Why go on a South African Vacation?
Prolific Big 5 Game Viewing
Encountering Africa’s iconic Big 5 (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo) is a major item on any safari goer’s bucket list. South Africa is one of the very few places on Earth where you’re able to tick off all five in one day.
Easily Combine Bush, Beach & Vine
Cape Town’s gorgeous coastline offers its visitors sun-kissed beaches, while the famous Cape Winelands will delight any gourmet. Superb infrastructure and daily domestic flights make combining a Kruger safari with a beach holiday a piece of cake.
World-class Service & Amenities
Experience culinary excellence from award-winning chefs in Cape Town, the Winelands, and Kruger’s private reserves and concessions. Plus enjoy top-notch service and amenities like spas, gyms and art galleries in each location.
Fantastic Logistics
Daily commercial flights link all the major cities, chartered airplanes can get you to safari lodges with their own private airstrips, and a self-drive holiday along the beautiful Garden Route is made safe and easy thanks to well-maintained road networks.
A Trip For Every Traveller
Multi-generational broods will love South Africa’s variety of family-friendly accommodation. Couples will find the perfect trip to celebrate a special occasion. Adventure seekers will relish in Cape Town’s plethora of outdoor activities…
Excellent Value
Thanks to a very favourable exchange rate, it’s easy to find superb accommodation that offers that extra bit of holiday pampering. And dining out in South Africa is very affordable, so you can enjoy a great meal and local vintage without feeling guilty.
Legendary South African Safaris
A trip to South Africa not only shows you the country’s eclectic cultural mix and widely varied landscapes but has some of the most renowned game viewing.
Travel in open four-wheel-drive vehicles for unobstructed views of the bush and stay in some of the country’s best luxury lodges with opportunities to spot wildlife from the front door.
Accommodation From $450 USD
per person per Night sharing
Accommodation From $650 CAD
per person per Night sharing
Accommodation From $1,050 AUD
per person per Night sharing
Accommodation From €1,000 EUR
per person per Night sharing
Accommodation From £800 GBP
per person per Night sharing
Accommodation From R15,000 ZAR
per person per Night sharing
Top Safari Destinations in South Africa
Here are some of our best packages, all completely customisable to your requirements and travel wishes:
Kruger National Park & The Greater Kruger
South Africa’s biggest and best-known national park is home to the country’s greatest diversity of animals and exquisite safari lodges on private game reserves.
As one of the oldest conservation areas in Africa, it boasts healthy populations of wildlife and highly sought-after sightings of cheetah and wild dog. But the Kruger’s claim to fame is the almost guaranteed encounter with the super-celebrities of the safari circuit: Africa’s iconic Big 5.
Highlights
- 5-star service and exquisite cuisine – some of the best safari food in Africa
- Luxurious lodges with spas, gyms, private pools and star-beds
- Virtual guarantee of seeing all the Big 5
- Off-road driving, spot-lit night drives and guided nature walks in private reserves
Madikwe Game Reserve
An easy half-day drive or short charter flight from Johannesburg lies malaria-free Madikwe – one of South Africa’s largest yet least known Big 5 reserves.
Lying on the edge of the Kalahari and close to the Botswana border, the 75 000-hectare Madikwe Private Game Reserve is home to a rewarding mix of familiar savannah animals and desert specialists. It delivers thrilling, diverse big game safaris that not only meet but regularly exceed visitor expectations.
Highlights
- Enjoy malaria-free game viewing
- Dedicated staff at lodges taking care of little-ones and offering kiddie-friendly safari adventures
- A fantastic value for money trip with great savings
- Go on day and night game drives with expert guides
- Madikwe Game Reserve is a conservation success story with a focus on worthy initiatives for people, wildlife and the eco-system
- Madikwe Game Reserve is a conservation success story with a focus on worthy initiatives for people, wildlife and the eco-system
Eastern Cape Safaris
The Eastern Cape’s biggest draw is its reserves. As the newest addition to South Africa’s safari circuit, this once-overlooked province has now become a top big game destination in its own rights.
