South Africa’s Top National Parks, as Rated by Safari Travellers

Travel marketplace SafariBookings.com released its list of the 50 best safari parks in Africa based on an in-depth analysis of over 2,300 reviews. The reviews are based on trips taken between 2022 and 2024. South Africa had a very strong showing, with 10 parks in the top 50, meaning that 20% of the destinations mentioned were South African parks!

Among the experts are writers who contribute regularly to Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Frommer’s, Bradt Guides, and Footprint Travel Guides. Let’s explore the national parks that stand out as top safari destinations in South Africa.

South Africa Dominates Top 50 List of Africa’s Parks

South Africa has many parks in the top 50 because of the number of protected areas in the country and the large number of visitors they receive.

The number of parks in the country, compared to other destinations in Africa, creates a high level of competition, and this means that the wildlife-viewing experience is generally of a high standard.

South African travel writer for Lonely Planet, James Bainbridge, says South Africa’s main drawcard is the accessibility of its wildlife-viewing opportunities.

“Not only are the Big Five here, in environments from Kruger’s bushveld to Pilanesberg’s extinct volcano crater, but you can see them from a hired car on tarred roads. Many of South Africa’s well-organised national parks also offer one-off guided drives (and walks) – great ways to pick up tracking tips.”

He adds, “With good roads generally leading to the parks’ gates (and sometimes beyond), it’s easy to see wildlife areas by car or on a guided day trip, without having to join a long safari or procure a 4WD. South Africa also has a greater variety of landscapes than most African countries. You can see wildlife with backdrops of Kalahari sands, Drakensberg peaks, Indian Ocean lagoons, riverine forests, baobab-studded plains, and Namakwa’s spring wildflowers.

“These diverse environments offer a broad menu of activities, from shark-cage diving to tasting grapes in the Cape Winelands, allowing you to mix safaris with other experiences.”

Below are the 10 safari parks in South Africa that feature in the Top 50, as well as the places they hold:

Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve (2)

Made up of about 20 small but contiguous private reserves, the Sabi Sand area is arguably the most exclusive Big Five game-viewing location in Africa.

Kruger National Park (12)

Kruger National Park is one of South Africa’s most visited wildlife destinations, attracting more than one million visitors annually.

Timbavati Private Nature Reserve (23)

Sharing its eastern border with the central Kruger Park, the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is studded with quality camps and lodges offering all-inclusive guided wildlife-viewing packages.

Balule Private Nature Reserve (24)

One of the largest rivers in the Kruger National Park, the Olifants River, flows through the Balule Reserve, and its waters and riverine forests attract high densities of mammals, reptiles, and birdlife.

Madikwe Game Reserve (25)

Situated in the North West Province, Madikwe Game Reserve has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to its family-friendly holiday location in a malaria-free zone with excellent Big Five viewing.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (26)

The Kgalagadi extends across three of Southern Africa’s most popular countries: Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, making it the perfect base from which to explore the natural wonders of these iconic African destinations.

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve (28)

Sabi Sabi, a private reserve in the Greater Kruger region, is well-known for striking the right balance between outstanding wildlife experiences and responsible tourism practices.

Addo Elephant National Park (32)

Addo Elephant Park offers a full experience to see the Big Seven, which extends the Big Five of the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino to include the southern right whales and great white shark.

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve (40)

As the oldest proclaimed game reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is celebrated for its rich wildlife experiences and conservation programmes.

Pilanesberg Game Reserve (42)

Pilanesberg Game Reserve, like Madikwe, is situated in the transitional zone between the moist eastern bushveld and the semi-arid Kalahari biome that extends into neighbouring Botswana.

Want to explore the incredible national parks dotted across East and Southern Africa? Let our expert travel advisors find the right experience for you.