15 best wildlife safari experiences in South Africa

The South African jungle is all about a thrilling adventure that gives the pleasure to see eye-popping wildlife, ferocious wild animals roaming free to the most unique sphere to ease our eyes.

The experience of kissing the skies with hot air balloon over the fauna world is just worth watching. Nothing more than African safari can match up with, which gives you a beyond compare voyage through the most magical and deadly forests of the world.

You will surely catch a glimpse of the best wildlife safari, seeing the untamed creatures that nature has blessed in these indigenous places.

Here is a compiled list of breathtaking wildlife safari in Africa to give your adventure travel a twist.

Wildlife Safaris In South Africa of The Big 5

Mos of the African jungle safaris offers game drives, an opportunity of the closest possible encounter with Africa’s Big Five. South Africa’s Big Five are buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, lions, and leopards.

1. Addo Elephant National Park

You can easily spot the gigantic herd of mighty elephants bunch up near the Hapoor Dam of the park. The safari will be continued with the mysterious leopards making its way being in the best place for trip. What you can in the open easily other than leopards are the rhinos and buffaloes.

There are strict measures for monitoring the behavioral patterns of Big 5 in the park to make sure you’re able to see all on your safari. Marine Eco Tour is provided by the park for witnessing whales and sharks.

Location: R335 Paterson Road, Addo, 6105, South Africa

South African safari Charge: INR 1,200/- per person*

2. Kruger National Park

The  Kruger National Park is amongst the top travel destinations for jungle safari. Have the never before opportunity to spot the Big 5 in their natural surroundings at one of the famous Kruger National Park safaris in South Africa.

Don’t miss the chance to face a plethora of wildlife, which means that you are more likely to lay eyes on lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes in comparison to other parks around the world. Join in the immersive Wilderness Trails to be close and personal with the park's wonderful animals.

Kruger National Park gives you everything right from Early Morning Guided Trails, night safari, camping facilities. Night Safari is a hot favorite of all the jungle lovers going to Kruger. Night Safari is a hot favorite of all the jungle lovers going to Kruger.

In one night safari, the experienced guide drives you deep in the jungles of South Africa letting you sneak in on your most night-loving animals.

Location: Malalan Gate, Nelspruit 1350, South Africa

South Africa Safari Cost: INR 1,500/- per person*

3. Marakele National Park

Marakele is an amusing park, home to a magnificent variety of fauna. This park positioned in the heart of Waterberg Mountains demands must visit tag for all those who want to desire to see the Big 5 in Africa. In fact, this park is an ideal getaway from the people visiting the fascinating cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria located nearby.

While you are in the Marakele National Park, you can spot the  Tuli elephants brought into the park in 1999, other than enjoying the game drives in open safari vehicles across the park and in addition can indulge yourself walking in the bushes with professionally trained field guides.

Location: Nylstroom, Limpopo, South Africa

Admission Cost: INR 850/- per person*

4. Camdeboo National Park

Apart from the divergent wildlife, Camdeboo Park is a spellbinding place offering unique landscapes, ecosystem, and tremendous scenic beauty. With dreamlike rock formations projecting out of the ground, the Karoo of South Africa displays some of the greatest natural wonders which had formed million years ago.

Travelers can also enjoy night safaris, and camp with a bonfire for an invigorating experience. Lakeview Tented Camp is the ideal adaptation here which are four rustic and fully furnished tents designed to provide a relaxed nature experience to visitors.

The tents have table, chairs, a braai unit, a communal kitchen with microwave, other than the comfortable bedding and towels. This is amongst the best jungle safari in the world.  

Location: N9, Graaff-Reinet, 6280, South Africa.

South African Safari Cost: INR 480/- per person*

Accommodation Cost at Lakeview: INR 1,600/- per person on double sharing*

5. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

In search of some huge black-headed lions, swift leopards, and tricky raptors? Then welcome to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park safari in South Africa. Extending with red-dunes, and rare animal species like eland and blue wildebeest, gemsbok, sneaking around in herds, the park is a gripping haven for wildlife and nature lovers.

You can go for an overnight safari tour and camping other than witnessing the beautiful nature. And seeing the wild animals. For night camping and drenching yourself in the best of nature’s lap, the Kalahari Tented Camp at Kgalagadi is a perfect place.

