As a continent, Africa has become synonymous with spectacular safari experiences, and South Africa’s wildlife offerings frequently feature among the best of these. Within its many game reserves and national parks, there are plenty of options for day and night game drives in search of Africa’s Big Five, along with some ultra-secluded safari lodges rooted in the depths of the wilderness. And thanks to a wealth of malaria-free offerings, South Africa is a particularly brilliant destination for a family safari holiday.
World-famous for its wildlife viewing, Kruger National Park is South Africa’s safari mecca. In the southern part of Kruger you’ll find gorgeous luxury lodges that excel in five-star cuisine, fine wines and excellent guided tours for the safari first-timer. Moving north towards the border with Zimbabwe and Mozambique, things turn wilder. With its vast plains blanketed in thick bush, here you can fully immerse yourself in nature’s playground, to experience true deep-bush adventures on your safari holiday.
Set in the north on the Botswana border, Madikwe Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s lesser known safari spots. This sweeping savannah is home to the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, and also offers the rare opportunity to spot the highly endangered African Wild Dog. For a safari that feels like stepping back in time, and a lodge that is truly ‘Out of Africa,’ we love Madikwe Hills, or for a spot of indulgent bush luxury, the Morukuru collection are a gorgeous range of safari lodges spread across the Madikwe Reserve.
Thanks to its close proximity to Cape Town and the gorgeous Cape coastline, the Eastern Cape is a hot choice for a safari add-on when visiting South Africa. Highly family-friendly and malaria-free, this region is a spectacular contrast of landscapes, but it’s the desolate, bushy plains that attract the most spectacular wildlife scenes. Kwandwe private game reserve sits in its own 22,000 hectares of pristine private wilderness is great for families, while our hot favourite for a fully exclusive luxury safari holiday must be Shamwari Game Reserve's romantic Eagles Crag.
