Safaris · 1-DAY TOURS

15 One-Day Safaris to Build a Day Around

42 tours  ·  from $49 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 one-day safaris worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

From Zanzibar: Mikumi Safari Day Trip with Flights and Meal - The early hotel pickup and Zanzibar airport
1-Day Tours, Safaris, Tanzania Safaris, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Safaris

From Zanzibar: Mikumi Safari Day Trip with Flights and Meal

1.Mikumi Safari Day Trip with Flights and Meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,470 reviews · from $451Our pick

Start before sunrise with a hotel transfer, fly from Zanzibar to Mikumi, and spend the day in a shared 4x4 looking for lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, zebras, and more. Guides such as Salim, Amos, Gabriel, and Ernest are praised for their animal knowledge and good humor. Lunch, water, flights, and park fees are included.

“Our day at mikumi was magical. It was made extra special by our guide Salim. He was absolutely amazing. , so knowledgable and funny and made the whole day just perfect. We saw everything we were hoping to see and more. Highly recommend this trip”

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From Colombo: Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip with Safari - Dambulla Cave Temple before the crowds build
1-Day Tours, Safaris, Sri Lanka Safaris, Tour Reviews

From Colombo: Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip with Safari

2.Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip with Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 842 reviews · 14 - 16 hours · from $53Best value

Leave Colombo before sunrise for Dambulla Cave Temple and Sigiriya Lion Rock, then choose a village meal and bullock cart ride or a wildlife safari. Shared transport, hotel pickup, water, and guide assistance are included. Guides such as Chathu and Dhanesh are often praised for keeping this long day friendly and well organized.

“This tour is wonderful and Chathu is great and he had lots of patience with all of us.”

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Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip - 8:30 a.m. pickup and the road out of Cape Town
1-Day Tours, Big Five & Wildlife Safaris, Cape Town Safaris, Guided, Safaris, South Africa Safaris, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Safaris in Cape Town, Wildlife Safaris in South Africa

Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

3.Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 526 reviews · from $155Top rated

Travel from Cape Town through Du Toitskloof and the Breede River Valley to Aquila Private Game Reserve. Your guide, often Mike, Werner, Jamie, or another Born in Africa professional, handles the drive while a reserve ranger leads the safari. Lunch and champagne are included in the reserve fee.

“Werner my tour guide and driver was super! Fun, courteous, knowledgeable about the area and country. The winery was lovely and a good tasting. Aquila was great. I lucked out and had Jana as my guide. She is the conservationist for the reseRead more”

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San Diego Zoo Safari Park 1-Day Pass: Any Day Ticket - Getting there from San Diego
1-Day Tours, Safaris, Tickets, Tour Reviews, USA Safaris, Zoos

San Diego Zoo Safari Park 1-Day Pass: Any Day Ticket

4.San Diego Zoo Safari Park 1-Day Pass: Any Day Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 378 reviews · 2 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $78

Spend 2 to 8 hours exploring an 1,800-acre wildlife park near Escondido. Your direct-entry ticket covers exhibits, shows, and unlimited Africa Tram rides. Walk among kangaroos, watch giraffes and rhinos, and consider paid safaris for closer views.

“It was an excellent experience. The guide was available every 5-10 minutes way to lead to proper directions where we wanted to go. Due to proper advice we were able to see entire safari. The experience to see animals from next to them was fantastic.”

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San Diego Zoo Safari Park 1-Day Ticket - Family areas, shows, meals, and rest breaks
1-Day Tours, Safaris, Tickets, Tour Reviews, USA Safaris, Zoos

San Diego Zoo Safari Park 1-Day Ticket

5.San Diego Zoo Safari Park 1-Day Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 283 reviews · 365 hours · from $78

Spend a full day at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where 3,000 animals roam across 1,800 acres. See lions, elephants, condors, tigers, and 140 bird species, then ride the Africa Tram and catch the Cheetah Run. Early 2026 brings the new Denny Sanford Elephant Valley.

“The Truck Safari was hands down a fantastic experience. Felt like you’d been to Africa with the wildlife.”

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From Jaipur: Ranthambore National Park Day Trip with Safari - Jaipur pickup and the three-hour road to Sawai Madhopur
1-Day Tours, India Safaris, Jaipur Safaris, National Park Safaris, National Park Safaris in India, Safaris, Tour Reviews

From Jaipur: Ranthambore National Park Day Trip with Safari

6.Ranthambore National Park Day Trip with Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 244 reviews · 12 hours · from $85

Travel from Jaipur to Ranthambore in a private air-conditioned car with drivers such as Uday or Pradeep, then take a forest safari by six-seat jeep or 20-seat canter. Look for tigers, sloth bears, crocodiles, deer, birds, and leopards, but remember that sightings are never guaranteed.