Most of its reserves boast the Big 5 in easy-to-see habitats and offer a variety of safari activities ranging from game drives and river cruises to horseback and walking safaris. All of this is within a short drive from the popular beaches and seaside towns of the Garden Route.
Highlights
- Spot the Big 5 in malaria-free and private game reserves
- Pair a safari sojourn with a famed Garden Route exploration, combining bush and beach
- Visit the Addo Elephant National Park, most renowned for its large elephant herds
- Take your pick from traditional thatched lodges, romantic tented camps or stylish boutique hotels
- Private reserves that are home to rare white lions
Consider Adding...
Kwandwe Game Reserve
In the past, visitors whizzed through Johannesburg, stopping just long enough to catch their connecting flight. Nowadays, however, ‘Jozi’ is a destination in its own right. Boasting a fantastic selection of hotels and guest houses, a thriving café culture and a budding restaurant scene, Jozi offers its visitors a unique perspective of urban South Africa.
Timbavati Game Reserve
The Timbavati Game Reserve shares a common unfenced border with the Kruger National Park allowing the wildlife to roam free between the two. Stay at colonial-style game lodges, bush lodges and luxury tented safari camps, a South African safari dream destination.
Phinda Game Reserve
Phinda Private Game Reserve is on the Eastern coast of South Africa and has incredible lodges that are well-known for their high-quality game rangers, dedication to conservation and five-star luxury safari lodges.
When To Go
High Seasons: May–Oct
The drier winter months are the best time for game viewing on a South Africa safari in the Kruger, Madikwe, Pilanesberg and KwaZulu-Natal. Big game are usually concentrated around water sources and are easier to spot in the thinned-out vegetation. If you want to see whales along South Africa’s Whale Coast, then a visit between June and October is a must, with the numbers at their highest in September.
Green Seasons: Nov–Apr
For a South African safari, the green season is when the landscape is a beautiful, lush emerald colour and with the best light of the year for photography. It’s calving season and there are great opportunities to witness baby animals and some dramatic predator action.
For a Cape Town beach holiday, you simply can’t beat the hot summer months between November and March, but you have to book your spot well in advance for this trendy destination.
South Africa Safari Trip Ideas
Here are some of our best packages, all completely customisable to your requirements and travel wishes:
A Romantic Getaway
The Best of Cape Town and Kruger
This perfectly compact luxury South African vacation blends the vibrant energy of Cape Town with the thrilling wilderness of a Kruger National Park safari. Staying in luxurious accommodations at The Cape Cadogan and Simbambili Game Lodge, you’ll experience the best of South Africa’s iconic destinations. From the cosmopolitan charm of the “Mother City” to the wildlife-filled plains of the Sabi Sands, this itinerary combines seamless travel, exceptional service, and unforgettable experiences.
Your journey begins in Cape Town, where you’ll explore landmarks like Table Mountain, the colourful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, and the scenic Cape Peninsula. Take in dramatic coastlines, visit Boulders Beach’s penguin colony, and stand at the southwestern tip of Southern Africa at Cape Point. Then, head to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, where you’ll embark on morning and evening game drives to spot the Big 5, enjoy gourmet dining, and relax in the serene ambience of a luxury safari lodge.
This 8-day luxury Cape Town and Kruger National Park itinerary works best for couples or friends travelling together but can be easily tailored for families with older children. You can extend it to include Victoria Falls or Botswana’s Chobe and Delta. Travel during shoulder seasons, like April-May or September-November, for mild weather in both Cape Town and Kruger. This tour promises unforgettable moments and a desire to return for more.
Highlights
- Iconic Table Mountain views and Cape Town exploration
- Discover Cape Peninsula’s dramatic coastlines and penguins
- Luxurious stay in vibrant Kloof Street’s heart
- Thrilling Big 5 game drives in Sabi Sands
- Seamless travel combining city life and safari magic
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $5,850 CAD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $9,350 AUD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM €8,900 EUR
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM £7,100 GBP
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM R131,000 ZAR
PER PERSON Sharing
Family Vacation
Southern Africa's most popular route
Experience the best of Cape Town, the Whale Coast and Garden Route plus the Eastern Cape on this 12-day South Africa adventure. Stay in beautiful accommodation, enjoy incredible scenery and take advantage of all the activities and experiences on offer.
