Top Johannesburg Outdoor Activities

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Explore the highlights of Johannesburg safely, reliably, and in comfort from the top deck of an open-top bus. Learn about the history of gold mining, hear stories of apartheid history, and understand the triumph of modern Johannesburg while listening to the on-board audio commentary, available in eight languages. Upgrade to add a live Soweto tour.

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.

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.

Cullinan is a small town out of Pretoria . It is located 30 km (19 mi) east of the city of Pretoria along the diamond route and is heavily reliant on tourism and the mine that dominates the skyline. The town is named after diamond magnate Sir Thomas Cullinan Pretoria is South Africa's administrative capital,serving as the seat of the executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to South Africa.

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.

Discover the renowned South African township of Soweto on this small-group guided tour from Johannesburg. You'll first visit the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg to get a better understanding of that dark period in South African history, then head for Soweto for a walking tour, which takes in both Nelson Mandela's and Desmond Tutu's houses.

Animal lovers visiting Johannesburg—this is the tour for you. Combine multiple wildlife encounters on the same trip to help you save time and maximize your time in the city. First, visit monkeys in their natural environment; then, get the chance to walk side-by-side with elephants. The trip also includes a chance to see bush babies, and educational talks to expand your knowledge of animal behavior.

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.

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.

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.

Take a journey through history during this guided tour to explore Soweto and the Apartheid Museum. Your guides, registered with the accredited THETA (Tourism, Hospitality, Sports, Education, and Training Authority), are experienced and passionate about sharing their knowledge with you. Dive deep into the rich history and vibrant culture of Soweto and explore the profound exhibits of the Apartheid Museum with guides.

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.

Go in search of wildlife with this private guided hike in the Magaliesberg Mountains. Enjoy pickup from Johannesburg and travel by air-conditioned vehicle. The hike can be tailored to your experience level, fitness, and available time. Soak up the scenery as you hike, and learn about South African wildlife, nature, and culture from your guide.

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 more from a visit to the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre by going with a guide and not just independently. This tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria also includes pickup and drop-off for an easy day learning about cheetahs and wild dogs. Hear about the conservation efforts for cheetahs, as well as the wildlife research that takes place at this attraction.