Safaris in South Africa offer a fantastically accessible way to see some great wildlife in a country that’s tourist-friendly and great value. South African wildlife viewing offers one of the most magnificent experiences on the planet and the country has pretty much any kind of safari you could hope for.
At over 1.2 million km sq, and five times the size of the UK, South Africa is bordered on three sides by the ocean. Whilst much of the country is made up of the highveld – a 1500m plateau – South Africa has very varied terrain, ranging from desert and dry shrubland to coastal swamps, woodland, and savannah – inspiration for generations of South African writers.
Self drive safaris are definitely an option in South Africa, with national parks all over the country allowing you to drive yourself around, so long as you follow the basic rules of safari etiquette. Even still, you may want to review our list of safari tour companies in South Africa to get some inspiration on itineraries.
Animals in many national parks in South Africa are comfortable with vehicles driving nearby, making spotting wildlife here easy for even a novice, and a great self-drive safari destination. Most parks are easily accessible in a 2WD hire car, which can keep the cost down as you won’t have to pay for a guide. With the money you save you could take one or two walking safaris, which gives a different perspective on the bush and wildlife. These are offered by many of the larger national parks and well worth the money.
The big five animals are present in a number of national parks in South Africa, and if you’re an old safari hand Africa’s little five can also be found here. On the endangered list, South Africa is also home to the black rhino, wild dog, wattled crane, and riverine rabbit.
With over 550 national parks and nature reserves and a great infrastructure to get into and around them, South Africa has a very well developed tourist economy, with wildlife making up a large portion of it. The tourist dollar derived from South Africa’s reasonably priced national park network is one of the main sources of revenue that goes back into local wildlife conservation efforts.
And of course, South Africa offers so much more than just safaris. There are all manner of activities and destinations you can combine with a safari in South Africa – including more than 2,500 km of stunning coastline with some of the world’s most famous beaches, world-class wine estates, and the many great things to do in Cape Town, the Mother City.
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South Africa safari highlights
Self-drive Kruger National Park
Drive yourself around the Kruger National Park – one of Africa’s best national parks, home to the battle at Kruger. Spot the big five – and far more – from the luxury of your own vehicle whilst taking in some of the park’s many sights. Not sure about self-drive safaris? Read our handy guide…
Go searching for the big seven
Yes, you read that right. South Africa is home to thousands of miles of coastline, and have added the southern right whale and the great white shark to the big five to make up South Africa’s ‘big seven’ (less reliably also available in Namibia and Mozambique)!
Splurge on a luxury retreat
Treat yourself to a stay at one of South Africa’s many exclusive private reserves. These are mostly dotted around the edges of Kruger National Park, but if you’re looking for a top-end malaria free safari can also be found in the Eastern Cape, the Waterberg Region, and the Namibian border.
Hiking in Table Mountain National Park
Whilst not strictly speaking a safari, no trip to South Africa would be complete without taking in Table Mountain National Park. There are many hiking paths up and around one of Africa’s most iconic mountains that let you take in views of the city and the Atlantic and Indian oceans, as well as the chance to spot local wildlife such as hyrax, tortoise, porcupine, and mongoose.
Best time to safari in South Africa
South Africa can comfortably be visited at any time of the year. June to September is the coolest, driest time of year, leading wildlife to congregate more around water sources. As vegetation is also less dense at this time of year it’s the best time to see the wildlife. If you’re visiting the highveld part of South Africa make sure you have a couple of layers – including a jacket or fleece – as the nights get nippy.
From November to March is summertime, and brings with it drizzle, mist, and some very hot weather in the Lowveld to the east of the country. There are occasional huge thunderstorms and heavy downpours, which tend to pass over the course of a few hours. Wildlife viewing is still possible when it’s not raining.
One other thing to bear in mind when considering when to take a safari in South Africa is the school holiday schedule. Locals travel a lot around the Christmas and Easter periods, meaning accommodation can be full and national parks busy. Because the country is so tourist-friendly, these numbers are also bolstered by large numbers of arrivals from Europe and North America. If you can, try to avoid booking a safari in South Africa during the school holiday season.
South Africa Car Hire
National parks in South Africa
South Africa has a wealth of national parks covering around 3% of the total area of the country – over 35,000 km sq in total. Parks and all facilities within them are managed by South Africa National Parks. Most national parks in South Africa are easily accessible with good infrastructure and facilities, and can be visited in your own rented 2WD car.
