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Safaris From Johannesburg - Compare 660 Tours
So many incredible safari experiences begin in Johannesburg. That’s partly because it is Africa’s busiest international air gateway, with numerous flights arriving from around the globe every day. But it’s not just about the number of international flights. Johannesburg is a short drive (and an even shorter flight) from so many of South Africa’s best wildlife parks and reserves. Everyone knows about Kruger National Park and the reserves that surround it: you could easily just visit these and enjoy the most fantastic safari. But other options abound, and many of these have wildlife to satisfy both beginner and experienced safari-goers alike.
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4-Day Luxury Radisson Kruger Safari
$1,258 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)LuxuryHotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg Airport (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 4,763 Reviews
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Best Seller
10-Day Kruger Private Reserves & Cape Town
$5,088 to $5,638 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Klaserie NR (Greater Kruger), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Cape Town (End)
Safari Online
5.0/5 – 143 Reviews
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6-Day Southern & Central Kruger Park plus Private Lodge
$2,701 to $2,978 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Southern Kruger NP, Central Kruger NP, Karongwe GR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Wildlife Safaris
5.0/5 – 329 Reviews
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Best Seller
9-Day Best of South Africa
$1,863 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range HotelYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sun City (Highlight), Pilanesberg GR, Knysna (Garden Route), Cape Town (City), Cape Peninsula, Winelands, Cape Town (End)
Africa Incoming
5.0/5 – 46 Reviews
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11-Day Highlights of Kruger, Victoria Falls & Cape Town
$5,198 to $5,510 pp (USD)
South Africa & Zimbabwe: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Victoria Falls, Cape Town (City), Cape Town Airport (End)
African Family Safaris
5.0/5 – 22 Reviews
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11-Day South Africa & Mauritius Family Safari & Beach
$8,299 to $12,099 pp (USD)
South Africa & Mauritius: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Resort
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Madikwe GR, Johannesburg (City), Port Louis (City), Bel Ombre (Town & Beach), Mauritius (End)
Wayfairer Travel
5.0/5 – 217 Reviews
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4-Day Katekani Tented Lodge Safari
$1,446 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Balule NR (Greater Kruger), Buffaloland, Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Viva Safaris
5.0/5 – 354 Reviews
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3-Day Budget Pilanesberg Camping Safari
$614 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Pilanesberg GR, Johannesburg (End)
Safarilink SA
4.9/5 – 1,340 Reviews
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4-Day Sabi Sands Luxury Fly-in Safari
$7,000 to $7,736 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sabi GR (Sabi Sands), Johannesburg (End)
Ranger Buck Safaris
4.9/5 – 70 Reviews
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3-Day Kruger Safari from Johannesburg
$597 to $630 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Africa Moja Tours & Safaris
5.0/5 – 147 Reviews
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2-Day Kruger Luxury Safari Experience
$697 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Mbombela / Nelspruit (End)
Nhlalala Travel
4.8/5 – 111 Reviews
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3-Day Kruger Park and Manyeleti Reserve Bongan Lodge
$851 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 12 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Manyeleti GR (Greater Kruger), Central Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Bongan Safaris
5.0/5 – 41 Reviews
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5-Day Kruger Park Safari + Panorama Route
$1,765 to $1,824 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range Guest HouseYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Panorama Route (Highlight), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Khalanga Safaris
4.8/5 – 115 Reviews
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5-Day Fly in Sabi Sabi All Inclusive Safari
$5,903 to $5,966 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxury+Lodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sabi GR (Sabi Sands), Johannesburg Airport (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 582 Reviews
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12-Day Victoria Falls, Cape Town & Safari Journey
$8,127 to $9,345 pp (USD)
South Africa & Zimbabwe: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Victoria Falls, Cape Town (City), Greater Kruger, Johannesburg (End)
Safari365
5.0/5 – 80 Reviews
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5-Day Kruger Park & Private Game Reserve Experience
$2,255 to $2,308 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & Guest HouseYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End)
Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris
5.0/5 – 216 Reviews
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2-Day Night Drive & Bush Walk Safari in Kruger Exclusive
$973 to $1,026 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Mmilo Tours
5.0/5 – 143 Reviews
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4-Day All-Inclusive Kruger Safari with Hoyo Hoyo
$2,270 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Safari.com
4.7/5 – 270 Reviews
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3-Day Dumela Glamping Affordable Adventure
$610 to $702 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Moditlo GR (Blue Canyon GR), Kruger NP, O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg), Johannesburg (End)
SafariLife
5.0/5 – 31 Reviews
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5-Day Luxury Safari Big Five
$2,805 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, Johannesburg (End)
Go Touch Down Travel & Tours
5.0/5 – 185 Reviews
5 Questions About Safaris From Johannesburg
Answered by
Anthony Ham
Anthony has written numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks, including ‘South Africa’, ‘Lesotho & eSwatini’ and ‘Southern Africa’. He has written about the region for magazines and newspapers worldwide. He is also the author of ‘The Last Lions of Africa’.› More about Anthony
5 Questions About Safaris From Johannesburg
Anthony Ham
What are the best places to go on safari from Johannesburg?
