Top South Africa Budget Game Drive Trips & Packages 2025/2026

Our 65 most popular South Africa Budget Game Drive Trips & Packages trips. Compare tour itineraries from 32 tour companies. 10 reviews.

65 Trips match your criteria (1 - 22 shown)

South Africa Adventure Safari
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5/5 Excellent
81 reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
They’ve been recognized by major travel publications for their pioneering adventure travel expertise that spans back to their founding in 1979.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Experience the view of Table Mountain and the Robben Island in the center of excitement in Cape Town’s harbor
  • Visit the beaches at Camps Bay and Clifton and then cross to Hout Bay for a boat cruise that takes you to Seal Island
  • Visit Stellenbosch, a wine producing region
  • Visit Franschhoek Town
  • Explore Timbavati which is popular as the birthplace of the famous African white lions

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Safari, Family Friendly, 50 Plus, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"I have travelled with ROW numerous times, including four trips on the Rogue River. Every trip has been wonderful and every person associated with ROW has been nice, knowledgeable, professional and fun. The Rogue is a great river and the trip is an excellent one for two people or a large group—and I have done both. I’ve taken both of my kids, one time each, and have organized groups of colleagues twice; most recently in 2019 when 14 of us gathered. The guides at ROW are great and help to make the trip very enjoyable. The scenery, lodging and the wonderful outdoors including warm air and refreshing water, make for a wonderful escape from the everyday routine. The fact that this trip offers beds and indoor plumbing is a nice benefit and allows those who have an aversion to camping a chance to see the wilderness. I have recommended ROW and the Rogue trip more times than I can count and my group has already reserved our trip for 2021. What are you waiting for?"

Trip dates & details
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Zanzibar to Cape Town
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5/5 Excellent
42 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Chobe National Park, Botswana: The third largest national park of Botswana by area, Chobe National Park is by no means one to overlook. Having one of the largest concentrations of game in Africa, there is bound to be something to look at around every corner, and is best known for its large population of elephants.
  • Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Located in southern Tanzania on the coast of the Indian Ocean, Dar es Salaam is a bustling, chaotic place, filled with life and color. It is the largest city of Tanzania, and is the countries richest city and an important economic centre.
  • Elephant Sands, Nata, Botswana: Elephant Sands is a unique campsite situated on an unfenced 16000 ha private conservancy bordering Botswana's reserves and game parks. Enjoy viewing the elephants at their natural waterhole right in front of the lodge.
  • Etosha National Park, Namibia: Etosha National Park is dominated by the Etosha Pan roughly 130km Long and 50km wide. Declared a national park in 1907 and covering an aera of 22,270 square kilometres and is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species and 16 amphibian species.
  • Fish River Canyon, Namibia: The Fish River Canyon is located in southern Namibia, and is the second largest canyon in the world (and the deepest in Africa). It is the second busiest tourist attraction in Namibia. The canyon is approximately 160 km long, up to 27 km wide, and 550m deep.
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Safari, National Parks, Overland Journeys

What travelers are saying

"Went on 14 day Gorilla overland trek Kenya and Uganda. It was amazing, wild life was top priority for the trip. Pete and Francis, our tour guide and driver were absolutely amazing individuals. They were personable, food was excellent and campsites had everything you need"

Trip dates & details
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Southern Africa Safari Experience
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1/5 Terrible
30 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Meet with an expert on National Geographic’s Okavango Wilderness Project to learn about ongoing conservation projects in the delta.
  • Enjoy dinner at a family homestead in Zimbabwe, and hear from local storytellers in Botswana.
  • Go on safari with a researcher from the Cheetah Metapopulation Project, part of National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Safari

What travelers are saying

"We booked a National Geographic expedition Holland and Belgium by River. The promotional literature promised a 14-day deposit refund window. The “invoice” was marked “non-refundable” deposit. We completed the National Geographic Traveler Information. About 8 days later we received the “Travel Agreement” to be signed. We both approved and signed the National Geographic documents. A Cruise Line Travel agreement was enclosed but had no signature line. This document contained language which was unacceptable. We submitted the signed NatGeo documents. The following day we canceled the trip due to the unacceptable Cruise Line language. Cancellation was made 12 days after booking and no deposit was returned. We were told on the phone that the refund deadline was triggered by the 14 day window OR signatures on the Travel Agreement which ever came first. This was NEW information. To date, we have received NO refund of our $1000. We cancelled our trip within the advertised 14 day window."

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African Insight (Northbound)
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4.8/5 Excellent
42 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Matobo or Matopos National Park, Zimbabwe: The Matobo National Park lies in the Matobo Hills, which are a 200 million year old range of granite domes, spires and unique smoothly-rounded balancing boulders created by years of erosion. The 424 sq km park is the burial ground for colonial imperialist Cecil Rhodes and his peaceful grave can be visited on the top of one of these outcrops of rock. It is also home to a diversity of wildlife, and has one of the largest densities of leopard in Africa, and considerable populations of both the black and white rhinoceros. The highlight here is a game walk to possibly get close to rhino on foot.
  • Kruger National Park, South Africa: Spanning 18,989 square kilometers, the Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa, and is the premier game reserve of South Africa. Home to the Big Five, there are 147 mammalian species, as well as 517 bird species and 114 species of reptile.
  • Matobo or Matopos National Park, Zimbabwe
  • The Matobo National Park lies in the Matobo Hills, which are a 200 million year old range of granite domes, spires and unique smoothly-rounded balancing boulders created by years of erosion. The 424 sq km park is the burial ground for colonial imperialist Cecil Rhodes and his peaceful grave can be visited on the top of one of these outcrops of rock. It is also home to a diversity of wildlife, and has one of the largest densities of leopard in Africa, and considerable populations of both the black and white rhinoceros. The highlight here is a game walk to possibly get close to rhino on foot.
  • Victoria Falls National Park: Victoria Falls or Mosi Oa Tunya, the smoke that thunders sits on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe where the Zambezi river drops 108 metres into the gorge. Victoria Falls, named after Queen Victoria are also known by their local name Mosi Oa Tunya, which literally translated means 'The Smoke that Thunders' referring to the coloumn of spray from the waterfall that can be seen from miles around. Victoria Falls is undoubtedly Southern Africa's adventure playground and some of the activities on offer are:
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Safari, National Parks, Overland Journeys

