted, is common throughout. On a 5-day safari, you’ll probably see most animals on your bucket list, as well as many more you didn’t even know existed.”
5Can I extend my trip with a beach holiday?
“There is no better way to extend a holiday than taking some time to relax on the beach. South Africa’s 2,850km/1,770mi coastline is as varied as its interior. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape are perfect for a tropical beach holiday. There are many family-friendly resorts to choose from, as well as more-secluded romantic getaways. The beautiful southern beaches along the Garden Route are lovely in summer, but very cold in winter. Active visitors wanting to explore, walk or cycle, as well as relax, enjoy this area most. However, if you are looking for pure island bliss, you might want to hop on a plane to Mauritius, Seychelles or the islands of Mozambique.”
6South Africa Reviews
Anthony is a photographer and writer for travel magazines and Lonely Planet, including the guides to Kenya and Botswana & Namibia.
South Africa: World-class Safaris
South Africa is one of my favourite places to go on safari, with all the necessary ingredients for a wildlife experience that will begin your enduring love affair with the continent. Primary among these ingredients is the wildlife....
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...
A wonderful country of contrasts and lovely people.
South Africa truly is a world in one country. The people are so hospitable and the food is wonderful and extremely generous. The wildlife has to be seen to be believed lions walking right by your jeep. Baby elephants being highly...
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One of the most diverse beautiful countries I have ever visited
The scenery is out of this world , from the beautiful beaches, Table Mountain, Botanical gardens, Boulders beach, Wine country, garden route, Safari in Kruger. each experience was unique and highly recommended. Cape Town itself was a very...
A safari is a must when in South Africa
We visited Cape Town first and stayed close to the new V&A development. Lots to see and do and lots of restaurants with superb mall. Moved to Hermanus and watched the whales frolicking in the sea just off the shoreline. No boat trip...
Destination of Beauty and Despair
We travelled as a group of 3 generations- the oldest 81 years old and the youngest 17. Cape Town has the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain against the blue sky, the beautiful Company Gardens and Kirstenbosch Botannical Gardens. The new...