Pilanesberg National Park Big Five Safari: Full-Day Tour

Hunt the Big Five across a volcanic crater landscape in two game drives

A full-day guided tour from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg National Park combines a morning drive in an open safari vehicle and an afternoon drive in a closed vehicle, with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, and bottled water included. Children from age 4 are welcome. Lunch is at the park center but not included in the price.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Pilanesberg national park tour

• Pick up at hotel between 6:00-7:00 am
• Drive to Pilanesberg national park (2 hours)
• Morning open safari vehicle game drive (9:00-13:00)
• Lunch break at Pilanesberg center (13:00-14:00)
• Afternoon closed vehicle game drive (14:00-16:00)
• Drive back to Johannesburg (arrival 18:00)

The experience

The tour picks you up from your hotel between 6 and 7 a.m., then drives about two hours to Pilanesberg National Park, a volcanic complex formed 1,300 million years ago and now one of the largest of its kind in the world. The park covers 55,000 hectares and ranks among South Africa's fourth largest, home to the Big Five and a landscape shaped by ancient eruptions.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., you ride in an open safari vehicle for the morning game drive, when wildlife is most active. After a lunch break at the Pilanesberg center (you bring your own food or buy there), the afternoon drive from 2 to 4 p.m. continues in a closed vehicle before heading back to Johannesburg, arriving around 6 p.m. Your guide is a registered tourist who speaks English and leads both drives.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, equipped with WiFi on board, and bottled water is provided throughout the day. All fees and taxes are included in the price, and the tour is wheelchair accessible with accessible surfaces and transportation options.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup between 6 and 7 a.m.
• morning and afternoon guided game drives in safari vehicles.
• an English-speaking registered guide.
• air-conditioned transport.
• WiFi on board.
• bottled water.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by MHLANGANISI TRAVEL AND TOURS

Is this one for you?The full day (roughly ten hours from pickup to drop-off) leaves little room for other activities, so book this if you want to dedicate your day entirely to the park and the Big Five. The two-hour drive each way means an early start and a late return, which suits travelers staying in Johannesburg or Pretoria who don't mind starting before dawn.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

What is Pilanesberg National Park actually like?

Pilanesberg is a volcanic crater landscape formed by eruptions over a billion years ago, now a 55,000-hectare park that ranks among South Africa's fourth largest and is home to the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo.

Why does the tour use both an open vehicle and a closed vehicle?

The open safari vehicle in the morning gives you unobstructed views during peak wildlife activity hours, while the closed vehicle in the afternoon provides shelter and climate control as the day heats up and animals become less active.

How much time do I spend actually driving and looking for wildlife?

You have four hours of game drive time split across the morning (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and afternoon (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.), plus two hours of travel each way from Johannesburg, making the full day about ten hours from pickup to drop-off.

What's included and what do I need to arrange myself?

Hotel pickup, the guide, both game drives, the air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi, bottled water, and all fees and taxes are included. You'll need to bring or buy your own lunch at the park center during the midday break.