Most Popular Short Safaris for Last-Minute African Vacations this Summer

If you're short on time, but big on cravings for a vacation in Africa this summer, then the good news is we have tons of short but action-packed safaris that are ideal!

Yes, even if you only have a week or two to get away, here are our top 4 recommendations for short safari tours that will fit perfectly into your summer holiday window… 

#1 Etosha & Namib Desert Safaris in Namibia

Spitzkoppe namibia

Short Namibia safari options: 3 to 6 days

If you're craving a wild and off-the-beaten-track African vacation, but have less than a week to spare, definitely consider a Namibia safari this summer.

With lots of tour options lasting 3-6 days, it’s great to know you can see some of this country’s most incredible wildlife and landscapes in under a week!

All of our Namibia safaris start and end in either Windhoek - Namibia’s small and charming capital - or the scenic coastal town of Swakopmund.

Thankfully, both are convenient gateways to Namibia's safari gems (including Etosha National Park in the north and the ancient Namib Desert further South) making safari logistics in this country a breeze.

In just 3 days, you can brilliantly explore Etosha National Park - Namibia’s premier safari destination, which is a game-viewing haven known for its expansive saltpan landscapes and diverse wildlife.

Picture yourself, binoculars in hand, watching lions, elephants and rhinos meters from you… it’s true African safari magic!

Namibia desert safari

In stark contrast, but equally mesmerizing in experience, is the ancient Namib Desert.

With 3 days here, you can marvel at both of the desert’s most iconic and jaw-dropping destinations - Sossusvlei and Deadvlei -  as well as gaze at huge salt pans that give rise to enormous red sand dunes.

Trekking through Sesriem Canyon and climbing some of the tallest dunes in the world, are just 2 of the other amazing experiences to soak in here – making it easy to see why this once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the sublime Namib Desert should not be missed!

Extend your Namibia journey to 4 days and you can also stay a night in the charming coastal town of Swakopmund.

Located on the Atlantic coast, this unique colonial town has a quaint allure, long sandy beaches and a thriving food scene.

Namibia safari

Or, if you can, opt for a 6-day Namibia adventure and explore Etosha, the Namib Desert and the cool coastal vibes of Swakopmund all in one highlight-packed trip!

June through August is the perfect time to go to Namibia because this is the country’s winter, which boasts dry, cooler days and clear, star-studded nights creating the perfect setting for an African vacation.

That said, do wrap warm up and pack a sweater - the desert gets chilly after dark!

Explore all our Namibia tour options, easily filtered by the number of days you have, and get ready for an incredible journey through one of Earth's most unique destinations!

#2 Kruger National Park Safaris in South Africa

Lions, Kruger safari in South Africa

Short Kruger safari options: 3 to 10 days

If you’ve got 3 to 10 days for a Southern African vacation, then a visit to the world-famous Kruger National Park is a fantastic idea.

This enormous wildlife haven sprawls across almost 20,000 square km and boasts large populations of the iconic Big Five - lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalos.

Immerse yourself in game drives through beautiful savannahs and dense woodlands, capturing glimpses of Africa's majestic creatures in their natural habitat as you go.

Johannesburg is the perfect place to kickstart your Kruger safari; a travel hub for frequent and affordable international flights, it makes for an accessible and convenient starting point.

The great thing about a short Kruger safari is that they usually begin with a visit to the Panorama Route - an incredible area very close to Kruger that is known for its jaw-dropping vistas and endless views.

Brace yourself for mesmerizing landscapes here, including mountains, forests, waterfalls and canyons, with highlights including the Blyde River Canyon - the world’s largest green canyon - with breathtaking views from God's Window and the enchanting cascades of Lisbon and Berlin Falls.

Kruger safari lions, South Africa

Considered one of South Africa’s most beautiful regions, you’ll want to have your camera ready for the Panorama Route!

If you’re lucky enough to have a little longer for your Kruger safari vacation in Africa, then in 8-10 days you can journey onwards from Kruger and the Panorama Route to Durban via the kingdom of Eswatini, which is famous for its rich cultural heritage and incredible mountain ranges.

Or, with the same amount of time, you can head on from Kruger and the Panorama Route to the breathtaking Victoria Falls, allowing you to explore some of Zimbabwe and Botswana’s wildlife highlights along the way.

The summer months of June through September are the perfect time for a Kruger safari African vacation, because they mark the dry, winter season here.

At this time, you’ll benefit from clear skies and comfortable temperatures, which create the optimal conditions for an unforgettable safari.

See all of our Kruger short safaris for more info - they are conveniently ordered by length, from shortest to longest trip for your convenience.

#3 Cape Town Safaris in South Africa

Cape Town safari 

Short Cape Town safaris: 1 to 8 days 

With up to 8 days, you can embark on an exhilarating African vacation to Cape Town - the perfect spot for those seeking short safari tours in prime safari locations!

Promising wildlife wonders and scenic beauty just a stone’s throw away, the ‘Mother City’ as it’s known, serves as a convenient gateway to a huge array of amazing South African safari experiences.

Aquila is the closest Big 5 game reserve to the city at just 2 hours from Cape Town. Close enough for a day trip, or a quick overnight stay, here you can enjoy game drives along with quad bike safaris and horseback safaris, for a real taste of the wild within easy reach!

