Pilanesberg Park Day Tour Pretoria: Closed Vehicle Game Drive

Track the big five across Pilanesberg's open plains without leaving the vehicle

A full-day guided game drive through Pilanesberg National Park departing from Pretoria or Johannesburg, traveling in a closed vehicle with an experienced English-speaking guide and park entrance included. The tour runs from 6am to roughly 6:30pm with a lunch break inside the park (lunch not included). Bottled water is provided throughout the day. Children from age 3 are welcome, and all areas are wheelchair accessible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Pilanesberg game drive

• Pick up at hotel 6:00 am
• Drive to Pilanesberg park
• Enjoy morning game drive
• Stop for lunch inside park
• Continue afternoon game drive
• Depart back to hotel 3:30 pm
• Arrive at hotel around 6:30 pm

The experience

The day starts at 6am with pickup from your Pretoria or Johannesburg hotel, followed by a two-hour drive north through the North West province landscape to Pilanesberg. You arrive around 8am and begin the morning game drive in a closed vehicle, which keeps you comfortable while the guide navigates the park's roads in search of elephants, buffalo, rhinoceros, lions, leopards and other wildlife. The closed vehicle means you stay protected from the elements and insects while still having clear sightlines through the windows.

Around midday you stop for a lunch break inside the park between noon and 1pm. Bring your own food or purchase something nearby, as lunch is not included. After eating, the afternoon game drive continues until around 3:30pm, when the guide heads back toward Pretoria or Johannesburg. You arrive back at your hotel around 6:30pm. Bottled water is provided throughout both drives to keep you hydrated during the long day in the vehicle.

What’s included

• Pickup from your Pretoria or Johannesburg hotel.
• transportation to and from Pilanesberg in a closed vehicle.
• full-day guided game drive with an experienced English-speaking guide.
• park entrance fee.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

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 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by MHLANGANISI TRAVEL AND TOURS

Is this one for you?Book this if you prefer watching wildlife from a vehicle rather than walking: the closed 4x4 and expert guide handle both the driving and spotting while you stay seated and comfortable.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

Can I see lions and elephants on this tour?

Pilanesberg is home to the big five (elephants, buffalo, rhinoceros, lions and leopards) along with many other mammal species. Your experienced guide will search for them during both the morning and afternoon game drives, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed on any given day.

What should I bring for a full day in the park?

Bring lunch or money to buy food during the midday break, since lunch is not included. Bottled water is provided, but you may want sunscreen, a hat, binoculars and a camera. Wear neutral colors and avoid bright patterns, which can startle animals.

How long is the drive from Pretoria to Pilanesberg?

The drive north to the park takes about two hours, so you'll be on the road before arriving at 8am to begin the game drive. The return journey is also roughly two hours, getting you back to your hotel around 6:30pm.