The 15 Best Safaris in Johannesburg

1.Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

★★★★★★★★★★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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2.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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3.Early Morning Balloon Safari with Breakfast from Magaliesburg

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

Review of the Magaliesburg balloon safari, with mountain views, a one-hour flight, sparkling wine breakfast, costs, and practical tips.

“The flight felt safe and relaxed. The pilot, Nic, was very knowledgeable and shared Aron of interesting insight about ballooning and his career. He also had a sense of humour and made the experience pleasant”

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4.Lion & Safari Park Half-Day Tour

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

See lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and wild dogs on a five-hour Johannesburg tour with hotel pickup and a guided open-vehicle safari.

“The Tour was very well managed. Our Tour guide and Driver Mr Ntsieni gave us all information. It's a perfect half day Safari Tour. Tour vehicle was very good and spacious. Overall I'd a very good experience and I'd definitely recommend others to try this Tour.”

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5.3-Day Budget Tent Kruger Park Safari

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

Review of a 3-day budget Kruger safari from Johannesburg with tent stays, sunset and night drives, bush walks, BBQ dinner, and Blyde Canyon.

“Such an excellent tour and the management of the group was exceptional, they allowed me to upgrade my room when I realized I booked a tent instead of the main campground. The guides were well educated on the land and animals and the prepared food was always perfect. I saw a lot of cool animals every part of the trip.”

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6.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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7.Safari Flight

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

Review of a Johannesburg hot-air balloon safari over the Cradle of Humankind, with wildlife, sunrise views, breakfast, and practical booking tips.

“The view ! The animals and the breakfast and wine ! 10 for 10 experience . I will be back for sure #bucketlist Check”

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8.Full Day Exquisite Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg

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

Review of a full-day Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg, with hotel pickup, Big Five sightings, open vehicles, lunch, costs, tips, and honest drawbacks.

“Feeding the giraffe and getting do close to the lions to take pictures. Will definitely come again when in Johannesburg.”

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9.Cradle of Humankind Tour with Lion Safari from Johannesburg

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

Compare lions, fossils, caves, and human evolution on a 10-hour Johannesburg tour with hotel pickup, a small group, and guide Jason.

“Jason was a wonderful guide! Would definitely recommend and call on him the next time we visit South Africa.”

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

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

Review of Johannesburg’s half-day Lion and Safari Park tour, with hotel pickup, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, wild dogs, value, and practical tips.

“We had a wonderful time during our visit to Lion & Safari Park. We were conveniently picked up at our hotel by the Phillipians 4 four tour driver and taken to the park. Our driver was friendly and polite and it was about an hour's drive. Once we arrived we were loaded onto another vehicle driven by the Lion & Safari Park guide and taken to various gated areas around the property. We saw lions, wild dogs, cheetahs, warthogs, a giraffe, and ostrich while driving around. Once back from our drive we saw various other animals in the animal habitats and visited their amazing gift shop. Overall a very pleasant…”

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11.2-Day 4-Star Pilanesberg Safari

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

Review of a 2-day Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg, with four game drives, Big Five sightings, 4-star lodging, meals, and practical tips.

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

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12.3-Day Kruger National Park Open Vehicle Safari

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

Review of a 3-day Kruger safari from Johannesburg, with small groups, open vehicles, park lodging, game drives, costs, and practical tips.

“We went in May 2024 and it was an absolutely amazing experience. We saw all big 5 animals. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and helpful in ensuring we maximized our time.”

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13.3 Day Kruger National Park Safari & Panorama Route

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

Three days from Johannesburg to Kruger with sunset and full-day safaris, Panorama Route views, private transfers, and practical value advice.

“This was a life-long dream of ours, to visit Kruger. We enjoyed spending time with our guide, Norman, who picked us up at our hotel, and arranged every detail of our stay and game drives. The hotel he arranged was excellent, the food was grRead more”

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14.Pilanesberg Full-Day Shared Safari with Sun City Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 27 reviews · from $290

Review of a full-day Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg with open-vehicle wildlife drives, Sun City, Big Five viewing, and practical tips.

“Super organized! Our guide Vincent took care of all our wishes. So we had an unforgettable day Thanks a lot to Vincent!! This tour is a total must-try The safari was actually private.”

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15.4 days Kruger Park Big 5 Safari and Awesome Panorama Route

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $1,390

Explore Kruger’s Big Five, Blyde Canyon, God’s Window, waterfalls, and a night drive on this four-day safari from Johannesburg.

“Jakes is very knowledgeable and experienced in all things South Africa and safari. Within moments of starting the tour he provides the history and background that gives you a sense of how modern South Africa evolved. Once the safari begins Read more”

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