Top 10 Best African Safari Tours in Southern Africa

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Experiencing a wildlife documentary on National Geographic doesn’t compare to the excitement of seeing it firsthand on an African safari. Planning your adventure can feel overwhelming as you select the right safari for you. As safari experts, we’ve curated a list of the “Top 10 Best African Safari Tours in Southern Africa.” These tours are popular among our customers and offer authentic safari experiences. Each itinerary is meticulously designed to include accommodations, transfers, and opportunities to explore the most iconic destinations: Kruger National Park, Cape Town, Botswana, Victoria Falls, Namibia, and Mozambique. Hidden gems like KwaZulu Natal and the Garden Route are also included.

These pre-packaged tours suit various travel needs, but our experts can tailor packages to fit your specific preferences and budget.

1. Lion Sands Sabi Sand Safari

Lion Sands Kingston Treehouse
One of Africa’s most romantic beds: Kingston Treehouse at Lion Sands

Renowned for its ‘Big 5’ and remarkable sightings of lions, leopards, and cheetahs, Lion Sands Game Reserve offers close-up wildlife encounters, amazing photography opportunities from open game vehicles, and thrilling bush walks. Lion Sands River Lodge ensures three days of comfort, including the unique experience of staying in a treehouse—perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and honeymooners.

2. Bushveld and Beach Escape

Machangulo Beach Lodge

Machangulo Beach Lodge is a hidden gem on Mozambique's southern coastline. This 9-day adventure is ideal for couples and families seeking a combination of ‘Big 5’ game drives in the iconic Kruger National Park and serene beach living on tropical Inhaca Island. Expect warm waters, sandy beaches, and memorable wildlife encounters without extensive travel.

3. Luxury Kruger, Victoria Falls, and Cape Town

Table Mountain in Cape Town
View of Table Mountain in Cape Town, one of the oldest and most iconic mountains in the world

Spanning 11 action-packed days, this tour combines luxury with adventure across three iconic destinations. Highlights include thrilling ‘Big 5’ game drives in Kruger National Park, up-close wildlife interactions, witnessing the magnificent Victoria Falls, and picturesque Table Mountain views. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, and families.

4. Luxury Victoria Falls and Chobe

Sussi & Chuma Lodge on Zambezi River

At the luxurious Sussi & Chuma Safari Game Lodge, set on a scenic bend of the Zambezi River, enjoy a 6-day journey through two breathtaking countries. This tour combines game drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya and Chobe National Parks, a sundowner river cruise, and cultural experiences, all from your luxurious treehouse accommodations.

5. Kwandwe, Garden Route, and Cape Town

Kwandwe Lodge

This 10-day tour blends the malaria-free 'Big 5' safari experience at Kwandwe Ecca Lodge with scenic vistas along the Garden Route and Cape Town’s attractions. Highlights include ostrich interactions, game drives, breathtaking coastal landscapes, and stays in luxurious accommodations.

6. Magical Moremi and Okavango Delta

Okavango Delta Mokoro

Discover Botswana’s heartland in 5 days with this tour of the Moremi Game Reserve and the Okavango Delta. Highlights include game drives, guided bush walks, mokoro (dugout canoe) trips, and night safaris. This is a paradise for bird watchers, wildlife photographers, and lovers of African Wild Dog conservation.

7. Diverse Namibia

Namibia Desert

Namibia, with its vast spaces and contrasts, is one of Southern Africa’s hidden treasures. This 10-day tour visits the iconic Sossusvlei dunes, Swakopmund, Damaraland, and Etosha National Park. Combining luxury tented camps and photographic hides, this safari offers unparalleled photographic opportunities and unforgettable landscapes.

8. A Unique Adventure to Kruger and Victoria Falls

Kruger Shalati Train
Kruger Shalati Train on the Bridge

This 7-day tour combines adventure and luxury, featuring uninterrupted wildlife views from the iconic Kruger Shalati Train and breathtaking vistas of Victoria Falls from The Wallow Lodge. Highlights include wildlife encounters and exclusive accommodations.

9. Luxury Rail Journeys Across Southern Africa

Luxury Rail Journey

Travel in style aboard Rovos Rail, a magnificent 5-star train offering journeys from Cape Town to Pretoria, Durban to Victoria Falls, and even a 9-day Namibia adventure. Luxurious amenities, fine dining, and breathtaking scenery make this a unique way to explore Africa.

10. Walking Safari Trails

Walking Safari

Experience the wilderness on foot with a guided walking safari. This 5-day adventure in Kruger National Park combines lodge and tented accommodations with game drives and bush walks. A night in a treehouse offers the magic of African sunsets, starlit dinners, and the sounds of nature.

No matter your preference, an African safari promises unforgettable moments.

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Customer Testimonials

4.9
out of 5 based on
Dec 12, 2024
Anja Is A Fabulous Travel Consultant
Anja Mayer was extremely knowledgeable, patient, prompt with her responses to questions, and always very helpful. She was also a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend to anyone that asks that Anja is the right person to contact if they are interested in travelling to South Africa or Botswana.
Lewis Warren
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US
Dec 12, 2024
Anja did a fabulous job!
Anja was knowledgeble, patient prompt with her responses to questions and always very helpful. In addition, it was a pleasure working with her. I would recommend her to anyone without any reservation.
Lewis Warren
,
US
Dec 10, 2024
Mel du Toit was the perfect person to…
Mel du Toit was the perfect person to arrange and organize our trip!! She was on the ball, made sure everything was in place and travel arrangements secured! I highly recommend her!!
JUDITH ANN
,
US
Dec 9, 2024
Great support from Shann
Shann made the booking experience seamless - provided very helpful information to ensure we fully understood what the experience would be like and made sure we felt safe with experiences we have booked.
SUE And Bryson STEIN
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AU
Dec 9, 2024
Quick & efficient
Very fast response, polite - impressive
Eduardo Rocha
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BR
Dec 7, 2024
Went through Newmarket travel and Hays…
Went through Newmarket travel and Hays travel ..information about flight changes hard to get..but on arrival the holiday was taken over Safari.com..amazing ..experience everything was fine tuned and the staff ..guides drivers fabulous and friendly ..lots of knowledge..lots of fun and the surprises they did was so lovely ...loved every minute ..Paris our guide was amazing..10/10 and Eric driver ..the waiters and waitress every and everyone in the hotels .smiling and friendly..Best holiday of my life
Gillian Dodsworth
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GB
Dec 7, 2024
Anja at Safari.com was a great partner to work with!
Working with Anja at Safari.com was great. She was able to work some magic and got us a few nights at the safari lodge we really wanted, Ngoma. Unfortunately, our flight from the USA to South Africa was canceled and we were rebooked a day later but Anja was great about making sure our lodge and the transports knew about the change in plans and made sure we got to our trip as soon as we could. She was a great partner to have and communicated quickly whenever we reached out. I would highly recommend using her when planning a trip to Africa!
Joanna
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US
Dec 4, 2024
Prompt & knowledgeable
Prompt & knowledgeable
Scott Millar
,
ZA
Dec 4, 2024
Great service from Denise at Safari.com
Denise from Safari.com was extremely helpful. She responded promptly, provided good advice on safari lodgings options and worked up a couple of itinerary options to suit our budget. Denise also organised flights and transfers very quickly so that we could finalize our booking in a short time. Much appreciated.
Noelene Hosking
,
AU