Southern Africa travel guide
Safari in Southern Africa: Where to Go, When & What It Costs
A local operator’s guide to South Africa, Botswana, Victoria Falls, Namibia, Eswatini and Mozambique, with packages you can book online.
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Southern Africa is the most rewarding safari region on the continent: you can see the Big Five in Kruger, glide past elephants on the Chobe River, stand in the spray of Victoria Falls and finish on a Mozambique beach, all in one trip. Knap Tours is based in Centurion, South Africa, and has guided travellers across the region for years. Below is how to choose.
Southern Africa safari destinations compared
South Africa
Best time: May–Sept (dry winter)
Kruger National Park, the private Sabi Sands reserve, malaria-free Pilanesberg and Madikwe, plus Cape Town and the Garden Route. The easiest place to start, with great value from budget camps to luxury lodges.
Ideal for: Big Five, first-timers, families
Botswana
Best time: May–Oct
Chobe’s huge elephant herds seen by boat and game drive, and the Okavango Delta explored by mokoro dugout canoe. Remote, wild and low-density.
Ideal for: Elephants, water safaris, wilderness
Zimbabwe & Zambia (Victoria Falls)
Best time: Feb–June for full flow; Aug–Dec for clear views
One of the world’s great waterfalls, with sunset cruises, gorge swings and an easy day trip into Chobe. The classic add-on to a Kruger safari.
Ideal for: Combos, adventure, bucket lists
Namibia
Best time: May–Oct
Red dunes at Sossusvlei, Etosha’s busy waterholes, the Skeleton Coast and Himba culture. Big distances and dramatic landscapes.
Ideal for: Photography, road trips, desert scenery
Eswatini
Best time: All year
A small kingdom of rhino sanctuaries, culture and mountain scenery, easy to add between Kruger and the coast.
Ideal for: Culture, rhinos, short add-ons
Mozambique
Best time: May–Nov
Beach finale after the bush: Vilankulos and the Bazaruto islands, Ponta do Ouro and Maputo city tours.
Ideal for: Beach & bush, honeymoons
Popular Southern Africa safari routes
Kruger + Victoria Falls
Big Five game drives in Kruger, then fly to Victoria Falls for the falls and a Chobe day safari.
Kruger, Victoria Falls & Cape Town
The classic Southern Africa trip: safari, waterfall and city in one journey.
Kruger + Mozambique beach
Five days on safari, five days on the Bazaruto islands.
Namibia explorer
Sossusvlei dunes, Swakopmund and Etosha National Park.
Southern Africa safari packages
Prices in US$ per person sharing. Book online with a deposit, or ask us to adapt any trip.
4-Day Wildlife Safari – Kruger & Panorama Route
From US$1,055.25 pp
4-Day Big Five Chobe Park & Victoria Falls Tour
From US$2,416.05 pp
6-Day Big Five Safari: Chobe & Okavango Delta Adventure
From US$3,852.45 pp
7-Day Budget Kruger, Victoria Falls & Chobe Safari
From US$2,400.00 pp
7-Day Ultimate Namibia Adventure: Dunes, Coast & Safari
From US$4,079.25 pp
10-Day Southern Africa Safari: Kruger, Victoria Falls & Cape Town
From US$2,902.00 pp
10-Day Kruger Big Five Safari & Vilankulos Beach Escape
From US$2,850.00 pp
Southern Africa safari FAQs
Which country is best for a safari in Southern Africa?
For a first safari, South Africa is the easiest: Kruger and the Sabi Sands offer excellent Big Five sightings, good roads and lodges for every budget. Botswana is best for elephants and water safaris, and Namibia for desert landscapes. Many guests combine South Africa with Victoria Falls and Chobe.
When is the best time for a Southern Africa safari?
The dry season, roughly May to October, is best for game viewing because animals gather at water and vegetation is thinner. The green season (November to April) brings baby animals, birdlife and lower prices.
How much does a Southern Africa safari cost?
Our packages start from about US$1,050 per person sharing for a 4-day Kruger safari, around US$2,400–3,000 for 7–10 day multi-country trips, and more for luxury lodges in the Sabi Sands or Okavango Delta. International flights are not included.
How many days do I need?
Allow 3–4 days for a single safari area, and 7–10 days to combine Kruger with Victoria Falls, Chobe, Cape Town or a Mozambique beach.
Can I travel solo or with children?
Yes. Solo travellers can book any package online and the price updates automatically. Children aged 3–11 pay half price; for children under 3, please contact us before booking. Malaria-free Pilanesberg and Madikwe are popular with families.
Can you create a custom Southern Africa itinerary?
Yes. Our tailor-made itinerary service costs US$49, is delivered within 48 hours with two free revisions, and the fee is credited if you book.