Pilanesberg: 2-Day Safari Tour with Game Drives & Pickup

Summary

2 days of wildlife, sunrise drives and Pilanesberg landscapes

You’ll wake up early for sunrise game drives in Pilanesberg, spot elephants and maybe lions with your guide’s help, share stories over dinner at your lodge, and feel that thrill when wildlife suddenly appears right beside your truck. All with pickup from Johannesburg and meals included—just bring a jacket and some curiosity.

What’s the experience like?

“Look, there’s a rhino!” That’s what our guide said not even an hour after we rolled into Pilanesberg, and I nearly dropped my phone fumbling for a photo. The drive from Johannesburg was sleepy and quiet — I remember the sun just starting to warm the fields outside the window. When we finally got out of the van, it hit me how different the air smelled here: kind of dusty, but sweet too, like dry grass after rain. Our guide, Thabo, had this calm way of pointing things out — he’d spot animals in the brush before any of us could see them. Honestly, I didn’t expect to see so many elephants up close on a Pilanesberg safari tour; they move so quietly for their size.

We checked into our lodge after lunch (the chicken stew was surprisingly good) and had just enough time to stretch before heading out again for the sunset game drive. The open truck felt chilly as soon as the sun dipped behind those volcanic hills — bring a jacket, trust me. There was this moment when everything went quiet except for a low grunt from somewhere in the bush and Thabo whispering something about lions nearby. My heart was pounding but in that excited way you get when you’re doing something completely new. Dinner back at the lodge was loud with everyone swapping stories about what they’d seen — someone even claimed they spotted all of the Big Five by sunset but I’m still not sure I believe him.

The next morning came early (like 5am early), and honestly I almost skipped it because my bed was so warm. But watching the sunrise over Pilanesberg is worth every bit of lost sleep — pink light spilling across those weirdly shaped hills and zebra grazing right by the road. Breakfast at the park center tasted better than usual because we were all half-frozen from being out since dawn. Our last few hours were spent cruising through more of the park in search of whatever animals we’d missed — I still think about that giraffe just standing in perfect silence as we drove past. It’s strange how quickly you get used to scanning the landscape for movement.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and afternoon game drives

• Pick up at hotel at 06:15 am
• Drive to Pilanesberg National Park
• Guided game drive until lunch
• Check in at accommodation
• Sunset guided game drive at 16:00
• Dinner at accommodation restaurant

Day 2 — Morning and afternoon game drives

• Option 1: Early game drive at 05:00 am
• Breakfast at Pilanesberg centre at 09:00 am
• Continue game drive until 11:00 am
• Drive back to Johannesburg/Pretoria
• Option 2: Breakfast between 07:00 and 08:00 am
• Guided game drive at 09:00 am
• Lunch at Pilanesberg centre
• Continue game drive until 15:00 pm
• Drive back to Johannesburg/Pretoria

Top questions

How far is Pilanesberg from Johannesburg?

It’s about a two-hour drive from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg.

Are game drives included on this safari tour?

Yes, both sunset and early morning guided game drives are included.

Is pickup from my hotel provided?

Yes, hotel pickup in Johannesburg or Pretoria is included in the tour.

What animals can I see on a Pilanesberg safari tour?

You have a good chance to spot elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, buffaloes (the Big Five), plus zebras and many birds.

Are meals provided during the tour?

Breakfasts are included; lunch is provided depending on which itinerary option you choose; dinner is available at your accommodation restaurant.

What type of vehicle is used for game drives?

You’ll ride in an open safari truck for game drives inside Pilanesberg.

Do I need to be very fit for this tour?

No special fitness level is required; it’s suitable for all physical abilities.

What’s included

Your two-day trip includes hotel pickup from Johannesburg or Pretoria, guided open-vehicle game drives through Pilanesberg with an experienced local guide like Thabo, breakfast each day (and lunch depending on itinerary), bottled water during drives, comfortable lodge accommodation inside or near the park—and plenty of chances to swap animal stories over dinner before heading back home.