South Africa · SAFARIS AND GAME DRIVES IN JOHANNESBURG

The 15 Best Safaris and Game Drives in Johannesburg

37 tours  ·  from $68 a head

The 15 best safaris and game drives in Johannesburg you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Start at the top and work down.

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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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

2.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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Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg - Preparing for a one-hour flight
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Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg

3.Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg

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

Meet at Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris near Magaliesburg for a one-hour flight over the Magaliesbergs and Cradle of Humankind. Your pilot provides live commentary, followed by post-flight drinks, a certificate, and a sparkling wine buffet breakfast. The full experience takes about four hours, and weather can affect departure.

“The entire experience from the moment you arrive to park was so incredibly welcoming. They are so professional and organized. Our pilot, Nick was professional and funny and made the while trip something to remember for ever.....highly recommend.”

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From Johannesburg: Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour - Hotel pickup from Johannesburg or Pretoria
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From Johannesburg: Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour

4.Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour

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

You’ll leave Johannesburg or Pretoria in an air-conditioned vehicle, then join a one-hour open safari drive at Lion and Safari Park. Expect close views of lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, and possibly a white lion. Guides such as Thapelo, Dusty, AJ, and Sipho have been praised for their humor and animal knowledge. Pickup and return transport are included.

“We loved spending time with the lions and the other predators. We felt safe and looked after. I heartily recommend this tour.”

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From Johannesburg: 3-Day Budget Tent Kruger Park Safari - Day one: Johannesburg to Tremisana and Balule
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From Johannesburg: 3-Day Budget Tent Kruger Park Safari

5.3-Day Budget Tent Kruger Park Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 163 reviews · 3 days · from $653

Travel from Johannesburg to Tremisana, Balule, and Kruger National Park with a small group of up to nine. You get a sunset and night drive, a full Kruger safari, two tent nights, a Klaserie River bush walk, and the Three Rondavels. Guides such as Raymond, Quinten, Vic, Andy, and Ray have helped make this a well-run choice for solo visitors and first-time safari-goers.

“The activity was great overall 😊 I would say that not all guides are equal meaning some provided more information about the fauna and flora than others. My game drive guide (in Kruger) was on the "not so much information" side which is a pity. I would have liked to learn more about the amazing animals. Also it would be nice if the final bush walk were longer. It was very interesting but way too short.”

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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

6.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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Safari Flight - Watching the balloon come alive
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Safari Flight

7.Safari Flight

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

Meet at Kloofzicht Lodge near Johannesburg before sunrise for tea, coffee, and a balloon launch over game reserves in the Cradle of Humankind. The one-hour flight may reveal giraffes, rhinos, zebras, buffalo, and antelope, followed by sparkling wine, certificates, and a full buffet breakfast. Wildlife sightings are possible, not guaranteed.

“Had an awesome time. What better way to spend your birthday. Such a great experience and beautiful scenery. Plus good old fashioned South African hospitality and sense of humour. Thanks Marius and everyone else at the lodge.. definitely worth doing”

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Full Day Exquisite Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg - Open-air safari: the main event
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Full Day Exquisite Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg

8.Full Day Exquisite Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · from $204

Leave Johannesburg at 5:30 am with hotel pickup and ride to Pilanesberg National Park, passing Hartbeespoort Dam and the Magaliesberg mountains. Enjoy about five hours of open-vehicle safari, a one-hour lodge lunch, and return transport. Jason, Bernard, Lizzie, Nico, and Sisi are among the guides associated with the experience.

“This was a very enjoyable and memorable experience. We were able to get close to the animals and learn a great deal from the guides. It was a long ride from Johannesburg but the driver was very pleasant and accommodating… definitely recommend this experience”

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Cradle of Humankind Tour with Lion Safari from Johannesburg - Starting with lions at Lion and Safari Park
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Cradle of Humankind Tour with Lion Safari from Johannesburg

9.Cradle of Humankind Tour with Lion Safari from Johannesburg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · from $207

Join guide Jason of Deeprift Ventours for a 10-hour small-group outing from Johannesburg, Sandton, or Rosebank. You’ll visit Lion and Safari Park, explore Sterkfontein Caves, and see Maropeng’s interactive human-evolution exhibits. The park offers close animal views, while the caves require some bending and crawling.

“My husband and I had a great day on this tour with Jason. He shared so much history with us as we were driving. We had a bit of a drive to the Cradle of Humankind from our hotel and it was great to have a true guide with us sharing things with Read more”

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Captivating Safari Lion Park Experience (Half Day Guided Tour) - The drive into Lion and Safari Park
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Captivating Safari Lion Park Experience (Half Day Guided Tour)

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

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

Solly’s half-day Johannesburg tour takes you by air-conditioned vehicle to Lion and Safari Park, where a park guide leads a two-hour game drive. Expect lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, zebra, antelopes, and possible close views from a caged safari vehicle. Pickup, water, park fees, and return transport are included.

“Solly was great to talk to on the way to/from the lion park. Our guide at the park was friendly and knowledgeable.”

