Top Gauteng Outdoor Activities

Soar over the Cradle of Humankind or the Magaliesberg mountain range on a sunrise hot air balloon flight. Have some refreshments as you watch the balloon being inflated, then set off on a scenic adventure in the sky. Fly over one of the two sites with your experienced pilot, taking in the sweeping views of South Africa below. After the flight, enjoy a full breakfast as you savor newly-minted memories.

Get to know South Africa’s biggest city on a full-day tour that covers all the highlights of Johannesburg and Soweto. Take in the views from the Top of Africa, learn about the city’s history as you visit Constitutional Hill and the Apartheid Museum, then follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela in Soweto, with a tour of the Nelson Mandela House, Hector Pieterson Museum, and Freedom Square.

Make the most of your time in South Africa on this expertly planned, small-group safari experience. This two-day package takes you from Johannesburg deep into Kruger National Park—one of Africa's largest game reserves—for multiple game drives in search of the Big Five. With transport, accommodation, meals, and a knowledgeable guide all arranged for you.

Get more out of your time in South Africa by combining a hot air balloon ride with a game viewing experience. Traveling by hot air balloon instead of car allows you to fly over several game reserves in a short space of time in the scenic Cradle of Humankind area. Along the way, look out for local wildlife—including four of the “Big Five”, and access incredible photo opportunities too.

Visit the Lion Park outside of Johannesburg without the hassle of renting a car. This tour includes round-trip transportation from your Johannesburg hotel and admission to the Lion Park, where you can explore at your leisure to see more than 85 lions, including the rare white lion, and other animals such as wild dogs, hyenas, and cheetahs. Take a 2-hour safari drive to see the animals.

Get the most possible learning out of your visits to the Cradle of Humankind and Sterkfontein Cave. By traveling with a guide, you'll get the full picture of the remarkable fossil findings there and why the site is so important. Walk through Sterkfontein Caves to see the fossils of hominids such as Little Foot and Mrs. Ples, two of the greatest archaeological discoveries of our time. Note: the caves are currently closed due to heavy flooding; this tour visits the museum.

Ukutula experience will give you opportunity to get closer and personal with the wild animals while being monitored by well trained guide. You would be allowed for excellent viewing and fantastic photos. Experience Africa Lions in their natural environment at the Lion bush deck. Observe their behaviors and interaction with each other as well as with the natural environment. You will have experience with all this animal, Lions, Cheetah, Caracas, Hyena and different antelope species.

Zoom around the township of Soweto at a faster pace than a walking tour, and tick off lots of sights in a short space of time on this guided bicycle or tuk-tuk tour. This experience is ideal for travelers interested in taking a deep dive into South Africa's most famous township, which you might miss if exploring alone. During the tour, enjoy guide commentary and learn fun facts about the city’s history and culture.

This Lion and Safari Park trip is a great pick for travelers visiting Johannesburg or Pretoria. Only a short 45-minute drive away, the vast 1,000-hectare (2,471-acre) landscape is home to an abundance of wildlife—including cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, lions, and zebras. Once inside the grounds, a guide takes you on a ride around the grassy plains to spot the magnificent creatures safely from your vehicle.

This 5-day Kruger National Park adventure promises ample opportunities for wildlife-spotting and peaceful moments in nature. To save you time researching where to stay, accommodation is included, as well as select meals along the way. Go on nature walks, experience magnificent starry nights, and look out for the “Big Five” during multiple game drives.

Go in search of wildlife, even if you have limited time, with this small-group half-day tour from Johannesburg. Enjoy hotel pickup from your accommodations in the morning and transfer to the Rhino and Lion Reserve in Krugersdorp, home to more than 30 species of wildlife, including lions, rhinos, cheetahs, tigers, and leopards.

If you’ve only got a day to fit in a safari drive, this visit to Pilanesberg Nature Reserve ensures you make the most of it. Begin with an early morning pickup, then head straight to Pilanesberg for a 4x4 safari drive. During the tour, look out for the “Big Five”, take a break for lunch, then take part in an afternoon drive for even more wildlife spotting. Note that park admission is not included.

