The 15 Best National Park Tours in South Africa

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari - The open-vehicle game drives: where guides like Martin and Petros make the day

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

Full-day Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg with two open-vehicle drives, Big Five chances, a lunch stop by water, and expert guides.

“It was great. We were wandering the vast bush land in complete sync with nature. It was a beautiful experience. We spotted a Baboon, hippos, impalas, Rhinos, Herds of elephants, Giraffes, leopard (not so clearly), Zebras & wildebeests. The ride was comfortable to & fro Jburg and the guide in Pilanesburg was good and witty. The whole trip was on time.”

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Full-Day, National Parks, Port Elizabeth & Addo Tours, Safari, Safaris in Port Elizabeth & Addo, 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

Full-day Addo safari from Port Elizabeth. Small group, guided Big 7 park drive, lunch included, and expert elephant viewing.

“We can 100% recommend this tour to anyone! Our guide John was really knowledgeable and always knew the best spots to see a lot of the animals. The open safari car was spacious & comfortable and all of us were able to have a window seat. Whenever someone spotted an animal, John would immediately tell the driver to stop so we could take all the pictures we wanted. The little pre packed lunch was also delicious. All in all we felt in good hands at all times. Thanks again for the trip of a lifetime!”

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Full-Day, Kruger & Mpumalanga Tours, Kruger Park Safaris, National Parks, Private, Safari, Safaris in Kruger & 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

Private full-day Kruger safari from Hazyview with a guide, Big Five focus, photo stops, and rest-camp breaks, starting at 5:30 am.

“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 Parks, Safari, 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

Full-day Pilanesberg Big Five safari with two open-vehicle drives, waterhole lunch, and hotel pickup from Johannesburg. Worth the long day.

“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 Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Zip Lines

Storms River: Tsitsikamma National Park Zipline Canopy Tour

5.Tsitsikamma National Park Zipline Canopy Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 481 reviews · 2h 30m · from $55

Soar 30m above Tsitsikamma forest on a small-group zipline canopy tour from Stormsrivier. Learn birdlife, then hike 600m.

“Experienced guides made us feel safe and able to confidently enjoy the zip-lining. Stunning area. Wonderful experience overall and recommended for young and old. Our group ranged in ages from 8 to 61.”

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

Kruger National Park – Private full day Safari trip.

6.Private full day Safari trip.

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

Private Kruger full-day safari from Hazyview with early gate entry, nine hours inside the park, pickup options, and expert guide service.

“Kruger National Park is a world wonder and this brings out the best of it. My guide, Gerrie was awesome, explaining and giving history as we went to the remotest parts of the park. This is absolutely top level!”

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Full-Day, National Parks, Port Elizabeth & Addo Tours, Safari, Safaris in Port Elizabeth & Addo, 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

Full-day guided safari in Addo Elephant National Park from Port Elizabeth with pickup, air-conditioned 4x4, lunch, and fees included.

“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, City Tours in Pilanesberg & Sun City, Game Drives, National Parks, Pilanesberg & Sun City Tours, Tour Reviews

From Sun City: Pilanesberg National Park 3-Hour Game Drive

8.Pilanesberg National Park 3-Hour Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 216 reviews · from $49Best value

3-hour open-vehicle game drive from Sun City into Pilanesberg crater country, led by top guides to spot the Big Five and more.

“The activity was fantastic and the guide, Jeremy, was outstanding. the only unpleasant thing was the poor road conditions that caused a bumpy and uncomfortable ride. otherwise, the activity was worth every penny.”

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Full-Day, Kruger & Mpumalanga Tours, Kruger Park Safaris, National Parks, Safari, Safaris in Kruger & 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

Kruger National Park full-day safari from Hazyview: sunrise pickup, open-vehicle drives, Big Five chances, breakfast and lunch breaks, $105.

“Our guide, Remember, was an amazing guide and driver. He gave up his lunch and rest time to find a leopard for the group. He is a funny, caring, and beautiful soul. Our experience with Remember was one we will never forget. Love from the Americans.”

