Africa · WILDLIFE SAFARIS IN SOUTH AFRICA

15 Wildlife Safaris in South Africa That Repay the Early Start

62 tours  ·  from $31

All 15 wildlife safaris in South Africa you can book right now, with the per-person price, the length of the day and who each one suits. The first one is first for a reason.

From Cape Town: Big Five Game Reserve with Lunch - Arriving at Aquila Private Nature Reserve
Cape Town Tours, South Africa Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in Cape Town, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

From Cape Town: Big Five Game Reserve with Lunch

1.Big Five Game Reserve with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,409 reviews · 9 hours · from $236Our pick

Leave Cape Town for Aquila Private Nature Reserve in an air-conditioned minibus. After the 2.5-hour drive, enjoy a buffet lunch, then join an open vehicle safari with an English-speaking ranger. You may see lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and up to 172 bird species.

“Pickup was slightly late, but honestly nothing unexpected and everything ran smoothly afterwards. We were welcomed with drinks, had some good buffet food and a bit of time to relax before the safari started. The reserve itself is huge, with free-roaming animals, and even though I get the “big zoo” comparison some people make, I was genuinely fascinated the whole time. We saw so many animals and learned a lot - the guide explained everything in detail, made sure everyone could take photos, and was overall excellent. For anyone with limited time who still wants to see animals in a well-organized, stress-free way, this is a great tour. Everything was…”

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From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari - The early pickup and two-hour road journey
Johannesburg & Pretoria Tours, National Parks, South Africa Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in Johannesburg & Pretoria, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

2.Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,327 reviews · 12 hours · from $186

Leave Johannesburg before sunrise for Pilanesberg, where guides such as Petrus, Martin, and Desmond lead two open vehicle drives through a reserve holding more than 7,000 animals. You get 4.5 to 5 hours in the park, lunch at a rest camp, and hotel pickup. The long road journey is the tradeoff for a convenient one-day safari.

“Our guide Petros was a perfect and energetic tour guide. We really enjoyed it”

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Cape Town: Marine Wildlife Tour from the V&A Waterfront - The first minutes on Table Bay
Cape Town Tours, South Africa Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in Cape Town, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

Cape Town: Marine Wildlife Tour from the V&A Waterfront

3.Marine Wildlife Tour from the V&A Waterfront

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,118 reviews · 1h 30m · from $61

Set out from the V&A Waterfront on a fast 90-minute marine wildlife cruise. Your English-speaking captain and guide search Table Bay for dolphins, Cape fur seals, penguins, sunfish, seabirds, and seasonal whales. The small boat gives you close views, though boarding, low rear seats, wind, and spray can be challenging.

“The tour guide was very friendly and his service was exceptional!! He even took some extra time outside of our tour time frame to show us some dolphins and whales! Definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Would highly recommend it for everyone!”

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From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge - Betty’s Bay adds a wildlife stop before the reserve
2-Day Experiences, Garden Route Tours, South Africa Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in Garden Route, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge

4.2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 928 reviews · 2 days · from $533

Travel from Cape Town in a small group of up to 12 with an English-speaking guide, stopping at Hermanus, Betty’s Bay, and Cape Agulhas before an overnight at Garden Route Game Lodge. Expect two game drives, a three-course dinner, breakfast, and a long but scenic return journey.

“We had the absolute best few days! This was mainly down to Franks attentive personality and he could not do enough for us! He was a great driver and very informative. I actually learnt so much about South Africa. He was very caring and also great with the kids. Frank stopped at some amazing parts of the coast. The lodge is stunning and our safari guide was great also. We saw all the main animals and had a great stay. It was such value for money. Thanks Frank for making this a memory for life!”

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Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari - Pickup from Port Elizabeth and the ride into the park
Full-Day, Garden Route Tours, National Parks, South Africa Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in Garden Route, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari

5.Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 872 reviews · 9 hours · from $186

Spend a full day in Addo Elephant National Park in a shared, air-conditioned 4x4 Jeep with a maximum of 10 people. Guides such as Freddy, John, Sidwell, and King Elvis are praised for sharp animal spotting and lively park knowledge. Expect two game drives, lunch, hotel pickup, and close elephant encounters.

“Sidwell was an amazing Guide! I had so much fun, he showed us the best spots and made sure we got enough time for the pictures. Thank you so much Sidwell.”

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Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari - Leaving Hazyview Before Sunrise
Full-Day, Kruger & Mpumalanga Tours, National Parks, Private Tours, South Africa Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in Kruger & Mpumalanga, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari

6.Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 799 reviews · from $158Top rated

Leave Hazyview at 5:30 am for a private, full-day Kruger safari with a professional guide. Your guide may be Senzo, Didi, or Patrick, all praised for clear explanations and friendly service. Look for the Big Five, cheetahs, African wild dogs, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, elephants, and hundreds of bird species.

