Which local South African safari operators would you recommend for a private safari?

These are the safari operators with a head office in South Africa that run their own trips, read from their own websites: where each is based, how it runs trips, its parks, its prices and its reviews.

Which local South African safari operators would you recommend for a private safari?

It depends on the trip you want. The 33 operators below are based in South Africa and run their own trips; MoAfrika Tours, Jenman African Safaris and Wild Planet Safari are among them. Each card shows how it runs trips, its parks and its published price where it gives one.

What do they charge?

4 of the 33 operators on this page publish a price with its currency; for the others, nothing on their websites as read can be shown here.

• Mmilo Tours: Day tours are priced for 1 or 2 adults, for example Cape Town Peninsula full day ZAR6231.00 for 1 adult.
• MoAfrika Tours: Ultimate Pilanesberg Open Vehicle Day Tour ZAR 2,995.
• Ukhozi Tours: Mpumalanga Scenic add-on is R4520 pppd (one person), R3620 pppd (two), R3275 pppd (3-4).
• Wildlife Safaris: Six published trips (ZAR, 2026 / 2027 rate): Classic Kruger 3 or 4 days 17 500 / 19 300.

How do they run their trips?

25 of the 33 operators on this page say how they run trips (private, scheduled or overland); for the others, nothing on their websites as read can be shown here.

• Africa Moja Tours and Safaris: Private tours (Johannesburg Private Day Tour, Cape Town Private Day Tours, Private Guided Safaris) and 'Small Group Tours Africa' are offered, plus overland tours/trips.
• Afroventures Tours & Safaris: Private tours are sold.
• Armadillo Overland Safaris: Small group safaris (mixed groups, maximum 8 guests), family safaris (minimum 6 guests) and private safaris (minimum 4 adults).
• Big Six Tour Safaris: Private tours and small-group/shared options; scheduled group departures with 2026/27 dates for the 6-day Mozambique-Eswatini-Lesotho tour (minimum 2 guests)
• Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours: Guided convoy tours with a minimum of 3 vehicles (quotes for fewer), maximum 5 vehicles with 4 people per vehicle; dates are chosen on the Calendar and Bookings page.
• CNP Safaris: Mainly scheduled small-group photographic departures with set dates (maximum 7 guests on Chobe; 6 to 8 on Okavango; 3 photography seats in the Etosha vehicle) plus private curated safaris.
• Endless Summer Tours: Specialises in private tours and shared small group tours.
• EuroZulu Guided Tours & Safaris: Day safaris depart daily from St Lucia accommodation with up to 9 per vehicle (shared)
• Ingwe Africa Safaris: Private tours are offered (the Kruger day tour has a 'Can I book a private tour?' question; honeymoon packages are private for 2).
• Jenman African Safaris: Private tours and set-date guided group departures.
• Kurt Safari: Shared scheduled departures: small-group packages leave Johannesburg Monday and Wednesday to Saturday, max 10 per vehicle, minimum 2 people to run.
• Legend Safaris: Private safaris and privately guided photographic, family or corporate safaris are offered, plus scheduled departures with set dates and group sizes (for example Mashatu max 12 guests across 2 vehicles; Maasai Mara max 6; Big Cat Safari max 6).
• Mmilo Tours: Shared drives with other lodge guests are included in some packages (shared 3-hour drives on the budget Pilanesberg safari).
• MoAfrika Tours: Private trips are offered (private Kruger safaris, private Pilanesberg and Cape Town tours, private Garden Route tours).
• Moriti Private Safaris: Private departures only: one guide and one vehicle, on your own dates, not a fixed departure.
• Red Africa Safaris: Tours are private ('Our Tours are Private meaning that your accommodation, transfers and certain routes are done privately'), though other guests may join some activities such as open vehicle game drives and bushwalks.
• Senior Safaris: Runs small group tours for over-55s on a published 2026 tour schedule.
• Shinzelle Safaris: Shared tours: vehicles carry up to 9, rarely more than 6, with no set departure dates; guests share only if another booking has the exact same dates and tour.
• Siya Phambile Expeditions: Private exclusive use costs a surcharge.
• Sunway Safaris: Scheduled small-group departures (max 12), many marked guaranteed, in English and German, with dates through 2027.
• Ukhozi Tours: All tours are private and bespoke.
• Viva Safaris: Guaranteed daily departures.
• Wild Eye: All three: scheduled photographic safaris (groups of 4 to 6 guests, for example Lower Zambezi 4, Mana Pools 5, Masai Mara 6, Pantanal 6), scheduled small-group journeys limited to 6 travellers and private guided safaris.
• Wild Photo Africa: Private safaris (whole vehicle for your group, up to 10 guests) and shared day trips (shared vehicle with other guests, multiple pick-ups).
• Wild Planet Safari: The 4 Day Kruger and Panorama Tour is 'a private tour', departure date chosen by the guest (max 20, min 2 guests).

