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A herd of elephants running across a grassy plain in South Africa

Luxury South Africa Safaris made for you

Discover the incredible animals of South Africa on a bespoke safari

Majestic megafauna, marine wildlife and sensational safaris

A luxury South Africa safari is an experience unlike any other, thanks to this country’s sheer volume of species and vast diversity of destinations. There are 19 national parks and dozens of notable private reserves, each with its own emblematic species, landscapes and safari experiences.

The quintessential South African safari destination is the Kruger: a massive national park where you can see all of the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo). On its outskirts there are several private reserves that boast the same animals in a much more intimate environment, such as Sabi Sands, Thornybush and Timbavati.

In KwaZulu-Natal you’ll find Phinda, a private game reserve where you can see rare species like cheetahs and black rhinos, as well as waterbirds and nesting sea turtles. For family safaris, we often recommend Madikwe or Tswalu Kalahari – both of which are free of malaria and exceptionally exclusive.

There’s a wonderful array of luxury safari lodges in South Africa, including authentic camps like Tanda Tula and opulent residences like Tarkuni Private House. Reach out to our team of safari experts for insider tips on where to stay, and let us design the ideal South African wildlife tour for you.

  • African Penguins at Boulders Beach
  • South Africa
  • zebra herds roaming the vast plains of Singita Grumeti in Tanzania
  • Male lion resting in Singita Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania.
  • Leopard, Panthera pardus, Kruger National Park, South Africa
  • Sunrise at Kruger National Park
  • Black rhinos in Kruger National Park, South Africa
  • A couple stand by a lake at sunset enjoying sundowner drinks after a day on safari
  • singita-sweni-game-drive

From our experts

Experiences picked by our specialists

Walk with African penguins at Boulders Beach

Visit Boulders Beach on the Cape Peninsula to see endangered African penguins in their natural habitat

Spend a night in Timbavati's Giraffe's Nest Hide

Spend a night in the Giraffe’s Nest Hide in Timbavati to observe the wildlife of the Xanatsi Dam in total privacy

Join a nautical safari to see the Marine Big Five

Embark on a nautical safari from Gansbaai to spot the Marine Big Five: whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins

Explore the Singita Reserve

Stay in the prestigious Singita Reserve for phenomenal game drives, walking safaris and superb service

Combine safaris and cities on a luxury train journey

Board a luxury train to combine safaris with cities, vineyards, beaches and adventures in other Southern African countries

A word from one of our experts

South Africa is a wonderfully well-rounded safari destination. Beyond its undeniably impressive wildlife, its wide variety of reserves and lodges offer ideal conditions for families, honeymooners and adventure seekers alike.

Jody van Merode Senior Travel Designer

Luxury South Africa safari lodges

There are many incredible places to stay in South Africa. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

  • Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

  • Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

  • Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

South Africa safari inspiration

Get inspired with our South Africa safari example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

10 days From $8,033

Introducing South Africa

A perfect trip for the first time visitor to South Africa, experience some of the Rainbow Nation’s most popular highlights on this ten–day luxury journey with…

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Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your South Africa wildlife tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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Where to go in South Africa

Meet your Africa team

When to visit South Africa for safaris

The best time for luxury safari tours in South Africa is the dry season (May–October). These months coincide with late autumn, winter and early spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Expect temperatures in the mid-20sºC (mid- to upper 70sºF) and low rainfall in the main safari areas, along with high wildlife visibility. Although the green season (November–April) doesn’t offer ideal safari conditions, it does have some benefits. The rainy weather leads to lovely green landscapes, it’s the best time of year for birdwatching, and it’s when you’re most likely to see newborn animals since lots of species calve during this half of the year.

Peak safari season

June–August

Rainiest weather

December–February

Whale watching

June–December

When Is the Best Time to Visit South Africa? Read more

South Africa travel guides

Plan your safari in South Africa

Whatever you want from your safari adventure in South Africa, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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“We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada…”

We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…

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My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…

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We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…

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Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!

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We had a wonderful trip planned through Jacada. We enjoyed the venues and the excursions. This is a beautiful place we'd recommend to anyone who wants to go on a new adventure.

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Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

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