“You can visit Kruger National Park from Johannesburg, and it’s a fantastic safari destination. It’s easy to get to and around, it’s a massive park with so much wildlife to see seemingly at every turn, and there’s accommodation to suit every budget. If it all gets too crowded, then you could easily spend time in one of the private reserves (such as Sabi Sand Game Reserve, but there are many more) along Kruger’s western boundary. These reserves share the same wildlife with the national park. Other fabulous safari parks within reach of Johannesburg include Pilanesberg Game Reserve, and Marakele and Mapungubwe National Parks, while Madikwe Game Reserve is one of my favorite safari destinations anywhere in southern Africa. If you fly from Johannesburg, then you could easily reach just about anyplace in South Africa.”
1What are the pros and cons of a self-drive trip from Johannesburg?
“The best thing about a self-drive safari from Johannesburg is the freedom that you’ll enjoy. In fact, a self-drive safari is the best way to make sure that your safari experience is exactly as you want it to be. You decide where to go and when. If you find a lion on a kill or an elephant herd up close, then you’re the one who decides how long to stick around. And you don’t have to worry about what other travelers want to do. In short, you’re the boss of your trip. The downside of a self-drive safari is that if something goes wrong, you’re the one on the scene who has to deal with it (although a phone call to your safari operator will probably get someone there quickly to help). Most likely nothing will go wrong: it never has for me on my many self-drive safaris. Another possible negative is that you won’t have a guide to show you around or other safari travelers to share the experience with.”
2Should I go for a group or private safari from Johannesburg?
“There are lots of different versions of the Johannesburg safari, but the most popular are group or private safaris. A group safari means that you will share your trip with other travelers: you will share a guide, a vehicle for game drives and other activities. Whether this is a pro or a con will depend on your perspective: you might make lifelong friends, or you might prefer to be alone. And if you’re looking for a cheap or affordable budget safari, then a group safari will almost certainly be your only option. A private safari means that you will have your own guide and vehicle, and you’ll be the only one(s) out on the game drive. Obviously, you’ll be paying for it all yourself, which can be expensive. But it does allow for a more intimate safari experience and you’ll often end up forging really strong bonds with your guide and driver.”
3Can I see the Big Five animals on a trip from Johannesburg?
“You are spoiled for choice when it comes to seeing the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) on a safari near Johannesburg. The most obvious place where this is possible is Kruger National Park and the surrounding reserves. I once saw the Big Five on a single afternoon game drive in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Closer to Johannesburg and very accessible, Pilanesberg Game Reserve can be crowded, but it’s an easy place to see elephant and rhino. Buffalo, lion and leopard can be harder to see, but they are possible to find with some luck. Another excellent destination for seeing the Big Five on a safari from Johannesburg is Madikwe Game Reserve. This is a fantastic place, with so much wildlife, first-rate expert guides and far fewer visitors than you’ll share the safari trails with in Kruger or Pilanesberg. It’s also a good place to possibly sight African wild dogs.”
4How much will this safari cost?
“As with any safari destination where there are many different packages and tours, the cost of a safari from Johannesburg varies greatly. If you’re on a multiday, cheap budget camping safari, you might be able to organize a safari that starts at around US$100 to US$150 per person per day. This should include guide, driver, vehicle, camping equipment, park entry fees, food, some drinks and game drives. But for this price, you may be expected to help out around camp with cooking and washing up, as well as setting up and taking down tents. For a more luxurious experience, prices start at around US$400 per person per day, but could go significantly higher for the best tented camps in high season (October to March) and if you’re on a private safari. If your safari involves any flights, this will also push up the price considerably. However much you pay, make sure you get a full list from your safari operator of what your safari price includes, so you don’t get any nasty surprises when it’s time for you to pay.”
5South Africa Safari Reviews
Emma is an award-winning travel writer for Rough Guides, National Geographic Traveller, Travel Africa magazine and The Independent.
Where Big Five Safaris Are Big Business, There’s a Wealth of Choice
Glorious images of elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffalo parading through pristine bush are central to South Africa’s popular image. So it comes as a surprise to some first-time visitors that, in reality, the proportion of this...
Mike is an award-winning wildlife writer, former editor of Travel Zambia magazine and author of the Bradt Guide to Southern African Wildlife.
A World in One Country
South Africa’s astounding array of landscapes – from semi-desert to savannah and snow-capped mountain to coral reef – means it offers a greater variety of wildlife experience than any other African country. There are surely few other...
CA
Beautiful Country Nice People
We spent 5 days around Cape Town, 4 days driving garden route to Port Elizabeth. 4 around Kruger and 2 in Joberg. We had a very enjoyable trip, visiting important sites, great scenery and good wildlife. We didn't visit wine country. We took...
Unforgettable!
A few days in the wild doing a safari in Sabi Sands, South Africa 🌍 Up before sunrise for the 6am game drive, the bush still cold and dark, mist sitting low over the grass, the sky slowly turning pink and orange as the sun came up....
IE
Wonderful travel destination, particularly for people looking for up-close wildlife encounters.
We had a wonderful safari experience in and around Kruger National Park organised by Wildlife Safaris. We booked their 6-day/5-night Kruger Park and private lodge tour and we found the backroom staff to be most helpful throughout the...
Magical animals , accomodation and guides.
We stayed at Umkumbe river lodge (Dabi sands) and NThambo tree lodge in Greater Kruger. The safari rides were fantastic we saw all kinds of animals and really enjoyed the experience. All staff were exceptional and made the most of any...