Pilanesberg Safari Day Trip: Open Vehicle Big Five Tour
See the Big Five in an open vehicle without arranging the route yourself
A full-day safari tour in Pilanesberg National Park, an hour from Johannesburg, with two open vehicle drives (one in the morning, one in the afternoon), a light lunch at a reserve restaurant, and an English-speaking guide. Pickup happens at Manyane Gate or Sun City Resort at 9:30am, and you return between 3 and 3:15pm. Children from age 4 are welcome.
6h
Step-by-step itinerary
Full day Pilanesberg Safari adventure
- Meet guide at Manyane Gate or Sun City
- Depart on 2-3 hour open vehicle morning drive
- Enjoy light lunch at reserve restaurant
- Take 2-hour open vehicle drive to Bosele Camp
- Arrive for drop-off between 15h00 and 15h15
The Experience
You arrive at Manyane Gate or Sun City Resort at 9:30am and climb into an open safari vehicle with your guide. The morning drive lasts 2 to 3 hours as you move through Pilanesberg National Park, where the Big Five roam alongside countless other species. The park sits close enough to Johannesburg that a day trip works, but far enough that the landscape feels like real Africa—acacia trees, grassland, the animals moving at their own pace while you watch from the vehicle.
Midday brings a break at a restaurant inside the reserve where light lunch is served. This is when the heat peaks and the animals often rest in shade, so the timing works with the park's rhythm rather than against it. After lunch, you head back into the vehicle for the final 2-hour afternoon drive toward Bosele Camp, where the day ends between 3 and 3:15pm. Sodas and water travel with you throughout.
The open vehicle is the whole point—no roof between you and the animals, no glass distorting the view. Your guide handles navigation and spotting; you handle the camera and the binoculars. The route covers roughly 4 to 5 hours of actual driving across the day, broken into two stretches so you are not sitting still for the entire afternoon heat.
What’s included
- English-speaking guide.
- morning open vehicle safari drive (2 to 3 hours).
- afternoon open vehicle safari drive (2 hours).
- light lunch at a reserve restaurant.
- sodas and water throughout the day.
Operated by MoAfrika Tours
Is this one for you?Spend your afternoon spotting the Big Five from an open vehicle in Pilanesberg Reserve and still make it back to Johannesburg by evening.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
Can I book this tour if I'm arriving in Johannesburg for just one day?
Yes. The tour runs 9:30am to 3:15pm, so it fits a single afternoon if you land early enough or have a night before. Pickup is at Manyane Gate or Sun City Resort, both within an hour of Johannesburg's main areas.
What animals might I see on the Pilanesberg safari?
Pilanesberg is home to the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo—plus zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, antelope and many bird species. Sightings depend on the day and the season, but the park has a strong population of all five.
How much of the day is spent actually driving in the open vehicle?
The morning drive runs 2 to 3 hours and the afternoon drive runs 2 hours, so roughly 4 to 5 hours total in the vehicle. The midday break at the reserve restaurant splits the day so you are not driving through the hottest hours.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Children are welcome from age 4 onward. The open vehicle means they sit at the same level as the animals, which many children find more engaging than a closed tour bus, though the long morning drive works better for kids comfortable sitting still.
What's included in the light lunch?
The tour includes a light lunch served at a restaurant inside the reserve. Sodas and water are provided throughout the day. Personal food purchases are not included, though the restaurant has additional options if you want more.
Do I need to arrange my own transport to Manyane Gate or Sun City Resort?
Yes. Pickup from your Johannesburg hotel, your Sun City accommodation, or nearby lodges is not included in this tour. You'll need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point, or book a separate transfer service.
Pilanesberg Safari Day Trip: Open Vehicle Big Five Tour
6h · EN
from US$ 134 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.95172 reviews