Pilanesberg Safari Day Tour: Search the Big 5

Track the Big 5 across Pilanesberg's volcanic landscape

A full-day game drive safari in Pilanesberg Game Reserve where you search for the Big 5 (leopard, lion, rhino, buffalo and elephant) from an air-conditioned touring vehicle or open-air option, with a live guide in English or French and hotel pickup included. The tour is fully customizable: you can add extra attractions, adjust the route or cancel anytime for a full refund.

Step-by-step itinerary

Safari and game drive at Pilanesberg

• Travel to Pilanesberg Game Reserve
• Visit KwaBakubung
• Enjoy game drive in touring vehicle
• Optionally use open-air vehicle for views
• Spot the Big 5 and other wildlife

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel and a drive to Pilanesberg Game Reserve, where you board either a standard air-conditioned vehicle or an open-air touring vehicle if you want unobstructed sightlines across the volcanic terrain. The reserve is home to the Big 5 (leopard, lion, rhino, buffalo and elephant) along with predators and antelope herds that move through the landscape throughout the day. Your guide navigates the reserve roads in search of these animals, stopping when sightings occur and explaining the behavior and ecology of what you encounter.

Eight hours gives you a full arc through the reserve without rushing the drive or the sightings. The open-air vehicle option works best if you want the unobstructed views and the mountain vistas that frame the volcanic site. The air-conditioned vehicle keeps you comfortable during the longer stretches between animal encounters. Because the tour is flexible, you can ask your guide to linger at a sighting, adjust the route based on where animals have been spotted that morning, or add a second attraction if the day allows. Cancellation is free up to the point you decide to proceed.

Your guide speaks English or French and drives a vehicle equipped to handle the reserve terrain. All fees, taxes and transportation are included in the price. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and children from age 2 onward can join: infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one.

What’s included

• All park fees and taxes.
• air-conditioned vehicle with a live guide in English or French.
• hotel pickup and return.
• open-air vehicle available on request for better views of the volcanic terrain and mountain landscape.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (35 to 54 years) · Senior (55 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 34 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (2 to 3 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Timeline Travel

Is this one for you?Eight hours is long enough to cover the reserve and wait for animal sightings without cutting into the rest of your day, and the full customization means you can adjust the route or add a second stop if you want more. Book this if you want to search for the Big 5 without building the logistics yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 34 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (2 to 3 years).

What are the Big 5 animals I might see on the Pilanesberg safari?

The Big 5 are leopard, lion, rhino, buffalo and elephant: the five most sought-after animals in African game reserves. Pilanesberg is known as home to all five, and the reserve also holds predators and antelope herds you'll encounter during the drive.

Can I choose an open-air vehicle instead of the air-conditioned one?

Yes, an open-air vehicle is available on request and gives you unobstructed views of the animals and the volcanic mountain landscape. You can request it when you book or discuss it with your guide on the day.

How long is the Pilanesberg safari tour?

The tour runs eight hours total, including pickup from your hotel, the drive to the reserve and the full game drive itself. This length allows time to cover the reserve without rushing between sightings.

Can I add attractions or change the route during the tour?

Yes, the tour is fully customizable. You can ask your guide to add one or two extra attractions, adjust the route based on animal sightings that morning, or spend more time at a particular location. Your guide will work with you on what fits into the day.