Best South Africa Safaris

South Africa is known as a premier safari destination. We have selected 5 safari destinations across the country, that are rated among the Best South Africa Safaris, and presented them five different 3 night safari packages. These safari destinations cover diverse & beautiful landscapes and are located in differing biomes including the well-known Savanna biome, as well as other biomes including the Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo and the Fynbos biomes.

The 5 Safari Destinations are spread across South Africa and include Mala Mala Game Reserve, Madikwe Game Reserve, Tswalu Kalahari, Sanboma Wildlife Reserve and the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve.

A Safari at Mala Mala

Mala Mala Game Reserve adjoins the Kruger National Park’s mid-western boundary, this safari destination is iconic and guests to Mala Mala can expect nothing short of exceptional game viewing and in particular excellent predator activity. The natural diversity of wildlife is as it has been over thousands of years.

Experience 3 nights at the Mala Mala Main Camp, where you will enjoy luxury amenities, in an air-conditioned suite. You will board your scheduled light aircraft flight from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport. On arrival, you will be met and transferred from the Mala Mala Airstrip to the lodge by road. After your safari stay, you will return to Johannesburg via a scheduled light aircraft flight.

MalaMala is well-known for its consistent delivery of exciting game viewing and some of Africa’s best safari experiences. This is the largest private game reserve in South Africa that also offers the Big Five. MalaMala shares an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park. The MalaMala Main Camp is designed for guests to enjoy the surrounding wilds from the lodge. The open safari vehicles offer wonderful views of the wildlife sightings that are just waiting to be caught on camera.

Cost
R72,559 per person sharing (Jan - Dec 2024)
R86,920 per person sharing (Jan - Dec 2025)

Includes:
03 night’s accommodation at MalaMala Main Camp including:
All meals and snacks
Game drives in open 4-wheel drive safari vehicles conducted by an experienced ranger
Nature walks
Transfers to and from the MalaMala Game Reserve airstrip
Laundry – maximum 10 items per room per day (minimum 2 nights)
Sabi Sands entrance and conservation fees
1% Tourism levy

Scheduled light aircraft flights: with Federal Airlines
Johannesburg – MalaMala – Johannesburg return including domestic taxes

Excludes:
Visas if required
Personal items and gratuities
Bar accounts not specified
Meals not specified
Flights not specified

A Safari at Tswalu Kalahari

The Tswalu Kalahari is situated in the expansive region where the Groot (big) Karoo and Kalahari meet, the arid area offers a unique visual feast. Almost white grasslands, rocky mountains and red sands provide the backdrop for this semi-desert safari experience. Home to about 80 species of mammal including lion & black rhino, the real appeal to this safari destination are the myriad of desert-adapted animals including the very rare aardvark (antbear) and pangolin.

Enjoy three nights of luxury at The Motse in the Tswalu Game Reserve. You will travel from Johannesburg via light aircraft to Tswalu in the Kalahari. Surrounded by the Korannaberg Mountains and the Kalahari dunes and plains, Tswalu offers a diverse ecosystem for an exceptional safari experience.

The lodge offers incredible views over a watering hole which attracts several wildlife. Experience outdoor showers, open fireplaces and private decks – to name just a few of the luxurious facilities. After your safari, you will return to Johannesburg via a light aircraft flight to OR Tambo International Airport.

Cost
R132,097 per person sharing (Valid from Jan - Dec 2024)
R159,035 per person sharing (Valid from Jan - Dec 2025)

Includes:
03 night’s accommodation at Tswalu The Motse including:
Luxury full-board accommodation
Private guide, vehicle, and tracker per booking (minimum 3-night stay)
Walking safaris, led by our experienced field guides and trackers
Horse-back safaris
All beverages and a full selection from our award-winning wine list (excludes premium brands)
In-suite tea & coffee facilities
In-suite honour bar and gourmet pantry
Laundry and valet services
Wireless access
Children’s Junior Ranger programme, and babysitting
National telephone calls
1% Tourism levy

Scheduled light aircraft flights: with Tswalu
Johannesburg – Tswalu – Johannesburg return incl. domestic taxes

Excludes:
Visas if required
Personal items and gratuities
Bar accounts not specified
Meals not specified
Flights not specified
Gift shop purchases
Spa treatments
Tswalu Foundation donations
Gratuities

A Safari at Madikwe Game Reserve

The Madikwe Game Reserve is located in the malaria-free Northwest Province. The reserve was established in 1991 and is one of conservation’s success stories. The area was historically rich in game and then became cattle & hunting farms, only to be reconciled and rehabilitated to its former glory as a tract of wilderness on the edge of the Kalahari.

