Joburg is a lively city, but just beyond the hustle and bustle lie affordable safari getaways with wide-open landscapes, incredible wildlife, and memorable bushveld experiences. Be it budget-friendly game lodges or consumer-conscious bush escapes, these hidden gems offer the perfect opportunity to explore a safari and nature without breaking the bank. So, read on as we explore some of the best affordable safari getaways just outside Joburg, proving that you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy an African safari.
Dinokeng Game Reserve
Dinokeng Game Reserve is the only residential Big 5 game reserve located within the boundaries of a metro city and just half an hour from the city centre.
The Reserve is considered a pioneering model, as it is the only game reserve in Gauteng with free-roaming Big Five animals and visitors may also be able to spot cheetahs, giraffes and brown hyenas. Dinokeng has various self-drive routes for certain types of vehicles, but visitors can also go on guided drives, boat trips and walking safaris.
Also, Dinokeng Game Reserve offers an array of accommodation options to suit every traveller’s needs, with affordable self-catering and tenting options ranging from R1660 per night, depending on the chosen accommodation. For those looking to get up close and personal with the animals, the guided game drive prices in the Dinokeng Game Reserve typically range from R450 per person, with cheaper options for children and pensioners.
When: Daily, from 6am to 6pm
Where: N1 North, Hammanskraal
Website: dinokengreserve.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 012 711 4391
iKhaya LamaDube Game Lodge
Located inside the Dinokeng Game Reserve, iKhaya LamaDube Game Lodge is a self-catering lodge featuring 8 private and fully equipped self-catering units.
Ranging from R1990 per night, each unit features a kitchen and living area, fully equipped for self-catering, as well as a shower, bed and even a private bushveld boma.
As the lodge does not accept guests under the age of 16, this creates an environment for visors to unwind and relax. Dinokeng has over 140km of winding routes of all different terrains, allowing for guests to take full advantage of the self-drive experience. For R250 for a vehicle for one’s entire stay, guests can spot a few animals and come across many bird hides and picnic spots.
When: Monday to Friday, from 8am to 4.30pm
Where: Hartebeestfontein 123JR, Dinokeng Game Reserve, 51, Hammanskraal
Website: ikhayalamadube.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 083 309 4175
Finfoot Lake Reserve
About 90 minutes from Joburg, Finfoot Lake Reserve offers an authentic and affordable bush retreat where guests can meet a diverse landscape rich in wildlife and over 400 recorded bird species.
The accommodation options include chalets, bush chalets, safari tents, and a self-catering villa, with prices starting from as low as R1720 a night.
In addition, guests can enjoy bush walks, game drives, Segway safaris, fishing, kayaking and even birding experiences.
When: Monday to Friday, from 7am to 10pm
Where: Finfoot Lake Reserve, Elands River Game Reserve, R556, Bojating
Website: dreamresorts.co.za/finfoot-lake-reserve/ | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 060 605 5878
26° South – Bush Boho Hotel
26° South ensures each guest experiences ultimate comfort and relaxation. With prices starting from as low as R1315, each room is equipped with air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV with selected satellite channels, and a coffee machine.
The en-suite bathrooms are complete with a shower and bath and a selection of free amenities, as well as a hairdryer.
There’s also a pool, conference room and bar, but for guests seeking more adventures, there are game drives available at various times throughout the day. From R495 per person, each game drive provides a chance to witness Africa’s wildlife in their natural habitat.
When: Check-in time from 2pm to 8pm. Check-out time from 6am to 10am
Where: Beyers Naude Drive Zwartkops, Muldersdrift
Website: 26dsouth.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 010 110 0802
Mela Game Lodge
With rooms going for just over R2000 a night, Mela Game Lodge invites guests to inside the Dinokeng Game Reserve to reconnect with nature, without the long drive or the luxury price tag.
From game drives through the bush going for just over R400 to quad biking and evenings around the fire, the lodge creates experiences that bring people closer to nature and to each other.
When: Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm
Where: Dinokeng Game Reserve, Nyathi Gate, Off Moloto Gate, De Wagendrift, Pretoria
Website: melagamelodge.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 010 026 6464
Abendruhe Lodge
Nestled inside the Dinokeng Reserve and housing self-catering cabins that start from R1660 a night, Abendruhe Lodge is a peaceful bush retreat that offers the perfect place to slow down and reconnect with nature.
Surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bushveld, guests can enjoy comfortable private cabins, self-drive wildlife viewing and guided game drives where they can spot lions, elephants, buffalos, rhinos, leopards, and other species, making every visit a unique bush experience.
When: Monday to Sunday, from 7am to 7pm
Where: Portion 113, Klipdrift JR90, Dinokeng Reserve, Hammanskraal
Website: abendruhe.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 078 738 2194
Glen Afric Country Lodge
Founded in 1986 and just 20 minutes from Pretoria and 40 minutes from Johannesburg, Glen Afric Country Lodge is over 750 hectares of bushveld and woodland where wild animals roam free, hosting a number of predators including lions, tigers, leopards and cheetahs.
In addition to housing over 300 species of birds, Glen Afric Country Lodge offers affordable accommodations, most notably their Stable Block Rooms, which are each designed for a restful and relaxing stay. With rates starting at R1450 per night, including breakfast for two, each room is en-suite, with a variety of bedding options, including king-sized, double, or twin beds, ensuring comfort for every guest.
While the small kitchen amenities do not allow for self-catering, guests can indulge in delicious meals at the main lodge’s restaurant.
As for the safari experience, the lodge goes further than just offering game drives, as guests can also get up close and personal with some of the animals. This includes meeting the family of elephants while they feed in their natural habitat while guests take photos with them and observing predators, which include lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas.
When: Monday to Sunday, from 7.30am to 8pm
Where: 144 R512 Broederstroom, Hartbeespoort
Website: glenafric.co.za | Email: [email protected]/[email protected] (cc both) | Tel: 082 781 2579
