available in South Africa
offering Safaris
Reserves and Wildlife
Areas
Overview
South Africa, located at the southernmost tip of Africa, is home to some of the richest biodiversity on earth, with numerous national parks and incredible landscapes ranging from mountains, lakes and oceans to winelands, game farms and deserts. With renowned highlights such as Table Mountain, Kruger National Park and big five safari areas, amongst numerous others, South Africa remains one of the world’s favourite safari destinations.
As well as the big game reserves and national parks, South Africa also has excellent private wildlife reserves such as the Timbavati, Sabi Sands, Amakhala, Shamwari and Kariega. And it’s not only about South Africa safaris, there is also its colourful history with many fascinating historical sites to visit such as Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, the Natal battlefields and Apartheid Museum.
One of the most popular places for South Africa tours and safaris is Kruger National Park, one of the largest game parks in Africa, spanning both the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. With an astonishing variety of species including 147 mammals, 507 birds, 114 reptiles and 336 trees, Kruger is situated in the Lowveld, with baobab, fever, marula and mopane trees. On a safari trip to South Africa, expect to spot the big five, as well as the little five and the birding big six, exploring on a wide variety of activities such as wildlife safaris, mountain biking trails, guided walking safaris, golfing and bird watching.
South Africa’s famed Garden Route is a panoramic stretch of coastline ideal for a slow paced self-drive. Technically it runs from Mossel Bay to Storms River, although many start well before Mossel Bay in beautiful Cape Town. Savour the scenic beauty of lakes, forests, lagoons, beaches and forest along the way, and enjoy the many outdoor activities and adventures on offer from hiking and water sports to whale watching and shark cage diving!
See Also: Wildlife in South Africa – African Safari Animals and Where to Find Them (Infographic).
South Africa Safari Travel Seasons
- Jun–Aug Low Season. Winter – temperatures can reach zero at night in places but days are generally sunny and warm. It’s the rainy season in Cape Town and the Western Cape. The ideal months for wildlife watching and prices should generally be low but watch out for school holidays (late June to mid July) as prices can increase.
- Apr–May, Sep & Oct Shoulder Season. Sunny spring and autumn weather, temperatures peak in late October. August is a great time for the Garden Route and Northern Cape as it is wild flower season while March onwards offers fantastic wildlife watching conditions.
- Nov–Mar High Season. Summer – peak times are early Dec to mid Jan, as well as around Easter. It is essential to book accommodation in national parks and on the coast well in advance during these periods – be aware that prices can rise by at least 50% in the most popular locations.
General Information
- Currency – South African Rand
- Languages – English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Sotho, Ndebele
- Size – 1,221,037 sq km, five times larger than Great Britain
- Population: 55.45 million (2017)
Health and Safety
- Travel insurance is essential for all international travel. Click below to find out more:
- The CDC recommends the following vaccinations for South Africa: hepatitis A and typhoid. Check with your doctor which other vaccinations you might need and make sure your routine vaccinations are all up-to-date.
- Malaria is a risk in the northeastern regions so talk to your doctor about the best prophylaxis to take.
- The water from taps in most developed areas is of a high quality, but in rural areas stick to drinking bottled water.
- South Africa has a high crime rate but the majority of travellers visit without any incident – be sure to take basic safety precautions.
Pros
- 14 National Parks
- Huge diversity in landscapes
- Well connected international and internal flights
- Fabulous wildlife
- Rich history
- Well priced, wide variety of safari options
Cons
- Crime in urban centres
- Quite large distances between areas
- Availability during peak times
Arriving in South Africa
- South Africa is incredibly well connected to the world, with international airports in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Most visitors arrive in South Africa by air, often through the regional hub of Johannesburg.
- If you are already in the region then you can drive, bus or train in.
Getting Around
- South Africa is a large country with very specific tourism areas and distances between them can be large.
- There is a well maintained road network connecting the main safari areas, it’s the ideal country to self drive around.
- Easy to travel around with great internal flights on a wide range of competitively priced airlines.
- There are good transport link out of all airports including the excellent Gautrain from Johannesburg airport into central Johannesburg and Pretoria.
- Stunning train journeys between Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
Visas
- Visitors from Commonwealth countries (including Australia, Canada and the UK), Western European countries, Japan and the USA are issued with a free, 90-day visitor’s permit on arrival.
- Ensure you have at least two completely blank pages in your passport.
- Please check for visa requirements as changes do occur – South African Visas >>
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South Africa Safaris
Malaria Free Family Safari
- 5 Days
Families can enjoy a memorable four night safari in the malaria-free Eastern Cape of South Africa, spending...
- Country:South Africa,
- Departures:Year Round
- Length:5 Days
- Start/end:Start/end in Port Elizabeth
5-Day Kruger National Park Wildlife Experience
- 5 Days
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime in South Africa with our five-day safari experience that promises...
