Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is the most famous safari destination in South Africa, perhaps even the entire continent! The Big 5 and countless other wildlife are found in abundance, making this the perfect place for your first safari.Within the park itself, you cannot go off-road or do night game drives. However, several private concessions share an unfenced border with Kruger. These private concessions offer the same great wildlife viewing as Kruger with more freedom and fewer vehicles at each sighting.Some of our favorite private reserves in the Great Kruger area include Sabi Sands, MalaMala, Timbavati, Manyeleti, Thornybush, and Kapama.

Madikwe

This malaria-free Big 5 reserve is perfect for families, with plenty of luxurious safari lodges and camps to choose from. Madikwe presents a more affordable alternative to the Sabi Sands. The area is famous for its large packs of African wild dogs—one of the continent’s rarest and most photogenic predators!

Phinda

Phinda is the best game reserve in the KwaZulu-Natal area. It is home to some exceptional luxury safari lodges, and is famous for its cheetah sightings. A private game reserve that was established in 1991, the 185 square kilometres of land are managed and controlled to great effect, with the reintroduction of indigenous species and today it offers excellent game viewing, the chance to spot the renowned ‘Big Five’ and close proximity to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve

This private reserve offers a different game viewing experience than Kruger and other northeastern parks, with a diverse ecosystem including mountains and red-hued grasslands. Tswalu has abundant meerkats (even a habituated family you can see up close!) and is one of the best places in South Africa to see the elusive, highly endangered pangolin.

Pilanesberg National Park

Pilanesberg National Park is an easily accessible national park from a significant city like Johannesburg. If you want a quick safari, you can try this place. The expansive grasslands and the artificial lake Mankwe Dam have made this region perfect for wildlife inhabitation. Apart from the big five, this national park has zebras, African wild dogs, antelopes, giraffes and hundreds of species of birds.

Kgalagadi Transnational Park

Kgalagadi Transnational Park is situated in the northern part of South Africa between South Africa and Botswana. This park came into being in 2000 by merging Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Botswana Gemsbok National Park. This national park treasures South Africa’s national animal springbok and gemsbok, famous for its V-shaped horns. Predators like Kalahari lions, cheetahs and hyenas can also be found here. The barren wilderness, red dunes and phenomenal wildlife make this national park stand unique among the others.