South African Safaris to Explore

Checking off a bucket-list destination is an incredible opportunity for any family, but add a once-in-a-lifetime experience to it and you have yourself a dream vacation. Enter South African Safaris. Between spotting wildlife in its natural habitat, surrounded by wild landscape and stunning views, with accommodations teetering on rustic-meets-modern luxury, it’s no wonder safari vacations are so highly sought after.

With spectacular game reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and protected wildlife filling the map of South Africa, your biggest challenge will be finding the right safari (and price).

Pick your favorites and hop around to get the full experience or hunker down in just one locale and spend a few nights under the stars in the African wildlife.

Schotia Safaris

Head to the Schotia Safaris Private Game Reserve and spot lion, elephants, buffalo, hippos, giraffes, rhinos and more. On a tour, guests explore Addo Elephant National Park, well-known for resident elephants, with the added guidance of a regional safari expert.

Kruger National Park

Further north and a popular choice among travelers, Kruger National Park offers guided tours and an immersive experience within the wild landscape. Select from a variety of a camp accommodations, from main base camps and overnight hides to Bush Lodges, campsites and luxury lodges. You can be one with the wilderness and feel like expert campers, or upgrade to swanky rooms with the comforts of home and luxury touches of a 5-star stay.

5-star retreat on South African safari. Photo: Alexander Shalamov | Dreamstime.com

Pilanesburg National Park

Just over the border from Botswana, northwest of Johannesburg, Pilanesberg Game Reserve is actually located in an extinguished volcanic crater. Assorted wildlife graze through the protected region while guests spot leopards, rhinos and elephants, drinking from a man-made watering hole. You’ll feel completely removed from civilization, but actually in a controlled environment you can feel safe in with the kids.

Jewel of Africa

Go all-out with a Jewel of Africa tour, helping families curate the perfect safari tour. With luxury accommodations and packages ranging 3–12 days, your safari vacation is what you make it, and where you take it. Offering bespoke tours and excursions across the country, guests can tailor the tour and entire vacation to their interests and accessibility — all while seeing more of the country in one vacation. The bespoke tours take guests through nearby cities, and to must-visit hot spots and attractions you would otherwise miss on a strictly safari stay.