Private African safaris in South Africa
Luxury South Africa Safaris
Leopards in the Sabi Sand, malaria-free reserves for families, the Panorama Route and Cape Town, planned around you by our team.
Why South Africa with Nova
Big Five Safaris, Planned in Detail
A luxury South Africa safari offers a rare mix: Big Five private reserves, malaria-free options for young families, mountains, vineyards and Cape Town, all within a short domestic flight of each other.
We know these reserves well. We match each lodge to the people travelling, connect the flights and road transfers, and often finish the journey in Cape Town, in a private villa or a hotel by the sea.
Our promise
“Luxury travel, focused on eco-tourism and protecting Africa’s wildest regions and animals.”
In South Africa that means private reserves where land is managed for wildlife, conservation-led lodges, and guides and trackers from the surrounding communities who share their knowledge of the bush.
Getting there
Nonstop to Johannesburg and Cape Town from Europe, the USA and the Gulf
Best time
May to October for game viewing; all year overall
Ideal for
Leopards, families, honeymoons, safari and city
Combine with
Cape Town, Victoria Falls or Botswana
Where we go
South Africa’s Safari Regions
From the Greater Kruger to the malaria-free Eastern Cape and the Cape itself. Many journeys combine a safari with time in the city or the Winelands.
Leopard country
Sabi Sand
A private reserve that shares an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park, known for relaxed leopards and off-road tracking with experienced guides and trackers.
Quieter Greater Kruger
Timbavati and Klaserie
Private reserves on the western side of the Kruger, also open to the national park, with walking safaris and a wild, uncrowded feel.
Malaria-free Big Five
Madikwe
Near the Botswana border in the North West Province, reachable by road or light aircraft from Johannesburg. A good choice for families with young children.
Malaria-free, near the coast
Eastern Cape
Private reserves with the Big Five and no malaria, an easy add-on to the Garden Route or Cape Town.
Canyons and waterfalls
Panorama Route
Above the Greater Kruger, the Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window and the Three Rondavels make a scenic day out from your lodge.
Mountains and space
Waterberg
Malaria-free bushveld and sandstone hills a few hours by road from Johannesburg, with room for families to explore.
Karoo and Garden Route
Western Cape Reserves
Reserves such as Sanbona in the Little Karoo and Gondwana near the Garden Route, both malaria-free and within driving distance of Cape Town.
City, sea and Winelands
Cape Town
Private villas in Camps Bay, Clifton and around the Waterfront, then a few nights on safari. Cape Town has nonstop flights from Europe, the USA and the Gulf.
Over the border
Victoria Falls
A short flight from Johannesburg to see the Falls and cruise the Zambezi.
When to go
South Africa Month by Month
South Africa works all year. What changes is the bush, the weather and where you combine it with.
| Months | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| May to September | Dry winter: cool mornings, warm days, thinner bush and animals gathering at water. | Game viewing in the Greater Kruger, Madikwe and the Waterberg |
| October to November | Hot and dry before the rains, then the first newborn animals. | Big Five safaris; Cape Town warming up |
| December to March | Wet summer: green bush, afternoon storms, young animals and migrant birds. Cape Town’s peak beach season. | Safari and Cape Town together, birding and photography |
| April | The rains ease and the bush is still green. | Quieter lodges and mild weather |
Summer school holidays in July and August, in Europe, North America and the Gulf, fall in South Africa’s winter, which is prime time for game viewing. June to November is also whale season along the Western Cape coast.
Getting there
Getting to South Africa
Johannesburg and Cape Town have nonstop flights from Europe, the USA and the Gulf.
From Europe
Johannesburg has nonstop flights from London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Zurich and Istanbul, mostly in 10 to 12 hours. Cape Town has nonstop flights from London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich and Istanbul.
From the USA and Canada
Delta flies nonstop from Atlanta to Johannesburg and Cape Town, and United from Newark to both cities and from Washington Dulles to Cape Town. From Canada, connect through the USA, Europe or the Gulf.
From the Gulf
Emirates flies nonstop from Dubai to Johannesburg in about 8 hours, and to Cape Town and Durban. Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi and Qatar Airways from Doha to Johannesburg.
