There are perhaps a handful of travel experiences in the world that genuinely live up to their billing. A South African golf and safari combination is one of them.
The country offers something entirely unique: world-class golf courses situated within, adjacent to or a short drive from some of Africa's greatest wildlife destinations. In no other country on earth can you tee off at a course ranked among Africa's finest in the morning and be watching lions, elephants and rhino from an open game drive vehicle in the afternoon.
The Leopard Creek experience
The ultimate expression of golf and safari in South Africa is Leopard Creek Country Club. The course sits on the banks of the Crocodile River, which forms the southern boundary of the Kruger National Park — the greatest Big Five game reserve in Africa.
The Kruger fence runs along the course boundary. During a round, you may encounter hippos wallowing in the river on the 13th hole, crocodiles sunning on the opposite bank, or elephant crossings that pause play entirely. At sunset, you return to your lodge for a night drive into Kruger.
Most golfers who play Leopard Creek describe it as the single most memorable round of their lives, and the wildlife is the reason why.
Legends Golf & Safari Resort
The Legends Golf & Safari Resort near Hoedspruit in Limpopo takes the combination concept even further. Set within the Entabeni Game Reserve — home to all of the Big Five — the resort's signature course is designed so that wildlife crossings are part of the playing experience.
The resort is also home to the extraordinary Extreme 19th hole — a par 3 played from a tee on the summit of Hanglip Mountain, accessed by helicopter, with the green 400 metres below. A hole-in-one wins $1 million, which remains unclaimed. It is, by any measure, the most dramatic golf hole on earth.
Sun City and the Bush
Sun City provides a slightly different combination — world-class resort golf on the Gary Player Country Club and Lost City courses, with easy access to the Pilanesberg National Park just minutes from the resort.
Pilanesberg is a malaria-free Big Five reserve in a volcanic crater — an excellent safari option for families or visitors who want wildlife without the malaria prophylaxis requirements of the lowveld.
Cape Town golf with coastal wildlife
The Western Cape combination is less dramatic than the bushveld options, but no less special. Golf at Arabella near Hermanus during whale season (August to November) means you may spot Southern Right Whales from the fairways — the world's best land-based whale watching alongside some of its most beautiful golf.
The Cape Peninsula drive between golf courses passes through Cape Point National Park, home to baboons, ostriches, bontebok and Cape Mountain Zebra. And the Boulders Beach African Penguin colony near Simonstown is a 20-minute detour from several Cape courses.
Planning your golf and safari combination
The most common question we receive about combination tours is how many days to allocate to each. Our recommendation for a 7-10 day trip:
- 3-4 days in Cape Town or Garden Route: 2-3 rounds of golf, wine region, coastal experiences
- 2-3 days at Leopard Creek/Kruger or Legends/Entabeni: 1-2 rounds of golf, 2-4 game drives
- 1-2 days in transit or Johannesburg: optional city golf
The logistics of combining these regions efficiently — flights, transfers, accommodation and tee time bookings — are where a professional operator adds significant value. Our STO agreements with the bush properties and our relationships with the lodges mean we can put together in a few emails what would take an independent traveller weeks to arrange.
African Golf Escapes specialises in golf and safari combination tours across South Africa. Talk to us about planning yours →
Cover photo: “Baby Elephant - South Africa Safari - Djuma Game Reserve - Sabi Sand - Kruger National Park” by Arno & Louise Meintjes, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).