“Didi proved to be quite an awesome guide—he was very knowledgeable about so many things in the park, and was able to answer all of our questions. He also got us up close and personal with white rhinos, elephants, leapards, zebras, giraffes, and countless other small gaRead more”

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Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria - The first open-vehicle drive
Full-Day, Johannesburg & Pretoria Tours, National Parks, South Africa Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in Johannesburg & Pretoria, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

7.Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 718 reviews · from $159

Join MoAfrika Tours for a full-day Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria. You will ride in an open 4x4 with an experienced guide, take morning and afternoon game drives, and have lunch beside a waterhole. Guides such as Clement and Sibu are praised for their animal knowledge and care. Expect an early start and a long road day.

“Full day with excellent game sightings. The van picked me up around 530am and dropped me off at 630pm. About 3 hrs each way to the park including a rest stop. Driver was excellent from Mo Afrika. At the park we transfered to a Safari vehicle with another excellent guide and we had two drives separated by a good lunch. Saw many animals and was pleased with the whole experience. Might have liked a few minutes at the gift shop at the entrance.”

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Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour - The boat ride to Dyer Island
Boat Trips & Cruises, Boat Trips in South Africa, Hermanus & Gansbaai Tours, South Africa Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour

8.Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 593 reviews · 2.5 - 10 hours · from $155

Head to Gansbaai’s Great White House for coffee, safety gear and a marine briefing before a two-hour boat trip around Dyer Island and Shark Alley. A marine biologist explains the wildlife, while the crew searches for whales, sharks, seals, dolphins and penguins. Cape Town transfers and a penguin sanctuary visit are optional.

“Highly recommend and encourage you to book this tour - it was done with a focus on preserving nature and encourages support for the declining African penguin colony via a NGO. This was well done and the onboard marine biologist made this even more special with in depth knowledge during each sighting! We also stopped by a penguin rehab facility which added a lot of knowledge and background on the support efforts to save the species! Would do this again!”

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Little Brak River: Botlierskop Guided Game Drive - What happens during the three-hour drive
Garden Route Tours, South Africa Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in Garden Route, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

Little Brak River: Botlierskop Guided Game Drive

9.Little Brak River: Botlierskop Guided Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 589 reviews · from $40Best value

Spend three hours in an open safari vehicle at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve near Little Brak River. An English-speaking guide such as Chris, Neil, Mandela, or Memory takes you through a 4,200-hectare reserve in search of lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, and more. Allow time afterward for lunch, the pool, and mountain views.

“Botlierskop is a wonderful, upmarket place for a game drive. Despite not seeing any lions (there had been lots the day before, we were told!), we had a great time and saw numerous other animals and birds, from giraffe to zebra to rhinos. We were confident that our driver/ranger wanted us to see as much as possible. And boy, did he work that bone-shaker four wheel drive to the max! Lunch was great too. Highly recommened and excellent value for three hours. Thank you.”

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Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town - Arriving at Aquila Game Reserve
Cape Town Tours, South Africa Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in Cape Town, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town

10.Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 576 reviews · from $184

Travel from Cape Town to Aquila Game Reserve in an air-conditioned coach, then join a roughly three-hour open-vehicle drive through the Karoo. Your English-speaking ranger looks for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, and birdlife. Lunch, a welcome drink, and hotel pickup are included. Guides such as Denver, Max, Josh, and Abriel have earned special praise.

“Beautiful road from Cape Town in a comfortable vehicle. Timely pick up. Great lunch at the lodge. Amazing safari experience”

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Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip - Why this Cape Town safari works for a short visit
Cape Town Tours, Day Trips, Day Trips in Cape Town, Day Trips in South Africa, South Africa Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in Cape Town, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

11.Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 526 reviews · from $155

Leave Cape Town at 8:30 a.m. in an upmarket air-conditioned vehicle with a guide such as Mike, Werner, or Jamie. Cross Du Toitskloof Pass, pause for wine or coffee, then join a 2 to 3-hour Aquila game drive with buffet lunch and champagne. The reserve fee is extra, and private safari vehicles cost more.

“Mike was incredible! Very informative and cared for us the entire way! Made sure we were first in line for lunch and made sure we got the best seats! 11/10! So good, we canceled our other tours just to book with him!”

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Cape Town: Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive - Pickup from Cape Town and the long road south
Cape Town Tours, South Africa Tours, Sunset Tours, Sunset Tours in Cape Town, Sunset Tours in South Africa, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in Cape Town, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

Cape Town: Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive

12.Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 508 reviews · 9 hours · from $168

Travel from Cape Town to Aquila Private Game Reserve for a sunset drive in an open 4x4 truck. Expect a long but scenic day, a welcome drink, tea, coffee, snacks or buffet food, and a ranger-led search for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, and zebra. Guides such as Elda, Dona, Frank, and Josh are often praised for their commentary.