Go on an unforgettable adventure in Pilanesberg Nature Reserve with this full-day safari tour. Your day begins with early morning pickup from your hotel in Johannesburg, followed by a scenic drive to the reserve. Experience two thrilling safari drives—one in an open 4×4 vehicle and another in a closed vehicle—giving you the opportunity to encounter Africa’s iconic Big Five: elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo, along with an abundance of other wildlife. A delicious lunch is included, offering a chance to relax and recharge amid the reserve’s breathtaking landscapes. Led by expert guides, who provide insightful commentary throughout the day, this tour is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and families alike. It promises an enriching and memorable day immersed in the beauty of the African bush.

Enrich your visit to South Africa on this small-group tour focused on local culture, history, and diversity. Combine a visit to the Lesedi Cultural Village—where five of South Africa's major ethnic groups are represented through performance and food—with a guided visit to the Cradle of Humankind, home to some of the oldest hominid fossils ever discovered, and the Sterkfontein Caves where they were found.

About 90 minutes from Johannesburg, the Elephant Sanctuary Hartbeesport Dam and Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary let these intelligent and sensitive creatures live their best lives. Skip the stress of self-driving in South Africa when you join this door-to-door adventure, with a guide to explain elephants’ habits, family structures, dynamics, and even anatomy and to show you monkeys running wild and free.

This Pilanesberg Nature Reserve and Sun City Resort small-group tour makes for a day of fun activities combined with a safari experience, which is ideal for those who are short on time but still want to take advantage of South Africa’s highlights. Go on a safari hunt of the Big Five from the safety of a vehicle with a guide who knows the park well, and then enjoy time at the Valley of Waves inside the Sun City Resort.

Witness South Africa's greatest highlights on this three-day small-group safari tour with accommodation included. On day one, travel from Johannesburg through the dramatic Panorama Route, taking in its natural wonders. Day two sees you day tracking the Big Five through Kruger National Park, one of Africa's most celebrated wildlife reserves, with a professional guide by your side, before returning to Johannesburg on day three.

Skip the stress of self-driving Johannesburg in the early hours, and enjoy wide-angle views from an open safari vehicle on this full-day tour to Pilanesberg National Park. This compact reserve is home to all of the Big Five—lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, and elephants—and your dedicated safari guides will help you spot them. Your day includes lunch, hotel pickup, entrance fees, and a bottle of water: breakfast is at your own expense.

The township of Soweto, once a byword for oppression, had a major role in overturning apartheid. Cover more ground than you would on a walking tour while remaining close to the city streets on this half-day guided bicycle tour, complete with a traditional kota sandwich lunch. You'll learn not only about Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Hector Pieterson but about the women who helped topple apartheid, such as Liliian Mgoyi.

Johannesburg is known for being a gateway to fantastic wildlife encounters, and this option is perfect for time-tight travelers interested in seeing a variety of animal species in just half a day. Enjoy included hotel pickup and travel to the Safari Lion Park. Animals that reside at the park include rare white lions, brown lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, zebra, and antelopes.

Escape the city and enjoy a memorable wildlife adventure at Dinokeng Game Reserve, just a convenient drive from Johannesburg. This approximately 6-hour tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, making it an easy and stress-free way to experience a South African safari. Once at the reserve, head out on a 2- to 2.5-hour open vehicle game drive with a professional guide, giving you the chance to spot a variety of wildlife and take in the beauty of the bushveld from close range. Bottled water is included, and group sizes are kept small, with a maximum of 10 travelers, for a more personal experience. Why travelers will love it: Perfect for visitors who want a genuine safari experience without traveling too far from Johannesburg, this tour combines comfort, convenience, and exciting wildlife viewing in one easy day trip. If you’re looking for a relaxing but rewarding outing with expert guidance and great photo opportunities, this Dinokeng safari is an excellent choice.

Just a 2-hour drive from Johannesburg, the Pillanesburg National Park offers stunning scenery and the chance to spot all of Africa’s Big Five (leopard, lion, elephant, rhino, and buffalo). On this tour, set out on a thrilling game drive by minivan or open safari vehicle (depending on tour option selected) and enjoy incredible photo opportunities.

Dinokeng Game Reserve is one of the closest reserves to Johannesburg and Pretoria, and is home to the Big Five. With this full-day tour, enjoy hotel pickup and round-trip transport to the reserve, followed by a thrilling about 2.5-hour safari game drive. Travel in an open-back 4WD safari truck with a resident game ranger, and keep an eye out for hippos, elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs, and leopards.