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7-Day South Africa Safari Tours
South Africa is one of Africa’s most popular destinations. The wildlife viewing here is as good as anywhere, but few people come here for a stand-alone safari. The ever-changing landscapes include rugged mountains, fairy-tale forests, endemic fynbos, open savannah, tropical beaches and stark desert. South Africa’s 19 national parks and hundreds of reserves are dotted all around the country, so visits to these wildlife-dense areas are easily incorporated in a general holiday. A South African safari is rarely just that; pick and choose from all that’s on offer in this country of contrasts and you’ll have a holiday of a lifetime.
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day South Africa Safari: Hluhluwe Elephant Coast
$4,182 to $4,693 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR, Elephant Coast (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 170 Reviews
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7-Day Classic Sabi Sand & Timbavati Kruger Safari
$3,781 to $4,144 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Hoedspruit (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Hoedspruit Airport (Hoedspruit), Hoedspruit (End)
Explore & Travel Africa
5.0/5 – 44 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Best of Both Worlds - Madikwe & Sabi Sands Safari
$7,039 to $7,790 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Madikwe GR, Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg Airport (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 502 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Kruger Park, Hluhluwe & St Lucia Safari
$1,699 to $1,812 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, Hluhluwe (Town), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, King Shaka Airport (End)
Viva Safaris
4.9/5 – 296 Reviews
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7-Day Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon & Kruger Park
$3,894 to $4,124 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Panorama Route (Highlight), Moholoholo (Wildlife Sanctuary), Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Kruger NP, Central Kruger NP, Greater Kruger, Johannesburg (End)
Mmilo Tours
5.0/5 – 133 Reviews
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7-Day Classic Eco-Safari in Kruger National Park
$4,170 to $4,587 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-drive
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Klaserie NR (Greater Kruger), Southern Kruger NP, Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Viatu
5.0/5 – 62 Reviews
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7-Day Highlights of South Africa - Cape Town to Kruger
$1,670 to $1,837 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Cape Town (Start), Cape Peninsula, Winelands, Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Central Kruger NP, Cape Town (End)
Shinzelle Safaris
4.8/5 – 73 Reviews
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7-Day Kruger Private Reserves
$3,856 to $4,563 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Hoedspruit (Start), Klaserie NR (Greater Kruger), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Hoedspruit (End)
Safari Online
5.0/5 – 129 Reviews
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7-Day Timeless Kruger & Cape Town Safari
$3,120 to $3,586 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kapama GR (Greater Kruger), Cape Town (End)
Safari.com
4.7/5 – 186 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Private Kruger Camping Safari
$2,100 to $2,305 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Wild Planet Safari
4.8/5 – 222 Reviews
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7-Day Bush to Beach Kruger/Cape Flights Included Safari
$2,240 to $2,710 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Guest House & HotelYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Cape Town (City), Cape Peninsula, Table Mountain (Cape Town), O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
Red Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 117 Reviews
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7-Day Lodge-Treehouse Safari
$1,368 to $1,380 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Guernsey NR, Kruger NP, Moholoholo (Wildlife Sanctuary), Johannesburg (End)
Wild Kruger
4.9/5 – 57 Reviews
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7-Day Kruger Safari Experience Bush and Buffalos
$2,469 to $2,506 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 – 11 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Midrange Kruger and Victoria Falls Package
$1,955 to $2,151 pp (USD)
South Africa & Zimbabwe: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Greater Kruger, Johannesburg (City), Zambezi NP, Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls Airport (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 1,766 Reviews
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7-Day Unforgettable Immersion in South Africa
$1,666 to $1,797 pp (USD)
Eswatini, Mozambique & South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Resort & CottageYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Maputo (City), Ponta do Ouro (Beach), Hlane Royal NP, Mlilwane WS, Johannesburg (End)
Eden Africa Tours and Safaris
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7-Day Big5 Sabi Sand Greater Kruger & Phinda Reserve
$5,601 to $6,534 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Nelspruit (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Phinda GR, Richards Bay (End)
African Safari Guru
5.0/5 – 56 Reviews
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7-Day Kwazulu Natal Classic Bush & Beach Safari
$2,449 to $2,497 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Durban (Start), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Durban (End)
Indigo Safaris
4.7/5 – 142 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Kruger Untamed & Train on the Bridge Fly-in Safari
$4,256 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
The Kruger Safari Co.
5.0/5 – 179 Reviews
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7-Day Kruger, Panorama Route and Private Game Reserve
$3,101 to $3,350 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Klaserie NR (Greater Kruger), Panorama Route (Highlight), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris
5.0/5 – 119 Reviews
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7-Day Community Interaction and Conservation Experiences
$10,402 to $10,740 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hoedspruit (Town), Kapama GR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Ranger Buck Safaris
5.0/5 – 39 Reviews
6 Questions About 7-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 7-Day South Africa Safaris
Is one week enough time for a safari in South Africa?