- Country:South Africa,
- Departures:Year Round
- Length:5 Days
- Start/end:Start in Johannesburg , end in Johannesburg
Best of Southern Africa
- 10 Days
On this safari explore South Africa's fairest Cape?s winelands, landmarks and countryside including Table...
- Country:South Africa, Zambia,
- Departures:Year Round
- Length:10 Days
- Start/end:Start in Cape Town, South Africa, end in Livingstone, Zambia
4-Day Budget Safari in Pilanesberg
- 4 Days
Black Rhino Game Lodge overlooks a busy waterhole, which is a hive of bird and animal activity and a...
- Country:South Africa,
- Departures:Year Round
- Length:4 Days
- Start/end:Start in Pilanesberg, end in Pilanesberg
Self-Drive Tour Cape and Garden Route
- 8 Days
Discover Cape Town's gourmet restaurants and beautiful beaches before heading to the Cape Winelands,...
- Country:South Africa,
- Departures:Year Round
- Length:8 Days
- Start/end:Start in Cape Town, end in Cape Town
Cape Town & Malaria Free Eastern Cape Safari
- 7 Days
The Fairest Cape is yours to explore, from its glamorous beaches and striking Table Mountain to its fabulous...
- Country:South Africa,
- Departures:Year Round
- Length:7 Days
- Start/end:Start in Cape Town, end in Port Elizabeth
4-Day Big Five & Family Safari in Madikwe Game Reserve
- 4 Days
Embark on an unforgettable 4-day family safari adventure at Madikwe Safari Lodge, nestled in the heart...
- Country:South Africa,
- Departures:Year Round
- Length:4 Days
- Start/end:Start in Johannesburg , end in Johannesburg
4-Day Kruger Park and Panorama Route Safari
- 5 Days
Discover South Africa’s wildlife and scenic wonders on an unforgettable 4-day journey through Kruger...
- Country:South Africa,
- Departures:Year Round
- Length:5 Days
- Start/end:Start in Johannesburg, end in Johannesburg
5-Day Luxury Big Five and Beach Safari Near Cape Town
- 5 Days
Discover the perfect fusion of wilderness and coastal charm with our exclusive "Cape to Wild Splendor...
- Country:South Africa,
- Departures:Year Round
- Length:5 Days
- Start/end:Start in Cape Town, end in Cape Town
Best of South Africa
- 15 Days
This trip is packed with highlights and showcases the very best of South Africa's Cape, beautiful winelands...
- Country:South Africa,
- Departures:Year Round
- Length:15 Days
- Start/end:Start in Cape Town, end in Johannesburg or Nelspruit
Partners offering Safaris in South Africa
Countries in the same Region
Botswana
- 7 Partners
- 33 Tours
Botswana safaris are sought after for those seeking incredible untouched wilderness; the beautiful Okavango Delta, elephant paradise Chobe National Park, green savannah of Savuti and much more.
Zambia
- 5 Partners
- 16 Tours
With vast tracts of remote wilderness and few tourists, a visit to Zambia offers genuine adventure with high quality guides sharing their knowledge on game drives, night excursions, walking and canoe safaris.
Namibia
- 4 Partners
- 13 Tours
This remarkable country is home to an array of breathtaking safari areas; the Namib Desert with its red sand dunes, Damaraland, home to unique desert-adapted species and Etosha National Park with its wildlife and salt pan scenery.
Zimbabwe
- 7 Partners
- 18 Tours
Zimbabwe still rates as one of the greatest Southern African safari destinations. Despite its recent troubles, it offers a superior safari experience and is home to some of the very best guides in the business.
Swaziland
- 2 Partners
- 2 Tours
Despite being the smallest country in the southern hemisphere, the Kingdom of Swaziland packs a punch with everything it has to offer, brimming with colourful rich culture, laid-back friendly locals, natural beauty and amazing wildllife.
Mozambique
- 3 Partners
- 4 Tours
Mozambique is a tropical paradise that has so much to offer visitors; soft, dune-covered beaches and turquoise-coloured oceans, rich coral reefs and uninhabited archipelagos. Inland the vast wilderness is recovering from years of civil war. Situated in the southern end of the Great African Rift Valley, the Gorongosa National Park lies in the wild heart of central Mozambique.
Malawi
- 1 Partners
- 0 Tours
Malawi’s varied landscapes include green plains, mountainous areas, forests and river valleys. Despite its relatively small land mass for an African country, Malawi boasts a large number of national parks and open spaces making it ideal for a safari holiday.
Madagascar
- 3 Partners
- 11 Tours
Lying off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and a unique ecological environment. The island split off from the ancient landform of Gondwana some 88 million years ago and has since remained an isolated landmass. This has resulted in the spectacular biodiversity for which Madagascar has become known, with an astonishing 90% of its wildlife unique to the island.