Many visitors to Africa choose South Africa for their safari. Beautiful and vast, the country boasts incredible national parks and private reserves, as well as glittering cities, imposing mountains, stunning beaches, unique plant life and much more. Travelers choosing South Africa can see the Big 5 and countless other mammal and bird species while on safari, along with a vast array of marine life including whales, sharks and penguins. It’s an amazing destination – offering a diverse range of experiences in addition to world-class safaris.
Today we’ll dig into everything you need to know about safaris in South Africa.
Nearly twice the size of Texas, South Africa is a huge country and offers a dizzying variety of terrain. Guests can choose a safari around the Kruger National Park area – we recommend choosing a private reserve – and will enjoy vast, wild and relatively flat topography with distant mountains framing breathtaking sunsets. Lesser known areas such as the Waterberg and some parts of KwaZulu Natal offer stunning mountain backdrops and more varied terrain.
Most areas offer the chance to see Africa’s Big 5, along with countless other species including giraffe, zebra, warthogs, antelope species, myriad bird life and much more! Many of the private reserves also offer night game drives, giving you the opportunity to see nocturnal species such as bush babies, porcupines, genets, leopards and springhares.
South Africa offers safaris in a variety of settings – from the relatively flat areas around the Kruger National Park to the edge of the vast Kalahari Desert. Kruger National Park is the country’s most well-known and offers reliably rewarding big-game experiences. The Big 5 abound, while zebra, giraffes, hippos, kudu and more are found in abundance throughout its landscape. The ecosystem is home to 147 types of mammals – you may lose count of how many you spot while on safari!
We highly recommend choosing one of the private reserves that border Kruger for your safari. Thornybush, Manyeleti, Timbavati and Sabi Sand all offer incredible game experiences, plus additional activities not allowed in the national park such as night drives, off-roading and game walks. They also offer a level of exclusivity that is not possible in the parks. There are a limited number of visitors, meaning there are fewer vehicles are in each reserve, making your safari experience and sightings more private.
KwaZulu-Natal is a more off-the-beaten-path option for safari-goers. It boasts to several world-class game reserves with excellent wildlife viewing including the Big 5 such as Phinda Private Game Reserve and Hluhluwe-IMfolozi Game Reserve. These reserves tend to be quieter and offer a more diverse topography.
South Africa’s North West Province is a lovely setting for a number of malaria-free wildlife reserves. These include Madikwe, South Africa’s fourth-largest game reserve, and the Pilanesberg National Park, both home to the Big 5 and many more southern African mammals and birds. These destinations are a great choice for families that would prefer not to take anti-malarial medications during their travels.
The Northern Province is home to Tswalu, a unique game reserve situated on the southern edge of the Kalahari Desert at the base of the Korannaberg Mountains. Its unique ecosystem stretches across more than 280,000 acres and offers guests the chance to see animals like oryx, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, cheetah, leopard, Kalahari black-maned lion and African wild dog, among others. You also might see unique and rare species such as ground pangolin and desert-adapted black rhino, and we definitely recommend you take the opportunity to visit the local colony of habituated meerkats!
In addition to safaris, South Africa offers exciting options for other types of travel. Visitors can explore cosmopolitan cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg, enjoy seaside retreats along its beautiful coast, marvel in land-based whale watching (seasonal), dive deep into the country’s history – from fierce Zulu battles to the more recent battles of apartheid, hike in the country’s stunning Drakensberg Mountains and so much more.
These are a sampling of South Africa’s many diverse safari destinations and other delights. Contact a Journey Specialist to discuss which areas might be right for your customized safari.
South Africa’s private game reserves have a wide offering of activities. Day and night game drives, bush walks, stargazing, hot air balloon safaris, bush meals, sundowners, conservation activities, horse riding and more are available. Remember that the national parks have a more limited set of options available, often only daytime game drives and guided walks.
South Africa is also known for its outstanding food and wine. Safari camps and lodges can cater to any dietary needs, but you can expect memorable meals – from local game dishes such as springbok and kudu to wonderful fish and creative vegetable presentations and other Western favorites. The South Africans are known for their love of the ‘braai’ – that’s barbecue to us – and turn out incredible steaks and other meat dishes slow cooked over smoldering embers. Be sure to try some if you’re an omnivore!
The types of accommodations available to you for your safari in South Africa are only limited by your imagination. You can choose a luxury lodge, a glamping-style tent, a tree house, fly camping (sleeping out under the stars) and more! Some of our favorite lodges include Singita Boulders Lodge, Londolozi Granite Suites, Lion Sands Ivory Lodge (including the chance for a magical tree house stay!), Royal Malewane, Tswalu Motse and Phinda Rock Lodge. Talk with your Journey Specialist about the right fit for you and visit our South Africa page for more ideas.
South Africa is a year-round destination. Safaris are fantastic all year long. The Southern Hemisphere winter brings cool and dry weather to the mountains and safari areas, which is great for game walks, hiking and other outdoor pursuits. Vegetation is sparse as are permanent water sources making winter an excellent season for game viewing. During this time of year, Cape Town is chilly and sees its highest chance for precipitation with occasional spectacular rainstorms. Winter tends to be the most popular season for travel meaning you will need to book your safari well in advance.
Summer brings lush and beautiful vegetation and can bring rain and very hot weather – be sure to bring your sunscreen! Cape Town and the Western Cape tend to be dry and warm during the summer months. Spring and autumn generally see ideal weather throughout the country.
South Africa has an incredibly modern infrastructure. For most safari destinations, you will fly to a nearby airport or airstrip and be transported to your accommodations either in an open game vehicle or a closed, air-conditioned vehicle, depending on distance. In cities, AAC will arrange for you to be ferried to all of your activities through our trusted partners.
Reach out to one of our Journey Specialists to start planning your customized South Africa safari – be sure to ask about adding on a visit to some of the country’s cities to take in spectacular art, music, award-winning museums, and for the chance to try some of the world’s best restaurants. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter below for more safari information and trip inspiration.
Photos courtesy Brianna R., AAC Safari Concierge Ciara Manning, AAC Journey Specialist Nell Pollak, Madikwe Safari Lodge, AAC President Kent Redding, Captures on Photography, Singita, Londolozi, AAC Senior Journey Specialist Angie Voigt, and Anisha B.