“The tour was really nice. The driver, Uday, arrived on time and the trip to Ranthambore was comfortable, with food and rest stops along the way. We were lucky enough to see a tiger on our first safari, as well as other animals in their natural habitat.”

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San Diego: San Diego Zoo Safari Park 1-Day Ticket - Arriving early makes the 1,800-acre park easier
1-Day Tours, Safaris, Tickets, Tour Reviews, USA Safaris, Zoos

San Diego: San Diego Zoo Safari Park 1-Day Ticket

7.San Diego: San Diego Zoo Safari Park 1-Day Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 240 reviews · from $76

Use your mobile voucher to enter San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, about an hour from San Diego. Explore open habitats, ride the Africa Tram, watch Cheetah Run, and follow trails through tiger, elephant, bird, and condor areas. The park is wheelchair accessible, but expect plenty of walking.

“We loved the cheetah run and team ride. The animals were well taken care of.”

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Private Day Trip to Sigiriya, cave and National park Safari Tour - Dambulla Cave Temple: art, steps, and a cooler pause
1-Day Tours, Colombo Safaris, National Park Safaris, National Park Safaris in Sri Lanka, Private, Safaris, Sri Lanka Safaris, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Day Trip to Sigiriya, cave and National park Safari Tour

8.Private Day Trip to Sigiriya, cave and National park Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 143 reviews · from $68

Travel by private air-conditioned car from Colombo, Negombo, or Kandy to Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple, and a three-hour Minneriya safari. Drivers such as Wasa, Madu, Mohamed, and Madushan are praised for care and flexibility. Expect a very full day, with entrance fees and the safari jeep extra.

“Very long, but worth it. Hard to climb the steps after long day. Seeing the wild elephants was the highlight light. One of the best guides we have ever had. Lots of little extras.”

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Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip with Desert Safari - Arriving at Tangalooma’s resort base
1-Day Tours, Australia Safaris, Desert Safaris, Safaris, Tour Reviews

Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip with Desert Safari

9.Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip with Desert Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 142 reviews · 1 day · from $109

You’ll cruise 75 minutes from Brisbane to Tangalooma, use the resort’s pools and beaches, redeem a lunch voucher, then race down Moreton Island’s dunes by 4WD. A complimentary boat drink, Eco Centre visit, and dolphin video are included.

“Excursion très agréable. Si vous vous déplacez en transport en commun prévoyez un temps suffisamment long pour se rendre jusqu'à la marina. Ce prix comprend le déplacement en ferry. La luge sur sable est activité très sympa, même si le sable colle partout.”

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From Colombo: Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip and Safari - The early start and long road from Colombo
1-Day Tours, Colombo Safaris, Safaris, Sri Lanka Safaris, Tour Reviews

From Colombo: Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip and Safari

10.Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip and Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 132 reviews · from $70

Leave Colombo at 6am for Dambulla’s Buddha-filled caves and Sigiriya’s ancient rock fortress. An English-speaking driver-guide handles the long road day, with water, Wi-Fi when available, and optional safari arrangements. Expect heat, steep steps, extra entrance fees, and a late return.

“Really enjoyed this day trip to the Dambulla and Sigiriya from Colombo. The driver was very knowledgeable and professional. I also did a safari afterwards which was excellent, the elephant’s close up were amazing. I would just say it’s a very long day and you need to be reasonably fit to go up all the steps at Sigiriya but very worthwhile when you reach the top. Overall it was a fantastic day trip, very well organised”

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Private 1 Day Akagera Big Five Safari with pick up and lunch. - Leaving Kigali at 5:30 am
1-Day Tours, Big Five & Wildlife Safaris, Kigali Safaris, Lunch Experiences, Private, Rwanda Safaris, Safaris, Tour Reviews

Private 1 Day Akagera Big Five Safari with pick up and lunch.

11.Private 1 Day Akagera Big Five Safari with pick up and lunch.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · from $440

Leave Kigali at 5:30 am for a private Akagera safari with a professional driver-guide, park entry, lunch, bottled water, and city pickup. Look for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, hippos, giraffes, and crocodiles, with a stop at Imigongo Art Center on the way.

“My Driver Christian was amazing. He arrived at my hotel 20 minutes early, and was with me from 5:30am until 9:30pm. I am traveling for business by myself so I went on the tour solo. He was always polite and professional, and an expert driver on the very bumpy roads. We sRead more”

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Chobe Safari Experience Day Trip - MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE - The Livingstone pickup and Botswana border crossing
1-Day Tours, Livingstone Safaris, Safaris, Tour Reviews, Zambia Safaris

Chobe Safari Experience Day Trip – MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE

12.Chobe Safari Experience Day Trip – MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · from $225

Travel from Livingstone to Botswana’s Chobe National Park for a morning game drive and afternoon boat safari, with lunch, drinks, and border assistance included. Guides such as Simon and Vincent are known for sharp animal spotting. Expect a long, rewarding day with a maximum group size of 18.

