The 15 Best National Park Trips in South Africa

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

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

Review of the Pilanesberg day safari from Johannesburg, with Big Five sightings, open-vehicle drives, lunch, costs, and practical tips.

“From Johannesburg it’s a really long journey there and back. But I felt it was worth every minute and every penny. The day in the park was brilliant and we saw three of the top five. We saw lots of other animals which certainly made up for it, we only comment is that at the back of the Jeep It is very windy and sometimes quite cold. I bought a souvenir hat at the first stop and was okay after that. If you get the chance, do go on this day trip. Worth every penny.”

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Addo Elephant National Park Tours, Full-Day, Garden Route Tours, National Park Trips in the Garden Route, National Parks, Safari Tours, Safaris in the Garden Route, 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

Review of Addo Elephant National Park’s 9-hour small-group safari, with elephants, Big 5 wildlife, lunch, hotel pickup, and expert guiding.

“We had a lovely day at Addo Park. We didn't see a lot of elephants due to strong winds, but our guide John made sure we saw as many animals as we could. We even saw 3 lions. John also explained a lot about the park and the animals.”

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Full-Day, Kruger National Park Safaris, Mpumalanga Tours, National Park Trips in Mpumalanga, National Parks, Private, Safari Tours, Safaris in Mpumalanga, Tour Reviews

Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari

3.Kruger National Park Full Day Private safari

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

Review of a private Kruger safari from Hazyview, with Big Five viewing, guide tips, costs, timing, meals, and booking advice.

“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, Johannesburg Tours, National Park Trips in Johannesburg, National Parks, Pilanesberg Tours, Safari Tours, Safaris in Johannesburg, Tour Reviews

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

Review of MoAfrika’s full-day Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg, with two game drives, lunch at a waterhole, transport, value, and practical tips.

“My very first Safari experience. The initial drive takes a while but once at the Safari it’s a magical place. Would 100 percent recommend this tour.”

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Garden Route Tours, National Park Trips in the Garden Route, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Zip Lines

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

Zip 30 metres above Tsitsikamma Forest on a guided canopy tour with safety gear, local ecology, birdlife, and ten tree-top platforms.

“Felt very safe, great guides and a lot of fun in the forest.”

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Full-Day, Kruger National Park Safaris, Mpumalanga Tours, National Park Trips in Mpumalanga, National Parks, Private, Safari Tours, Safaris in Mpumalanga, Tour Reviews

Kruger National Park – Private full day Safari trip.

6.Kruger National Park – Private full day Safari trip.

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

Review of the private Kruger safari from Hazyview, covering wildlife, guides, costs, itinerary, entry fees, and practical booking advice.

“Excellent communication before and during the safari. Very knowledgeable on the park and the animals. Has clear passion for the job, which translates into an amazing customer experience. Will recommend to anyone visiting Kruger, and I will book again if I find myself at Kruger in the future.”

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Addo Elephant National Park Tours, Full-Day, National Park Trips in Port Elizabeth, National Parks, Port Elizabeth Tours, Safari Tours, Safaris in Port Elizabeth, Tour Reviews

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

Review of Addo Elephant National Park’s full-day safari from Port Elizabeth, with elephants, expert guides, lunch, transport, value, and practical tips.

“Our driver allowed us to open the back door of the minibus in front of buffalo. He let a man leave the vehicle to take a close up of an ostrich. The minibus broke down in front of 3 thankfully sleeping lions resulting in him having to leave the vehicle to attach jump leads. Having restarted the engine after someone towing us uphill he returned to site of lions and then reversed into a vehicle. The overall result left me feeling quite unsafe. I requested a refund and have not received a reply. The driver was very pleasant and tried hard to please us but I am sure he broke…”

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3-Hour Experiences, City Tours, National Parks, Pilanesberg Tours, Safari Tours, Sun City Tours, Tour Reviews

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

Explore Pilanesberg on a 3-hour open-vehicle safari from Sun City, with expert guides, big-five sightings, crater views, and flexible booking.

“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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Full-Day, Kruger National Park Safaris, Mpumalanga Tours, National Park Trips in Mpumalanga, National Parks, Safari Tours, Safaris in Mpumalanga, Tour Reviews

From Hazyview: Kruger National Park Full-Day Safari

9.Kruger National Park Full-Day Safari

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

A full-day Kruger safari from Hazyview with sunrise wildlife, expert guides, Big Five sightings, meals at your own cost, and hotel transfers.

“Great trip we saw lots of animals and our guide (Stefan/Stephen?) was excellent”

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Kruger National Park Safaris, Morning, Mpumalanga Tours, National Park Trips in Mpumalanga, National Parks, Private, Safari Tours, Safaris in Mpumalanga, Tour Reviews

Kruger National Park sunrise Morning Private safari

10.Kruger National Park sunrise Morning Private safari

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

Review of a private Kruger sunrise safari from Hazyview, with Big Five sightings, expert guides, pickup, pricing, and practical tips.

“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 Elephant National Park Tours, Guided, Half-Day, National Park Trips in Port Elizabeth, National Parks, Port Elizabeth Tours, Safari Tours, Safaris in Port Elizabeth, Tour Reviews

Addo National Park: Guided Half-Day Safari

11.Addo National Park: Guided Half-Day Safari

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

Review of Addo National Park’s 4-hour guided safari, with wildlife, expert local guides, vehicle comfort, costs, and practical booking tips.

“Our excellent guide, Steven ensured that we had a wonderful half day safari through Addo Elephant Park. He was knowledgeable and made sure we saw the maximum amount of wildlife possible in half a day. Elephants in large numbers, zebra, ostriches, leopard tortoise , warthogs and mongoose to name a few! Didnt see lions but with only a few in the park its not surprising. Vehicle comfortable and refreshmenrs provided. Would thoroughly recommend.”

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Full-Day, Johannesburg Tours, National Park Trips in Johannesburg, National Parks, Pilanesberg Tours, Safari Tours, Safaris in Johannesburg, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

Review of a full-day open-jeep safari from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg, with Big Five sightings, lunch, hotel pickup, and practical planning tips.

“We have finally been able to see these beings generally visible only in documentaries at home. We were dazzled!”

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Full-Day, Kruger National Park Safaris, National Parks, Safari Tours, Tour Reviews

Kruger National Park: Full-Day Game Drive with Pickup

13.Kruger National Park: Full-Day Game Drive with Pickup

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

Review of Kruger National Park’s full-day open-vehicle safari, with guide tips, Big Five odds, costs, stops, pickup details, and honest advice.

“Our guide, Advocate, was funny, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable about Kruger National Park and all its wildlife. Our main goal was to see lions and a leopard, and thanks to Advocate, we achieved it — we even saw the entire Big Five! I highly recommend Advocate as a ranger and would encourage anyone visiting the park to request him as their guide.”

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