Pilanesberg Safari Tour: Open Jeep Big Five Wildlife

Hunt for the Big Five in an open jeep and watch predators move through their own world

A full-day guided safari tour of Pilanesberg National Park in an open-air vehicle with a live English-speaking guide, lunch, water and hotel pickup included. You travel the park's game reserve spotting lions, elephants, white and black rhinos, leopards, buffaloes, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and hippos in their natural habitat, then settle afterward with South African wine and local food. The tour runs 11 to 12 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day safari in Pilanesberg Park

• Travel to Pilanesberg National Park
• Join guided open safari vehicle tour
• Observe wildlife including Big Five
• Take photos of animals and scenery
• Enjoy local food and South African wine

The experience

What animals actually live in Pilanesberg? Lions, elephants, both white and black rhinos, leopards, buffaloes, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hippos and dozens of other species that make up the Southern African ecosystem. On this tour you ride through the park in an open-air safari vehicle with a live guide. The open sides mean you are not separated from the landscape, and the guide reads the terrain and the animal behavior as the day unfolds. Most travelers come for the Big Five, and Pilanesberg holds all of them.

The day runs 11 to 12 hours from pickup at your hotel. You spend the core hours in the vehicle moving through the reserve, stopping when wildlife appears and when the guide spots movement or tracks. An open jeep means you can turn and photograph without glass in the way, and the guide handles the route and the timing. You watch. Lunch and a bottle of water are included. Afterward, the tour wraps with South African wine and local food, a way to sit with what you have seen before the drive back.

Hotel pickup is included, so you do not arrange transport to the park. The vehicle is air-conditioned when you are moving between stops, and the guide speaks English throughout the day. Infants travel on an adult's lap. The tour suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health given the length and the vehicle's motion over unpaved terrain.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• lunch.
• South African wine and local food.
• a bottle of water.
• air-conditioned vehicle between stops.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 26

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 due to bad weather or 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

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Solly

Is this one for you?An open-air vehicle puts you at eye level with the landscape and the animals, which is what separates this from a closed safari van: the guide reads the terrain and you photograph without glass between you and the moment.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

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

The Big Five are lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffaloes: all five live in Pilanesberg National Park. The tour also passes giraffes, zebras, hippos, cheetahs and many other species, though wildlife sightings depend on where animals are on any given day and what the guide spots from the vehicle.

Is lunch included on the Pilanesberg safari tour?

Yes, lunch is included, along with a bottle of water. After the game drive portion of the day, the tour also includes South African wine and local food, giving you time to rest and process the wildlife you have seen.

Do I need my own transportation to get to Pilanesberg National Park?

No, hotel pickup is included in the tour price. The operator collects you from your accommodation and returns you there at the end of the day, so you do not arrange separate transport to or from the park.

Can I bring an infant on this safari tour?

Yes, infants are welcome and can travel on an adult's lap in the open-air vehicle. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to the length of the day and the vehicle's movement over unpaved terrain.