Where to Book Johannesburg Safaris — Our Top 15

1.Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

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

Leave Johannesburg early for Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, about two hours away. You get two open-vehicle game drives totaling 4.5 to 5 hours, lunch at a rest camp, and guides such as Petrus, Martin, and Desmond who explain the animals and bush. Expect elephants, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, birds, and a fair chance of seeing several Big Five species.

“This is a great day trip from Joburg for an authentic safari experience. Thomas our driver was communicative and professional, pointing out interesting things on our way to Pilanesberg. Thabo our guide was also great. Very knowledgeable. Of course you can’t control what you will and won’t see but we were fortunate enough to see a leopard and had incredible elephant and rhino sightings. Lunch is a bit basic but overall would recommend the trip”

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2.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, then join two open 4x4 drives with a professional guide. You will search for lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo, stop for lunch beside a waterhole, and return by air-conditioned minivan. Guides such as Clement and Sibu are praised for their animal knowledge and good humor.

“Great experience. Our guide at the park was very funny and knowledgeable. The food provided was good as well.”

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3.Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg

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

Meet Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris early in the morning for a one-hour flight above the Magaliesbergs and Cradle of Humankind. Your pilot provides live commentary, and the roughly four-hour outing includes post-flight drinks, a sparkling wine buffet breakfast, and a flight certificate. Hotel transport is optional.

“The trip was smooth and soothing, enjoyed every moment of it. I would recommend to everyone. The pilot was very knowledgeable and make the trip quite enjoyable”

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4.Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour

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

Travel from Johannesburg or Pretoria in an air-conditioned vehicle, 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 Thapelo, Dusty, Sipho, and AJ have earned praise for their humor and animal knowledge.

“The park is a must see, we saw the feeding of the lions. Our guide from the tour company, Tumi was very friendly and knowledgeable.”

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5.3-Day Budget Tent Kruger Park Safari

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

Join Viva Safaris for three busy days from Johannesburg to Kruger and the Balule area. You get a sunset and night drive, a full day in Kruger, tent stays, an armed bush walk, and the Three Rondavels. The group is limited to nine, with English-speaking guides and pickup from selected Johannesburg hotels or O.R. Tambo Airport.

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

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

Leave Johannesburg around 6:00 am for Pilanesberg National Park, where an open safari vehicle gives you wide views of lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and more. Your day includes transfers, park fees, lunch, and water. Guides such as Tummy, Peter, and Ambos have been praised for their animal knowledge, while drivers including Tshepo and Bobo make the long road trip easier.

“Excellent tour guide got to see a lot of wild animal but no lion or cat highly recommended lunch provided was excellent too”

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7.Cradle of Humankind Tour with Lion Safari from Johannesburg

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

Join guide Jason of Deeprift Ventours for a small-group day from Johannesburg, Sandton, or Rosebank. See lions from an open vehicle, visit Sterkfontein Caves, and explore Maropeng’s engaging human-evolution exhibits. The tour includes transport, entry fees, and bottled water, but not lunch.

“Jason gave us a great Cradle of Humankind / Lion Safari tour. The tour schedule brought us to the Safari as it opened, when the animals were most active. One young female walked to the steel cage enclosed jeep, reared up on her hind legs and looked me straight in the eyes. Amazing. The CoH was even more interesting, showing the timeline of Earth creation through to modern homo sapien(s). Multiple skeletons found in this area document homo's evolution from 4.2 million years ago to today.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 62 reviews · from $94

Travel from Johannesburg in an air-conditioned vehicle to Lion and Safari Park for a guided two-hour game drive. Solly or another driver handles pickup, while the park guide explains lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, zebra, and antelopes. Expect close views, strong photo chances, and a zoo-like setting rather than a true wilderness safari.

“Le safari était top! La guide du Lion safari park était vraiment gentille, passionnée et patiente. Les explications étaient très complètes et intéressantes. Bonne expérience !”

