Best Big 5 Safari in South Africa: Where to See the Big 5 Animals in SA

South Africa is the ultimate Big 5 safari destination!

In South Africa, you have: 

• The nearly 2 million hectares of world-renowned Kruger National Park supports Africa's greatest variety of wildlife species (including the Big 5 animals)
• The only place in the world where you can see the Big 7 (which includes the Big 5).
• Around 80% of Africa's remaining wild rhino population.

To top it off, you have the jaw-dropping diversity of landscapes.

From the tropical bushlands of Kwa-Zulu Natal to the champagne-coloured savannahs of the Karoo, all teeming with an abundance of Big 5 animals, awe-inspiring safari experiences and other incredible wildlife and birdlife species.

It’s a remarkable, one-of-a-kind, place that deserves the top spot on your African safari bucket list.

There’s only one small problem - deciding where to go for your Big 5 Safari South Africa experience.

Buffalo in Hluhluwe

What Are The Big 5 African Animals? 

The "Big 5" refers to Africa's most iconic and formidable animals: the elephant, lion, rhinoceros, leopard, and buffalo. 

Trophy hunters coined the term during the colonial period in Africa during the late 1800s to describe the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot.

While these Big 5 African animals are still hunted today, it’s not the main draw card. These days, travelling to Africa and seeing these animals has become the ultimate goal for safari-goers. 

It’s especially become a bucket list item because of the dwindling population numbers of the Big 5 animals. Lion populations (while not currently endangered) are dwindling, and rhinos are on the critically endangered list.

Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Big 5 Safari South Africa: Where to Go

With a steady stream of the Big 5 roaming under the vast skies of South Africa, it’s one of the best safari destinations in Africa. 

Depending on where you go, you can spend a Big 5 Safari South Africa exploring the African bush on foot, falling asleep to the sounds of lions roaring and indulging in twice-daily game drives.

Here are some of the best places for Big 5 safaris in South Africa.

1. Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park Big 5 Safari

When it comes to experiencing the ultimate Big 5 Safari South Africa has to offer, Kruger National Park always comes out on top.

Stretching across 20,000 square kilometres, the largest national park in Africa and the oldest in South Africa borders Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Kruger is also home to the highest population of the Big 5 in South Africa and one of the few places on Earth where you can see these animals in their natural habitat.

But with such a massive piece of land to explore, where should you start?

If it’s your first time visiting Kruger National Park, stick to Southern Kruger and stay inside the park at one of the rest camps like Lower Sabie and Crocodile Bridge.

Fair warning: Lower Sabie has a reputation for the best Big 5 safari in Kruger National Park. You’ll want to book accommodation here at least six months in advance.

Have more time in your itinerary? Spend a few nights in Central Kruger at the Satara or Olifants rest camps. This is known as Big Cat Country and your best bet for spotting lions and leopards.

• Kruger National Park Safaris

2. Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Sabi Sands Leopard

The 20+ private reserves around Kruger opened their borders, integrating into the park and forming the Great Kruger National Park.

With no restrictions, the wildlife can move between the natural corridors again, creating the perfect setting for close encounters with the Big 5 African animals.

That leads us to Sabi Sands. Situated southwest of Kruger, it covers an area of 65,000 hectares and is the setting for one of the best Big 5 Safaris in Greater Kruger National Park.

Dominated by the Sabi River (one of Africa's most biologically diverse water systems), Sabi Sands attracts vast numbers of wildlife and boasts the highest concentration of Big Cats in Africa.

What sets Sabi Sands apart from Kruger NP? 

You’re in a private reserve.

With limited camps and strict rules like only two vehicles allowed at a sighting, you won’t experience the notorious Kruger traffic jams, giving you a more exclusive South African Safari Big 5 experience.

• Sabi Sands Safaris

3. Madikwe Game Reserve

Lion safari south africa

Looking for a lesser-known Big 5 Safari South Africa experience? Then, make your way to Madikwe Game Reserve. It’s the fifth largest game reserve in the country, bordering Botswana and the Kalahari Desert in South Africa’s North West Province.

