Johannesburg National Park Tours: Our 9 Favourites

1.Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

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

Leave Johannesburg early for Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, where guides such as Petrus, Martin, and Desmond track elephants, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, and big cats. You get two open-vehicle drives totaling 4.5 to 5 hours, lunch at a reserve rest stop, and hotel pickup. The day is long, but it gives you a real safari without changing hotels.

“I had Simon for a driver and he was excellent getting us there and back safely. Petrus was our tour guide and he was absolutely fantastic. He really must have a connection with the animals because we saw all of the big five ( well 4 1/2 we saw half of a lion through the grass) it was an amazing day”

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2.Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 718 reviews · from $159

Leave Johannesburg or Pretoria early for Pilanesberg National Park, then spend the day on two guided open-vehicle drives with a safari guide such as Clement or Sibu. Look for the Big Five, giraffes, hippos, zebras, and antelope, with lunch overlooking a waterhole between drives. Return transport is included.

“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.Full Day Safari Tour of Pilanesberg National Park, Open Jeep experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · from $155Best value

Travel from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg National Park in an air-conditioned vehicle, then spend the day in an open safari jeep with a local guide. The park is home to lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffaloes, cheetahs, hippos, and more. Lunch, entrance fees, and water are included, while breakfast is not.

“We had a wonderful experience. Excellent guides helped us and we saw wonderful wildlife and landscapes. Can’t recommend this company more!”

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4.3-Day Kruger National Park Open Vehicle Safari

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

You’ll travel from Johannesburg in a luxury minivan, then spend two nights in air-conditioned bungalows inside Kruger National Park. Open-vehicle drives, conservation fees, breakfasts, dinners, and transfers are included. Groups are capped at nine, with guides such as Rufus, Simon, and Nicky known for sharp tracking and a friendly, hands-on style.

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5.4-Day Classic Kruger National Park Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 52 reviews · 4 days · from $1,120

Travel from Johannesburg in a small group of up to nine to Tremisana Game Lodge in Balule. You get sunset and sunrise drives, a four-hour armed-ranger bush walk, a full Kruger day, and a Marula Tree Boma barbecue. Guide John is among the praised guides, and the open vehicles offer excellent wildlife views.

“10/10 safari experience. Very well organised, from collection to the game drives. Lovely friendly staff and very knowledgable safari guides. The food was amazing and they went above and beyond to accommodate for dietary reqs. Having breakfast and seeing an elephant walk past the lodge on multiple days was surreal! Lovely pool at Tremisana and time to enjoy the sun. Would highly recommend Viva Safaris”

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6.3-Day Classic Kruger National Park Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 45 reviews · 3 days · from $959

Travel from Johannesburg or O.R. Tambo to Tremisana Game Lodge for sunset and night drives, a candlelit bush barbecue, a full Kruger day, and a sunrise drive. English-speaking guides such as Terrence, Dylan, Andy, Smiley, and Rocky lead small groups of up to nine. The final day includes the Three Rondavels and airport drop-off by 5 PM.

“L’esperienza al Trevisana lodge è stata più affascinante del previsto e la consiglio a chi vuole conoscere gli animali e ama la natura. Al Trevisana lodge abbiamo trovato stanze con bagno privato; il tutto molto pulito ed essenziale. C’era anche l’aria condizionata in camera e il necessario per l’igiene personale. Ci hanno accolto con professionalità ed entusiasmo le guide Terrence e Dylan . Al Trevisana abbiamo conosciuto anche le altre guide Andy e Smiley che ci hanno accompagnato alla scoperta degli abitanti del parco Kruger . Le signore che si occupano della colazione e della cena sono molto disponibili e cortesi. La prima sera ci hanno sorpreso con una fantastica…”

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7.2-Day Safari into Kruger National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 29 reviews · 2 days · from $616

Leave Johannesburg early for Kruger National Park, where an open safari vehicle takes you out in the afternoon and again at dawn. You will spend the night near Hazyview, with dinner available at camp, then return to Johannesburg around 4:00 PM the next day. Guide Rudzani is known for attentive care and sharp animal spotting.

“Foi tudo muito tranquilo e as pessoas envolvidas, tanto no translado como no Lodge e Safari, muito atenciosas! Recomendo”

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8.Pilanesberg National Park Full Day Safari From Johannesburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · from $225

Leave Johannesburg at 6:00 am for Pilanesberg National Park, where a certified ranger leads a three-hour open-vehicle safari. Look for lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo, then return to Johannesburg after an optional lunch at your own cost. Hotel pickup, park fees, bottled water, and round-trip transport are included.

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9.Full-Day Kruger National Park Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 14 reviews · 9 hours · from $435

Travel from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park with an English-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and park fees included. You will stop in Middelburg and Nelspruit, then spend time at Skukuza and on a guided game drive. Guide assignments vary, though Nic has earned special praise for his broad South Africa knowledge.

“Wszystko było super przygotowane. Pełen profesjonalizm a zarazem miła i wesołą atmosfera. Dziękuję bardzo”

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