There's a version of safari where you share your vehicle with eight strangers, a version where the guide splits attention between fifteen people, and a version where the itinerary is fixed and you leave when the timetable says so, not when you're ready.
And then there's the version where the vehicle is yours. The guide is yours. The pace, the route, and every single stop are yours. If you want to watch that leopard for another twenty minutes while everyone else would have driven on, you watch it for another twenty minutes. If you want champagne at sunset on a rocky overlook with nobody else in sight, that's what happens.
That's a private safari. And if you're the kind of person who knows the difference, this is the guide for you.
I'm Thabo Makate, co-founder of Bakubung Africa Safaris & Tours. We run private safari tours from Johannesburg every week — for couples, families, small groups of friends, honeymoons, birthdays, corporate executives, and solo travellers who simply want the bush to themselves. Here's exactly what a private safari looks like, what it costs, and why the people who book one never go back to shared.
A couple relaxing alone in a private safari game-drive vehicle with their dedicated guide, watching elephants at a waterhole in the green bushveld at golden hour
Your vehicle. Your guide. Your pace. This is safari the way it should be.
What Makes a Private Safari Different
The vehicle is exclusively yours
No strangers. No compromise on where to sit. No worrying about someone else's schedule. Whether you're a couple, a family of five, or a group of friends, the vehicle and your guide are dedicated to you alone. You set the tone.
Your guide works for you
On a shared trip, the guide balances the interests of a dozen people. On a private safari, your FGASA-qualified guide tailors the entire experience to what you want to see, photograph or learn about. Interested in birds? They'll find them. Want to focus on the Big Five? Done. Prefer silence and patience over constant driving? That's exactly what you'll get.
The pace is yours
This is the part people love most. There's no "we need to keep moving" pressure. If an extraordinary sighting unfolds, you stay as long as you want. If you'd rather spend twenty minutes at a quiet waterhole watching the light change than race to the next GPS pin, that's your call entirely.
The extras become possible
A private safari opens the door to things that simply don't work on a group trip: a champagne sundowner stop on a rocky overlook, a private bush dinner set up just for you, a proposal moment with nobody else around, or a pace that suits elderly guests or very young children perfectly.
A private champagne sundowner setup on a scenic overlook in the South African bushveld at sunset, with two glasses, an ice bucket and a couple silhouetted in the distance
A sundowner like this doesn't happen on a group tour. This is the private safari difference.
Private Safari Options from Johannesburg
| Experience | From (per person) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Private Half-Day Safari | R1,699 pp | A quick exclusive morning or afternoon |
| Private Dinokeng Full Day | R2,499 pp | Couples and families, closest Big Five reserve |
| Private Pilanesberg Full Day | R3,399 pp | The flagship — full day in the volcanic crater |
| Private Overnight Getaway | from R6,649 pp | Romance, celebrations, or the full experience |
| Private Luxury Escape | up to R16,149 pp | Premium lodge, all-inclusive, every detail handled |
All prices include door-to-door transport (home, hotel or airport), park entry, your dedicated FGASA guide, and bottled water. Full-day options include lunch; overnight options include all meals and lodge accommodation.
Private bookings for couples or very small groups may carry a minimum-vehicle fee rather than a strict per-person rate — message us for an exact quote. For a complete cost breakdown, see our honest safari pricing guide.
Where We Take Private Safaris
All malaria-free — no medication needed.
Pilanesberg National Park (approx. 2.5 hours). Our most-requested private day trip. A genuine Big Five reserve in an ancient volcanic crater, with spectacular scenery and superb game density. Read the full Pilanesberg guide.
Dinokeng Game Reserve (approx. 1 hour). The closest Big Five reserve to Johannesburg. Perfect for private half-day safaris or families with younger children who need a shorter drive.
The Waterberg (approx. 3 hours). Dramatic mountain scenery, exclusive lodges, and a deeply remote feel. Our top pick for romantic private getaways and honeymoons — see our romantic safari guide.
For the full range, browse our best safari day trips from Johannesburg.
Who Books Private Safaris?
Couples wanting romance, intimacy and zero distractions. A private safari followed by a sundowner is one of the most romantic experiences in South Africa.
Families who want the day tailored to their children's ages and energy levels. No rushing, no worrying about other guests — your guide adjusts to your family's pace. See our family safari guide.
Small groups of friends celebrating a birthday, reunion or milestone. A private vehicle turns a day trip into an event. Read about our celebration packages.
Honeymoons and proposals. We'll coordinate champagne, flowers, or a private setup — discreetly, seamlessly, and with zero fuss. See our honeymoon safari guide.
Corporate executives and VIP guests. When you're hosting someone important and need the day to be flawless, a private safari is the answer.
Solo travellers who value solitude and an unhurried pace. The bush is a different place when there's nobody to share the silence with except your guide.
What Sets Bakubung Private Safaris Apart
We're the operator, not a reseller. Your booking goes straight to the team that runs the trip. No middlemen, no markup, no lost-in-translation instructions. Read our guide to choosing the best safari operator.
FGASA-qualified guides. Not drivers who "also do tours." Professionally trained wildlife guides who read tracks, identify calls, and know where to look.
4.9 stars, 2,500+ reviews. We take every single trip seriously because our reputation is built one guest at a time.
Halaal, vegetarian, and all dietary needs handled as standard.
LGBTQ+ owned and proudly inclusive. Every guest is welcome, every time.
Door to door, fully managed. One WhatsApp thread, one point of contact, everything handled from your door back to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a private safari much more expensive than a shared one? Less than you'd expect. Per-person rates are similar to our standard prices; for very small groups (1–2 people) there may be a minimum-vehicle fee to cover the dedicated guide and vehicle. Ask us for a quote — you'll be surprised.
Can I customise the itinerary? Absolutely. Want a longer sundowner? A bush picnic instead of a restaurant lunch? A stop at a specific viewpoint? Tell us and we'll build it in.
How many people fit on a private vehicle? Comfortably, up to 8–10 guests per vehicle, depending on the vehicle type. For larger groups, we run multiple private vehicles together.
Can you arrange a surprise proposal or celebration? This is one of our favourite things to do. We'll coordinate champagne, flowers, a private spot, and a guide who knows exactly when to give you space.
Do I need to book further ahead for private? A few days' notice is usually fine; for peak dates (school holidays, festive season, long weekends), two to three weeks is ideal.
What if I've never been on safari before? A private tour is actually the best first safari — your guide adjusts to your pace and answers every question without worrying about a group. Read our first-safari walk-through to know exactly what to expect.
Your Safari. Your Way. Your Day.
Some experiences are too good to share with strangers. A private safari from Johannesburg gives you the bush, the Big Five, and the golden light entirely to yourself — and it's far more accessible than you think.
Tell me your dates, your group, and what matters most to you, and I'll design a private safari that fits perfectly. No templates, no group itineraries — just your day, your way.
📞 +27 78 017 8562 · WhatsApp us now · [email protected] · Book your safari
— Thabo Makate, Co-Founder, Bakubung Africa Safaris & Tours 🦁