“The trip was amazing, both the driver to Aquila and the safari tour guide were amazing. They both explained things very well. On the way from CPT to Aquila our driver explained some history about CPT, the winefarms and the wars, it kept the drive entertaining. Shoutout to Dona (our driver) (with one a)😉. The safari tour guide was also very good. The park itself is beautiful aswell, it’s not the biggest, but it was big enough to see a lot of animals. We managed to see 4 out of the big 5. The leopard was the only one we didn’t see. Apart from the animals in the big 5…”

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Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg - The landing and the small physical challenge
Hot Air Balloon Rides, Johannesburg & Pretoria Tours, South Africa Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in Johannesburg & Pretoria, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg

13.Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 418 reviews · from $240

Meet at Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris in Skeerpoort for an early morning flight above the Magaliesbergs and Cradle of Humankind. Expect about an hour in the air, live pilot commentary, a possible bumpy landing, post-flight drinks, a sparkling wine buffet breakfast, and a commemorative certificate. Hotel transfers are optional.

“The trip was smooth and soothing, enjoyed every moment of it. I would recommend to everyone. The pilot was very knowledgeable and make the trip quite enjoyable”

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Full Day Pilanesberg Experience in Open Vehicle - The early pickup from Johannesburg
Full-Day, Johannesburg & Pretoria Tours, South Africa Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in Johannesburg & Pretoria, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

Full Day Pilanesberg Experience in Open Vehicle

14.Full Day Pilanesberg Experience in Open Vehicle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 414 reviews · from $137

Leave Johannesburg around 6:00 a.m. for Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, where a park guide such as Petrus, Chris, or Thaboo leads a morning open 4x4 drive and an afternoon closed-vehicle drive. Lunch, park fees, hotel transfers, and onboard Wi-Fi are included. The day runs about 11 hours, with roughly five hours spent on safari.

“Though I haven’t seen the big 5 but the tour service is very efficient and Thaboo, the safari driver is kind enough to explain the features of wildlife we have seen.”

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From Cape Town: South African Wildlife and Safari 2-Day Tour - From Table Mountain to the Garden Route
2-Day Experiences, Cape Town Tours, Day Trips, Day Trips in Cape Town, Day Trips in South Africa, South Africa Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife Safaris, Wildlife Safaris in Cape Town, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

From Cape Town: South African Wildlife and Safari 2-Day Tour

15.South African Wildlife and Safari 2-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 411 reviews · 2 days · from $322

Trade Cape Town for two private reserves, two shared 4x4 drives, and one night in Oudtshoorn. You may spot rhinos, elephants, buffalo, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and more. Guides such as Nev, Denver, Dylan, and Ulrich are praised for making the long drives informative and fun. Add the elephant observation for about R640.

“We are group of 8 (family/friends) traveling together - This activity was absolutely perfect , The safari, accommodation, elephant walk (highly recommended!), the information provided by our guide during long drive, very interesting and useful. Jacob (guide) has organized for us everything - restaurant bookings, transfers and all other one more time: we are very happy and like to say big thank you!!”

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New in Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

★ 4.5Aquila Game Reserve Safari with Park Fees, Transport & LunchFrom $238121 reviews
★ 5.06-Day Garden Route & Addo South African Adventure from Cape TownFrom $675282 reviews
★ 5.05-Day Garden Route & Addo Adventure from Cape Town to Port ElizabethFrom $641116 reviews
★ 5.05 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari – Best of South Africa Small Group TourFrom $575291 reviews
★ 5.04 Day Garden Route Adventure & SafariFrom $640114 reviews
★ 5.03 Day Garden Route’s Best Highlights with Safari from Cape TownFrom $366189 reviews
★ 5.03 Day Garden Route SafariFrom $445177 reviews
★ 5.02 Day South African Wildlife Tour with 4×4 Safari from Cape TownFrom $279251 reviews
★ 4.7Garden Route and Addo Elephant Park 6-Day SafariFrom $852175 reviews
★ 4.5Schotia Game Reserve Safari with Port PickupFrom $233263 reviews
★ 4.6Schotia Safaris: Best Wildlife Encounters in Port ElizabethFrom $22789 reviews
★ 4.7Addo Elephant Park Shore Excursion with BBQFrom $164141 reviews
★ 4.2Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve: 2-Hour Game DriveFrom $55267 reviews
★ 4.8Hartbeespoort: Lion and Safari Park TourFrom $70103 reviews
★ 4.8Hartbeespoort: Lion and Safari Park Guided TourFrom $3899 reviews

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