Into the bush
Short flights link Johannesburg and Cape Town with the airports and lodge airstrips around the Kruger and with the Eastern Cape. Many reserves are also an easy drive.
Flight times are approximate and routes change, including seasonal and regional changes, so we confirm the current options when we plan your journey.
Experiences
Ways to Experience South Africa
Every journey is built around what matters to you. A few of the things our guests ask for:
Sabi Sand and Greater Kruger
Big Five Safaris
Open vehicles, skilled trackers and off-road driving in private reserves, for close, unhurried sightings.
Greater Kruger
Walking and Tracking
Learn to read tracks and signs on foot with a guide and tracker.
Malaria-free reserves
Family Safaris
Madikwe, the Waterberg and the Eastern Cape, with family suites, flexible timings and child-friendly activities.
Honeymoons
Time for Two
Private decks and plunge pools, bush dinners, then the Cape Winelands or the coast.
Lodge life
Between the Drives
Long lunches, a plunge pool in the afternoon heat and bush dinners under the stars.
For photographers
Photographic Safaris
A private vehicle lets you wait for the light and position for the shot, with guides who understand photographers.
Sample journey
Eleven Nights: Kruger, the Eastern Cape and Cape Town
A starting point only. We change the reserves, lodges and pace to suit you.
Day 1
Arrive in the Greater Kruger
Fly into Johannesburg and connect by light aircraft to the Sabi Sand.
Days 1 to 4
Sabi Sand
Three nights at a lodge such as Londolozi, with morning and evening drives in search of leopards and the rest of the Big Five.
Days 4 to 6
The Greater Kruger and the Panorama Route
Two nights at a lodge such as Kapama Southern Camp, with a private day out to the Blyde River Canyon and the Panorama Route.
Days 6 to 9
Malaria-free Eastern Cape
Fly south for three nights at a reserve such as Kwandwe, with Big Five game drives and walks.
Days 9 to 12
Cape Town
Three nights in a private villa in Camps Bay or Clifton, or a hotel by the sea, with a chauffeur, the Cape Peninsula and the Winelands, then fly home from Cape Town.
Good to know
South Africa Safari FAQs
Do I need a visa for South Africa?
At the time of writing, US, Canadian, UK and most EU passport holders can visit South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days, and so can ordinary passport holders from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Citizens of other GCC countries may need a visa. What counts is the passport you travel on, not where you live.
Rules change, so please check with the South African embassy or the official Department of Home Affairs before you travel. Families travelling with children should also check the current document rules for minors.
When is the best time for a South Africa safari?
May to September is the dry winter, when the bush thins and animals gather at water, making it the classic game viewing season. The green summer from December to March brings young animals and pairs well with Cape Town’s beach season.
Is South Africa safe for a safari?
The private reserves are well managed and you are guided throughout. In the cities we arrange private transfers and drivers, and recommend the usual care you would take anywhere. We follow current government travel advice, such as that from the US State Department, the UK Foreign Office and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Is there malaria in South Africa?
The Greater Kruger, including the Sabi Sand, is a malaria area, with the higher risk in the wet summer months; speak to a doctor or travel clinic about prevention. Madikwe, the Waterberg, the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape reserves and Cape Town are malaria-free.
How much does a luxury South Africa safari cost?
It depends on the lodges, the season, how many reserves you combine and whether you add Cape Town or Victoria Falls. Top private reserves cost more than other areas, and South Africa can also offer good value. Share your budget with us and we will show you what it can do.
Is South Africa good for a family safari?
Yes. Malaria-free reserves suit young children, and many lodges offer family suites and children’s programmes. Some lodges set minimum ages for game drives.
Combine South Africa with
Cape Town and Beyond
Villas, Winelands and the coast
Cape Town
A private villa by the Atlantic, paired with a few nights on safari.
Start planning
Let’s Design Your South Africa Safari
Tell us when you would like to travel, who is coming and what you hope to see, and we will design a South Africa journey around you. Our team works across Dubai, the United States and South Africa, planning journeys for travellers from around the world.
Prefer email? info@novasafaris.com