Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg: Full Day Big Five Game Drive

Five hours in an open vehicle, two meals, and the Magaliesberg mountains on the drive back.

You're picked up from your Johannesburg hotel and driven past the Hartbeespoort Dam to Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, where you spend five hours in an open safari vehicle spotting lions, elephants, and leopards. Lunch at the lodge is included, and the conservation fee is already paid. You're back at your hotel by early evening with the day completely handled.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Pilanesberg safari experience

• Pickup from Johannesburg or Sandton hotel
• Scenic drive past Hartbeespoort Dam and Magaliesberg
• Arrive at Pilanesberg Nature Reserve
• 5-hour open vehicle safari with guide
• Lunch break at lodge with park views
• Return drive to Johannesburg hotel
• Arrive back at hotel around 6:00 pm

The experience

You wake up thinking you'll see a lion, and then you actually do. The Pilanesberg Nature Reserve safari from Johannesburg doesn't pretend to be something it isn't. It's a full day out, starting with hotel pickup from Johannesburg, Sandton, or Pretoria, and the drive itself matters. You pass the Hartbeespoort Dam and the Magaliesberg mountains on the way, and your guide talks through what you're seeing, so the landscape isn't just scenery you're moving through. The conservation fee (R748) is already built in, which means no surprises at the gate.

Once you're at Pilanesberg, you get either a morning safari (three hours) or an afternoon one (two hours), depending on what you choose. Both are in an open vehicle, which is the only way to actually see the animals. Lions, leopards, elephants, rhino: they're all there, and the guide knows where to look. You stop at a lodge for lunch around midday, and you get an hour to eat and sit with the view of the reserve. It's not rushed, and the food is real, not a token sandwich. The whole thing wraps by around 6pm when you're back at your hotel, which means you're not collapsing at midnight.

The vehicles are registered and have the proper permits, so you're not in some dodgy minibus. It matters when you're on a dirt road in the middle of a game reserve. The 24-hour cancellation policy takes the anxiety out of booking, especially if your schedule in Johannesburg is tight and you're not sure if you'll have the energy. Families book this, solo travelers book this, and it works because the guide does the heavy lifting of spotting animals and explaining what you're looking at. You just show up, get in the vehicle, and let the day happen.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Johannesburg, Sandton, or Pretoria.
• open vehicle safari (morning three hours or afternoon two hours).
• lunch at the lodge.
• bottled water.
• registered driver and guide.
• conservation fee (R748).
• transport throughout the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Closed Vehicle Safari-MinibusGuide in English · 05:30Full-day closed vehicle safari with a registered guide and driver lasting 12 hours. Pickup directly from your hotel at 5:30 am, with return to your hotel at around 5:30 pm. Includes a one-hour light lunch. The safari is a daytime drive in an enclosed vehicle such as a minibus or car. Pickup is included.

Full-day open jeep safari. Includes a morning open jeep safari, lunch, then another open jeep safari in the afternoon, with a registered guide and driver. Duration is 12 hours: pickup directly from your hotel or a designated pickup point at 5:30 am, and return to your hotel around 5:30 to 6:00 pm. Lunch is a 1-hour meal at the Pilanesberg Centre Restaurant. Transport to the reserve is by minibus or car, and the safari inside the reserve is done in an open jeep vehicle. Pickup is included.Guide in English · 05:30A full-day open jeep safari with a registered guide and driver lasting 12 hours. Pickup from your hotel or a specified point at 5:30 am, returning to your hotel around 5:30 to 6:00 pm. The day includes a morning open jeep safari, a one-hour lunch at Pilanesberg Centre Restaurant, and an afternoon open jeep safari. Transport to the reserve is by minibus or car, while the game drives use open jeep vehicles. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 13

Live guideEnglish

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Deeprift Ventours

Is this one for you?Right for travelers based in Johannesburg who want to see big game without arranging their own transport or worrying about park fees. The full day out means you're not rushing between stops. The pace is set by the animals and the lodge lunch, which is what makes a real safari feel unhurried.

Traveler reviews

4.91★★★★★★★★★★

106 verified traveler reviews

5 ★97

4 ★8

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

How long is the safari drive itself?

Either three hours in the morning or two hours in the afternoon, depending on which option you book. Both are in an open vehicle.

What animals will I see?

Lions, leopards, elephants, rhino, and many others are in the reserve. Sightings depend on the day and time, but the guide knows the reserve well.

Is the conservation fee included in the price?

Yes, the R748 conservation fee is included. There are no additional park fees at the gate.

What's included in lunch?

A meal at the lodge with views of the reserve. You get about an hour to eat and rest during the safari.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

Yes, the tour has a 24-hour cancellation policy, so you can cancel without penalty up to 24 hours before departure.

What time do I get back to my hotel?

Around 6pm, depending on traffic and your hotel location in Johannesburg or Sandton.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the reserve?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off from Johannesburg, Sandton, or Pretoria are included.