South Africa · NATIONAL PARKS

The 15 Best National Park Days in South Africa

101 tours  ·  from $14 a head

Kruger, Addo, Table Mountain and the coastal reserves all charge their own gate fee on top of the tour. The 15 below make clear what is included, how long the drive out is and what each one starts at.

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari - The early pickup and the road to the reserve
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From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

1.Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

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

Leave Johannesburg early for Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, where you’ll spend 4.5 to 5 hours on two open-vehicle game drives. Guides such as Petrus, Martin, and Desmond are known for sharp animal-spotting and easy humor. Expect elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and hundreds of bird species, with lions and leopards possible but never promised.

“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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Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari - Pickup from Port Elizabeth, Colchester, Addo, or Bluewater Bay
Addo Elephant Park Tours, Full-Day, National Parks, Safari & Game Drives, Tour Reviews

Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari

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

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

Explore Addo Elephant National Park for nine hours in a small group of up to 10, riding in an air-conditioned 4x4 with a window seat for every passenger. Guides such as John, Freddy, Sidwell, and King Elvis focus on animal spotting, park history, and good photo stops. Lunch, refreshments, park entry, and pickup are included.

“We can 100% recommend this tour to anyone! Our guide John was really knowledgeable and always knew the best spots to see a lot of the animals. The open safari car was spacious & comfortable and all of us were able to have a window seat. Whenever someone spotted an animal, John would immediately tell the driver to stop so we could take all the pictures we wanted. The little pre packed lunch was also delicious. All in all we felt in good hands at all times. Thanks again for the trip of a lifetime!”

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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

3.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. Search for lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, buffalo, cheetahs, wild dogs, and birds. Guides such as Senzo, Didi, and Patrick have led this outing. Bring a lodge breakfast pack, water, camera, and money for lunch and park fees.

“Very happy with the service provided. Good communication right from when the booking was made. Senzo, our guide was knowledgable and jolly. He picked us up right from our chalet on time and explained the details on the way to the park. Throughout the day, he catered to our needs and kept explaining various details about the park and wildlife. I would highly recommend him.”

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Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria - The first open-vehicle safari drive
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Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

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

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

Start early with door-to-door pickup, then ride into Pilanesberg National Park for morning and afternoon open-vehicle safaris. A park guide such as Clement or Sibu may lead the drives, with lunch at Pilanesberg Center overlooking a waterhole. The small-group tour costs $159.89 and includes park fees, transport, and both drives.

“Our driver showed up on time for the hotel pick up. The van accommodated 12 and the safari bus for 8. The company communicated efficiently. It took close to 3 hours to get to the national park but once we got there everything moved efficient. We stopped for restroom and food. We had the best tour guides. We saw 4 of the 5 big game and several other animals. This is one of the best adventure tours ever. Our guides went above and beyond to find every animal you can imagine and allowed us to use their binoculars. The weather was perfect - no issues with bugs. Amazing lunch where…”

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Storms River: Tsitsikamma National Park Zipline Canopy Tour - Ten Platforms Among Yellowwood Trees
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Storms River: Tsitsikamma National Park Zipline Canopy Tour

5.Storms River: Tsitsikamma National Park Zipline Canopy Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 481 reviews · 2h 30m · from $55

Glide 30 meters above Tsitsikamma’s forest floor on a 150-minute canopy tour from Stormsrivier. Two English or Afrikaans-speaking guides lead groups of up to eight across tree platforms, explaining birdlife, tree ferns, and Outeniqua yellowwoods. You’ll receive safety gear, water, and a certificate, but bring comfortable shoes and leave backpacks behind.

“Sibu and Asthani were really helpful and supportive throughout and made it a really fun experience”

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Kruger National Park - Private full day Safari trip. - Nine hours among Kruger’s animals and birds
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Kruger National Park – Private full day Safari trip.

6.Private full day Safari trip.

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

Spend about 10 hours exploring Kruger National Park from Hazyview with a private driver-guide. Gerri Smith, Gerrie, and Keegan are among the guides associated with this experience. You enter through Pabeni Gate, spend about nine hours inside the park, and return to Perry’s Bridge without camping overnight.

“Absolutely amazing experience from start to finish. Gerrie was a fantastic guide and made the trip even more memorable with his knowledge, insights, and photographer skills. Gerrie brought us to every animal we wanted to see and allowed us Read more”

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Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari - Pickup from Port Elizabeth, Colchester, Addo, or Bluewater Bay
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Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 256 reviews · from $147

Spend about nine hours exploring Addo Elephant National Park from Port Elizabeth in an air-conditioned 4x4 with a professional guide. Expect large elephant herds, buffalo, zebra, lions, warthogs, and more, plus lunch and hotel pickup. Guides such as John, Sidwell, Wanele, and Elvis are praised for sharp animal spotting and clear local insight.

“Excellent safari and the driver was very knowledgeable. Highly recommended and would use this tour company again”

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From Sun City: Pilanesberg National Park 3-Hour Game Drive - Why Pilanesberg works so well from Sun City
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From Sun City: Pilanesberg National Park 3-Hour Game Drive

8.From Sun City: Pilanesberg National Park 3-Hour Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 216 reviews · from $49Best value

Travel from Sun City into Pilanesberg National Park for a 3-hour drive in a 25-seater open safari vehicle. A registered English-speaking guide, such as Jeremy, BY, Peter, or MK, leads the search for elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, and other wildlife. Bring warm layers, binoculars, and a camera.

