There is a good reason experienced safari-goers ask one question before they book anything else: how many people will be in the vehicle? It is the single detail that shapes your entire day in the bush. Cram twelve strangers onto a converted truck and every sighting becomes a scramble for a window seat and a clear photo. Keep the group small, and the bush opens up to you — you hear the guide, you feel the silence, and you actually see the leopard instead of the back of someone's head.
Small group safari tours are the sweet spot between the exclusivity of a private safari and the friendliness — and price — of travelling with others. At Bakubung Safaris & Tours we have built much of our reputation on them, and in this guide we will explain exactly why they work, where to go from Johannesburg, what you will pay in 2026, and how to choose the right one.
What Counts as a "Small Group" Safari?
Everyone defines it differently, so here is our promise: on our small group safaris you travel in an open or comfortable closed vehicle with a maximum of around six to seven guests, plus your guide. Everyone gets a genuine window seat. Everyone can hear the guide. Nobody is standing on tiptoe behind three rows of heads when a leopard steps onto the road.
Compare that to the big-bus operators who fill twenty or more seats to keep the headline price rock-bottom, and the difference in your day is night and day. On a small group safari the guide can stop for the sighting you care about, answer your questions properly, and read the group's mood — something that is simply impossible with a coachload.
Why Choose a Small Group Safari?
A better view, every time. Fewer people means everyone sees the sighting, photographs it, and enjoys it without jostling for position.
A guide who knows your name. With a small group, your FGASA-qualified guide can tailor the drive to what your group actually wants — birders, photographers, first-timers and Big 5 hunters can all be looked after on the same vehicle.
It is sociable without being overwhelming. You meet a handful of like-minded travellers, not an anonymous crowd. Many of our guests swap numbers and stay in touch long after the trip is over.
It is still affordable. Because you share the cost of the vehicle and guide, a small group safari is far gentler on the wallet than a fully private one, while giving you most of the same benefits.
It is flexible and quick. A small vehicle can move faster, reach a radioed sighting sooner, and adapt on the fly when a herd of elephants crosses the road ahead.
The Best Small Group Safari Destinations from Johannesburg
Pilanesberg National Park
Only about two hours from Johannesburg and set in the crater of an ancient, long-extinct volcano, Pilanesberg is our number-one small group day safari. It is malaria-free, wonderfully scenic, and genuinely excellent for the Big 5 — lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and, if you are lucky, leopard. You can leave the city at dawn and be watching elephants at a waterhole by breakfast. It is the ideal choice for travellers who want a real Big 5 experience without an overnight stay.
Full-day small group safari: from R2,682 per person
Watch: A Full-Day Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg
Kruger National Park
For a multi-day adventure, nothing beats the Kruger. Our small group Kruger safaris run over three to four days, combining classic game drives with comfortable lodges or tented camps. You cover more ground, see more species, and settle into the unhurried rhythm of the bush — early starts, long lazy middays, and golden afternoon drives. Over several days your chances of seeing all of the Big 5, plus cheetah, wild dog and hundreds of bird species, rise dramatically.
3-day small group Kruger safari: from R9,500 per person
Watch: On Safari in the Kruger
Lion & Safari Park
Short on time? The Lion & Safari Park is just outside Johannesburg and makes a superb half-day small group outing, with close encounters with lions, cheetahs, wild dogs and giraffes. It is especially popular with families and with travellers on a tight layover who still want a genuine wildlife experience.
Half-day tour: from R1,782 per person
Small Group vs Private vs Big Bus
| Big bus tour | Small group (us) | Fully private | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guests per vehicle | 15–25 | 6–7 | Your group only |
| Everyone gets a window | No | Yes | Yes |
| Personal attention | Low | High | Highest |
| Price per person | Lowest | Mid | Highest |
| Flexibility | Low | High | Highest |
For most travellers, the small group option is the intelligent middle: you keep the atmosphere and the price sensible without sacrificing the experience itself.
Who Are Small Group Safaris Best For?
Small group safaris suit almost everyone, but they are especially good for solo travellers who want company and a fair price, couples who enjoy meeting others, first-time safari-goers who like the reassurance of a shared vehicle, and photographers who need space and a window seat. If you are celebrating a special occasion, travelling as an extended family, or want total control of the day, a private safari may suit you better — and we are happy to arrange that too.
Best Time to Go
The dry winter months (May to September) offer the best game viewing, as thinning vegetation and busy waterholes make animals easier to spot. Summer (November to March) is greener, hotter and superb for birdlife and newborn animals. Because Pilanesberg and the Lion & Safari Park are malaria-free, they are comfortable choices all year round.
What to Bring on a Small Group Safari
- Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, brown) and warm layers for early mornings
- A camera with a decent zoom, plus spare batteries and memory cards
- Binoculars — even one pair shared makes a real difference
- Sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Any personal medication and plenty of water (we provide some, but bring extra in summer)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are on your small group safaris? Around six to seven guests plus your guide, so everyone gets a window seat.
Do you collect me from my hotel? Yes, we offer pick-ups from Johannesburg and Sandton hotels on our day safaris.
Can I upgrade to a private vehicle? Absolutely. Just ask, and we will quote you for a private safari with the same great guides.
Are the safaris suitable for children? Our malaria-free options like Pilanesberg and the Lion & Safari Park are excellent for families.
A Typical Day on a Small Group Safari
People often ask us what a safari day actually feels like, so here is the shape of a classic one. You are collected early — often before sunrise — because the first light is when the bush is most alive and the predators are still on the move. There is coffee and a rusk to start, and a blanket for your knees on the cool morning air. As the sun climbs, you follow tracks, stop for sightings, and let your guide read the signs the untrained eye would miss: a fresh print in the sand, an alarm call, vultures circling a distant kill.
Mid-morning you pause somewhere beautiful for a proper breakfast or brunch. The middle of the day, when the heat sends animals into the shade, is for resting, swimming or simply watching a waterhole. Then, as the light softens again in the late afternoon, you head out for the second drive — the golden hour, when the whole reserve turns amber and the sundowner drinks come out. By the time you return, you will understand why people spend their whole lives chasing this feeling.
Making the Most of Your Safari
A few small habits make a big difference. Keep your voice low and your movements slow around animals — calm guests see more. Put the camera down now and then and simply watch; some sightings are too special to experience through a screen. Ask your guide questions, because a good FGASA guide is a walking encyclopaedia of the bush and loves to share it. And manage your expectations kindly: the Big 5 are wild animals, not exhibits, and the thrill is precisely because nothing is guaranteed. More often than not, patience is rewarded spectacularly.
How to Book Your Small Group Safari
Our small group safaris depart regularly from Johannesburg and Sandton, and we keep numbers deliberately low so every guest gets the safari they came for. Tell us your dates and how many of you are travelling, and we will find you a departure — or arrange a private vehicle if you would prefer.
WhatsApp: +27 78 017 8562
Email: [email protected]
Reserve your small group safari now and see the Big 5 the way it should be seen — up close, unhurried, and with room to breathe. 🐘