Top Johannesburg Nature and Wildlife Tours

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 in search of wildlife, including Africa’s famed Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo) in just one day at Pilanesberg National Park. Enjoy a morning guided game drive in an open-air safari truck and an afternoon guided game drive in a closed air-conditioned vehicle.

Enjoy two popular family attractions in one day—the Lesedi Cultural Village and the Lion Park—with hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off. First, discover the rich history, culture, and traditions of Africa’s Xhosa, Zulu, Pedi, Basotho, and Ndebele tribes during a visit to the Lesedi Cultural Village. Then, enjoy guaranteed lion sightings—one of the Big Five—at the Lion Park, along with zebras, cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, and wild dogs.

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.

Experience the breathtaking beauty and wildlife of Pilanesberg Nature Reserve on a day safari from Johannesburg, Pretoria, or Sandton. Set out on a safari through this popular game reserve, keeping an eye out for the park's 'Big Five' as well as impalas, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, and its diverse bird life. You can book and depart on short notice, ideal for busy travelers, and a 24-hour cancellation policy makes for a stress-free experience.

Kruger National Park—the “prince” of Africa’s national parks—is one of the most beloved parks for wildlife in the world. On this 3-day private tour, you’ll begin with a ride along South Africa’s Panorama Route, passing historic towns and high mountains. Then enter the park’s Phabeni Gate for two days of game drives, searching for elephants, lions, and more, while enjoying included accommodations and meals.

Get to know the ins and outs of daily life in an elephant sanctuary on this half-day tour. Pickup and drop-off in Johannesburg or Pretoria means no need to rent a car, and you can relax on the ride up to the Magaliesburg mountains. Once there, embark on a 2-hour tour that includes in-depth facts and figures about African elephants and the sanctuary's efforts regarding rescue and rehabilitation.

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.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg and Pretoria to explore one of the world’s richest concentration of hominid fossils with a tour of The Cradle of Humankind. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, the region of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Kromdraai, the fossil sites cover an area 53,000 hectares, split across the border of Gauteng and North West provinces. Trapped in a bed of dolomite rock that was deposited 2.5 billion years ago, over 950 hominid fossil specimens have been discovered to date. Rediscover your ancestral roots with Stephenson Adventures on this combination tour of Sterkfontein Caves and award-winning Maropeng.

Pirate taxis and fake rideshare drivers can be an issue at Johannesburg airport. Enjoy complete peace of mind and transparent prices—paid in advance, in the currency of your choice—when you prebook this private transfer between central Johannesburg and the airport. Drivers will track your flight, ensuring a timely arrival, and greet you with a name sign so there’s no risk of missing your ride.

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.

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.

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.

Explore the beautiful landscape near Muldersdrift on horseback with this small-group guided trail ride. The ride is suitable for riders of all abilities, including beginners and advanced riders. Led by an experienced guide, ride through nearby farms and stop on the way to admire views of Johannesburg, the Magaliesberg, and Cradle of Humankind nearby.

Combine two exciting activities into one day trip when you book this tour from Johannesburg. Start off with an open-vehicle safari in the Lion and Safari Park. Then, go back in time to explore the history of the Cradle of Humankind, where archaeologists have discovered some of the earliest hominid fossils were discovered. Explore the Sterkfontein Caves on an underground tour to see unique rock formations and learn about human evolution.

Spend a day exploring Johannesburg with a professional guide with this private, full-day tour of the city, which includes pickup from your hotel or alternative accommodations. You'll visit local highlights such as the Apartheid Museum, the Mandela House, Freedom Square, and the township of Soweto as you learn about South African history and culture.