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

Kruger National Park sunrise Morning Private safari

10.Kruger National Park sunrise Morning Private safari

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

Sunrise private safari in Kruger from Hazyview with pickup, an open vehicle, and a guide hunting Big Five sightings and abundant birds.

“Fantastic ! Whole experience amazing ! Great company .. very friendly .. wanted us to have the best experience and we did ! Thank you Evenick ! Fantastic !”

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Guided, Half-Day, National Parks, Port Elizabeth & Addo Tours, Safari, Safaris in Port Elizabeth & Addo, 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

4-hour guided half-day safari in Addo Elephant National Park, small group expert guides, drinks included, retractable-window Land Cruisers.

“We went on a half day tour through the Addo Elephant National Park and loved it! Our guide Donald was very knowledgeable and entertaining! Although we had been on games drives in other parks before this was a special, memorable experience for us as we have never gotten that close to elephants 🐘😍 thank you, Donald!! When we initially read that the halfday tour only had closed vehicles available, we were a little bit skeptical, but actually they got big pull down side windows and everyone in our group could watch the animals perfectly.”

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Full-Day, Johannesburg Tours, National Parks, Safari, 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

Open-jeep safari from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg with pickup, Big Five chances, lunch, guides and water, starting 6:00 am.

“An absolutely wonderful experience!! From the driver to and from our hotel, to our safari guide, everything was perfect. We actually saw a herd of about 15 elephants (including babies) that came almost up to the jeep. Lions, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, hippos, rhinos, antelope, and even crocodiles. A “must do” excursion!!”

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Full-Day, Game Drives, Kruger Park Safaris, National Parks, Tour Reviews

Kruger National Park: Full-Day Game Drive with Pickup

13.Full-Day Game Drive with Pickup

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

Full-day Kruger game drive with hotel pickup, open 4x4 views, Big 5 chances, and two rest camp stops (food not included).

“Jerry picked us up at 6am from Skukuza in his 9-passenger safari truck. Being the only guests made for a personalized experience. The morning was chilly, but he provided blankets for comfort. Throughout our 9-10 hour tour, Jerry was friendly, patient, and knowledgeable. We saw 4 of the Big 5: elephants (up close), lions, buffalo, and rhino. Watching curious hyena pups was a highlight. Jerry tracked animals well and used WhatsApp to coordinate with other guides to find lions. The truck was comfortable, though windy in the back (dress warmly for mornings). We stopped for breakfast and lunch at the same rest area with good, reasonably priced food. This tour…”

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

Kruger National Park: Full-Day Private Safari With Pickup

14.Full-Day Private Safari With Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 122 reviews · 10 hours · from $280

Private Kruger safari with pickup, open-vehicle game drive and registered guide. Aim for Big Five sightings and best early-morning wildlife.

“Our guide was William. He was great! We were picked up from our accommodation near the Crocodile Gate. William knew a lot about the animals, and was so nice to spend a day with! We saw three of the big five (lions, elephants and buffalos) and plenty of other animals (giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, gnus, impalas, kudus etc). We were exploring the southern part of the park. All the animals don’t live in the same areas, so my advice is to book tours for two days and ask the guide to show other areas to see other type of vegetation and animals. That’s what we did and it was very…”

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Game Drives, Game Drives in Kruger & Mpumalanga, Kruger & Mpumalanga Tours, Kruger Park Safaris, National Parks, Safari, Safaris in Kruger & Mpumalanga, Tour Reviews

Marloth Park: Kruger National Park Safari Game Drives

15.Marloth Park: Kruger National Park Safari Game Drives

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 115 reviews · 6 hours · from $61

Sunrise game drives from Marloth Park to Kruger, with Big Five chances, expert English guiding, and comfortable open vehicles, plus handy wildlife breaks.

“Our tour guide Jerry was an awesome guide and even greater person! it was a pity it was a hot day so we didn't get to see many animals, Jerry was very knowledgeable and made sure to make our safari the best as possible! everybody knew Jerry and he was friendly with everyone! I would definitely recommend!”

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