Safari Tours in Johannesburg: 15 Sorted by What You Get

1.Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg

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

Rise early at Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris for a one-hour flight above the Magaliesbergs and Cradle of Humankind. Your pilot provides live commentary, then you return for post-flight drinks, a sparkling wine buffet breakfast, and a flight certificate. Allow four hours in total, and arrive ready to stand for the full flight.

“Everyone was very friendly helpful and we had so much to talk about and to see the sights was amazing and our guide knew what he was doing thank you to each and every one it was lovely.”

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2.From Johannesburg: Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 384 reviews · 5 hours · from $167

Travel from Johannesburg or Pretoria in a small group of up to 13, then join a one-hour open-vehicle drive at Lion and Safari Park. Expect close views of lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, and possibly a white lion. Guides such as Dusty, AJ, and Thapelo are praised for warm service and clear explanations.

“Absolutely loved the tour ❤️ Our guide Dusty was fantastic, very knowledgeable, witty , helpful and friendly. We saw 3 different Lion prides, cheetahs, African painted dogs, leopards, different kinds of hyenas ( striped and spotted), wilder-beast, bushbucks, impalas , red hartebeast, kudus and got really really close to two giraffes. Even got to feed one of them. Absolutely recommend this experience .”

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3.Safari Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · from $198

Meet at Kloofzicht Lodge near Johannesburg before sunrise for tea, coffee, and the balloon launch. Fly for about an hour over game reserves in the Cradle of Humankind, watching for giraffes, rhinos, buffalo, zebras, and other animals. Finish with sparkling wine, certificates, and a full buffet breakfast. Wildlife sightings are possible, not guaranteed.

“It's a owsom experience of my life. Also suggest to take flight to everyone in there life. My family enjoy a lot.”

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4.Captivating Safari Lion Park Experience (Half Day Guided Tour)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 62 reviews · from $94Best value

You’ll be picked up in Johannesburg and driven to Lion and Safari Park for a two-hour guided safari in a caged vehicle. Look for white and brown lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, zebra, and antelopes. Drivers including Solly and Bryan have earned praise for punctual service and local conversation, while the park guide leads the animal viewing.

“We were picked up on time from our hotel and driven to the park by a very informative driver. The staff at the Lion Park then took us on a fabulous tour ensuring we got great photos and time within each area to satisfy us. We then came bacRead more”

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5.From Johannesburg: Rhino & Lion Safari and Wonder Cave Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 49 reviews · 8 hours · from $121

Travel from Johannesburg to Bothongo Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve for a small-group safari, wildlife centre visit, lunch, and the 2.2-billion-year-old Wonder Cave. You may meet guides such as Gabriel, Marvin, or Donald, with time to see lions, rhinos, cheetahs, wild dogs, and much more.

“Gorgeous views and sunshine. Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable tour guides. I didn’t expect to see so many animals as we saw. And the cave- it’s really a wonder cave, full of evolutionary magic. Special thanks to the Moja Tours guide Mr Marvin, who took me to that tour. He provided extra knowledges and kindness to make the day memorable.”

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6.Johannesburg: Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $121

You’ll travel from your Johannesburg hotel to Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve for a guided 1.5 to 2-hour drive in an open safari vehicle. Look for lions, white rhinos, wild dogs, hippos, crocodiles, cheetahs, and antelope. The small group is limited to 15, with English guiding, bottled water, and hotel transport included.

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7.Half Day Tala Game Reserve & Natal Lion Park from Durban

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 16 reviews · from $190

Travel from Durban to Tala Game Reserve for a 4x4 safari among rhino, giraffe, zebra, hippo, kudu, and more, then visit Natal Lion Park for lions and elephants. English-speaking guides provide regional context, with pickup from hotels, the airport, or cruise ships. Vehicle and pickup reliability deserve careful attention.

“The trip itself was worth seeing. We saw many animals, and were able to get very close to some of them. Unfortunately, the weather put a damper on our plans (persistent, torrential rain). The guides made the most of it.”

