Pilanesberg Safari: Big Five in Open & Closed Vehicles

Watch the Big Five roam at dawn, then unwind with lunch amid Pilanesberg’s wild beauty

A full-day safari tour from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg Nature Reserve includes hotel pickup, two guided game drives (one in an open 4×4, one in a closed air-conditioned vehicle), lunch at a rest camp, and expert commentary on wildlife. The morning drive targets the Big Five in cooler conditions. The afternoon drive continues through the reserve as temperatures drop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day safari in Pilanesberg

• Pickup from Johannesburg hotel
• Drive to Pilanesberg Nature Reserve
• Morning safari in open 4×4 vehicle
• Lunch at rest camp
• Afternoon safari in closed vehicle
• Return to Johannesburg

The experience

Your day starts with pickup from your Johannesburg hotel between 6:00 and 6:30 am, followed by a scenic drive to Pilanesberg Nature Reserve. The reserve sits roughly two hours north and spans over 55,000 hectares of bushveld, home to elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, buffalo and hundreds of other species. Your guide leads the morning safari in an open 4×4 vehicle. The exposure lets you scan the landscape and photograph wildlife without glass between you and the view. This drive lasts around three hours and takes advantage of the cooler part of the day when animals are most active.

Midday brings lunch at one of the reserve's rest camps, a chance to rest in the shade and discuss what you've seen so far. The afternoon closed-vehicle safari begins after the midday heat peaks, running roughly two hours as you continue through different sections of the park. The air-conditioned cabin offers comfort during the warmest hours while your guide continues pointing out animals and sharing details about their behavior and ecology. The tour departs the reserve between 3:30 and 4:00 pm for the return to Johannesburg.

Your guide speaks English throughout and provides running commentary on the animals you encounter, their habits, and the reserve's ecosystem. The combination of open and closed vehicles gives you different vantage points and comfort levels across the full day. WiFi is available on board during transfers, and all hotel pickups and drop-offs are included.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Johannesburg.
• morning open-vehicle safari drive.
• afternoon closed-vehicle safari drive.
• lunch at a reserve rest camp.
• air-conditioned transport between Johannesburg and the reserve.
• WiFi on board.
• expert English-speaking guide throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 31

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Pilanesberg Trackers

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Johannesburg and want two different viewing angles (an open 4×4 for unobstructed wildlife spotting and a closed vehicle for comfort) across a full day that fits a single trip from the city.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years); Infant (under 4).

What is the Big Five and how likely am I to see them in Pilanesberg?

The Big Five are elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo: the five largest land animals in Africa and the most sought-after wildlife sightings. Pilanesberg is home to all five species, and your guide will actively search for them during both safari drives, though sightings are never guaranteed on any given day since the animals roam freely across the reserve.

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

The open 4×4 in the morning gives you unobstructed views and better photography angles when animals are most active in cooler conditions. The closed, air-conditioned vehicle in the afternoon provides comfort during the hottest part of the day while you continue exploring different areas of the reserve.

How far is Pilanesberg from Johannesburg and how much time is spent driving?

Pilanesberg Nature Reserve is roughly two hours' drive north of Johannesburg. You'll spend approximately two hours traveling each way, with the remaining time split between the morning safari drive (around three hours), lunch, and the afternoon safari drive (around two hours).

What should I bring for a full day on safari?

Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a light jacket for the early morning and air-conditioned vehicle. Binoculars and a camera with a good zoom are valuable for wildlife viewing. Closed-toe shoes are practical for any walking, and neutral colors (khaki, tan, green) blend better with the landscape than bright clothing.