Its diverse 75,000-hectare landscape is home to an abundance of mammals, including the elusive African wild dog and cheetah, along with the Big 5, which make up the “Madikwe Super Seven”.

That’s not all.

• Madikwe is easily accessible (4 hours from Johannesburg by road and 30 minutes by plane).

• Malaria-free.

• Offers excellent value for money. 

With plenty of lodges in the area, you’ll find a healthy mix of properties for every safari budget.

4. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve

Rhino in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve is the oldest game reserve in Africa and a haven for endangered species in South Africa. 

Its 96,000 hectares are home to the largest population of white rhinos in the world, and its conservation efforts, “Operation Rhino”, were key in saving the species from extinction in the 1960s.

Today, Hluhlwe-iMfolozi is where you’ll find the best Big 5 Safari near Durban, South Africa. Set in the heart of Zululand, the reserve's terrain turns it into a unique safari experience. 

Instead of dry golden savannahs, you’ll find rhinos roaming in lush green hills, giraffes towering above riverine forests, and elephants meandering across wetlands and mist-best forests.

There’s more.

What makes Hluhluwe extra special for wildlife lovers is its location. Only 1 hour and 20 minutes from St. Lucia, you can spend your morning on a Big 5 game drive and your afternoon watching the Humpback whales migrate down the coast.

• Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Safaris

5. Pilanesburg National Park

Rhino in Pilanesberg National Park

It’s no secret.

There’s a ridiculous amount of things to do in South Africa.

With only a finite amount of time, trying to fit in a Big 5 safari sometimes feels like a struggle unless you’re willing to pay for the expensive bush flights.

The solution?

Pilanesburg National Park.

Once a volcano that erupted 1.2 billion years ago, it’s South Africa’s fourth-largest national park and offers the best Big 5 safari near Johannesburg.

It's the perfect safari day trip, only 2 hours and 30 minutes from the City of Gold. You can wake up, drive to see the Big 5 African animals, and return in time for an evening flight down to Cape Town.

However, if you have the time in your South Africa itinerary, it’s worth spending at least one night here.

Why?

Pilanesburg is famous for its hot air balloon ride safaris. It’s a unique experience you won’t find at most of the other game reserves in the country.

• Pilanesburg National Park Safaris

6. Addo Elephant National Park

Elephants at Addo Elephant National Park

You’ve heard of the Big 5, but what about the Big 7?

Well, that’s precisely Addo National Park’s claim to fame.

It’s the only national park in the world where you can spot lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, rhinos, the Southern Right Whale, and the Great White Shark.

If that’s not enough to convince you to visit Addo for a top-tier Big 5 safari near Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), this will:

• It’s a malaria-free Big 5 safari destination.

• You can book night drives.

• It's home to over 600 elephants.

• There are acclaimed safari lodges for every budget.

In terms of getting to Addo National Park, it’s also highly accessible for travellers. You can fly into Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) from Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town, hire a car, and arrive at Addo’s gates in under 2 hours.

• Addo Elephant Park Safaris

7. Inverdoorn Game Reserve

Inverdoorn lion

Finding a Big 5 safari near Cape Town is a bit of a challenge.

Technically, there is nothing “close” to the Mother City. You will need to drive a few hours to see the Big 5 African animals.

Luckily, the private Inverdoorn Game Reserve makes for a budget-friendly overnight Big 5 safari near Cape Town. Situated in the Klein Karoo, the Inverdoorn safari includes transfers to and from Cape Town, two Big 5 game drives, and meals.

Aquila Private Game Reserve is close enough for an affordable Cape Town day safari.

• Inverdoorn Safaris and Aquila Safaris

Leopard in Sabi Sands, greater Kruger

Book your Big 5 Safari in South Africa

Want someone else to handle the admin of your Big 5 Safari South Africa experience?

You’re in the right place.

African Budget Safaris can help you book the perfect Big 5 safari in South Africa (and beyond) for your budget.

Chat with one of our travel experts today to find the ideal African safari or have a custom Big 5 safari designed just for you.