If you’re in Johannesburg, you’re in the perfect location to take full advantage of the wide array of different points of interest, from learning about the country’s history and culture to its flora and fauna.
Undoubtedly, the best way to go about the former is by taking a proper safari tour outside of the city, where you’ll be immersed in wildlife like never before. There are a ton of safaris to take once you’re there, and it can be overwhelming knowing which are actually worth it.
For that reason, I’ve gone ahead and detailed the 5 top Johannesburg safari tours that are well worth your time and money. Let’s jump right in!
Best Johannesburg Safaris
| Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria | 3 Day Kruger National Park Safari & Panorama Route | Captivating Safari Lion Park Experience (Half Day Guided Tour) | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Location: | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | Hotel pickup and drop-off included |
| Start: | 6:00 AM | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM |
| Duration: | 10 hours | 3 days | 4 to 5 hours |
| Includes: | All Pilanesberg National Park conservation fees, lunch, morning open vehicle safari drive, afternoon safari drive, professional guide | Dinner, Air-conditioned vehicle, All Fees and Taxes, Bottled water, Accredited and experienced tourist guide | Tour Safari Lion Park, Small-group tour, breakfast, lunch, and snacks, coffee and/or tea |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Johannesburg Safaris For 2024
- Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria
- 3 Day Kruger National Park Safari & Panorama Route
- Captivating Safari Lion Park Experience (Half Day Guided Tour)
- Half Day Lion Park tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria
- Full Day Safari Tour of Pilanesberg National Park, Open Jeep Experience
Johannesburg Safari Reviews
1. Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria
- Duration: 10 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 6:00 AM
- Includes: All Pilanesberg National Park conservation fees, lunch, morning open vehicle safari drive, afternoon safari drive, professional guide, transport by air-conditioned minivan
A day trip to Pilanesberg National Park is the ultimate way to experience South Africa’s raw and untamed beauty without heading too far from the city.
The Full-Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria will bring you face-to-face with the wildlife wonderland of this park – home to the Big Five. As it’s just a short drive from these cities, it’s super convenient and everything is meticulously organized for the best experience possible.
First, you’ll start off by being picked up at your hotel by your guide in an air-conditioned minivan with plenty of room, big windows for looking at the views, and a smooth ride.
Upon arrival, our guide took us on a thrilling morning safari drive in a 4×4 dedicated safari vehicle where we set off to search for all kinds of flora and fauna. As we cruised along, our guide regaled us with fascinating facts and stories about the different animals we came across (all of the Big 5 if you’re lucky!).
After the morning drive, we enjoyed a tasty lunch at one of their rest stations overlooking a waterhole in the park, where we got to casually observe some of the most breathtaking animals in their natural habitat.
After fueling back up, it was then time for the afternoon safari drive which was just a bit shorter but just as interesting and educational. Our guide was very funny and him, along with the environment and animals, themselves, made for a tour that seemed to fly by.
The food was amazing, and I felt that everything was organized perfectly – there were never lulls and I also never felt like things were going by too fast. While we only saw 4 of the Big 5, I felt fortunate to be able to see and learn about these amazing creatures on this unforgettable journey!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. 3 Day Kruger National Park Safari & Panorama Route
- Duration: 3 days
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 7:30 AM
- Includes: Dinner, Air-conditioned vehicle, All Fees and Taxes, Bottled water, Accredited and experienced tourist guide, WiFi on board
Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations, and if you want the most immersive experience possible, you should probably think about a longer tour.
While the day tours are by no means inferior, a 3-Day Kruger National Park Safari & Panorama Route balances adventure, comfort, and expert guidance that expands a bit upon just the safari.
Witness not only the legendary “Panorama Route” and its jaw-dropping beauty, but the national park’s unbridled wildlife in a way like never before. Our guide picked us up at our hotel around 7:30 am and we set off in our comfortable minivan as we made our way to the Kruger National Park.
We learned along the way that it’s home to more species of large mammals than any other game reserve in Africa. We got to take the special panorama route which is well worth the time and money on its own, with breathtaking views along the foothills of the Drakensberg mountain including historic towns.
Upon arrival to the national park, we met with a pro guide and went straight into our private sunset safari drive in an open vehicle designed for the purpose. It was as beautiful as it was captivating, and we got to see plenty of big cats and other amazing animals!
The next day it was time for a full day at the Pabeni Gate Kruger National Park where we were once again in open safari vehicles, where our guide shared some amazing discussions with us about the area, the animals found inside the park, the locals, and the different cultures throughout the continent.
