These South African operators name a budget or mid-range level among the trips they run, on their own websites; each card quotes it.
Which safari companies in South Africa offer budget and mid-range safaris?
The 9 operators below each name a budget or mid-range level among the trips they run, quoted on their cards with their published price where they give one.
In short. The three operators on this page with the most reviews on Google and SafariBookings, each with its own line:
Viva Safaris: Range from budget tent and treehouse options (Marc's Treehouse Lodge, Masango Camp 'extremely popular with budget-conscious travellers'), to Tremisana Lodge ('relatively upmarket'), Katekani 4 star tented lodge and 5 star luxury lodge safaris.
Africa Moja Tours and Safaris: Budget African Safaris, mid-range options and Luxury African Safaris.
Wild Planet Safari: It runs 'mid range and budget' safaris.
Who is on this page and why. The Uncompromised Travel local safari operators table holds 245 companies with a head office in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia or Zimbabwe: the ones ChatGPT named on two or more days between 5 October and 1 November 2026 in answers to the safari questions Uncompromised Travel asks every day and the operators in those countries with 20 or more reviews on SafariBookings. Their websites were read on 2 November 2026, with their reviews on SafariBookings, Google and Trustpilot. This page carries the operators in it for which a line from its own website, as read, can be quoted showing that it is based in South Africa and names a budget or mid-range level among the trips it runs: 9 operators. Where a website does not give its office, the office on its SafariBookings profile is used. Companies whose websites describe them as planners, agents or destination management companies, or do not say whether they run their own trips, are left out. Cards are in alphabetical order. Prices are shown as each company published them, in its own currency, never converted. No company paid to be on this page.
Budget African Safaris, mid-range options and Luxury African Safaris.
Based in
Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa (154 Coleraine Dr, Morningside, Sandton, 2057).
How it runs trips
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.
Reviews
SafariBookings: 4.9 out of 5 from 268 reviews; Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 145 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
Three tiers: Camping (Glamping) Safaris, Budget Accommodation Safaris (2/3 star huts, safari tents, bungalows) and Mid-Range Accommodation Safaris (3/4 star guest cottages and rondawels).
How it runs trips
Small group safaris (mixed groups, maximum 8 guests), family safaris (minimum 6 guests) and private safaris (minimum 4 adults).
Reviews
SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 71 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
Tours are labelled Camping, Wild Camping, Mid Range/Semi Luxury (cabins, chalets) and Budget on the region pages.
Based in
Pretoria, South Africa.
How it runs trips
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.
Reviews
SafariBookings: 5 out of 5 from 20 reviews; Google: 5 out of 5 from 8 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
Private tours and set-date guided group departures
Comfort levels
Accommodation from camping (3-person dome tents shared by 2) to bungalows, lodges, hotels and tented camps; guided groups use mid-range lodges and guesthouses.
Based in
Head office in Cape Town, South Africa (95 Garfield Road, Claremont).
How it runs trips
Private tours and set-date guided group departures.
Reviews
SafariBookings: 4.9 out of 5 from 23 reviews; Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 96 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.3 out of 5 from 1 review, read 2 November 2026.
Mid-range lodges (Gecko Lodge, Hippo Hollow, Perry's Bridge Hollow, African Rock Lodge, Khaya Ndlovu Safari Manor) and luxury 5-star lodges (Umkumbe, Idube, Dulini, Mohlabetsi, Safari Moon Luxury Bush Lodge).
Based in
Based at Blyde Wildlife Estate, Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa.
How it runs trips
Private options: private vehicle hire (R 4 500.00 per vehicle) and 'Private Safari Experience' packages with a dedicated guide and private open vehicle; groups up to 30 can be accommodated with extra vehicles.
Reviews
SafariBookings: 4.6 out of 5 from 87 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
Range from budget tent and treehouse options (Marc's Treehouse Lodge, Masango Camp 'extremely popular with budget-conscious travellers'), to Tremisana Lodge ('relatively upmarket'), Katekani 4 star tented lodge and 5 star luxury lodge safaris.
Based in
Based at Balule Nature Reserve, Hoedspruit, South Africa.
How it runs trips
Guaranteed daily departures.
Reviews
SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 368 reviews; Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 195 reviews; Trustpilot: 4 out of 5 from 3 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
Private photographic safaris in open vehicles with beanbags
Comfort levels
Shared budget-friendly day trips; private day and overnight safaris; and luxury lodge photographic safaris with 'hand-picked 4-5-star lodge accommodation'.
How it runs trips
Private safaris (whole vehicle for your group, up to 10 guests) and shared day trips (shared vehicle with other guests, multiple pick-ups).
Reviews
Google: 5 out of 5 from 95 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
All 9 operators on this page say how they run trips (private, scheduled or overland).
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.
Armadillo Overland Safaris: Small group safaris (mixed groups, maximum 8 guests), family safaris (minimum 6 guests) and private safaris (minimum 4 adults).
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.
Jenman African Safaris: Private tours and set-date guided group departures.
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.
Ukhozi Tours: All tours are private and bespoke.
Viva Safaris: Guaranteed daily departures.
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?
4 of the 9 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.
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.
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.
Viva Safaris: Child rate (under 12) published on each package (for example 4 Day Tremisana/Masango 2026 R7795).
South Africa budget and mid-range safari companies: the questions people ask
Which publish a price per person per day or night?
1 of the 9 does: Ukhozi Tours. Each one's own website gives the figure, quoted under What do they charge.
Which run private trips on your own dates?
7 of the 9 do: Africa Moja Tours and Safaris, Armadillo Overland Safaris, Jenman African Safaris, Shinzelle Safaris, Ukhozi Tours, Wild Photo Africa and Wild Planet Safari. Each one's own website says so.
Which run scheduled departures you can join?
2 of the 9 do: Jenman African Safaris and Wild Photo Africa. Each one's own website says so.
Which run overland trips?
1 of the 9 does: Africa Moja Tours and Safaris. Each one's own website says so.
Which help with self-drive trips?
2 of the 9 do: Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours and Jenman African Safaris. Each one's own website says so.
Which run mobile camping safaris?
1 of the 9 does: Jenman African Safaris. Each one's own website says so.
Which use vehicles of their own?
2 of the 9 do: Jenman African Safaris and Wild Photo Africa. Each one's own website says so.
Which have guest reviews on SafariBookings, Google or Trustpilot?
All 9 do. Each platform's rating and count are on the card, never added together.
Can I book these trips through Uncompromised Travel?
No. Uncompromised Travel is a publication and does not sell safaris. Each card has the company's own enquiry link.
How were these operators chosen?
Each one is an operator in the Uncompromised Travel local safari operators table whose own website shows that it is based in South Africa and names a budget or mid-range level among the trips it runs. A company is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.
How current are these facts?
Each company's website was read on 2 November 2026. Prices, departures and reviews change, so confirm them with the operator before you book.
Is any company on this page paying to be here?
No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be listed.
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: facts each operator published on its own website, read on 2 November 2026, with reviews per platform (SafariBookings, Google and Trustpilot), from the Uncompromised Travel local safari operators table. Operators whose websites would not open are not on this page. Cards are in alphabetical order. No company paid to appear or for its place. Prices are in the currency each company showed and were not converted. How this site earns · How we work.
Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 2 November 2026 · updated 2 November 2026
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