The 10 best safaris to do in South Africa

Are you planning a trip to South African territory and wondering what reserve to explore? Here are the 10 best safaris to do in South Africa.

South Africa is, without surprise, one of the best destinations in the world to safari. The country has a large number of wildlife reserves and national parks inhabited by an exceptional and fascinating wildlife. In addition to offering amazing landscapes of amazing diversity, South Africa is the destination where you have the most chance to observe the lions, buffalo, elephants, leopards and black rhinoceros that make up the Big Five. From the uncontourable Kruger to the most confidential Madikwe, these parks offer you a unique and unforgettable adventure. Ready to go to meet Africa’s most iconic animals in their natural habitat? Discover the 10 best safaris to do in South Africa without further delay.

1. Kruger National Park

With an area of approximately 20,000 km2, the Kruger National Park is one of the largest animal reserves in Africa and the largest in the country. But the popularity of Kruger Park is the presence of the famous Big Five. In total, nearly 150 species of mammals, including giraffes and guépards, and 500 species of birds living in the bush of this famous park.

Kruger is the ideal place to safari in South Africa, but note that it is also very popular. It is located in the northeast of the country, at about 5 hours' drive Johannesburg .

2. Addo Elephant National Park

Making a safari in the national park of the Elephants of Addo is the assurance of crossing herds of African elephants in their natural habitat. Today, this reserve hosts more than 500 elephants, as well as black rhinoceros, lions, hyenas, cape buffalos, antelopes and a wide variety of birds.

Located south of the country, in the Sundays River valley, Addo Elephant Park is the third largest park in South Africa, after Kruger and Kgalagadi. Better than the Big Five, the Addo National Park, which is bordered by the ocean, is home to the Big Seven which includes, in addition, the southern free whale and the great white shark.

3. Pilanesberg National Park

Let us continue our tour of the best safaris in South Africa in the Bojanala region, in the heart of the volcanic crater Pilanesberg. This park, with an area of 550 km2, enjoys an exceptional geographical location between the Lowveld (low-altitude flat) to the wet vegetation and the dry Kalahari desert.

These are wild animals from two different ecosystems that live in Pilanesberg. Thus, you can observe, among other things, Big Five, giraffes, zebras, crocodiles, white rhinoceros, snakes or buffalos!

4. Reserve Madikwe

Madikwe is an animal sanctuary in the northwest of South Africa on the border with Botswana. This private reserve is managed by the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) and is only accessible to people sleeping in the park’s lodges. Madikwe enjoys a particularly rich and varied fauna and flora. The rangers ensure tranquility to animals and provide good safari conditions to visitors by limiting the number of 4×4 on the same observation.

What awaits you in a safari in Madikwe? Big five, black antelopes, impalas or lycaons, a threatened species!

5. Mapungubwe National Park

Let's continue our top safaris in South Africa with Mapungubwe. Mapungubwe National Park, in the province of Limpopo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In charge of history, this park protects the remains of Mapungubwe Hill, the capital of the first South African kingdom.

Mapungubwe is also distinguished by its natural landscapes composed of giant baobabs, river forests and sandstone formations. And the fauna is just as abundant! You can see in this real paradise hundreds of species of different birds, white and black rhinos, elephants and suricates.

6. Reserve Hluhluwe-Imfolozi

Founded in 1895, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is the oldest in African reserves. With more than 1600 white rhinos, a rare species, and 370 black rhinos, it houses the largest concentration of rhinos in the world. But it's not the only animals to live in this hilly setting!

By making a safari in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi reserve, you have all your chances of falling nose to nose (or almost) with Big Five, giraffes, nyalas or even lycaons.

7. Reserve Sabi Sand

Sabi Sand is one of the best natural reserves in South Africa. It is located close to the iconic Kruger Park with which it does not share any barriers. The animals are therefore free to pass from one park to another. As a result, it is not uncommon to spot in this private reserve the Big Five, antelopes, hyenas and above all, majestic leopards.

8. Kgalagadi Park

The Kgalagadi cross-border park is shared between the Kalahari region in South Africa and Botswana. In fact, it brings together two former national parks, the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park (South Africa) and the Gemsbok National Park (Botswana). In this desert ecosystem, lions and cheetahs are surrounded by gnous, zebra, onicates and many species of birds.

But the emblematic animal of the park is the oryx ! Do you dream of a unique experience in the heart of the African bush? Make a safari in Kgalagadi Park!

9. Shamwari Reserve

Shamwari’s private reservation, which means “ my friend “in shona language, shelters no less than five different ecosystems. By immersing yourself in the wilderness of Shamwari, in the Eastern Cape, you will probably meet the Big Five, rhinoceros, cheetahs or zebras.

In addition, the park has established a program on the conservation and protection of endangered species. Shamwari was elected the world's best safari and conservation reserve for several consecutive years.

10. Marakele National Park

Let's finish this selection of safaris in South Africa in Marakele, Limpopo province. It is in this national park that you will find the largest colony of vultures in the world, birds endangered. Located in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains, Marakele offers a unique environment for Big Five convoys and hundreds of other mammals and birds living there.

You're ready for the big trip! Among those safaris to do in South Africa, which one will you choose?