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8.Tala Game Reserve & Natal Lion Park 1/2 Day Tour from Durban

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 13 reviews · from $190

Leave Durban at 7:30am for a two-hour game drive at 3,000-hectare Tala Game Reserve, then visit Natal Lion Park for lions, elephants, and smaller animals. Hotel, airport, and port pickup is included. English-speaking guides such as Timba share wildlife and KwaZulu-Natal information, though park delays and vehicle arrangements can affect the day.

“Very nice guide and everyone on the safari in general. The only downside was that the air conditioning in the bus was much too cold, so everyone was freezing.”

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9.Johannesburg: Lion Park Safari and Cultural Village Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 12 reviews · 1 day · from $219

Leave your Johannesburg hotel at 8am for a 4x4 game drive at Lion and Safari Park, then visit Lesedi Cultural Village and its five traditional homesteads. You may see lions, hyenas, wild dogs, cheetahs, giraffes, and antelope. English, French, and Portuguese guides are available, including Pascal.

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10.13 Day Safari – Cape Town to Johannesburg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $3,463

Travel privately from Cape Town to Johannesburg with African Sun Safaris, stopping at the Garden Route, Addo, Durban, Drakensberg, iSimangaliso and Kruger. You get 12 nights of bed-and-breakfast accommodation, daily breakfast, guided sightseeing, a hippo and crocodile cruise, and a full-day open-vehicle safari. Guide Tim has led this route for more than five years.

“We got to travel the country with a highly experienced driver Tim who has been working for African Sun Safaris for over 5 years. He knows the trip like the back of his hand and laid out a clear itinerary, often with a few different options dependinRead more”

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11.Johannesburg: Half-Day Big 5 Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · from $202

Travel from a central Johannesburg hotel to Dinokeng Game Reserve for a three-hour open-vehicle safari with a qualified ranger. Guides including Ben and Tebogo handle transfers and wildlife tracking. Small groups make the outing personal, though Big 5 sightings are never guaranteed in one short drive.

“I went on the Safari to the Dinoken Game Reserve! Tebogo picked me up at the hotel on time. He's a really nice and polite guide! Before the tour, he contacted me via WhatsApp and clarified everything. The road to the park is super quiet and safe. The Safari was awesome. We saw all the Big Five! I did it in the afternoon and at the end of the day it got a little cold, so I suggest you bring a coat. I totally recommend it. I went alone, but I felt super excited and safe the whole time!”

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12.Private Safari Tour: Pilansberg National Park Big 5

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 1 day · from $155

Shane leads this private Pilanesberg safari for up to three people, with pickup at 6 am, a 2.5-hour drive, and about six hours searching for elephants, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, and the Big Five. Your air-conditioned vehicle, schedule, and wildlife focus remain private, with Sun City or an overnight stay available as add-ons.

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13.Lion Park Tour in Open Safari Vehicle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 4 hours · from $118

You’ll leave the city for the Lion & Safari Park in North West, with hotel pickup, bottled water, entry, and an English-speaking guide included. The main event is a one-hour open vehicle drive past lion prides, white lions, wild dogs, cheetahs, giraffes, and antelopes. Animal interactions are not allowed, keeping the focus on observation and conservation.

“It was wonderful. We had a full day before our flight so checked out of our hotel and did the lion park safari. We thoroughly enjoyed our experiences.”

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14.3 Day Dumela Tented Camp Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $505

You’ll travel from OR Tambo Airport to Dumela Tented Camp for two nights of glamping, a sunset drive in Blue Canyon Reserve, and a 7 to 8-hour open-vehicle safari in Kruger’s Orpen-Satara area. Expect African dinners, a possible bush breakfast, stargazing, and an optional one-hour walk before breakfast.

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15.From Johannesburg: Horse-Riding Safari and Cable Car Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 7 hours · from $242

Leave Johannesburg by small-group minivan for a two-hour horse safari in the Magaliesberg area, where you may ride close to antelope and giraffe. Then take a 1.5-hour gondola ride up the mountain for wide views and free time for lunch. English-speaking guide, transport, entry fees, and both activities are included.

“The 2 h horse riding is an amazing experience connecting with nature. Will do again on my next visit to SA.”

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