This exclusive campsite comprises of 15 desert tents tastefully decorated tents with rustic finishing, offering guests complete isolation and best of a luxurious ad the best wildlife safari in South Africa.

You can also enjoy the Elephant safari here.

Location: Mata Mata, Upington, South Africa

South Africa Safari Cost: INR 1,400/- per person*

Accommodation Cost at Kalahari: 4,000/- per person on double sharing*

6. Adventures With Elephants, Limpopo

The jungle safari offers incomparable intimate active participation to educational elephant interactions, Elephant Back Safaris, swims with elephants, and starlight safaris, the main reason being famous as one of the best wildlife safari in South Africa.

The safari is a non-profit initiative by some dedicated individuals of the Hansman family, which gives the opportunity to touch and feed the elephants out there. Their passionate and experienced elephant handlers will take you to some amazing sightseeing with these magnificent creatures.

The place is close to the Zebula Country Club, the 300-hectare facility is one hour drive from Pretoria and is at a distance of 35 km from Bela Bela.

Location: D1000 Rd, Mabula District, Bela-Bela, 0480, South Africa

Timings: 7 AM to 5 PM on all days of the week*

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7. Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve

In Inkwenzie, you can not only find wild animals such as antelopes, giraffes, zebras and other carnivores but can also get the opportunity to interact with one of the world's most amazing animals, elephant.

Elephant safari is more than learning experiences here, in which these beautiful creatures interact with each other on each other, which is equally pleasant for some children and the elderly.

Enjoy cuddling and playing with these baby elephants and ride on the bigger ones while spending the best time at this sanctuary and accounts to be the best safari in the world.

Location: Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, Schafli Road, Cintsa, Wild Coast, Eastern Cape

Safari Cost: INR 3,600/- per person*

Walking Safaris: Stroll amidst the fierce African Jungles

Leave no stone unturned exploring the amazing landscapes and the stupendous diversity of wildlife in South Africa! Wander in a relaxing manner with professionals by your side. Safari walking is the best way to soak in Africa's natural benevolence and spot hunter tracks, insects, birds, and animals.

8. Sabi Sands Reserve

The reserve is nestled in the north-west of Kruger National Park, this huge 65,000-hectare game reserve houses a few of the finest flora and fauna in Africa, which is why it is one of the best places to visit in South Africa for the wildlife safari.

You can enjoy dinner in bushes with bush breakfast also as they are offered by a number of lodges here for travelers with the condition, the weather is suitable for it! Sabi Sands Reserve is one of the best wildlife tours you will ever experience.

Leopards are the best center of attraction to spot here.

Location: Mpumalanga, South Africa

Safari Cost: INR 1,200/- per person*

9. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Come across the life of Sabona on a lovely walking safari under the guidance of your experienced wanderer by your side apart from afternoon and evening walks (depending on which animal is where), the park also manages early morning walking trails where travelers can greet animals grazing peacefully or playing with their children.

To spot yourself in Sanbona, there is another reason why it is listed in the category of best safari in South Africa is due to its first private game reserve in the Western Cape to play host to free meandering big cats like lions and cheetahs.

A unique conservation programme has been taken into action by Sabona to save and reintroduce White Lions in the park, a rare species that was eliminated from South Africa’s jungle.

The reserve is also befitting for nature lovers with its wavy mountains, profuse and delightful plains, spectacular flora, cliff formations, and even rock art. The cherry on the cake is witnessing the bird chirping around the reserve.

Location: R62, Between Montagu & Barrydale, Montagu 6720, South Africa

Safari Cost: INR 1,500/- per person*

10. Mapungubwe National Park

Mapungubwe National Park gives the roof to 400 plus species in a small area by comparison, with an alluring association of flora, fauna along with water species. Since Mapungubwe is amongst the undiscovered South African safari parks, enjoy a full proof sheltered safari tour and fascinate your eyes seeing beautiful birds than anywhere else due to minimum human intervention.

Some of the birds you will find in jagged landscape including Tropical Boubou, Pel’s Fishing Owl,  Meve’s (Longtailed) Starling, African Fish Eagle, White-fronted Bee-eater breeds, Verreaux’s (Black) Eagle, Cuckoo Birds, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Black-faced Waxbill, Black Eagles, Cinnamon-breasted (Rock) Bunting, Black-backed Puffback, White-crested Helmetshrike, Southern Pied Babbler, and lot more!