Top South Africa national park picks
Kruger National Park
The centrepiece of South African national parks, Kruger National Park has a worldwide reputation as offering one of the best wildlife experiences anywhere, as well as a great chance to spot the big five. At the size of Israel Kruger is one of Africa’s largest national parks, with fabulous wildlife sightings all but guaranteed.
Addo Elephant Park
Addo Elephant Park is easily accessuly, just 75km north of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Aside from the 450 resident elephants, the recently expanded park contains a range of wildlife including the big seven, and a population of endangered black rhino.
West Coast National Park
Something of a hidden gem and a birders paradise, the West Coast National Park is a little-visited area home to secret beaches, hidden lagoons, blooming carpets of flowers, jaw-dropping picnic spots plus over 250 species of bird and mammal life. The park is a 120km road trip up South Africa’s west coast, so can easily be incorporated into most South African itineraries.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
One of Africa’s top – and most remote – parks, the rugged Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Kalahari Desert covers land in both South Africa and Botswana, and borders Namibia to the west. The park is characterized by dry river beds and red dunes, and is home to migrating herds of wildebeest and springbok, along with predators including black-maned Kalahari lions.
Addo Elephant Park
75km north of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, aside from the 450 resident elephants the park contains plenty of buck, along with buffalo and black rhino.
Agulhas National Park
The area also known as the Agulhas Plain is an internationally signicifanct national park, primarily due to its’ rich plant biodiversity.
Ai Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
An arid, rugged wilderness with dramatic desert landscapes in the Northern Cape, forming part of the border with Namibia.
Bontebok National Park
Situated around the Breede river in the Southern Cape, the park is home to over 300 bontebok, with a spectacular range of flora and forna.
Camdeboo National Park
Stunningly scenic park, the Cameboo National Park is pary of the unique Karoo landscape.
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Set in the foothills of the Maluti mountains of the northern Free Sate Highlands, the park is an area brimming with game animals.
Karoo National Park
The Karoo biome includes a huge diversity of succulent plants and small reptiles, and an interesting variety of endemic wildlife – including black rhino & buffalo.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Regarded as one of Africa’s top parks, the rugged Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is made up of The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa and Gemsbok National Park in Botswana.
Kruger National Park
The centrepiece of South African national parks, Kruger has a worldwide reputation as offering one of the best wildlife experience…and a great chance to spot the big five.
Mapungubwe National Park
Aside from a decent amount of wildlife, the Mapungubwe National Park containts plenty of rich fossil deposits, Bushman rock art and gold and metal artefacts of ancient civilisations that once lived here.
Marakele National Park
The Waterberg mountain range provides mountain landscapes – punctuated with hills and valleys – along with an impressive variety of wildlife.
Mountain Zebra National Park
A sanctuary for the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra, as well as over 200 bird species.
Namaqua National Park
Famed for the variety of bulb flora, during August and September the park blooms into an area carpeted with wildflowers.
Table Mountain National Park
South Africa’s number 1 tourist spot is also a national park. Don’t expect to see big game once you get to the top – Table Mountain is all about the incredible views.
Tankwa Karoo National Park
Another of South Africa’s national parks situated within the Succulent Karoo biome, Tankwa Karoo is rich in birdlife and home to many rare and endangered plant species.
West Coast National Park
A coastal park featuring miles of deserted golden beaches, fringing salt marches and the Langebaan Lagoon.
Wilderness National Park
Situated in the heart of the Garden Route, Western Cape, the Wilderness National Park is a combination of rivers, estuaries, lakes and beaches, with a backdrop or lush forests and mountains.
Other South Africa safari resources
South Africa safari companies
South Africa sees large numbers of inbound and local tourists visiting it’s national parks, has great infrastructure to allow travel around the country. Whilst self-drive safaris are extremely easy to do in South Africa, there are also plenty of safari companies right across the country to help visitors take advantage of the world-class wildlife viewining available. Check out our reviews of safari tour companies in South Africa.
South Africa safari lodges
There really is something for everyone when considering safari accommodation in South Africa. From great campgrounds including decent washing and BBQ facilities as standard to ultra-high end luxury lodges, with everything in between. Safari accommodation is most concentrated in and around Kruger, but you wont struggle to find the right place at the right place when visiting any of South Africa’s national parks. Search and book accommodation in South Africa.