Inverdoorn Game Reserve, another beautiful private reserve that’s just a short drive away from CPT, also boasts the complete Big Five and is home to a successful cheetah conservation project, that’s wonderfully encouraging to learn about.

Then, just 3.5 hours from Cape Town, you can find yourself at Sanbona - one of South Africa's premier eco-tourism destinations.

This expansive reserve offers Big Five safari opportunities with a focus on conservation, protecting ecosystems, endangered wildlife and flora.

Here, along with game drives, nature walks and specialist tours, you can indulge in spa treatments and scenic sundowners, while the kids lap up fun-filled activities like animal tracking and bushcraft lessons.

And, if you can squeeze a few extra days into your African vacation, don’t miss a visit to the Garden Route, widely thought to be one of South Africa’s most beautiful regions!

Cape Town, South Africa

Also very accessible from Cape Town, along this breathtaking stretch of South Africa’s Southern coast you’ll be enchanted by lush landscapes, pristine beaches and charming towns during your short safari tour.

Other Garden Route highlights include Addo Elephant Park, whale watching in Hermanus (thought to be one the best places in the world for whale watching) and a visit to the famous penguin colony of Stony Point.

But why choose the summer months of June through September for this adventure?

Although it is winter and technically the wet season in Cape Town, this does have its benefits!

For a start, July to September is the peak calving season for whales off the coast here, meaning prime whale watching! This is also when you can spot Great White Sharks in the waters of False Bay.

These months are also prime time for surfing, and the low season’s cooler temperatures can make for better hiking weather than the scorching summer months - great if you want to conquer Table Mountain or Lion’s Head!

This time of year also comes with budget-friendly bargains and fewer crowds in Cape Town, which is always good news for your pockets!

Take a look at our Cape Town safaris; ordered by length, they are easily filtered by price, duration, and start point too.

#4 Okavango Delta Safaris in Botswana

Okavango Delta in Botswana, elephant

Short Okavango Delta safari options: 4 to 10 days

Finally, you can also enjoy an unforgettable African vacation care of a short safari tour of the captivating Okavango Delta in Botswana.

In just 4 days, you can experience the wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its winding water channels, lush islands and abundant wildlife, which all offer an extraordinary blend of diverse ecosystems and breathtaking natural beauty.

Start your adventure with an open vehicle game drive to explore the renowned Moremi Game Reserve, rated among the top wildlife parks in Africa. Then glide along the winding channels of the Delta in a traditional mokoro canoe while spotting wildlife, including hippos, and an incredible array of bird species.

Okavango Delta safari, hippo

If you can extend your journey here to 5 or more days, then we suggest you choose a tour that includes a visit to Chobe National Park as well.

Famous for its colossal elephant herds and diverse wildlife, here you can experience the richness of the Chobe River, which draws animals from far and wide and indulge in riverside safaris and sunset cruises.

Needless to say, this top safari park is a photographer's paradise and a nature enthusiast's dream!

Most short Okavango Delta tours conveniently start and end in Maun - the gateway town to the Delta, which is easily accessible by daily flights from Johannesburg and other international airports.

And the northern hemisphere's summer months are the ideal time to visit, because this is Botswana’s winter, meaning daytime temps sit around a comfortable average of 25-30 degrees Celsius. It’s also Botswana’s dry season, making for perfect safari conditions - win-win!

Plus, June, July and August are also the best time to enjoy the Delta’s oasis, along with its water-based activities, because this is when water levels are highest.

If you’ve got 7-10 days for your African vacation, then we recommend choosing an Okavango Delta safari tour that includes the mighty Victoria Falls.

This incredible waterfall is (comparatively) just a hop, skip and jump from the Delta, so don’t miss this chance to see it during your vacation in Africa!

Many Okavango Delta tours start or end at this iconic destination, meaning you can experience the thundering roar and mind-blowing spray of Victoria Falls pretty easily.

And June to September really is the perfect time to visit the Falls as well, because it's high water season meaning the Falls are in their full thundering power!

Okavango Delta safari in Botswana

You can see all our Okavango Delta safaris here, conveniently ordered by duration and easy to filter.

But a word of warning, if you’re keen to visit the Okavango Delta this summer, you’ll need to book early, especially for June and July, as these months are very popular times to visit!

Affordable Last-Minute Safari Options

Find your affordable African safari by searching upcoming tours departing from popular starting points.

Popular departure points you can search for African safaris by:

• Arusha and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania
• Nairobi in Kenya 
• Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Gqeberha in South Africa
• Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe & Livingstone in Zambia
• Maun and Kasane in Botswana
• Windhoek and Swakopmund in Namibia 
• Antananarivo in Madagascar
• Kigali in Rwanda, Kampala in Uganda & Lilongwe in Malawi

To search for upcoming safari tours departing from specific places use our Find Your Tour search. Simply click on "departures" for the place you want to begin your safari from and filter by the date if you want or browse.

Last-Minute Safari Deals

Book a last-minute safari deal across Africa to save up to 20% on your safari vacation.

These last-minute safari deals are listed by departure date so you can scroll through them to see what deals are coming up soon. You get 10% to 20% discount off the tour price when you book last-minute deals!

Zanzibar safari vacation

We hope this article has helped show you the many amazing things you can see in even a short African vacation!

Get in touch with our team of Africa Travel Experts with any questions you have about these fantastic safari routes, including flights, when to arrive, and last-minute safari deals.