If you’re visiting South Africa, you almost have to see some wild animals. Catching a glimpse of lions, leopards, water buffalo and rhinos at the zoo is one thing, but catching a glimpse of them because they’re a stone’s throw away from your car is another thing entirely. From Johannesburg, there are two main opportunities to go on a safari: Kruger National Park and the Pilanesberg Nature Preserve. Both are rewarding and fascinating excursions into the African bush, guaranteed to give you an unforgettable experience.

A safari in the Kruger National Park is a three-day, two-night trip to cruise the park in an open vehicle, staying in a traditional African “boma” under a night sky unspoiled by city lights. Leaving Jo’burg, you’ll travel across the Highveld plateau and the town of Machadorp to the world-famous park, passing the Komati Gorge and its legendary healing spring. Stopping at the border of the park, you’ll disembark and then board an open-air vehicle for an afternoon game drive. Later, you’ll dine and sleep in a traditional African “boma,” under a night sky unspoiled by city lights.

The next day includes breakfast and then a scenic drive down the Panorama Route, a trail that takes you past the lush, tropical landscape of the Blyde River Canyon, the Lisbon waterfall and the famous Bourke's Luck potholes, peculiar geologic formations drilled into the canyon floor by the river. The drive finishes at the park lodge, where you can take advantage of the lodge’s pool and facilities. You’ll spend the night at the lodge and head out for one more game drive in the morning before returning to Johannesburg.

The other option is the Pilanesberg Nature Preserve. Closer to Jo’burg than the Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg is a good option for travelers who want to see wild animals without spending their entire trip on a safari. With over 7,000 animals, visitors are bound to see something exciting, and spotting the “big five” occurs fairly regularly. As it is a 12-hour trip, you’ll be able to spend a day in the bush and return to your Johannesberg hotel in time to enjoy the city’s nightlife, unless of course you elect to stay at the Sun City resort, a fantastic luxury casino resort near the nature preserve. Viator offers a package that includes a trip to both Pilanesberg Nature Reserve and Sun City.