Start your journey in Cape Town and the charming Welgelegen House. Cape Town has plenty to keep every member of the travel party enthralled. A rich and storied past for the history buff, picturesque city beaches, award-winning restaurants and wines for the foodies and wine-lovers, an array of adventurous activities for the adrenaline seekers, and of course the city and surrounds provide plenty of family-friendly outings for all ages.
Enjoy a romantic cliff-top stay just outside the coastal town of Hermanus where in season you’ll be able to observe southern right whales from your balcony. Just next door to Hermanus is Gansbaai – world-renowned for large numbers of great white sharks where you’ll to the waters for a thrilling shark-cage diving expedition.
The journey continues along the coast on the beautiful Garden Route to Knysna where you’ll stay on a small island on the idyllic Knysna Lagoon and enjoy a canopy tour in the tranquil Tsitsikamma Forest. Finish off in the Eastern Cape with an authentic African Big 5 safari in the Bayethe Tented Lodge in the beautiful Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
Highlights
- Stay in the cosmopolitan heart of Cape Town
- Explore Cape Town’s beaches and vineyards
- Watch whales from your cliff-top lodge
- Spot Africa’s fiercest marine predator in a shark cage dive
- Wind your war along the scenic Garden Route
- Canopy tour in the treetops of the Tsitsikama Forest
- Relax in beautiful golden-sand beaches
- Search for the Big 5 in the private Shamwari reserve
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $7,650 CAD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $12,250 AUD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM €11,650 EUR
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM £9,300 GBP
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM R172,000 ZAR
PER PERSON Sharing
How Much is a South Africa Safari?
Rates generally depend on timing (i.e., key travel seasons like holidays) and level of luxury (the type of amenities and exclusivity).
From $450 – $1550 USD Per Person
What Costs Are Included?
Most accommodations are all-inclusive; all your meals, snacks, beverages, alcohol (with some exceptions) are part of your room rate. In addition, your game drives and other excursions like walking safaris and cultural village visits will all be included.
The only things you’ll have to pay for are special activities like hot-air balloon rides and spa treatments. Beyond that, just gratuities for the incredible staff who will make your stay at each lodge so memorable.
Mark Smith
South Africa is perfect for a first-time trip to Africa or returning visitors looking for exceptional year-round game viewing. I recommend starting by exploring beautiful Cape Town – the perfect way to recover from jetlag before an action-packed safari schedule. Then take your pick from malaria-free destinations to suit the whole family like Madikwe or Kwandwe at the end of the Garden Route, to the legendary Kruger National Park and its adjoining private game reserves like Sabi Sands, renowned for its prolific Big 5 sightings.
Why Travel with Go2Africa
Based in Cape Town, our team of experts are all born and raised in Africa.
When you travel with us you’re assured of the Big 5 Guarantee.
We are African
Since 1998 we've tailored unforgettable African safari holidays for over 200 000 travellers, that leaves a lasting positive impact.
We Know Because We Go
We have first-hand knowledge of every destination, lodge and activity we recommend from our 1 000+ carefully selected safari partners.
We Are With You All The Way
We take care of every detail, offering 24/7 assistance and local know-how from the right time zone, until you return safely home.
You Are In Expert Hands
With the most awarded Top Travel Specialists in Africa by Conde Nast Traveler and led by one of Travel & Leisure's A-list specialists, you are in expert hands.
Complete Financial Protection
Our clients are fully covered by our supplier default insurance, and our accreditation bond with the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association.
Making A Positive Impact Together
Every journey with us makes a meaningful positive impact by creating sustainable solutions, enabling people and nature to mutually thrive together.
Our Partners
Everything is about relationships. Fortunately, we’ve built great ones working with the top names in Africa for more than 20 years.
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