“Super day trip out of Livingstone, crossing the river, and going into Botswana. Exciting.”

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Galle Day Trip with River Safari, Sea Turtle & Stilt Fishermen - The Bentota River safari sets the tone
1-Day Tours, Bentota Safaris, Boat & Inland Sea Safaris, Boat Safaris in Sri Lanka, Safaris, Sri Lanka Safaris, Tour Reviews

Galle Day Trip with River Safari, Sea Turtle & Stilt Fishermen

13.Galle Day Trip with River Safari, Sea Turtle & Stilt Fishermen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $110

Spend 8 to 10 hours exploring Sri Lanka’s southwest coast with Bentota Travel Mart. Your private vehicle and driver-guide connect a mangrove boat safari, turtle conservation center, mask workshop, tsunami museum, Galle Dutch Fort, and Koggala’s famous stilt fishermen.

“La visita que realmente merece la pena es el paseo por el río, el resto de visitas/entradas son gratuitas. El conductor, NO guía, te lleva de un sitio a otro y en cada sitio o te venden algo o te piden un donativo al enseñarte algo, NO requieren paRead more”

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Yala Safari Day Trip from Bentota/ Kalutara/ Ahungalla/ Hikkaduwa - Inside Yala: four hours in the safari jeep
1-Day Tours, Bentota Safaris, Safaris, Sri Lanka Safaris, Tour Reviews

Yala Safari Day Trip from Bentota/ Kalutara/ Ahungalla/ Hikkaduwa

14.Yala Safari Day Trip from Bentota/ Kalutara/ Ahungalla/ Hikkaduwa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $200

Set out from Bentota, Kalutara, Hikkaduwa, or nearby coastal resorts for a long day at Yala National Park. You get private transport, an English-speaking driver-guide, park entry, a safari jeep, bottled water, and lunch. The 4 a.m. departure gives you the best shot at a sunrise safari.

“Lots of apparent random driving with no sharing of sightings with other drivers Dis not see a massive amount of animals - no leopards”

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Day Trip - Tsavo East National Park ( Man Eater Lions of Tsavo & Other Big Five) - Entering Tsavo through dry, open country
1-Day Tours, Big Five & Wildlife Safaris, Kenya Safaris, National Park Safaris, National Park Safaris in Kenya, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Safaris in Kenya

Day Trip – Tsavo East National Park ( Man Eater Lions of Tsavo & Other Big Five)

15.Day Trip – Tsavo East National Park ( Man Eater Lions of Tsavo & Other Big Five)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 55 reviews · from $200

Leave Diani at 4:30 am for a private Tsavo East safari in a pop-roof vehicle. Guides such as Francis and Kelli lead game drives through elephant country, with chances to see lions, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, ostriches, and the famous man-eaters of Tsavo. Park fees and lunch cost extra.

“The entire trip was amazing. Francis our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. 2 of our group of 3 had been on game drives and safari before with 1 of us visiting Africa for the first time. We knew we wouldn’t be able to see everything with oRead more”

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New in 1-Day Tours

★ 5.0Tsavo East 1 Day Safari, Beach To Beach In 4wd JeepFrom $31214 reviews
★ 4.5Day Trip Safari to Mikumi National Park by TrainFrom $30015 reviews
★ 5.01 Day Safari to Mikumi National ParkFrom $47020 reviews
★ 5.0Privet One Day Udawalawe National Park Elephant SafariFrom $26715 reviews
★ 4.0Marine Big 5 Safari full day trip from Cape TownFrom $24213 reviews
★ 5.0Big 5 Safari One Day TourFrom $22727 reviews
★ 5.0Mobula Ray and Ocean Safari Day TripFrom $31514 reviews
★ 4.5VALUE PACK! One Day Safari Tour to Yala and Udawalawa ParksFrom $10028 reviews
★ 4.51 Day Olpopongi Real Maasai Cultural adventurous Trip | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS LTDFrom $38013 reviews
★ 5.0Amazing Chemka (Kikuletwa) Hot Spring Day Trip | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS CO LTDFrom $10012 reviews
★ 5.0Ngorongoro Crater Day Trip – Shared Group SafariFrom $30016 reviews
★ 4.5Algarve Jeep Safari – Day TripFrom $4815 reviews
★ 4.5Day Trip Safari – Akagera National Park with Optional Lake Ihema Boat SafariFrom $9927 reviews
★ 5.0Agadir Jeep Safari Desert Day Trip including Lunch & camel rideFrom $5224 reviews
★ 4.3Tangalle: Safari Day Trip to Yala & Udawalawe w/ PicnicFrom $9316 reviews

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