South Africa · BIG 5 SAFARIS

Big Five Safaris in South Africa: The 15 Best Reserves

44 tours  ·  from $68

Lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo: five animals, and a reserve that can honestly claim all of them charges for it. The 15 below are compared on reserve size, drive length and whether a sighting is realistic in one day.

From Cape Town: Big Five Game Reserve with Lunch - The Hex River Valley road trip
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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

Travel from Cape Town through the Hex River Valley to Aquila Private Nature Reserve. After a welcome drink and buffet lunch, join a two-hour open-vehicle safari with an English-speaking ranger. Expect close views of lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and many bird species.

“5 stars all the way!! Habibi and Max were amazing, very social and made sure we were all comfortable. The logistics was the very smooth and everything was incredibly on time. The park is amazing and we managed to see animals from very close distances while still feeling very safe. I 100% recommend!”

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Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour - Shark Alley and Geyser Rock
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Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour

2.Marine Big 5 Boat tour

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

Cruise from Kleinbaai into the Dyer Island ecosystem with an English-speaking marine biologist. Look for whales, sharks, dolphins, Cape fur seals, and penguins, then warm up with soup and bread. Cape Town transfers can include the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary. Sea conditions decide both timing and sightings.

“It was good. Saw Southern right whales, sharks that were being baited by shark cage boat company. Seals were great, went to island with penguins. Couldn’t really see them because boat could not get close enough. That was disappointing.”

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Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town - Leaving Cape Town in an air-conditioned coach
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Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town

3.Big Five Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town

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

Travel from central Cape Town to Aquila Game Reserve in the Karoo for a guided open-vehicle safari, buffet lunch, and welcome drink. You may see elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, and more than 170 bird species. Guides such as Denver, Mike, Josh, and Abriel are known for careful driving, animal facts, and warm service.

“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 - Wine, coffee, and a 40-minute stop at Du Toitskloof Wines
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Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

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

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

Travel from Cape Town through Du Toitskloof Pass, the Breede River Valley, and Hex River Valley to Aquila Private Game Reserve. You’ll join a 2 to 3-hour safari drive, enjoy a buffet lunch with champagne, and return with hotel drop-off. Guides such as Mike, Werner, and Jamie are known for strong local commentary.

“Wow! What an amazing experience! Thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend highly! If you’re in Cape Town put this experience at the top of your list!”

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Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Full Day Big 5 Safari Tour - Looking for the Big Five and beyond
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Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Full Day Big 5 Safari Tour

5.Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Full Day Big 5 Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 310 reviews · from $96

Start at 5:00 am in St Lucia and ride into Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park in an open safari vehicle with a ranger. The small group, early start, breakfast, South African braai lunch, water, blankets, and included conservation fees make this a practical full-day wildlife outing. Guides such as Arnaud are known for sharp spotting and clear answers.

“It was a fantastic day! Without going into the animals we saw, as that depends on luck, let me share the good and bad points of this tour. Arnaud, our guide, always had a smile on his face, answered every question, and provided a lot of inforRead more”

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Hluhluwe-Imfolozi: Big 5 Full or Half-Day Safari - The 5:00 AM departure from St Lucia
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Hluhluwe-Imfolozi: Big 5 Full or Half-Day Safari

6.Hluhluwe-Imfolozi: Big 5 Full or Half-Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 280 reviews · 390 - 510 minutes · from $87

Start early from St Lucia or meet at Nyalazi Gate for a small-group safari in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. Your English-speaking ranger searches for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs, while explaining Zulu history and wildlife. Full-day trips include breakfast and a South African braai lunch.

“Kyle was a perfekt Guide- it was a wonderful Trip!”

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Cape Town: Marine Big 5 Ocean Safari from V&A Waterfront - The Atlantic coast from Sea Point to Oudekraal
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Cape Town: Marine Big 5 Ocean Safari from V&A Waterfront

7.Marine Big 5 Ocean Safari from V&A Waterfront

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 278 reviews · 1h 30m · from $68Best value

From the V&A Waterfront, you’ll cruise for 90 minutes along Cape Town’s Atlantic coast on a luxury catamaran. Your English-speaking crew searches for dolphins, seals, penguins, whales, and sunfish while you enjoy views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Camps Bay, and the Twelve Apostles. Wildlife sightings depend on season and sea conditions.