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9.2-Day 4-Star Pilanesberg Safari

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

Travel from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg for four game drives across a volcanic reserve known for its Big Five. You’ll ride in open safari vehicles and a minivan, stay one night at a 4-star lodge, and enjoy dinner, breakfast, and a sunrise outing. English-speaking guides, including Moloko on some departures, lead the safari.

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

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10.3-Day Kruger National Park Open Vehicle Safari

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

Spend three days exploring Kruger National Park with Wild Wings Safaris, traveling from Johannesburg in a group of no more than nine. You will switch to an open-sided safari vehicle at the park, enjoy afternoon and morning game drives, and sleep in air-conditioned bungalows with private bathrooms. Rufus, Simon, and Nicky are among the company’s highly praised guides, though assignments vary.

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11.4-Day Classic Kruger National Park Safari

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

Travel from Johannesburg to Tremisana Game Lodge for open-jeep drives in Balule, a four-hour guided bush walk with armed rangers, a star-lit bush braai, a full day in Kruger, and sunrise wildlife viewing. A small group of up to nine keeps the pace personal. Guide John has earned special praise for his warm, engaging approach.

“4 jours intenses à la recherche des BIGFIVE. Pick-up on time à Johannesburg.. arrêts prévus pour les pauses. Dès votre arrivée au lodge, l'accueil est chaleureux, on vous laisse 30 min pour découvrir votre logement et puis c'est le moment pour partir à la recherche d'animaux dans la savane. Le véhicule est ouvert. Le soir même, vous vivrez un braai fantastique et avec un peu de chance, vous entendrez les animaux mieux les voir (hyènes et éléphant pour notre part). En fin de repas, retour au logement pour la nuit. Le petit-déjeuner est simple mais suffisant, idem pour les repas, le choix est unique. Sachez qu'il n'y a pas de…”

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12.Rhino & Lion Safari and Wonder Cave Tour

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

Leave Johannesburg by hotel pickup for Bothongo Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve. Take a game drive, visit the Wildlife Centre and Predator Camp, then descend to Wonder Cave, a 2.2-billion-year-old chamber. Guides such as Gabriel, Marvin, and Donald are praised for adding useful local and wildlife knowledge. Lunch is available at three reserve restaurants.

“It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life! Our driver, Izik, was fantastic—he picked us up from our accommodation and drove us to the destination in a very comfortable car. From the moment we arrived, the adventure began. The landscapes were breathtaking, and even the rainy weather did not diminish the enjoyment of the trip. Our guide, Donald, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about wildlife. He shared fascinating insights about the animals we encountered, including brown and white lions. The highlights were three male cheetahs crossing the road right next to our vehicle! The second part of our tour was the Wonder Caves, which were absolutely breathtaking.…”

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13.3-Day Classic Kruger National Park Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 45 reviews · 3 days · from $959

Travel in a small group of up to nine from Johannesburg to Tremisana Game Lodge. You will take sunset, night, full-day, and sunrise drives, visit the Orpen and Satara area, enjoy a bush barbecue, and see Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels. Guides may include Terrence, Dylan, Andy, Smiley, or Rocky.

“Uzlabot drošību naktsmītnē, jo kamēr biju game drive tikmēr tika izzagtas dāvanas no somas, kura atradās naktsmītnē.”

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14.Affordable 3 Day Kruger Park Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 38 reviews · 3 days · from $846

Travel from Johannesburg in a small group of up to nine for two nights at Tremisana Game Lodge and Masango. You’ll take a sunset and night drive in Balule, spend a full day in Kruger’s open-sided Game Viewer, walk near the Klaserie River with an armed guard, and see the Three Rondawels before returning to Johannesburg.

“Super safari, les guides sont souriants, serviables et agréables. Foncez :)”

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15.Cradle of Humankind and Lion Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 9 hours · from $224

Spend a full day with a small group of up to 13, visiting Lion and Safari Park, Sterkfontein Caves, and Maropeng. Your English or Afrikaans-speaking guide handles pickup from Johannesburg, Sandton, or Pretoria. Jason Pollard is one named guide associated with the experience.

“Head loss of fun, Jason the guide was awesome! Overall it exceeds our expectations!”

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