Which local safari operators in southern Africa have the best reviews from past guests?

Local operators based in the five countries of southern Africa, ranked by one figure worked out from their published ratings on Google and SafariBookings, weighted by the number of reviews.

Which local safari operators in southern Africa have the best reviews from past guests?

Wildlife Safaris ranks first of the 74 operators below, with 5.00 out of 5 from 337 reviews on SafariBookings; 17 operators with 50 or more reviews share that average; a tie goes to the one with more reviews. The rank is arithmetic on published ratings, not a judgement of the trips.

1. Wildlife Safaris: 5.00 out of 5 from 337 reviews on SafariBookings
2. Natureways Safaris: 5.00 out of 5 from 180 reviews on SafariBookings
3. Red Africa Safaris: 5.00 out of 5 from 140 reviews on SafariBookings

What do they charge?

12 of the 74 operators on this page publish a price with its currency; for the others, nothing on their websites as read can be shown here.

• Wildlife Safaris: Six published trips (ZAR, 2026 / 2027 rate): Classic Kruger 3 or 4 days 17 500 / 19 300.
• 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.
• Tony Mobile Safari: Nine trips with 'starting at' prices in USD: 3 day Chobe National Park 968; 4 day Savuti>Chobe 1595; 5 day Kasane to Maun 2563; 6 day Kasane to Maun 2618; 7 day Kasane to Maun 3278; 8 day Kasane to Maun 3500; 9 day Kasane>Maun>Makgadikgadi 3938; 10 day Kasane to Maun 4538; 15 day Chobe>Savuti>Mababe>Moremi>Kwai>Maun 5148.
• Blue Crane Safaris: Namibia Grand Highlights Expedition, 15 days, N$120,250 (N$143,500)
• Kurt Safari: Victoria Falls 4 day packages from US$1 069 to US$1 631.
• Namvic Safaris: Published trips: 12 Day Explore Namibia (guided lodge) from N$75,500 per person guide; 9 Day Namibia Snapshot (guided lodge) from N$32,551 per person sharing from 4 guests; 18 Day Highlights (self-drive) from N$40,600 per person guide; 11 Day Explore Namibia (camping self-drive) from N$17,450 per person sharing from 4 guests (N$69,800 for 4 guests); 10 Day Namibian Explorer (self-drive lodge) from N$131,728 per vehicle for 4 guests; 21 Day Namibia, Botswana & Vic Falls from N$55,625 per person guide; 21 Day Namibia Wild Tracks from N$99,839 for 2 guests.
• Ukhozi Tours: Mpumalanga Scenic add-on is R4520 pppd (one person), R3620 pppd (two), R3275 pppd (3-4).
• Unfold Africa Safaris: Moremi photographic from USD 700 per day; self-drive from USD 650 per night.
• Penduka Safaris: 2026 rates per person sharing, USD: 5 Day Luxury Delta (5 days, low and high USD 4 300); 5 Day Moremi (low USD 3 000, high USD 3 500); 7 Day Central Kalahari (low USD 4 450, high USD 4 900); 9 Day Classic (low USD 4 980, high USD 5 775); 11 Day Transfrontier Kalahari (low USD 7 200, high USD 7 700); 13 Day Botswana Explorer (low USD 6 650, high USD 7 650); 15 Day Circular (USD 8 950); 16 Day Namibian (USD 8 000, private on request); 20 Day combined (USD 10 850, private on request); combined 7 day Kalahari and 9 day Classic, 16 days (low USD 8 500, high USD 9 650).
• Bundu Adventures: Published trips (EUR per person sharing, from): Liuwa Camping Safari 14 days from € 3.580.
• Brave Africa Safaris: Taste of Botswana: 3 nights, from USD 1,935 per person.

How do they run their trips?

55 of the 74 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.