“Unfortunately we didn’t see any whales, but we had a very fun time, and for that price it was absolutely worth it.”

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Marine Big 5 Safari with transport from Cape Town - The Dyer Island boat ride
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Marine Big 5 Safari with transport from Cape Town

8.Marine Big 5 Safari with transport from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 158 reviews · from $181

Travel from Cape Town to Gansbaai for a 2 to 2.5-hour boat search around Dyer Island. An onboard marine biologist, possibly Kelly, explains the animals and conservation work. Tea, muffins, soup, transport, safety gear, and a visit to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary are included.

“This was easily the highlight of my trip to Cape Town. We have a baby Southern Right Whale swim right up to the boat.. once in a lifetime experience. We saw a total of 6 whales, penguins, seals and sharks. 10/10”

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Addo Elephant Park:Safari Tour meet Big 5 to be satisfied - What six hours inside Addo really gives you
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Addo Elephant Park:Safari Tour meet Big 5 to be satisfied

9.Addo Elephant Park:Safari Tour meet Big 5 to be satisfied

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · 6 hours · from $221

Meet Otto of OTTOURS at the Port Elizabeth harbour gate, then ride into Addo Elephant Park for a six-hour search for the Big Five and smaller animals. The day includes park entry, transport, refreshments, a picnic lunch, and a visit to the Interpretation Centre. Bring your passport, camera, binoculars, and a warm jacket.

“Otto hat hat sich super um uns gekümmert und versucht alle Tiere für uns zu sichten. Das Picnic war auch hervorragend. Alles in Allm empfehlenswert.”

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Marine Big 5 Safari: Self-Drive - Understanding the Marine Big Five
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Marine Big 5 Safari: Self-Drive

10.Marine Big 5 Safari: Self-Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 68 reviews · from $129

Drive yourself to Gansbaai for a 2 to 2.5-hour Marine Big 5 boat trip with a guide and onboard marine biologist. Look for whales, sharks, seals, penguins, and dolphins near Dyer Island, then enjoy soup and bread or lasagne and visit the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary. Bring extra money for the compulsory conservation fee.

“A great way to experience marine life in South Africa while supporting conservation and research efforts. The area is beautiful from the boat. Come during whale season if you can. If not you may still see the Bryde’s Whale. Be sure to visit the South African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary. These birds are threatened with becoming extinct in the wild soon and need support.”

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Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Reserve day Safari from Durban - Entering Hluhluwe Imfolozi
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Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Reserve day Safari from Durban

11.Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Reserve day Safari from Durban

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · from $210

Spend about 11 to 12 hours traveling from Durban to Hluhluwe Imfolozi, South Africa’s oldest protected area. A guide such as Sibo or Nikolas leads the game drive, with chances to see lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and more. Transport, entry, guiding, and limited bottled water are included.

“There are not much wild animals to be seen. I really would not recommend this safari to anyone who is expecting to see the big 5.”

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Marine Big 5 Safari with transport from Hermanus - A crew focused on safety and clear explanations
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Marine Big 5 Safari with transport from Hermanus

12.Marine Big 5 Safari with transport from Hermanus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $164

Travel from Hermanus to Gansbaai for a two-hour Marine Big 5 boat safari around Dyer Island. Marine Dynamics guides explain the sea life and conservation work as you search for whales, dolphins, Cape fur seals, African penguins, and great white sharks. Pickup, safety gear, hot drinks, soup, bread, and APSS entry are included.

“All the staffing were very nice. Very personable and knowledgeable. The boat was big and comfortable. No inside seating or roof as you are really out in the elements. Very easy and very laidback.”