A mere 35-minute charter flight from Johannesburg starts your 3-night stay in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Here you will stay at Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge. The lodge villas boast incredible views from a private deck, with air-conditioned rooms, an outdoor shower and an open fireplace. After enjoying a luxury safari in the malaria-free reserve, you will return to Johannesburg by a light aircraft charter.

At Madikwe Hills you can enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, spending the middle of the day at leisure at the lodge. Apart from the big game of Madikwe Game Reserve, it is also home to endangered wild dogs and home to a wide variety of bird species.

Cost
R60,115 per person sharing (Jan - Dec 2024)
R67,500 per person sharing (Jan - Dec 2025)

Includes:
03 night’s accommodation at Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge including:
All meals daily
A wide selection of local beverages, house wines and spirits
Welcome drinks and teas & coffees at meals
Two game drives per day
Road transfer from the Madikwe Airstrip to the Lodge
1% Tourism levy

Scheduled light aircraft flights: with Federal Air Charters
Johannesburg – Madikwe – Johannesburg return incl. domestic taxes

Excludes:
Visas if required
Personal items and gratuities
Gate entry fees (to be paid directly)

A Safari at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

The Little Karoo offers exceptional safari experiences with a wide variety of activities at the malaria-free Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. An approximate 3-hour drive from Cape Town – this is an excellent opportunity to incorporate a safari with a beach destination. Boasting over 58,000 hectares of wildlife, indigenous flora and fauna, Sanbona is also home to rare San rock art, rich biodiversity and culture.

An approximate 3-hour road transfer from Cape Town takes you to the Little Karoo. Here you will spend the next three nights at the Dwyka Tented Lodge in a luxury tent.

Your stay in the malaria-free Eastern Cape reserve is on a fully inclusive basis – with incredible twice-daily game-viewing activities. After your stay at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, you will be transferred by road along the Garden Route and back to Cape Town.

Cost
R42,332 per person sharing (9 Jan - 31 Mar 2024)
R35,146 per person sharing (Apr 2024)
R31,240 per person sharing (May-Sept 2024)
R38,250 per person sharing (Oct - Nov 2024)

R46,825 per person sharing (13 Jan - 31 Mar 2025)
R38,860 per person sharing (Apr 2025)
R34,740 per person sharing (May-Sept 2025)
R41,395 per person sharing (Oct - Nov 2025)

Includes:
03 night’s accommodation at Sanbona Dwyka Tented Lodge including:
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Tea, coffee and water
Game drives
Guided walks
Game drive beverages

All road transfers as per itinerary
1% Tourism levy

Excludes:
Visas if required
Personal items and gratuities
Bar accounts not specified
Meals not specified
Flights not specified

A Safari at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Located in the Eastern Cape Province the Kwandwe Game Reserve forms part of the region’s rapidly developing conservation area that includes among other reserves the Addo National Park. The terrain and habitat of the area is thick succulent bush, deep valleys and flowing rivers. It is host to all of the big five including both black & white rhinos, and a plethora of other species. The Kwandwe Game Reserve serves as the perfect safari start or extension to a visit along the Garden Route that runs west along the coast toward Cape Town.

You will be transferred by road from Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth) Airport to the malaria-free Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. Kwandwe offers various safari activities such as morning and afternoon game drives, bush walks, big game walking safari, fishing, morning visits & volunteering activities at the community centre and dining experiences on the reserve.

Your stay in the malaria-free Eastern Cape reserve is on a fully inclusive basis – with incredible twice-daily game-viewing activities. After your stay at Kwandwe Game Reserve, you will be transferred by road back to Port Elizabeth.

Cost
R68,785 per person sharing (Jan - Apr 2024)
R53,579 per person sharing (May-Sep 2024)
R73,618 per person sharing (Oct-Dec 2024)

R76,240 per person sharing (Jan - Apr 2025)
R58,940 per person sharing (May-Sep 2025)
R81,315 per person sharing (Oct-Dec 2025)

Includes:
03 night’s accommodation at Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge including:
Three meals daily
Soft drinks, house wines, local & premium brand spirits, beers, teas & coffees
Refreshments on game drives
Laundry
Emergency medical evacuation insurance
Complimentary child-minding
Twice daily game drives
Nature walks accompanied by an armed ranger
Big game walking safari (tracking white rhino, black rhino, elephant and buffalo on foot, accompanied by an armed specialist ranger and tracker team – subject to availability)
Community and conservation levy

All road transfers as per itinerary
1% Tourism levy

Excludes:
Visas if required
Personal items and gratuities
Bar accounts not specified
Meals not specified
Flights not specified
Champagne, fine wines, cigars
Additional safari activities not mentioned above