Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg: Big 5 in Open Vehicle

Guides trained in-house search for the Big 5 across two separate safari drives in the same day.

A full-day safari tour from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg Nature Reserve includes hotel pickup, two game drives (one in an open vehicle, one in a closed one), lunch at a rest camp, and an English-speaking guide trained to locate lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and leopards. The tour runs roughly 11 hours, with the safari portion split between morning and afternoon to cover different animal activity patterns. Hotel drop-off is included, and the vehicle holds a maximum of 10 passengers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Pilanesberg safari experience

• Collect from Johannesburg hotel 06:00-06:30
• Travel to Pilanesberg Nature Reserve
• Morning open 4x4 safari drive
• Lunch at Pilanesberg rest camp
• Afternoon closed vehicle safari drive
• Depart Pilanesberg 15:30-16:00
• Return to Johannesburg 17:30-18:00

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Johannesburg or Pretoria hotel between 6:00 and 6:30 am, followed by a drive to Pilanesberg. A short stop halfway allows for refreshments before you arrive at the reserve around 9 am. The morning safari begins in an open 4×4 vehicle. The kind that lets you see in all directions and gives guides a better vantage for spotting animals. Your guide will search for the Big 5 and explain the behavior and habitat of whatever you encounter. This open-vehicle portion runs roughly three hours.

Around midday, when heat drives most animals to shade and water, you'll break for lunch at one of the rest camps inside the park. The camp overlooks a small watering hole, so animals often come to drink during the meal. After lunch, you head back out in a closed vehicle for the afternoon safari (roughly two hours), which covers different terrain and takes advantage of the cooler late-day activity. You'll exit the park between 3:30 and 4:00 pm and arrive back in Johannesburg around 5:30 to 6:00 pm.

The vehicles are small 10-seater open-tops for the morning drive, which means no obstruction between you and the landscape. Guides receive in-house training beyond their standard qualifications, and the operator emphasizes finding animals as a core mission rather than a bonus. WiFi is available onboard, and if you're heading to the airport afterward, the driver can drop you there. Just bring your luggage with you on the tour.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Johannesburg or Pretoria.
• English-speaking guide with in-house training.
• morning open-vehicle safari drive (roughly 3 hours).
• afternoon closed-vehicle safari drive (roughly 2 hours).
• lunch at a rest camp overlooking a watering hole.
• onboard WiFi.
• small group (maximum 10 passengers per vehicle).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 31

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by MoAfrika Tours

Is this one for you?The 11-hour commitment and early 6:00 am pickup suit travelers with a full day free and the stamina for two separate game drives with a midday break. If you're arriving in or leaving Johannesburg the same day, the operator can drop you at the airport, though you'll need to carry luggage with you on the tour.

Traveler reviews

4.77★★★★★★★★★★

470 verified traveler reviews

5 ★400

4 ★47

3 ★13

2 ★5

1 ★5

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 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 are the Big 5 animals I might see on the Pilanesberg safari?

The Big 5 are lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and leopards. Pilanesberg is home to all five, and your guide will actively search for them during both the morning and afternoon drives. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the reserve is known for strong wildlife viewing.

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

The morning open-vehicle drive takes advantage of early activity when animals are most active and visible. The afternoon closed-vehicle safari covers different parts of the reserve during cooler late-day hours when animals return to feeding and drinking. Two different vehicles and times maximize your chances of seeing a variety of wildlife.

Is lunch included, and what if I have dietary restrictions?

Lunch is included at a rest camp overlooking a watering hole inside the park. Dietary restrictions are not detailed in the operator's standard information, so contact them directly before booking to discuss any special meal needs.

What time do I need to be ready for pickup, and when will I return to my hotel?

Hotel pickup runs between 6:00 and 6:30 am from Johannesburg or Pretoria. The estimated return time is 5:30 to 6:00 pm, making the full day roughly 11 hours from start to finish.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible. If you have mobility concerns, mention them when booking so the operator can confirm the vehicle setup and assist with boarding.