“Our guide, BY was amazing. He was so knowledgeable, helpful and skilled at finding where the animals were hiding. He was fabulous and our experience was unforgettable.”

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From Hazyview: Kruger National Park Full-Day Safari - Entering Kruger through Phabeni Gate
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From Hazyview: Kruger National Park Full-Day Safari

9.Kruger National Park Full-Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 205 reviews · 10 hours · from $105

Start before sunrise from Hazyview and enter Kruger through Phabeni Gate in an open safari vehicle. Spend about 10 hours tracking elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and more with guides such as Stephen, Bradley, Remember, and Sipho. Breakfast, lunch, park fees, and drinks are extra.

“I had the absolute pleasure of having Steven as our safari guide – and he was truly exceptional! His deep knowledge of wildlife, sharp spotting skills, and genuine passion for nature made the whole experience unforgettable. We saw so much more than we expected, and every moment was made special thanks to his storytelling and enthusiasm. I couldn’t have asked for a better guide – highly recommended!”

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Kruger National Park sunrise Morning Private safari - Why an open safari vehicle changes the experience
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Kruger National Park sunrise Morning Private safari

10.Kruger National Park sunrise Morning Private safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 185 reviews · from $131

Start at 5:30 am from a Hazyview lodge or nearby Kruger gate for a private open-vehicle game drive with Kurt Safari Company. Your guide searches for lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, buffalo, cheetahs, wild dogs, hippos, birds, and more. Abraham N and Patrick are among the guides praised for wildlife knowledge and patient spotting.

“We loved the guide, his knowledge and how to find all big 5. Very clean vehicle and Covid safe and all protocols fulfilled.”

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Addo National Park: Guided Half-Day Safari - What the safari vehicle is like
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Addo National Park: Guided Half-Day Safari

11.Addo National Park: Guided Half-Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 175 reviews · 4 hours · from $81

Spend four hours exploring Addo Elephant National Park’s northern Big 5 area in a closed Toyota Land Cruiser with a small group of up to 10. Guides such as Steven, Donald, and Stevie share wildlife knowledge, local stories, and photo tips. Drinks and snacks are included, with optional pickup from Addo village.

“An unforgettable safari! We had the most amazing experience, seeing a wide variety of animals in their natural habitat and even witnessing lions on the hunt. Our guide, Stevie, was absolutely fantastic. It’s clear he truly loves his work, and he made the entire journey even more special with his fascinating stories and insights. If we ever go on safari again, we will definitely choose this company!”

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Full Day Safari Tour of Pilanesberg National Park, Open Jeep experience - What the Park Stop Feels Like
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Full Day Safari Tour of Pilanesberg National Park, Open Jeep experience

12.Full Day Safari Tour of Pilanesberg National Park, Open Jeep experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · from $155

Leave Johannesburg before sunrise for a full day in Pilanesberg National Park. An open safari jeep gives you clear side views for photos, while guides such as Peter, Tummy, and Ambos help find lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and more. The $155.29 price includes transfers, park fees, lunch, and water, but not breakfast.

“This was such an amazing and once in a lifetime experience! We saw 4 out of the big 5. This was just awesome! I would definitely recommend this tour.”

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Kruger National Park: Full-Day Game Drive with Pickup - The early pickup and first hours in the park
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Kruger National Park: Full-Day Game Drive with Pickup

13.Full-Day Game Drive with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 136 reviews · 1 day · from $109

Start early from your hotel or chosen Kruger gate and spend 9 to 10 hours in an open safari vehicle. Guides such as Jerry, Advocate, Rodger, and Louis track lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo while sharing useful details about Kruger’s wildlife and past inhabitants. Breakfast and lunch stops are included in the day, but meals and the park fee cost extra.

“I have been on a lot of game drives over the past few years and this one blew them all out of the watter. Advocat went above and beyond to find tbe animals we wanted to see. we saw pretty much everything including leopards , lions and cheetahs- all of us couldn't be any happier with how today went . What a great drive and what a top guide we had . still buzzing from it. thank you”

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Kruger National Park: Full-Day Private Safari With Pickup - The open vehicle makes the drive feel different
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Kruger National Park: Full-Day Private Safari With Pickup

14.Full-Day Private Safari With Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 122 reviews · 10 hours

Start early from selected Hazyview lodges, Kruger Gate Hotel, or Kruger, Phabeni, and Numbi gates. Your private English-speaking guide drives an open safari vehicle through Kruger, watching for lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, buffalo, and more. Guides such as Steven, Muzi, Lucky, and Marinda are praised for sharp animal spotting and lively nature commentary.

“Amazing, our guide was super knowledgeable and able to use his local knowledge to allow us to find 4 of the big 5 and many many other animals”

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Marloth Park: Kruger National Park Safari Game Drives - Crossing into Kruger at Crocodile Bridge
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Marloth Park: Kruger National Park Safari Game Drives

15.Marloth Park: Kruger National Park Safari Game Drives

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 115 reviews · 6 hours · from $61

Set out from Marloth Park before sunrise in a high, open safari vehicle with guides such as Jerry, Lucky, or Advocate. Expect impalas, zebras, elephants, lions, hippos, crocodiles, and possible cheetahs across six hours in Kruger. Water and lodge transfers are included, but food and the 440 ZAR park fee are extra.

“Gerry was great! We saw 4/5 of the big four in our tour! We got plenty of good information about the animals and he ensured he got us into a good spot to see the animals. Definitely worth the money. 💫”

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