Pilanesberg Safari from Sun City: Big 5 game drives

Track the Big Five across an ancient volcanic crater

A six-hour shared Big 5 safari from Sun City to Pilanesberg National Park includes round-trip transport, two game drives in an open 4×4 vehicle with a ranger, and lunch at a rest camp. The reserve sits 2.5 hours from Johannesburg in a malaria-free zone and holds lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, hippo and over 300 bird species. Pickup from Sun City is included. You depart the park around 15:30–16:00 and arrive back before sunset.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Pilanesberg National Park safari

• Pickup from Sun City
• Transfer to Pilanesberg National Park
• Morning open 4x4 game drive
• Enjoy light lunch at rest camp
• Afternoon open 4x4 game drive
• Transfer back to Sun City

The experience

The day starts with a pickup from Sun City in a climate-controlled minibus, then switches to an open 4×4 safari vehicle once you reach the park. Two game drives (one in early morning and one in late afternoon) give you six hours of viewing time with an expert ranger who knows where the animals move. The reserve sits inside an ancient volcanic crater and holds the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo, plus zebra, giraffe, cheetah, hyena, hippo, crocodile and more than 300 bird species.

Midday brings a break at one of the park's scenic rest camps, where a light lunch is included. The rest camp sits inside the reserve, so you stay immersed in the landscape between drives. Bottled water comes throughout the day. You'll depart the park around 15:30–16:00 and arrive back in Sun City before sunset.

What’s included

• Round-trip transport from Sun City to Pilanesberg in a climate-controlled minibus.
• open 4×4 safari vehicle for both game drives.
• expert ranger guiding the full six hours.
• light lunch at a park rest camp.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 31

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Pilanesberg Trackers

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Sun City or nearby without a rental car: pickup is included and the fixed schedule means you don't arrange the drive or the timing yourself. The shared vehicle keeps the cost lower than a private option, and the early morning and late afternoon drives catch the animals when they're most active.

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Top questions

What animals will I see on the Pilanesberg safari?

The Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) are the main draw, but the reserve also holds cheetah, giraffe, zebra, hyena, hippo, crocodile and over 300 bird species. Sightings depend on the season and the animals' movement, so your ranger will track them across the reserve.

How long are the actual game drives on this tour?

Two game drives make up the six hours: an early-morning session and a late-afternoon one, each running 2.5 to 3 hours. The midday break at a rest camp falls between them.

Is the vehicle open or enclosed?

You travel to the park in a climate-controlled minibus, then switch to an open 4×4 safari vehicle for the game drives. The open sides let you photograph and spot animals without obstruction.

What's included in the lunch at the rest camp?

A light lunch is included and served at one of the park's scenic rest camps during the midday break. Bottled water is also complimentary throughout the day.

How far is Pilanesberg from Johannesburg?

Pilanesberg National Park lies 2.5 hours from Johannesburg and is malaria-free, making it accessible for a day trip without health precautions required for other South African reserves.

What time does the tour end and when do I get back to Sun City?

You depart the park around 15:30–16:00 and arrive back in Sun City before sunset, so the full day runs roughly six hours in the reserve plus travel time.