You have booked the long-haul flight. You have pictured the moment a lion walks past your window, a herd of elephants crosses the road, the African sky catching fire at sunset. And then the practical questions start: Where do I actually go? Is it safe? How far is it from the airport? Will I need malaria tablets? How do I even book this from the other side of the world?
My dear traveller, take a breath. I have welcomed visitors from London, New York, Sydney, Amsterdam, Dubai, Singapore and dozens of cities in between — and I can tell you that a world-class Big Five safari near Johannesburg is far easier to arrange than most first-timers imagine. You do not need to be an expert. You do not need to figure out the logistics. That is literally our job.
This guide walks you through everything an international visitor needs to know to turn a stopover, a business trip or a bucket-list holiday into an unforgettable African safari — with every detail handled from the moment you land.
International visitors being welcomed by a safari guide beside a closed safari vehicle near Johannesburg at golden hour, with the city skyline in the distance
We collect you, we guide you, we bring you back — international visitors arriving for a safari near Johannesburg.
Why Johannesburg is the perfect launchpad for your African safari
Here is something many overseas visitors do not realise until they arrive: Johannesburg sits within easy reach of genuine Big Five reserves — and the best ones near the city are malaria-free. You can land at OR Tambo International Airport in the morning and be watching elephants that same afternoon.
- Pilanesberg National Park — a true Big Five reserve set in an ancient volcanic crater, about 2.5 hours from the city.
- Dinokeng Game Reserve — the closest Big Five reserve, roughly 1 hour from Johannesburg.
- The Waterberg — a malaria-free wilderness about 3 hours away, perfect for an overnight escape.
Every one of these is reachable as a comfortable day trip or an overnight getaway. No internal flights, no complicated transfers, no malaria zone. For a visitor with limited time, that convenience is priceless.
How it works for international visitors — step by step
We designed our service specifically so that someone arriving from overseas does not have to think about logistics. Here is the whole journey:
1. You tell us your dates and where you are staying
Airport hotel, a lodge in Sandton, a guesthouse in Rosebank, or straight from your arrivals gate on a layover — it does not matter. We collect you from wherever you are.
2. We confirm everything in writing
You receive a clear confirmation with your pickup time, what is included, what to bring and a real human contact (me and my team) on WhatsApp. No call centres, no bots.
3. We collect you door-to-door
A friendly guide meets you in a comfortable, closed safari game-drive vehicle. You relax, enjoy the scenery, and we handle the driving, the park entry and the planning.
4. You go on safari
Expert FGASA-qualified guides, Big Five country, and all the time in the world to watch, photograph and simply soak it in. Meals and park fees are arranged so there are no surprise costs.
5. We bring you back
Safely to your hotel or the airport, in good time for your next flight or a well-earned sleep.
That is it. From your side, it is as simple as sending one message with your dates.
2026 safari prices for international visitors (in South African rand)
One of the happiest surprises for visitors from the US, UK, Europe and Australia is how far your money goes here. With a favourable exchange rate, a premium guided Big Five safari near Johannesburg often costs a fraction of what a comparable experience would at home.
| Safari | Reserve | 2026 price (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Half-Day Safari Escape | Dinokeng | from R1,699 |
| Dinokeng Big Five Day Safari | Dinokeng | from R2,499 |
| Pilanesberg Big Five Day Safari | Pilanesberg | from R3,399 |
| Overnight Safari Getaway | Pilanesberg / Waterberg | from R6,649 |
| Luxury Safari Escape | Premier lodges | up to R16,149 |
To give you a rough sense: at typical 2026 exchange rates, a full Pilanesberg Big Five day safari lands somewhere around US $180, £145 or €170 per person — for a private-feeling, fully guided day in a Big Five reserve with door-to-door transfers. Try finding that value anywhere else in the world.
(Exchange rates move daily — we quote you in rand and you pay in rand, so there are no nasty conversion surprises.)
A herd of elephants with a calf walking through golden grass at sunset, seen from inside a safari vehicle near Johannesburg
This is what you flew all this way for — and it is closer to Johannesburg than most visitors expect.
Your biggest worries, answered honestly
“Is it safe?”
Yes. On safari you are with a professional, armed, FGASA-qualified guide in a reserve that manages its wildlife carefully. We are SATIB-insured, we have guided thousands of guests, and your safety is the first thing we plan around — not an afterthought. For the city portion, we handle all your transfers ourselves so you are never left guessing about transport.
“Do I need malaria tablets?”
For the reserves we use near Johannesburg — Pilanesberg, Dinokeng and the Waterberg — no. They are malaria-free, which is one of the main reasons we love them for international visitors, families and older travellers. No tablets, no worry.
“Will I actually see the Big Five?”
No ethical operator can promise wild animals on demand — and you should be suspicious of any who do. But these are established Big Five reserves with healthy populations, and our guides know them intimately. Sightings of elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and the ever-elusive leopard are common, and our guides work hard to find them for you.
“How fit do I need to be?”
Not very. A game drive is exactly that — you are seated comfortably in the vehicle while the guide does the work. Guests of every age and fitness level enjoy our safaris, from young children to grandparents.
“What about dietary needs?”
Just tell us. We arrange halaal, vegetarian, vegan, kosher and allergy-friendly meals on request. No one goes hungry or stressed about food on our watch.
“I am nervous about booking from overseas — what if something goes wrong?”
You deal with a real, named team from your very first message. We confirm everything in writing, we are reachable on WhatsApp across time zones, and we have a 4.9-star rating from over 2,500 guests. You are not sending money into the void — you are booking with people who do this every single day.
Perfect for every kind of international visitor
- Bucket-list holidaymakers — the African safari you have dreamed about, handled end to end.
- Business travellers — turn a spare day in Johannesburg into the highlight of your trip.
- Layover and stopover flyers — even a long connection at OR Tambo can become a real safari (ask us about airport-based options).
- Couples and honeymooners — a romantic sundowner in the bush to remember forever.
- Families — malaria-free, kid-friendly and endlessly exciting for all ages.
- Solo adventurers — join a small group or go private; either way you are well looked after.
A warm welcome, not a sales pitch
We are a proudly South African, owner-run safari company — established in 2018, LGBTQ+ owned and welcoming to every traveller from every corner of the world. When you book with us, you are not a booking reference. You are a guest we genuinely want to show the very best of our country.
So if you are sitting at home on the other side of the planet, wondering whether an African safari is really within reach on this trip — it is. Send us your flight dates and where you will be staying, and we will take care of the rest.
📞 +27 78 017 8562 · WhatsApp us now · [email protected] · Book your safari
Want to read more before you book? Start with how much a South African safari really costs, our best Big Five day trips from Johannesburg, and exactly what to expect on your first safari day. If you are flying through OR Tambo, see safari tours near Johannesburg airport. Travelling with little ones? Read our complete family safari guide. And for the full picture, see our complete guide to safari in South Africa.
— Thabo Makate, Co-Founder, Bakubung Africa Safaris & Tours 🦁