• Natureways Safaris: Scheduled safaris can be joined via the safari calendar and new departures can be opened for a minimum of 2 people.
• 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.
• Savannah Adventures: Private and small-group safaris (2-9 guests) in open 4x4 vehicles.
• Moriti Private Safaris: Private departures only: one guide and one vehicle, on your own dates, not a fixed departure.
• Moonlight Safaris: Private game drive is offered (US$90.00).
• 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).
• Endless Summer Tours: Specialises in private tours and shared small group tours.
• Siya Phambile Expeditions: Private exclusive use costs a surcharge.
• Armadillo Overland Safaris: Small group safaris (mixed groups, maximum 8 guests), family safaris (minimum 6 guests) and private safaris (minimum 4 adults).
• Desert Africa Safaris: Private, tailor-made trips.
• Wild For Game Safaris: Private mobile safaris.
• Early Kingfisher Safari: Personalised trips for solo travellers, couples, families or small groups; guests help design their own itinerary.
• Inzila Mobile Safaris: Each safari has a maximum of 6 people; an exclusive (private) safari is available on request.
• Nature Travel Namibia: Private guided safaris and group guided set-departure safaris with fixed itinerary and date; groups kept to 6 people or less.
• Cuckoo Safaris: Private tours and small-group safaris are both offered; the 6-day trip is labelled 'Small Group'.
• 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).
• African Fairytale Tours: Private trips can be arranged; some are shared.
• Mmilo Tours: Shared drives with other lodge guests are included in some packages (shared 3-hour drives on the budget Pilanesberg safari).
• Travel Creations Botswana: Private safaris, exclusive to the guest, their travel partners and family.
• EuroZulu Guided Tours & Safaris: Day safaris depart daily from St Lucia accommodation with up to 9 per vehicle (shared)
• Afroventures Tours & Safaris: Private tours are sold.
• Dunas Safari: Private and small-group guided safaris are offered.
• Discovery Transfer and Tours: Offers private guided safaris and Namibia Group Tours, plus tailor-made trips.
• Yavola Tours and Transfer: Private and small-group safari experiences offered.
• MoAfrika Tours: Private trips are offered (private Kruger safaris, private Pilanesberg and Cape Town tours, private Garden Route tours).
• Viva Safaris: Guaranteed daily departures.
• 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.
• Chameleon Safaris: Scheduled small-group departures on fixed days with no minimum number of people, group size normally a maximum of 10; private guided safaris on your own dates; overland truck for 12 to 20 for large private groups.
• Blue Crane Safaris: Private bespoke guided trips are sold, plus scheduled guided group departures with fixed dates (for example Namibia Desert, Coast & Etosha Explorer departs 09 and 16 Nov 2026 and on set dates in 2027) with 2 to 6 guests per vehicle.
• Moonstroll Safaris: Private and small group safaris plus tours with set departure dates.
• Kurt Safari: Shared scheduled departures: small-group packages leave Johannesburg Monday and Wednesday to Saturday, max 10 per vehicle, minimum 2 people to run.
• Kalahari Tours: Private trips are possible (children under 12 only on private bookings).
• Jenman African Safaris: Private tours and set-date guided group departures.
• Mosu Safari Tours: Private trips (the Private Safari, minimum 2 pax) and small-group safaris of a maximum of 8 people.
• Sunway Safaris: Scheduled small-group departures (max 12), many marked guaranteed, in English and German, with dates through 2027.
• 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.
• Wild Horizons: Private options: bespoke private game drives, river safaris and Falls tours for up to 7 guests (US$405 each).
• PEA Tours and Safaris: Private, customised journeys are the focus ('private, customized' and 'Private Guided').
• Mana Pools Tourism Services: Private custom trips ('All routes are Custom')
• Reflect Africa Expedition: Most journeys are private; also 'Fully private or small‑group departures' and 'Small Group Journeys' as shared departures.
• Nalange Mobile Safaris: Private and small-group safaris are offered.
• Africa Homeland Mobile Safaris: Mobile camping safaris priced per person with a minimum of 4 people; set itineraries of 4 to 10 days.
• 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.
• Meine Namibia Safaris: Private guided safaris and a set-itinerary small group tour for a maximum of 7 guests; guided off-road convoy tours with a 4-participant minimum.
• Ukhozi Tours: All tours are private and bespoke.
• Unfold Africa Safaris: Private small-party trips: 'Your own vehicle and guide'.
• Embrace Safaris: Guests have the entire camp to themselves and a private guide; minimum 4 pax and maximum 9 pax.
• Great Guide Safaris: Private trips are available and shared safaris with other guests depending on availability.
• Roger Dugmore Safaris: Private safaris only: each group has a private camp with no other guests.
• River Horse Safaris: Private trips are confirmed on minimum payment of six guests.
• Bundu Adventures: Private and bespoke trips with individual departures; fixed dates for the walking safari (14.07, 17.08 and 20.10, 2027).
• Brave Africa Safaris: Private trips: private vehicle for families with kids under 12, private car or whole camp available on request.
• SWA Safaris: Offers family and group tours and tailor-made guided tours.
• 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).
• Bush Baby Calls: Private-style group trips priced by group size (2, 4, 6 or 8 pax).