What I find crucial about good safari tours is that you feel safe and that you’re in the hands of someone who really knows what they’re doing. That’s what you’ll find here, with this tour: expertise, safety at the forefront, and a deep respect for the land and those who inhabit it.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Captivating Safari Lion Park Experience (Half Day Guided Tour)
- Duration: 4 to 5 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM
- Includes: Air-conditioned vehicle, all fees and taxes, bottled water
Perhaps you’re interested in going on a wild safari but aren’t able to commit to a full-day or multi-day experience. If that’s your situation, there are still amazing options out there, like the Captivating Safari Lion Park Experience (Half-Day Guided Tour)!
Just because it’s shorter doesn’t mean it’s in any way lacking in fun, education, or adventure – you’ll find it all here in just 4 to 5 hours! Taking safaris can be a bit challenging if you’re going to be driving yourself, as you have to know the roads, rent a car, etc. and it can just be a hassle.
However, with a well-organized tour like this one, all you have to do is relax and bring a sense of adventure! As you may be able to tell, this tour focuses more on seeing big cats (specifically, lions), but you can expect to see many other impressive wildlife, as well!
As we rode along on our way to the park, our guide shared a nice conversation with us about South Africa’s turbulent history, its rich culture, and of course, plenty of facts about wildlife. If you’re looking to bring kids along who may get bored on longer tours, this is just the right length of time for a safari.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by the friendly lion park staff and hopped in our safari vehicle to get started. We were able to see rare white lions, brown lions, wild dogs, cheetahs, giraffes, and many more incredible animals!
We stopped at each sighting, with plenty of opportunities to take photos and videos while our guide told us interesting facts about each one. It’s a fantastic intro to South Africa’s untamed wilderness and at a great price, too!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Half Day Lion Park Tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria
- Duration: 5 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 7:30 AM
- Includes: Driver/guide, transport by air-conditioned minivan, 2-hour game drive in specialized safari vehicle, Lion & Safari Park entrance fee
If you’re limited in time in Johannesburg or Pretoria but want to go on a wild adventure, the Half-Day Lion Park Tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria is perfect for you.
This 5-hour experience lets you see Africa’s iconic wildlife without the requirement of setting off on a long journey out into the middle of nowhere. With the tour starting at 7:30 in the morning, you’ll get to see one of the most renowned reserves and still be back in time for lunch!
What sets this park apart is how accessible it is to both cities without the need for long drives or complicated logistics. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in the morning, so you don’t have to deal with driving there yourself.
Known for its conservation efforts and opportunity to see the majestic “Big Cats” up close, you’ll learn all about the Lion Park on the way there from your guide. Upon arrival, you’ll hop in your safari vehicle with a professional wildlife guide who will teach you all about the different lions and other game found in the country.
In fact, the park holds over a whopping 85 lions, including the rare white lion! While the big cats were certainly impressive, we were lucky enough to spot other critters such as wild dogs, hyenas, and cheetahs!
After the drive, we headed back to the main centre and got to see some little lion cubs play together as well as grab some food and drinks at the Wetlands Restaurant on site. Keep in mind that while it is an extra cost at the restaurant, the food is quite good!
If you want the chance to observe lions while learning about their role in the ecosystem, their behaviors, and what differentiates them, this is the one for you!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Full Day Safari Tour of Pilanesberg National Park, Open Jeep Experience
- Duration: 11 to 12 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 6:00 AM
- Includes: All fees and taxes, air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, lunch
Last but certainly not least, is the Full-Day Safari Tour of Pilanesberg National Park, Open Jeep Experience. It’s one of the few full-day safari trips that I absolutely loved and would recommend to anyone looking for something longer without being an overnight trip.
This deeply immersive experience is perfect for first-time safari-goers, friend groups, families with children, as well as solo travelers. I appreciated that they offered us the option of either a pre-dawn or early morning departure, depending on which one suited our schedule best.
We were picked up in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle and set out in the early hours for the Pilanesberg National Park known for being home to the Big Five. The Big Five consists of lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, and elephants, and this tour is one of the few where we actually spotted all 5!
The safari vehicle we had featured open sides so we could view the wildlife safely and without obstruction while keeping ourselves safe. It was a great way to snap some photos and videos while our guide shared plenty of interesting info on the different flora and fauna.
In fact, I’d say that many of us preferred the open-side vehicles to the open-top alternatives due to the ease of viewing and taking photos.
While breakfast is your own expense, I really liked that they included bottled water and a delicious lunch for us during the tour. We enjoyed a tasty lunch along the way, which replenished our energy in the middle of the hot and sunny day.
If you’re looking for an immersive wildlife experience where you get to see plenty of wildlife in more natural habitats, I can’t recommend this one enough!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
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The Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria is our Editors Choice for the best Johannesburg safari