“Variety is key in South Africa and it is easy to spend two or three weeks on holiday in this huge country. One week would be a short holiday in a country with so much to offer, but it would be a great amount of time for a safari alone. A typical tour in South Africa consists of one or more safaris mixed in with other attractions. Most people visit Kruger National Park, a huge ecosystem offering excellent wildlife viewing. In 7 days you can tag on some sightseeing before or after the safari, or you can use the time to explore the less-visited central and northern parts of the park. For a rounded holiday, you can extend your safari to include highlights, such as Cape Town, the scenic Garden Route, the tropical beaches of KwaZulu-Natal and lots more.”
1How much will this safari cost?
“South Africa has safari options to suit every budget. As a guideline, you can expect prices for a 7-day budget safari to start at about US$1,100 per person, while mid-range tours start at around US$1,500 per person. Compared to some other safari destinations, South Africa offers great value for money. The good road network and abundance of facilities make self-drive holidays a popular option. While this is mostly alluring to people who like to travel independently, there are great guided tours on offer as well. Shared safaris are usually budget-friendly, especially camping or glamping tours. Private tours offer more flexibility. The overall price of the tours depends hugely on the level of accommodation. Lodges and rest camps in and outside the national parks are often moderately priced, but luxury packages in a much higher price bracket are offered by most private game reserves. South Africa is big, but low-cost domestic flights make travel between cities efficient and cheap. However, high-end fly-in safaris that fly you directly to the reserves’ airstrips are generally more pricey. Always get a few quotations before making a final decision.”
2Where should I go on a 7-day tour in South Africa?
“There are many options for a 7-day South Africa tour. Kruger NP is one of Africa’s most famous safari destinations. It’s hard to beat when it comes to seeing a big variety of animals. The same is true of the private reserves bordering Kruger, many of which share the same ecosystem with open fences. While Kruger is highly recommended for self-drive visitors and budget travelers, the private reserves offer a different kind of experience. Here your expert guide will get you close to all of the Big Five in an open-sided safari vehicle. Whereas in Kruger you need to stay on the roads, you’ll go off-road in the reserves, so look forward to some exhilarating close-up encounters here. Other great wildlife areas include KwaZulu-Natal, with a cluster of scenic coastal reserves, and the desert of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park bordering Namibia. The Zululand reserves are renowned for their high densities of rhinos, and Kgalagadi is sufficiently off the beaten track to appeal to even the most adventurous travelers. Cape Town and the beautiful Garden Route are a great choice for a one-week tour too. Although the Cape doesn’t have the same authentic African flavor as other parts of the country, Big Five reserves, such as Shamwari and Kwandwe Game Reserves, offer a great alternative to the better-known Sabi Sands near Kruger. Elephant-lovers should not miss out on Addo Elephant National Park where big herds can be seen at strategically placed waterholes.”
3What is the best time of the year for a South Africa trip?
“South Africa can be visited at any time. However, if wildlife viewing is your main interest, 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). As the bush dries out animals gather around remaining water sources, such as rivers and waterholes. At this time, the lush vegetation of the Wet season shrivels away, which makes spotting easier as well. While the South African winter is most productive for seeing lots of wildlife, you have to keep in mind that early mornings and evenings can be very cold in open vehicles. Always bring warm clothes for those game drives. The shoulder month of September is lovely as it is the end of the Dry season, but temperatures start to increase a little. Depending on the balance of your holiday you might prefer the warmer summer months from October to April, when conditions are ideal for spending time on the beach and sightseeing in general.”
4Which animals am I likely to see?
“You’ll see plenty of animals on a 7-day safari in South Africa. With a bit of luck, you might even see the Big Five. Your chances are quite good when spending 3 or 4 days in Kruger NP. Even more so in the nearby private reserves where off-road driving makes sightings easier. Elephant, buffalo and giraffe are easily seen. So is lion, but leopard and cheetah sightings are more hit-and-miss. However, leopard is the flagship animal in Sabi Sand Game Reserve, where you might see more than one on a three-hour game drive. Other private reserves, such as Phinda Game Reserve, offer amazing cheetah sightings. You might spot a rhino in Greater Kruger, but the best place to see these endangered heavyweights is in the KwaZulu-Natal reserves and the private reserves of the Eastern Cape. A safari is about a lot more than the Big Five though. You’ll see a great variety of animals, many you might not even known exist. You might see monkeys and baboons, jackals, bat-eared foxes and hyenas, crocodiles and hippos, mongooses and warthogs. You’ll see lots of different antelope species, from the tiny steenbok that freezes when spotted, to the massive but very shy eland. With about 850 birds recorded, South Africa is a fantastic birding destination too.”
5Can I extend my trip with a beach holiday?
“There are lots of opportunities to extend your South Africa safari with some time on the beach. South Africa’s 2,850km/1,770mi coastline is as varied as it is long. The calm, warm waters of the Indian Ocean on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal are most suitable for a conventional beach holiday. The Eastern Cape beaches are less developed and offer an off-the-beaten-track alternative. 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. If none of this is tropical enough for you, you can take a short flight to Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar or Mozambique to experience true island bliss.”
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.
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