What travelers are saying

"Went on 14 day Gorilla overland trek Kenya and Uganda. It was amazing, wild life was top priority for the trip. Pete and Francis, our tour guide and driver were absolutely amazing individuals. They were personable, food was excellent and campsites had everything you need"

Trip dates & details
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Mozambique & Zimbabwe Explorer (Northbound)
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4.8/5 Excellent
42 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Visit Great Zimbabwe National Monument, Zimbabwe
  • Explore Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
  • Visit Kruger National Park, South Africa
  • Matobo or Matopos National Park, Zimbabwe
  • Visit Tofo, Inhambane, Mozambique
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Safari, National Parks, Overland Journeys

What travelers are saying

"Went on 14 day Gorilla overland trek Kenya and Uganda. It was amazing, wild life was top priority for the trip. Pete and Francis, our tour guide and driver were absolutely amazing individuals. They were personable, food was excellent and campsites had everything you need"

Trip dates & details
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Mozambique & Zimbabwe Explorer (Southbound)
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4.8/5 Excellent
42 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • See the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, Zimbabwe
  • Visit to awesome Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
  • Visit Matobo or Matopos National Park, Zimbabwe
  • Visit fascinating Kruger National Park, South Africa
  • Tofo, Inhambane, Mozambique
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Safari, National Parks, Overland Journeys

What travelers are saying

"Went on 14 day Gorilla overland trek Kenya and Uganda. It was amazing, wild life was top priority for the trip. Pete and Francis, our tour guide and driver were absolutely amazing individuals. They were personable, food was excellent and campsites had everything you need"

Trip dates & details
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East African Explorer (29 days)
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4.8/5 Excellent
42 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Located in southern Tanzania on the coast of the Indian Ocean, Dar es Salaam is a bustling, chaotic place, filled with life and color. It is the largest city of Tanzania, and is the countries richest city and an important economic centre.
  • Great Rift Valley: The Great Rift Valley is the name given to the geographic trench, approximately 6000 kilometers in length, which runs from Syria to Mozambique. The Rift Valley has been a rich source of fossils
  • Matobo or Matopos National Park, Zimbabwe: The Matobo National Park lies in the Matobo Hills, which are a 200 million year old range of granite domes, spires and unique smoothly-rounded balancing boulders created by years of erosion. The 424 sq km park is the burial ground for colonial imperialist Cecil Rhodes and his peaceful grave can be visited on the top of one of these outcrops of rock. It is also home to a diversity of wildlife, and has one of the largest densities of leopard in Africa, and considerable populations of both the black and white rhinoceros. The highlight here is a game walk to possibly get close to rhino on foot.
  • Kruger National Park, South Africa: Spanning 18,989 square kilometers, the Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa, and is the premier game reserve of South Africa. Home to the Big Five, there are 147 mammalian species, as well as 517 bird species and 114 species of reptile.
  • Lake Malawi, Malawi: Lake Malawi is one of the great African lakes, and is the south-most lake in the Great Rift Valley. The third largest lake in Africa, Lake Malawi is positioned between Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique. It is the second deepest lake in Africa, and has reportedly the most species of fish on Earth.
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Safari, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"Went on 14 day Gorilla overland trek Kenya and Uganda. It was amazing, wild life was top priority for the trip. Pete and Francis, our tour guide and driver were absolutely amazing individuals. They were personable, food was excellent and campsites had everything you need"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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Highlights of South Africa
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5/5 Excellent
35 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Explore Cape Town
  • Explore Kruger National Park
  • Embark on a full-day Intimate African Safari game drive
  • Get an opportunity to visit George, Drostdy Museum and Stellenbosch
  • Visit the fascinating Apartheid Museum, where the history of nearly 50 years of unequal rights
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Safari, 50 Plus, National Parks, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. If you are on a slim budget try the " last minute" opportunities. We got an incredible deal on a river cruise two months out."

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South Africa Budget Game Drive Trips & Packages Reviews

H

Holly A-H

Oct 2015

Written on

Had a good time!

Just come back from my amazing 34 day Zanzibar to Cape Town trip. It flew past - I had such a good time. Sam and Julius, my trip leader and driver, were awesome, rea...

A

Angie

Jan 2022

Written on

DO NOT BOOK WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC - LOST MY TRIP MONEY

I booked a trip to South Africa with National Geographic... what I thought was a reputable company. A couple weeks before I was supposed to go, they canceled the tou...

J

Jacob

Feb 2018

Written on

Truly and in-depth experience of South Africa

This tour definitely gave us an in-depth experience of South Africa because it had everything that you could ever want from in a visit to South Africa. First, ther...

J

Jacob

Feb 2018

Written on

Truly and in-depth experience of South Africa

This tour definitely gave us an in-depth experience of South Africa because it had everything that you could ever want from in a visit to South Africa. First, ther...

P

Phyllis

Sep 2018

Written on

A trip you must take.

A trip you must take. Game drives in private reserves away from the numerous jeeps filled with tourists you'll find on many other safaris. The guides are so knowledg...

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