What do they say about children?

18 of the 33 operators on this page publish a child or family policy; for the others, nothing on their websites as read can be shown here.

• Africa Moja Tours and Safaris: Offers Family Safari Holidays and family-friendly packages.
• African Sightings Adventure Tours & Safaris: Child rate: children under 12 pay R1950 (morning and afternoon), R2650 (full day) and R4500 (Addo and Schotia), against adult rates.
• Armadillo Overland Safaris: Children accepted from 2 years; 10% discount for a family safari of 6 or more guests; children's books, games and activities, mattresses and pillows for naps and a flushing toilet on board.
• Big Six Tour Safaris: Children welcome on selected tours, subject to accommodation policies and safari rules; parents must disclose each child's age before booking; age restrictions may apply for open vehicles and bush walks.
• Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris: Children over 4 are welcome on open vehicle safaris; families with children under 4 can book a private safari or a closed air-conditioned vehicle.
• EuroZulu Guided Tours & Safaris: Children of all ages are welcome; for babies guests must bring their own car seat and all vehicles have seat belts.
• Ingwe Africa Safaris: Family trips are offered: Family Kruger & Victoria Falls (8 days) with junior ranger bush programmes, child-safe malaria-free options and family suites and a Kruger Family Safari day tour with Junior Ranger activity packs.
• Jenman African Safaris: Terms: indemnity forms must be completed by a parent or guardian aged 21 or over for children aged 12 to 18 on scheduled tours.
• Khalanga Safaris: All children may join private Kruger tours; tours can be adapted with longer breaks and play time; children under 12 are restricted from certain park activities such as bush walks.
• Kurt Safari: Children 11 years and below sharing with parents get 50% off package rates; under 12s have discounted safari rates and half-price conservation fees.
• Legend Safaris: Child rates on day trips: Hazyview full day R 1 750 per adult and R 900 per child under 12 (1 Nov 2026 to 31 Oct 2027)
• Mmilo Tours: Pilanesberg 2026: children aged 12 and younger sharing with adults ZAR768.00 per child; aged 13-17 ZAR1875.00.
• MoAfrika Tours: Terms: a children's rate is available on request; children 6 and under are not permitted on open safari vehicles for game drives and the minimum age for a guided bush walk is 16, following FGASA recommendations.
• Red Africa Safaris: Children below 6 years are not permitted on open vehicle game drives; children below 12 are not allowed on any bushwalks.
• Safarilink SA: Kruger tours 'suitable for families with children, although it’s worth checking age restrictions'; shorter half-day tours suggested for young children.
• Siya Phambile Expeditions: Families are welcomed ('for all ages'; families named alongside schools and groups) and a Lion & Safari Park day option is aimed at children.
• Sunway Safaris: Minimum age 12 (occasional exceptions); ages 12-17 accepted only with an accompanying adult on scheduled tours; parents must supervise children, some campsites are unfenced.
• Viva Safaris: Child rate (under 12) published on each package (for example 4 Day Tremisana/Masango 2026 R7795).

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 2 November 2026 · updated 2 November 2026