Best Safari Tours Visiting Johannesburg South Africa for 2025-2026

Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city and a hub for travel, business, and culture. starting point for some of the world's premier African safaris. With a population of just under a million, it is known as the "City of Gold," due to diamond and gold mining here since the 1800s, which helped the city become a metropolitan center of business and culture. When Flying to Johannesburg, you can explore Kruger National Park, where cheetahs, wild dogs, and the Big Five can be spotted during the day, and you'll relax in luxurious safari lodges on private reserves in the evenings. Also from Johannesburg, fly north to neighboring Botswana and explore the Chobe River on a luxury safari cruise, spotting elephants from your floating suite.

The people here are diverse, with roots that reflect the country’s Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, and Afrikaans heritage, as well as many international communities. Visitors often spend time in the city before or after their Johannesburg safari or other safaris from Johannesburg. Two top places to visit are Constitution Hill, which tells the story of South Africa’s path to democracy, and the Apartheid Museum, which provides deep insight into the nation’s history. For travelers interested in city stays, you’ll find a wide range of Johannesburg hotels and well-rated options when searching for hotels in Johannesburg. Some visitors choose well-known properties like the Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton or Fairlawns Boutique Hotel, which are close to dining, shopping, and cultural attractions. Beyond the city, day trips include exploring Soweto, known for Vilakazi Street where Nelson Mandela once lived. Connect with our Trip Planners today, and we’ll help you build the right Johannesburg vacation packages

All Johannesburg Safaris

5 Best Safaris from Johannesburg for 2025-2026

All Johannesburg Safaris

All Johannesburg Tours

3 Best Luxury Safaris Visiting Johannesburg for 2025-2026

Trip Name	From	Days	Summary
Wildlife and the Falls	$15,345	13	Embark on a 13-day river cruise with stays in Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, and Kruger Park aboard the Zambezi Queen. Enjoy wildlife adventures in Chobe National Park and thrilling game drives in Greater Kruger while ticking the “Big Five” off your bucket list. 0
Golden Trails of Africa	$19,770	17	Embark on a 17-day cruise with stays in Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, and Tanzania aboard the Zambezi Queen. Enjoy thrilling safaris, visit Victoria Falls, explore Tanzania’s wildlife, and search for the Big Five in the Serengeti. 0
Rivers & Rails of Africa	$17,520	14	Embark on a 14-day cruise featuring three nights in Cape Town and a wildlife safari on the Zambezi Queen along the Chobe River. After exploring Victoria Falls, enjoy a luxurious journey on Rovos Rail through Zimbabwe and South Africa, complete with fine dining and stunning scenery. 0

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Johannesburg Safari Tips & Travel Guide

South Africa Safari: 10 Zany Creatures You Never Even Knew Existed

Africa is world-renowned for its wildlife. We have all heard about the "Big Five" game animals, but have you ever heard of a Dugong? How about a Galago? A Kudu? Or a Pangolin? In this article, we reveal some of Africa's more unique inhabitants.

Johannesburg Highlights
Since the 1800s, the city of Johannesburg has been one of South Africa's most important cities and a literal gem - this has historically been the base for much of the diamond mining that has made this country wealthy. Any trip to Johannesburg could include:

A visit to Kruger National Park for a traditional safari in an open-air vehicle to spot elephant, lion, cheetah, cape buffalo, giraffe, and hippo.
Exploration of coastal KwaZulu-Natal, where dolphins can be spotted off the shores.
An in-depth discovery of Swaziland, including a visit to an authetnic Zulu homestead and the Matsamo Cultural Village.
Cultural tours of Johannesburg and other major South African cities to see how they appreciate their historic past but keep a sharp eye towards the future.