Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg: Big 5 Game Drive

Six hours in open-top vehicles hunting the Big 5 across 550 square kilometres of African bushland.

A full-day safari tour departing from Johannesburg or Pretoria to Pilanesberg National Park, a 550-square-kilometre reserve north of Rustenburg where you ride in open-top vehicles with a live guide to spot lions, elephants, black and white rhinos, buffalo, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles. The park holds approximately 10,000 large mammals and over 300 bird species. Pickup is included. The round trip takes 12 hours with a lunch break at the gate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Safari and game drives in Pilanesberg

• 6:00 am pickup from Johannesburg or Pretoria
• 2 hours drive to Pilanesberg National Park
• 9:00 am enter Manyana gate
• 6 hours game drive safari in open-top vehicle
• 1:00 pm break
• 1:45 pm resume game drive safari
• 3:00 pm return to Manyana gate
• 2 hours drive back to drop off point
• 5:00 pm drop off at Johannesburg or Pretoria

The experience

Pilanesberg National Park sits two hours north of Johannesburg, bordered by the Sun City entertainment complex and home to the Big 5 and most large animal species of southern Africa. The reserve was not their natural habitat (the animals were brought in), but today it holds roughly 10,000 large mammals across its 550 square kilometres of bushland. You leave Johannesburg or Pretoria at 6:00am, drive two hours to Mankwe gate, and spend six hours in open-top vehicles with a guide who speaks English or French, stopping at bird hides along the dam where you can watch for more than 300 bird species.

The game drive runs from 9:00am to 3:00pm with a lunch break at 1:00pm. You move through the park looking for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and leopards, plus kudu, impala, eland, zebras, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles. The open-top vehicles give you an unobstructed view and the chance to photograph without glass between you and the animals. Landing and facility fees are included in the price.

After the drive ends at 3:00pm, you have another two hours back to your Johannesburg or Pretoria drop-off point, arriving around 5:00pm. The full outing is 12 hours door-to-door. The park is wheelchair accessible, and specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with small children.

What’s included

• Pickup from Johannesburg or Pretoria.
• six-hour game drive in open-top vehicles.
• live guide in English or French.
• lunch break at the gate.
• landing and facility fees.
• return transport to your starting point.

Options for this experience

2 options

Pilanesberg National ParkGuide in English or French · 06:00Pickup is included

Two-day Pilanesberg National Park tourGuide in English or French · 06:00Pickup is included in the kwa maritane

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (25 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 80 years) · Youth (19 to 24 years) · Child (3 to 18 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Pure diamond tours

Is this one for you?Book this shared tour if you want a guide who knows where the Big 5 are hiding. You'll spend six hours in an open vehicle scanning the park, which means real sightings over a full day away from Johannesburg.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (19 to 24 years); Child (3 to 18 years); Infant (under 3).

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 animals will I actually see on the Pilanesberg game drive?

Pilanesberg holds lions, elephants, black and white rhinos, buffalo, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles. The park also has brown hyenas, kudu, impala and eland. Over 300 bird species live here, and you'll stop at bird hides along the Mankwe Dam to spot them. The park holds roughly 10,000 large mammals total, though sightings depend on the day and the time of year.

How long is the actual safari drive in the park?

The game drive lasts six hours, from 9:00am to 3:00pm, with a one-hour lunch break at 1:00pm. You spend the morning and early afternoon in open-top vehicles with your guide, moving through the reserve to find animals.

What's included in the price?

Landing and facility fees are included. Pickup from Johannesburg or Pretoria is included in the tour. The guide speaks English or French.

How much driving is there before and after the safari?

Pilanesberg is two hours north of Johannesburg and Pretoria. You leave at 6:00am and drive two hours to reach the gate by 9:00am, then drive two hours back after the 3:00pm gate exit, arriving at your drop-off point around 5:00pm. The full day is 12 hours.

Is this tour accessible for people with mobility issues?

Yes. The park is wheelchair accessible, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with small children. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, as it involves a full day of driving and sitting in an open vehicle.