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South Africa safari planning

Luxury safari holidays in South Africa

Private reserves, excellent guiding and an easy Cape Town pairing. Explore South Africa safari journeys with the stays, route and guide prices visible before you enquire.

Plan my luxury safari holiday See journeys and guide prices

Safari planning support

Planning, booking and travel support

Malaria free reserves

Tell us if a malaria-free reserve is a priority for your trip.

Rates for your dates

Lodges and transfers reconfirmed

Support while you travel

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South Africa safaris

Planning a South Africa safari

South Africa offers a range of safari reserves and lodges, with road or air access depending on the property. We can compare the travel arrangements and stays for your dates.

If travel-health advice affects your choice of reserve, tell us before we prepare the shortlist.

See the individual journeys for guide prices and durations. A Cape Town or Winelands extension needs its own availability and price check.

How ALE works

How we plan your safari

Tell us about your trip. We’ll discuss the route, check the stays and rates, and prepare a proposal.

  1. 01

    Tell us about the trip

    Dates, travellers, pace, budget and what you most want to experience.

  2. 02

    We check the journey

    The stays, route and transport are checked as one workable itinerary.

  3. 03

    Review the arrangements

    Rooms, transfers, inclusions, exclusions and conditions are set out in writing.

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Where to go

Compare South Africa’s safari regions

Consider the setting, permitted activities, access and accommodation.

Sabi Sand

Compare Sabi Sand lodges by their setting, guiding, accommodation and price.

Timbavati, Thornybush and the wider Greater Kruger

Explore the wider Greater Kruger reserves and compare the stays and arrangements available.

Madikwe

Malaria-free, wild dog country, and reachable from Johannesburg by road in about four hours or a short charter.

The Eastern Cape

Malaria-free Big 5 reserves that bolt naturally onto a Cape Town and Garden Route itinerary.

Kruger National Park

Compare stays and activities in Kruger National Park with the surrounding private reserves.

Cape Town and the Winelands

Ask about adding Cape Town and the Winelands to your safari, with the night count and connections checked for your trip.

South Africa journeys

South Africa safari journeys

Compare the night counts, stays and available guide prices. Open a journey for the full itinerary and inclusions.

None of these exact?

Start with what matters to you.

Tell us your dates, party and the one thing the journey must deliver.

Plan your safari

Prices are a guide and will be confirmed for your dates and party before booking.

Budget

Safari prices

Prices depend on your dates, accommodation, room arrangement and inclusions. Use the individual journey prices as a guide, then ask for a quote for your party.

Considered
from about US$450 per person per night
Smaller owner-run camps, and shoulder-season dates in excellent reserves. The compromise is the room finish and the extras, not the game viewing.
Classic
about US$700 to US$1,200 per person per night
The heart of the market: established private-reserve lodges with two guided activities a day, all meals, and house drinks at most properties.
Premium
about US$1,300 to US$2,000 per person per night
Blue-chip camps in the strongest traversing areas, frequently with a private vehicle and guide added to the rate.
Exclusive-use
quoted per villa or per camp
Compare dated rates and the full cost for your party. Seasonal differences and inclusions vary by property.

Every band excludes international flights. Internal flights, conservation levies, premium wines and private vehicles differ by property and are confirmed in writing before you commit.

Cape Town extensions

Combine safari with Cape Town

We can compare a Cape Town and Winelands stay before or after your safari, with connections and nights planned around your travel dates.

Packing

What to pack for early drives

Ask your lodge for a packing list for your travel dates, including layers for early-morning game drives.

Inclusions

What’s included

Inclusions vary by journey. Check the accommodation, meals, activities, flights and transfers listed for your chosen trip. Your quote will confirm the full list and any additional costs.

Check in your chosen journey

  • All accommodation at the room category quoted
  • Full board at safari lodges, with two guided game drives a day and house drinks at most properties
  • Cape Town and Winelands hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis unless stated otherwise
  • Reserve, park and conservation levies
  • Internal flights and road transfers where specified in your quote
  • A documented itinerary with contact numbers

Check for additional costs

  • International flights into Cape Town or Johannesburg
  • Visas, travel insurance, vaccinations and antimalarials
  • Lunches and dinners in Cape Town and the Winelands
  • Wine estate tastings, premium wines and spirits, and spa treatments
  • A private safari vehicle in the reserves, unless specified
  • Staff gratuities

Inclusions vary property by property. We confirm the exact list for every lodge and hotel in your itinerary in writing before you commit.

South African stays

South African lodges and reserves

Browse these properties, then ask us to check the options for your dates and budget.

Before you enquire

Questions we are asked every week.

Is South Africa good for a first luxury safari?

South Africa offers a range of safari reserves and accommodation, with options to add Cape Town. We’ll discuss the transport, stays and travel requirements for your first trip.

How much does a luxury safari in South Africa cost?

Use the guide prices on individual journeys as a starting point. We’ll confirm the current rate for your dates, room arrangement and included services.

Which South African safari areas are malaria-free?

Get current advice from a travel-health professional for your destinations and dates. We can discuss alternative reserves based on that advice.

How many days do I need?

The journeys show their actual days and nights. Tell us how much time you have, including any Cape Town stay, and we’ll discuss the route.

When is it cheapest to go?

Compare dated rates for the lodges you are considering. Seasonal differences vary, and festive periods or offers can change the comparison.

Can I combine it with Victoria Falls?

We can discuss adding Victoria Falls and check the connections, availability and cost.

Keep reading

Related safari planning pages

South Africa safari holidays and packages Kruger safari packages South African stays Greater Kruger lodges Malaria-free safaris Luxury African safaris

South Africa safari planning

Plan your South Africa safari

Share your dates, budget and who is travelling. A specialist will reply to discuss the options.

Plan your safari
Plan your safari