Safari close to Johannesburg; is it even possible?
In short: yes, you can absolutely go on safari close to Johannesburg. But, as with most things, it depends on how you define close. If you live in the city and a 20-minute bike ride counts as a trip, your idea of “nearby” might be different from someone who’s used to driving 90 minutes just to get groceries. Safari, by its nature, happens in the wild—which means it’s always going to be a bit removed from the city. That said, there are some great options that I consider close to Joburg. Here are a few of my favourites.
Most common option: Pilanesberg (230km from Johannesburg OR Tambo)
From my own experience, I’ve met plenty of tourists in South Africa who want to squeeze in as much as possible in a short amount of time. Pilanesberg often ends up being their safari destination of choice—and for good reason. It’s close to OR Tambo, offers accommodation across a wide range of budgets, and has been around for a long time. The reserve is also malaria-free and home to the Big 5, which is a big draw.
That said, there are a few downsides—at least in my opinion. Pilanesberg is relatively busy, it has a high number of lodges, and it allows day visitors in their own private vehicles. This can sometimes make the safari experience feel crowded or less immersive. I think it’s a great option for a quick day trip or a short overnight stay, but if you’re looking for a more relaxed and quieter safari experience, there are other options near Johannesburg that might be worth considering.
Madikwe; remote yet close to Joburg
Madikwe is quite a large reserve, and if your lodge is located on the Johannesburg side, it’s a fairly reasonable drive. However, if you’re staying on the opposite end, it can turn into a much longer journey—especially since some of the roads aren’t in the best condition.
One of the key differences with Pilanes is that it doesn’t allow day visitors. All guests must stay at one of the lodges, which range from more budget-friendly to high-end options. The reserve is malaria-free, offers Big 5 sightings, and definitely gives that remote, wild safari feeling. During our visit, we had solid sightings of elephants and lions, but what stood out most to me were the brown hyena and cheetah—two species you don’t always get to see.
That said, the size of the reserve can also be a bit of a downside. Sometimes, game drives have to cover long distances to get to certain sightings. And many of the roads—at least when we were there—were in need of maintenance. According to our guide, this is because the reserve is managed through government support, which doesn’t always align with the priorities of the tourism sector. I personally didn’t mind—it added a bit of adventure, and I quite enjoyed the feeling of bushwhacking our way to a sighting.
My personal recommendation; Welgevonden Private Game Reserve
My personal favourite when it comes to safari options near Johannesburg is the Welgevonden Private Game Reserve. For me, it offers the best balance between effort and reward. The sightings have consistently been excellent—probably the best out of all the reserves I’ve visited on this list.
Welgevonden doesn’t allow day visitors or private vehicles, which helps maintain a high-quality safari experience throughout the reserve. Compared to Madikwe, a big advantage is that Welgevonden is commercially managed and actively supports conservation initiatives. The reserve is well maintained, and there are clear rules in place to ensure ethical game drive practices.
Sediba has been our go-to lodge in Welgevonden. For me, it really hits that sweet spot between budget, experience, and hospitality. Like Madikwe, Welgevonden has a healthy rhino population—and here, the rhinos are not dehorned, which means you can see them with their full horns intact.
One of my most memorable sightings happened in Welgevonden: a female cheetah stalking and catching an impala right in front of our vehicle. It’s something I’ll never forget.
So yes—if you’re looking for a proper safari close to Johannesburg, I’d highly recommend Welgevonden. And if you’re heading that way, Sediba is well worth checking out.
Bonus option: Kruger Park
It’s almost double the distance compared to the other options here, but no list of safari destinations in South Africa would be complete without mentioning the Kruger National Park. It’s the largest park in the country and offers something for just about every kind of traveler—from quick day visits and budget-friendly rest camps to some of the most exclusive lodges in the private reserves of Greater Kruger.