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Johannesburg: 2-Day 4-Star Pilanesberg Safari - Leaving Johannesburg for the park
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Johannesburg: 2-Day 4-Star Pilanesberg Safari

11.2-Day 4-Star Pilanesberg Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 61 reviews · 2 days · from $609

Travel from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg for four game drives in open 4x4 vehicles and a closed minivan. Stay at a 4-star lodge with dinner and breakfast, and rise early for a sunrise drive. Guide assignments vary, though Moloko has been praised for her care and effort.

“Mye for pengene! Nydelig sted og veldig god mat!”

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3-Day Kruger National Park Open Vehicle Safari - Day two: the main wildlife day
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3-Day Kruger National Park Open Vehicle Safari

12.3-Day Kruger National Park Open Vehicle Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · from $770

Spend three days exploring Kruger National Park with an English-speaking ranger guide and no more than eight other people. Your Johannesburg transfer, conservation fees, open-vehicle drives, air-conditioned bungalow, breakfasts, and dinners are included. Expect flexible game viewing, early starts, and a real chance to see the Big Five, but budget separately for lunches and drinks.

“Michael helped me plan and book one of the most memorable holidays of my life. Everyone at wild wings was helpful and quick to respond to queries. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.”

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Johannesburg: 4-Day Classic Kruger National Park Safari - Day one: Johannesburg to Tremisana and the first night drive
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Johannesburg: 4-Day Classic Kruger National Park Safari

13.4-Day Classic Kruger National Park Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 52 reviews · 4 days · from $1,120

Spend four busy days between Balule and Kruger National Park, with open-vehicle drives, a four-hour armed bush walk, a star-lit braai, and a Blyde River Canyon stop. English-speaking guides lead groups of up to nine. Tremisana Lodge offers air-conditioned en suite chalets, a pool, gardens, and simple included breakfasts and dinners.

“10/10 safari experience. Very well organised, from collection to the game drives. Lovely friendly staff and very knowledgable safari guides. The food was amazing and they went above and beyond to accommodate for dietary reqs. Having breakfast and seeing an elephant walk past the lodge on multiple days was surreal! Lovely pool at Tremisana and time to enjoy the sun. Would highly recommend Viva Safaris”

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From Johannesburg: Rhino & Lion Safari and Wonder Cave Tour - Hotel pickup makes the day simple
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From Johannesburg: Rhino & Lion Safari and Wonder Cave Tour

14.Rhino & Lion Safari and Wonder Cave Tour

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

Travel from Johannesburg, Sandton, Midrand, or East Rand to Bothongo Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve. Descend to the 2.2-billion-year-old Wonder Cave, then see rhinos, lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, zebras, and more. Guides such as Gabriel, Marvin, and Donald have led this small-group outing, which includes hotel transfers but not lunch.

“Although we didn’t get to see the animals that weren’t feeling socialible on the day we went our tour guide Yves Albert was amazing.”

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3 Day Kruger National Park Safari & Panorama Route - The sunset safari: three hours in an open vehicle
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3 Day Kruger National Park Safari & Panorama Route

15.3 Day Kruger National Park Safari & Panorama Route

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · from $1,008

Travel from Johannesburg or Pretoria to Kruger National Park in a private group, with an air-conditioned vehicle, guide, two breakfasts, dinner, and bottled water included. You get a sunset drive, a full-day safari, and stops at God's Window, Blyde River Canyon, and Pilgrim's Rest. Guides may include Norman, Lucky, Martin, or Kohngi.

“Khongi was fantastic! He went over and beyond to exceed our expectations. We knew from other reviews this would be a great experience but we had no idea what we were in store for! He was timely, approachable, accommodating, professioRead more”

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New in Safaris and Game Drives in Johannesburg

★ 5.0Private Safari. Cradle Humankind Caves or Maropeng MuseumFrom $803 reviews
★ 5.0Safari at Lion and Rhino Park / Lesedi Culture VillageFrom $683 reviews
★ 5.0Private Safari Tour: Pilansberg National Park Big 5From $1557 reviews
★ 4.12 Day 3-Star Pilanesberg SafariFrom $35915 reviews
★ 4.04-Day Ultimate Safari TourFrom $1,1613 reviews
★ 4.84 Day Safari TourFrom $94619 reviews
★ 4.75 Day Safari TourFrom $1,1714 reviews
★ 4.8Kruger National Park 4-Day Luxury Safari9 reviews
★ 5.0Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve SafariFrom $12118 reviews
★ 4.8Lion Park Safari and Cultural Village TourFrom $21912 reviews
★ 4.0Half-Day Big 5 Safari TourFrom $2027 reviews
★ 5.05-Day Classic Kruger National Park Safari10 reviews
★ 5.03-Day Panorama Tour with Kruger Park SafariFrom $9597 reviews
★ 4.7Full-Day Kruger National Park SafariFrom $43514 reviews
★ 5.06-Day Classic Kruger National Park Safari14 reviews

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