Pilanesberg Safari Tours: 2 Days with Big 5 & Lodge

Two days of game drives without the week-long commitment

You get picked up from your Johannesburg hotel, driven to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, and spend two days on four game drives with a professional ranger: two at sunrise and sunset, two during the day. Meals, lodge accommodation, and all park entry are included. You're back in the city by evening on day two.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and afternoon safari drive

• Pick up early in Johannesburg
• Drive to Greater Pilanesberg Nature Reserve
• Arrive at 4-star lodge mid-day
• Enjoy afternoon tea and snacks
• Relax before late-afternoon game drive
• Depart for late-afternoon game drive
• Return to lodge at sunset
• Enjoy starlit dinner around firepit

Day 2: Morning and afternoon safari drives

• Wake up early for hot beverages
• Depart for 3-hour sunrise game drive
• Return for hearty breakfast
• Pack up and prepare for collection
• Open 4x4 vehicle game drive in reserve
• Depart mid-afternoon for return to Johannesburg

The experience

So you've got maybe forty-eight hours and you're tired of the city noise. That's exactly what this is built for. The pickup happens early from your Johannesburg hotel, and then it's a straight shot to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, which sits about two and a half hours north in a malaria-free zone. By mid-day you're at the 4-star lodge, tucked into a private reserve that's part of the larger Pilanesberg, and the first thing you do is settle in with afternoon tea before heading back out for a sunset game drive in an open vehicle with a ranger who actually knows where the animals are.

The game drives are the whole point, and they don't mess around with the timing. You're out at dawn on day two for a three-hour sunrise drive (that's when the Big 5 are moving, when the light is soft and the air is cool), and then back for a proper breakfast before a mid-morning drive in a closed minivan if the heat gets too much. The lodge handles the meals, the transport between Johannesburg and the reserve, and the entry fees, so you're not arranging anything once you're there. It's the kind of two days where you actually disconnect, not the kind where you're checking your phone between stops.

The return drive leaves mid-afternoon, which means you're back in Johannesburg by early evening. It's not a long safari. It's a reset, and it works because the lodge is close enough that you're not spending half the time in a vehicle. The open safari vehicles let you see and photograph properly, and the ranger commentary is the kind of thing that sticks with you after you leave.

What’s included

Your two days include hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Johannesburg, all entrance fees to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, four game drives (two in open vehicles at sunrise and sunset, two in closed minivans during the day), one night at a 4-star lodge in a private reserve, breakfast, dinner, afternoon tea and snacks, and air-conditioned transport between the city and the reserve.

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 included in the booking

GroupUp to 9

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by MoAfrika Tours

Is this one for you?Right for travelers with a tight schedule or couples wanting a quick escape from Johannesburg without the hassle of arranging transport, park entry, or meals. Expect to be out early on both days. The sunrise drives are what make the Big 5 sightings possible.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

How far is Pilanesberg from Johannesburg?

Less than 3 hours by car from central Johannesburg.

Is malaria a concern in Pilanesberg?

No, the region is malaria-free.

What animals will I see?

The reserve is home to the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo), though sightings are never guaranteed on any single drive.

Are the game drives in open or closed vehicles?

Both. Afternoon and sunrise drives are in open vehicles. The mid-morning drive on day two is in a closed minivan if you prefer shade and air conditioning.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Johannesburg, all park entry fees, four game drives, lodge accommodation, breakfast, dinner, and afternoon tea.

What time do I need to be ready for pickup?

Early morning on day one. The exact time is confirmed when you book.

When do I return to Johannesburg?

Mid-afternoon on day two, between 3:00 and 3:15 pm.

Can I book this if I'm pregnant?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Is the lodge wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the lodge and transportation are wheelchair accessible.