What do they say about children?

32 of the 74 operators on this page publish a child or family policy; for the others, nothing on their websites as read can be shown here.

• Natureways Safaris: Child policy: children under 14 are not recommended on canoe safaris for safety reasons and are not accepted with mixed groups; they are welcome if the trip is private or with other families.
• Red Africa Safaris: Children below 6 years are not permitted on open vehicle game drives; children below 12 are not allowed on any bushwalks.
• 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.
• 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)
• 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.
• 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.
• Exec Africa Travel and Tours: Minimum age varies by tour: some tours 'suitable for children of all ages' (min age 0+), others minimum age 3.
• African Fairytale Tours: Child rate on the Hwange budget trip: from $400 per child against $780 per adult (US dollars).
• Mmilo Tours: Pilanesberg 2026: children aged 12 and younger sharing with adults ZAR768.00 per child; aged 13-17 ZAR1875.00.
• Travel Creations Botswana: Family safaris are offered on several trip pages.
• Safarilink SA: Kruger tours 'suitable for families with children, although it’s worth checking age restrictions'; shorter half-day tours suggested for young children.
• 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.
• 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.
• Viva Safaris: Child rate (under 12) published on each package (for example 4 Day Tremisana/Masango 2026 R7795).
• Africa Moja Tours and Safaris: Offers Family Safari Holidays and family-friendly packages.
• Chameleon Safaris: Minimum ages vary by tour, usually 5 or 12 years.
• Blue Crane Safaris: The Ultimate Namibia Family Camping Adventure is for families with children, minimum age 5 years; children 5 to 11 pay 50% of the adult rate (N$31,975 Green Season baseline, N$33,900 Peak).
• 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.
• 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.
• Mosu Safari Tours: A 10-day Family Luxury Safari (6 pax maximum, non-participatory camping and lodging) is sold.
• 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.
• Wild Horizons: Old Drift Lodge welcomes children over 7; ages 7 to 16 pay 50% of the adult sharing price; family suites sleep up to 4; under 16 not permitted on walking safaris.
• Reflect Africa Expedition: Family safaris offered: 'family-friendly and can be customized to accommodate children of all ages'; kid-friendly activities and shorter drives.
• Khangela Safaris: Multi-generational families welcome; family units with children under 16 preferred on their own exclusive trip.
• Great Guide Safaris: Children should ideally be 12 years and older to join; age and ability are considered when confirming bookings.
• Roger Dugmore Safaris: Children between 6-12 years are welcome at a rate of 25% less.
• River Horse Safaris: Generally 15 years is the minimum age; exceptions for 12-14 year olds on a private trip accompanied by parents and a support boat carrying provisions and younger children can be provided on request.
• Brave Africa Safaris: Children aged 7 and over accepted; four-person family tent; kids menu; private vehicle for families with kids under 12.
• 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.
• 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.

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