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From Cape Town: Big Five Safari Experience with Lunch - The morning pickup and road trip
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From Cape Town: Big Five Safari Experience with Lunch

13.Big Five Safari Experience with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 38 reviews · 9 hours · from $137

Spend about nine hours traveling from Cape Town to a private game reserve, with pickup around 8:50 a.m., a halal buffet lunch, and a 2.5 to 3-hour game drive. Guides such as Collen and Dudu add useful local insight. Expect a convenient introduction to safari, though the reserve feels more managed than a national park.

“Our trip to Aquila was better than we could’ve imagined thanks to our tour guide Collen. We were picked up promptly by Collen who introduced himself to us and was very witty and chatty. The whole drive to Aquila we felt very safe, Collen drove perfectly despite the long journey and during transport explained the plan of the day in depth, including top tips for us to get the maximum enjoyment out of our day. Collen shared such a mass of knowledge, about the animals, passing and lots about the general history of Cape Town which was so insightful. He really went above and beyond, tailoring his service to our…”

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Big 5 Safari Am or Pm - Starting from Hoedspruit
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Big 5 Safari Am or Pm

14.Big 5 Safari Am or Pm

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 30 reviews · 4 hours · from $74

Join Matumi Destinations for a 3.5 to 4-hour shared safari from Hoedspruit into Kruger National Park. Ride in an open vehicle with an English-speaking guide, watch for lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo, and pause for coffee or sundowners. Guides such as James, Gert, and their team use radio contact to help find wildlife.

“Our tour guides James and Gert from matumi were excellent, very professional and very informative”

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Sunset Safari at the big 5 Game Reserve All inclusive - Watching the bush change at sunset
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Sunset Safari at the big 5 Game Reserve All inclusive

15.Sunset Safari at the big 5 Game Reserve All inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 30 reviews · 8 hours · from $280

Travel from selected Cape Town hotels to a private Big 5 reserve for an open-air 4x4 drive at dusk. Your guide explains local wildlife and plants as you watch for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and birds. English and French guides are available, including guide Enoch Mukidi Lokwa.

“Une activité que nous recommandons. Particulièrement en étant pris en charge à notre hôtel. Notre conducteur Enoch Mukidi Lokwa a été charmant. Il parle bien le français et c’est un excellent conducteur. Il nous a simplifié toutes les démarches une fois arrivés à la Réserve. Nous avons ainsi pu avoir une place privilégiée près du chauffeur lors du mini safari. Nous avons pu admirer la faune de très près !”

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New in Big 5 Safaris

★ 5.0Cape Town Aquila Private Game Reserve Big Five Safari AdventureFrom $3194 reviews
★ 4.0Big Five Safari Experience Near Cape Town ,South AfricaFrom $12711 reviews
★ 4.5Big 5 Aquila Safari Full Day Tour and LunchFrom $16717 reviews
★ 5.02 Day Small Group Garden Route Big 5 Safari Tour from Cape TownFrom $1,4366 reviews
★ 5.0Private Safari Tour: Pilansberg National Park Big 5From $1557 reviews
★ 5.0Private Tour: Big 5 Safari, Experience the wild animalsFrom $3454 reviews
★ 4.0Johannesburg: Half-Day Big 5 Safari TourFrom $2027 reviews
★ 5.0Big 5 Safari in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi ParkFrom $1583 reviews
★ 4.8Big 5 Kruger National Park Day SafariFrom $1214 reviews
★ 5.0Wildlife Lovers Big 5 Safari at 2 Game ReservesFrom $2465 reviews
★ 4.0Big Five Sunset Safari incl. TransportationFrom $2803 reviews
★ 5.0Early Morning Safari Big Five Experience Near Cape Town, SAFrom $3423 reviews
★ 4.9Hluhluwe Big 5 Safari with Pro Zeiss BinocularsFrom $20211 reviews
★ 4.4Gansbaai and Big 5 Sea Safari Full-Day Tour from Cape TownFrom $2028 reviews
★ 3.3The Best Private Cape Town Safari Day Trip – Aquila Big 5From $3743 reviews

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