Top Johannesburg Outdoor Activities

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Combine history and wildlife on this private full-day tour from Johannesburg to the Cradle of Humankind and Rhino and Lion Reserve. See some of the oldest human and hominid fossils and spot lions, rhinos, and wild dogs on a safari drive. Transfers from Johannesburg are included; admission fees to Maropeng and Rhino and Lion Park are not included.

Experience the highlights of Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, and the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Center during this budget-friendly, 4-day tour from Johannesburg. Enjoy the convenience of having your logistics and accommodations taken care of and plenty of wildlife watching opportunities, including safari drives and nature walks, as you go in search of the Big Five.

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.

Go in search of wildlife with this private guided hike near Johannesburg. Enjoy pickup 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 at the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sun City is one of South Africa’s largest and most famous resorts, with four hotels, a casino, a shopping mall, and entertainment for all ages. On this tour, enjoy round-trip transport from Johannesburg and full-day access to the resort. During your visit, take part in optional activities (not included) such as the Maze of the Lost City, the Valley of Waves water park, a game drive in the Pilanesberg National Park, or a game of golf.

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.

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.