One of the most common questions we get at Bakubung Safaris & Tours is: "Can I do a safari as a day trip from Johannesburg?" The answer is a resounding YES — and you have incredible options within just 1–2 hours of the city.
Johannesburg is uniquely positioned as one of the few major cities in the world where you can enjoy a world-class Big 5 safari experience and still be back at your hotel in time for dinner.
Here are the 7 best safari day trips from Johannesburg, ranked by our team of FGASA-qualified guides who've driven these routes hundreds of times.
1. Pilanesberg Game Reserve — The Ultimate Day Safari
Distance from Johannesburg: 2 hours (180 km)
Big 5: ✅ Yes — Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, Buffalo
Malaria-free: ✅ Yes
Best for: Serious wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, families
Pilanesberg is our #1 recommendation for a day safari from Johannesburg, and here's why:
- It sits in the crater of a 1.3-billion-year-old extinct volcano — the scenery is breathtaking
- All Big 5 are present, plus hippos, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, wild dogs, and 360+ bird species
- It's malaria-free, making it perfect for families with young children
- The reserve is large enough (572 km²) to offer genuine wild encounters
What a typical day looks like:
- 5:30 AM — Depart Johannesburg (or 6:00 AM from Sandton)
- 7:30 AM — Enter Pilanesberg via Bakgatla Gate
- 7:30 AM–3:00 PM — Full-day game drive with multiple animal sightings
- Lunch at the lodge overlooking the waterhole
- 4:30 PM — Back in Johannesburg
Our Pilanesberg Day Safari price: From $149 per person (all-inclusive: transport, guide, park fees, lunch)
What's included: Hotel pickup & return, expert FGASA guide, open-top safari vehicle, park entrance, lunch
2. Lion & Safari Park — Close Encounters 30 Minutes from the City
Distance from Johannesburg: 30 minutes (45 km)
Big 5: ❌ No (but lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes)
Malaria-free: ✅ Yes
Best for: Short visits, families with small children, cruise layovers
The Lion & Safari Park near Lanseria is the closest safari experience to Johannesburg. It's perfect when you have limited time but still want an authentic African wildlife encounter.
Highlights:
- Giraffe feeding — hand-feed a giraffe from the vehicle
- Lion enclosures — drive through prides of lions including rare white lions
- Cheetah and wild dog areas — see Africa's fastest predator up close
- Cub interaction (seasonal) — when available, meet baby animals
Duration: 3–4 hours
Price: From $99 per person including transport and guided drive
3. Dinokeng Game Reserve — Free-Roaming Big 5 North of Pretoria
Distance from Johannesburg: 1 hour (90 km)
Big 5: ✅ Yes
Malaria-free: ✅ Yes
Best for: Budget-conscious travellers, self-drive option available
Dinokeng is South Africa's only free-roaming Big 5 game reserve in the Gauteng province. Located north of Pretoria, it offers an authentic bushveld experience at very competitive prices.
Why choose Dinokeng:
- More affordable than Pilanesberg
- Less crowded — a more exclusive experience
- All Big 5 present
- Self-drive option available (or join our guided tour)
Guided safari price: From $129 per person
4. Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve — Hidden Gem Near Krugersdorp
Distance from Johannesburg: 45 minutes (50 km)
Big 5: ❌ (Rhinos, lions, but not all 5)
Malaria-free: ✅ Yes
Best for: Quick half-day trips, vulture hide photography
This lesser-known reserve near Krugersdorp offers a surprisingly wild experience just 45 minutes from the city. The vulture restaurant and hide are a photographer's paradise.
Highlights:
- Self-drive or guided game drive
- Endangered vulture feeding programme
- Lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles
- Wonder Cave nearby (combine visits)
Price: From $89 per person guided
5. Madikwe Game Reserve — Premium Big 5 Experience
Distance from Johannesburg: 3.5 hours (360 km)
Big 5: ✅ Yes
Malaria-free: ✅ Yes
Best for: Luxury seekers, photographers, honeymoons
While slightly further than a typical day trip, Madikwe deserves mention for its exceptional wildlife density and luxury lodges. If you can spare 2 days, a Madikwe overnight safari is unforgettable.
- Wild dogs — Madikwe has one of Africa's healthiest populations
- Exclusive — limited tourism means more private sightings
- No malaria — safe for families
Our Madikwe 2-day safari: From $599 per person (includes luxury lodge, all meals, 3 game drives)
6. Kruger National Park — South Africa's Iconic Safari
Distance from Johannesburg: 4–5 hours (450 km)
Big 5: ✅ Yes — Africa's greatest concentration
Malaria: ⚠️ Low-risk area
Best for: Serious safari enthusiasts willing to invest a full day
While Kruger is a longer drive, our Kruger Day Safari is one of our most popular tours. We depart before dawn, enter via Crocodile Bridge or Malelane Gate, and spend the full day exploring the southern Kruger — where Big 5 sighting rates are highest.
What makes our Kruger day trip special:
- Expert FGASA-qualified guides who know the best sighting spots
- Open-top 4×4 safari vehicle for unobstructed views
- Full-day game drive covering multiple ecosystems
- Lunch at a rest camp
Kruger Day Safari price: From $269 per person all-inclusive
7. Cradle of Humankind + Maropeng — Safari Meets Ancient History
Distance from Johannesburg: 40 minutes (50 km)
Big 5: ❌ No (but this is a UNESCO heritage experience)
Best for: Families, history buffs, combining with Lion Park
Combine a morning at the Lion & Safari Park with an afternoon at the Cradle of Humankind for the ultimate Johannesburg day out. Explore where humanity began, then see Africa's greatest predators.
Combo tour price: From $139 per person
Comparison Table: Safari Day Trips from Johannesburg
| Reserve | Distance | Big 5? | Malaria? | Price From | Duration | |---------|----------|--------|----------|------------|----------| | Pilanesberg | 2 hrs | ✅ Yes | ✅ Free | $149 | Full day | | Lion & Safari Park | 30 min | ❌ No | ✅ Free | $99 | Half day | | Dinokeng | 1 hr | ✅ Yes | ✅ Free | $129 | Full day | | Rhino & Lion Reserve | 45 min | ❌ Partial | ✅ Free | $89 | Half day | | Madikwe | 3.5 hrs | ✅ Yes | ✅ Free | $599 | 2 days | | Kruger | 4-5 hrs | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Low | $269 | Full day | | Cradle + Lion Park | 40 min | ❌ No | ✅ Free | $139 | Full day |
Tips for Your Johannesburg Safari Day Trip
- Book a guided tour — our FGASA-qualified guides dramatically increase your chances of spotting the Big 5
- Start early — animals are most active at dawn and dusk. We depart between 5:00–6:00 AM
- Bring binoculars — even in reserves with plentiful wildlife, a good pair of binoculars enhances the experience
- Wear neutral colours — khaki, olive, and brown are best. Avoid white and bright colours
- Bring a camera with zoom — a 200mm+ lens is ideal for wildlife photography
- Stay hydrated — we provide water, but bring extra, especially in summer (November–March)
- Be patient — the bush rewards those who wait quietly
Book Your Safari Day Trip
At Bakubung Safaris & Tours, we've been running safari day trips from Johannesburg since 2018. Our team of FGASA-qualified guides, comfortable open-top vehicles, and all-inclusive pricing make us the top-rated safari operator in Gauteng.
WhatsApp us: +27 78 017 8562
Email: [email protected]
Book your safari day trip now and discover why our guests rate us 4.9/5 on TripAdvisor. 🦛