Wildlife in South Africa
From great oceans to vast deserts
From the lush Cape and Garden Route across mountains to the Kalahari Desert, and skirted by the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, South Africa is an incredibly diverse country home to an fascinating array of wildlife.
While we don’t currently offer the traditional South African safari areas in the Kruger and Sabi Sands, the areas we do specialise in are home to some fascinating species.
From the town of Hermanus, a short and scenic drive along the coast from Cape Town, you can spot southern right whales from the shore and find beaches where African penguins waddle amid the rocks.
Further north find the Samara where lions, cheetahs, elephants and rhino wander the rewilded expanses of the Great Karoo once more. Heading into the Kalahari, desert specialists can be found, such as curious troops of meerkats and some safari enthusiast ‘bucket listers’ such as aardvark and pangolin which are often spotted in Tswalu’svast private reserve.
Great wildlife safaris to South Africa
Here are some of our ideas for great holidays focussed on wildlife in South Africa.
Cape Genet Self-drive Safari
20 days • 8 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Enjoy fine-dining in Cape Town, whale-watching in Hermanus, and a range of walking and water-based activities throughout De Hoop’s Nature Reserve, the Klein Karoo and Plettenberg. This relaxed self-driven safari concludes with stays in The Winelands and Namaqualand.
US$3,650 - US$4,370 per person
Cape Grysbok Self-drive Safari
20 days • 8 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Explore Cape Town, Hermanus, Franschhoek and Namaqualand, amongst other memorable destinations, during this leisurely self-driven safari. Fine dining, varied activities and impressively comfortable lodges, estates and country houses await.
US$4,810 - US$7,250 per person
Bontebok Self-drive Safari
12 days • 5 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT
This varied and great-value self-drive trip visits Cape Town, the Winelands and diverse sections of the Garden Route, staying at great places with real local character. It’s ideal for active couples and families who want to explore the Cape’s stunning locations.
US$1,800 - US$1,940 per person
Waterbuck self-drive
12 days • 6 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT
A classic Cape and Garden Route self-drive taken at a leisurely pace and staying in charming boutique hotels. Great food and wine paired with spectacular scenery and an exciting array of activities.
US$2,980 - US$3,380 per person
Cape Mountain Zebra Self-drive Safari
12 days • 4 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Fine dining, luxurious accommodation and a wide of range of leisurely activities make this a superbly comfortable self-driven safari. Visit the cosmopolitan Cape Town, tranquil coastal retreats, stylish wine farms and spectacularly peaceful nature reserves.
US$4,530 - US$7,630 per person
Black Wildebeest Self-drive Safari
19 days • 10 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
Journey from South Africa’s cosmopolitan Cape Town to central Namibia’s Okonjima Nature Reserve during this self-driven safari. The route passes through a stunning variety of landscapes, offering access to this beautiful continent’s rich diversity.
US$4,140 - US$4,250 per person
The Highlights of Africa
17 days • 7 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
An epic adventure taking in some of Africa’s most incredible sights and wildlife experiences, from Cape Town to the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, the Maasai Mara and an encounter with mountain gorillas.
US$15,270 - US$19,670 per person
Leopard Safari
13 days • 4 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Victoria Falls, Botswana and Cape Town – a classic southern African itinerary combining luxury, wilderness, safari and culture. We can't think of a better way to spend two weeks.
US$13,430 - US$17,990 per person
Kwandwe Self-drive Safari
3 days • 1 locations
PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT TO PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT
An elegantly stylish lodge that is well suited to families, Kwandwe offers a range of safari activities and the chance to sight all of the "Big 5" during exploration of the Eastern Cape.
US$3,130 - US$4,420 per person
South Africa's top camps for wildlife safaris
Click on the dots on the map to show the sightings from that lodges or camps for the species selected. It's based on 437 reports by 64 groups of our our travellers since Jun 2018.
Best chances to see
Good chances to see
Some sightings
No sightings yet
Buffalo
100%
Quick facts about Buffalo
Scientific name:
Syncerus caffer
Habitat:
Floodplains, mixed bush & moist grasslands
IUCN status:
Near-threatened
Adult weight:
500–950kg
Cheetah
67%
Quick facts about Cheetah
Scientific name:
Acinonyx jubatus
Habitat:
Grassland & woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
50–70kg
Elephant
95%
Quick facts about Elephant
Scientific name:
Loxodonta africana
Habitat:
Woodland and savanna
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
2,500–6,500kg
Oryx
94%
Quick facts about Oryx
Scientific name:
Oryx beisa and Oryx gazella
Habitat:
Arid savannah
IUCN status:
Endangered (O.b) /Least Concern (O.g)
Adult weight:
120–210kg (O.b) /180–240kg (O.g)
Giraffe
76%
Quick facts about Giraffe
Scientific name:
Giraffa camelopardalis
Habitat:
Woodland savanna
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
800–1,200kg
Hippo
74%
Quick facts about Hippo
Scientific name:
Hippopotamus amphibius
Habitat:
Freshwater rivers & wetlands
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
1,300–2,600kg
Spotted Hyena
17%
Quick facts about Spotted Hyena
Scientific name:
Crocuta crocuta
Habitat:
Semi-desert, forest, savannah
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
40–80kg
Brown Hyena
16%
Quick facts about Brown Hyena
Scientific name:
Parahyaena brunnea
Habitat:
Semi-desert & savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
37–43kg
Leopard
23%
Quick facts about Leopard
Scientific name:
Panthera pardus
Habitat:
Savanna, woodland, forest, mountains
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
30–90kg
Lion
80%
Quick facts about Lion
Scientific name:
Panthera leo
Habitat:
Savanna & woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
120–225kg
Black Rhino
74%
Quick facts about Black Rhino
Scientific name:
Diceros bicornis
Habitat:
Scrub & open woodland
IUCN status:
Critically Endangered
Adult weight:
800–1,400kg
White Rhino
100%
Quick facts about White Rhino
Scientific name:
Ceratotherium simum
Habitat:
Woodland savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
1,800–2,700kg
Wild dog
8%
Quick facts about Wild dog
Scientific name:
Lycaon pictus
Habitat:
Savannah & woodland
IUCN status:
Endangered
Adult weight:
20–36kg
Wildebeest
88%
Quick facts about Wildebeest
Scientific name:
Connochaetes sp.
Habitat:
Open savannah & grasslands
IUCN status:
Least concern
Adult weight:
250–290kg
Pangolin
4%
Quick facts about Pangolin
Scientific name:
Smutsia temminkii
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
5–27kg
Aardvark
4%
Quick facts about Aardvark
Scientific name:
Orycteropus afer
Habitat:
Grassland & woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
60–80kg
Eland
67%
Quick facts about Eland
Scientific name:
Taurotragus oryx
Habitat:
Open savanna & grasslands
IUCN status:
Least concern
Adult weight:
340–940kg
Meerkat
37%
Quick facts about Meerkat
Scientific name:
Suricata suricatta
Habitat:
Semi-arid desert
IUCN Status:
Least Concern
Weight:
650g
Zebra
94%
Quick facts about Zebra
Scientific name:
Equus quagga
Habitat:
Woodland and savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
155–322kg
Roan antelope
100%
Quick facts about Roan antelope
Scientific name:
Hippotragus equinus
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
180–300kg
Sable antelope
100%
Quick facts about Sable antelope
Scientific name:
Hippotragus niger
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
220–235kg
Other top destinations for wildlife
To understand more about the the wildlife in our other key destinations in Africa, click on the countries below.
