South Africa · SAFARI TOURS

Safari Tours in South Africa: The 15 Best Game Drives

290 tours  ·  from $24

A private reserve two hours from Cape Town and a week in the Kruger lowveld are both called a safari and cost an order of magnitude apart. These 15 are sorted by what you actually get: how long in the vehicle, how early the gate opens, and what the lunch is.

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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From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari - Morning safari: your best chance for active animals
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From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

2.From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

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

Leave Johannesburg early for Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, about two hours away. You get 4.5 to 5 hours of open-vehicle game drives, a park lunch, and guides such as Petrus, Martin, or Desmond who explain animal behavior and help track sightings. Expect elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and perhaps lions or leopards.

“A very enjoyable day with lunch included. Our guide Doreen was very knowledgeable. We got to see a fair few animals in their natural habitat. Around five hours on the game drive, plenty of opportunities to see the big 5 if you are lucky. Unfortunately we didn’t see any of the big cats but that’s the nature of a Safari”

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From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge - From Cape Town to Hermanus and Betty’s Bay
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From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge

3.2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge

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

Travel in a small group of up to 12 from Cape Town to Hermanus, Betty’s Bay, and Cape Agulhas, then spend the night at Garden Route Game Lodge. Two game drives, dinner, breakfast, and 4-star chalet accommodation are included. Guides such as Chris, Vaughan, Benjamin, and Frank are known for safe driving and strong local insight.

“The Safari was Beautiful. Food was great. But the highlight was Chris our Guide. So much experience, knowledge and interest in telling us more about his home. Thank you Chris !!!!!”

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Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari - Morning pickup from Port Elizabeth and beyond
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Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari

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

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

Join Afroventures Tours and Safaris for a nine-hour Addo safari from Port Elizabeth, Bluewater Bay, Colchester, or Addo. Ride in an air-conditioned 4x4 Jeep with a window seat for every passenger, search for elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo, and zebra, and break for lunch inside the park. Guides such as John, Freddy, Sidwell, and King Elvis are known for sharp animal spotting.

“Great safari in Addo! Our guide was excellent, we saw many animals, and learned a lot about the area. Highly recommended!”

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Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari - Leaving Hazyview at 5:30 am
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Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari

5.Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari

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

Leave Hazyview at 5:30 am for a private Kruger safari with a professional guide. You will spend the day searching for lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, buffalo, cheetahs, wild dogs, and birds, with breakfast and lunch stops at rest camps. Bring breakfast from your lodge, and budget separately for food, drinks, and conservation fees.

“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 early pickup and drive to the reserve
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Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

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

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

Leave Johannesburg or Pretoria early for Pilanesberg National Park, where a professional guide leads morning and afternoon open-vehicle safaris. You will have time for lunch beside a busy waterhole, with chances to see elephants, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, zebras, antelope, and perhaps lions or leopards. Hotel pickup, park fees, transport, and lunch are included.

“The ease of being picked up and driven back was wonderful. The actual safari was also great. Saw zebras, elephants and lots of impalas. It rained the day before so it wasn’t dusty at all. Try to see as much as you can with the first run because after lunch we could barely keep our eyes open!”

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Little Brak River: Botlierskop Guided Game Drive - Starting near Mossel Bay
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Little Brak River: Botlierskop Guided Game Drive

7.Little Brak River: Botlierskop Guided Game Drive

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

Spend three hours exploring Botlierskop Private Game Reserve in an open safari vehicle with an English-speaking guide. Look for rhinos, lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, cheetahs, and more than 200 bird species. Guides such as Chris, Neil, Mandela, and Rico are praised for sharp animal knowledge and good humor. Lunch and hotel transport cost extra.

“Absolutely worth it! The Guides are incredibly nice and know everything about the animals. We saw all the different wild Animals just some meters away. A wonderful day with Lots to remember! Thanks again for the fantastic experience, especially to Silas 🍀”

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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

8.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

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

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

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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Cape Town: Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive - A wine-country stop before the reserve
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Cape Town: Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive

10.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 4x4 drive across 10,000 hectares. Expect a long but scenic road trip, welcome refreshments, a buffet-style meal, and a ranger-led search for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and more. Guides such as Elda, Dona, Frank, and Josh have helped make this a smooth first safari.

“Our experience began with the trip to the reserve. Frank and Ben made the journey enjoyable and informative. They told us about the history of the area through architecture and the landscape. They were very knowledgeable and well prepared. They took care of our needs and did a great job. Once we arrived at the reserve, we were welcomed with drinks and food, and the place was beautiful. The safari was wonderful, as we were able to see the Big Five and more. My experience was very satisfying. Five stars!”

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Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg - What the flight feels like in practical terms
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Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg

11.Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg

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

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

12.South African Wildlife and Safari 2-Day Tour

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

Ride open 4x4s through Botlierskop and Buffelsdrift, looking for rhinos, elephants, buffalo, lions, and smaller wildlife. Your English-speaking guide, perhaps Neville, Denver, Ulrich, or Maudi, handles the long drives, stops, and local tips. You sleep one night near Oudtshoorn, with several accommodation levels and an optional rescued-elephant observation.

“I had a wonderful time on this trip! Our driver, Maudi, made sure we were always comfortable and shared his local knowledge, which made the experience even more engaging. The safaris were fantastic, and we were lucky to have Enrico as our safari driver—he went above and beyond his duties to ensure we had an unforgettable experience. The accommodation was spotless, truly one of the best I’ve stayed in. The small, family-run hotel added a personal and charming touch. As a solo traveler, I felt very welcomed and easily connected with the rest of the group. Highly recommend!”

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From Johannesburg: Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour - Entering Lion and Safari Park
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From Johannesburg: Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour

13.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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From Cape Town: Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive - Arrival at Aquila: welcome drink, snacks, and downtime
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From Cape Town: Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive

14.Aquila Game Reserve Sunset Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 350 reviews · 9 hours · from $167

Travel from Cape Town to Aquila Private Game Reserve for a 2 to 3 hour sunset drive in an open safari truck. Your package includes transport, entry, a welcome drink, tea, coffee, snacks, and a ranger. Guides such as Elda, Yannick, Dona, and Lucadel have helped make the long road trip part of the experience.

“It was super great. The drive there was very comfortable. Isidore was such a nice driver. He kept us entertained and was very nice. The safari itself was absolutely great. The Aquila resort offers great food and a great view. The workers are also friendly. The safari guide talent was also a great choice. We had an awesome day. I can recommend it to every single person.”

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Kruger National Park - Private full day Safari trip. - Passing through Pabeni Gate
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Kruger National Park – Private full day Safari trip.

15.Private full day Safari trip.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 347 reviews · from $166

Set out from Perry’s Bridge Trading Post in Hazyview for a private, full-day Kruger safari with a personal driver-guide. You’ll enter through Pabeni Gate and spend about nine hours searching for lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalo, birds, and smaller wildlife. Guides such as Gerri Smith and Keegan tailor the day to your interests, while bottled water and private transport are included.

“We saw 4 of the big 5. Gerrie was amazing. We were extremely happy with this tour. It made our trip.”

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New in Safari Tours

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