Location: Musina, 900, South Africa

Safari Cost: INR 850/- per person*

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11. West Coast National Park

The West Coast National Park borders the Langebaan Lagoon garnering mammoth arrival of migratory birds flocking every year.

To see these refreshing, lively, fascinating, and energizing birds your happiness will rise to multiple folds especially the bird lovers can’t miss this chance and bird photographers from around the world are in awe of it.

Summers is the perfect time to pay for your visit. You can spot endearing birds like Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler, Bokmakierie and Cape Bunting,  Osprey, Knot, Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper, Ringed and Grey Plover, Yellow Canary, Bar-tailed Godwit, Southern Black Korhaan, Cape Spurfowl and Grey-winged Francolin, Southern Grey, Cape Penduline Tit, Ant-eating Chat, White-throated, and Karoo Lark and many more!

Location: West Coast DC, South Africa.

Safari Cost: INR 725/- per person in flower season, and INR 362/- per person in non-flower season*

Experience the exquisite safari ride by boat, paddling in the middle of scenic streams and marshy waters of South Africa and encounter the big game in the form of elephants, hippos, and crocodiles.

On the upper and lower Zambezi, also the Selinda Spillway in northern Botswana, there are bulk of options are opened for canoe safari that is available to tourist.

Without disturbing the animals like buffalos, kudus, elands, and predators like lions and other large mammals as they cluster around the shoreline, Canoe safari is hence the best way to enjoy nature. Apart from animals, enjoy seeing a  large variety of bird life via canoe travel.

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12. Tamarind Canoe Safari

One of the most popular South Africa tours and safaris is the Tamarind Canoe Safari which conducts in lower Zambezi.

This tour begins with the quiet, dark valleys of the Kariba and takes adventurers in-depth to the glorious and famed World Heritage Site Mana Pools through the sublime Victoria Falls. For real African wilderness, Tamarind Canoe Safari is a bull’s eye spot to experience the big game.

Location: Kariba Gorge, Zambezi River, Zambia, and Zimbabwe border, South Africa

Charges: INR 55,200 per person*

13. Selinda Adventure Trail

From a matchless adventuresome canoe safari, you should try the Selinda path with its unique canoeing and walking combination. Go along enjoying exhilarating activities, starting with a thrilling helicopter flight, then walk or go paddling on the tranquil and picturesque river stretching up to 20 kilometers and carefully observe the flow of the water.

This exclusionary guided paddled boat tour is an out-of-the-world add-on to this safari in South Africa since there has been a shift in the tectonic plates in the waterway’s creation in 2009. Selinda canoe safari offers you the supreme opportunities for camping, birdwatching, and sky-watching!

Location: Selinda Reserve, Botswana

Charges: INR 1,00,000/- per person*

Hot-Air Balloon Safaris: Steal the views of wildlife from the skies

Enjoy a hot air balloon ride in South Africa will make you look at the far-reaching views of large volcanic landforms, rare rock formations, unique geological features, a large group of wildlife, while you move smoothly and quickly on your pleasing journey!

14. Pilanesberg National Park

Pilanesberg is amongst the prime National Park in the list of most family-friendly South Africa safaris holidays and is amongst the best adventure trips in the world.

This park is a 2-hour drive from Johannesburg, providing a too-much experience of lifting high in the sky to travelers.

The views from a height will give you hypnotizing views of the Pilanesberg Alkaline Ring Complex (unique geological feature produced from volcanic activity), and the spectacular scenery of groups of antelopes, buffaloes, and elephants.

The Pilanesberg Hot Air Balloon Safari also offers drinks of wine, full English breakfast, first flight certificate, and a transfer to your hotel.

Location: Bojanala, North West, South Africa

Charges: INR 1,00,000/- per person*

Duration of flight: 1 Hour (customizable)*

15. Kafue National Park

With the immense popularity of hot air balloon, it is now there in Kafue National Park as well. The colorful balloons paint the astonishing skies of Busanga Plains of Zambia during the daytime which is an absolute treat to watch!

Witnessing the wildlife safari in South Africa exclusively by hot air balloon adds to offer mind-blowing bird’s-eye scenic views to travelers of the park and its wild inhabitants.

The park is also known for its guided walking safaris and game drives, which is a package making an excellent place for best wildlife safari in South Africa.

Location: D769, Zambia

Duration of flight: 1 Hour (customizable)*