Pilanesberg Safari & Sun City Tour from Johannesburg

See the Big Five on safari, then spend the afternoon at Sun City's waterpark and casino

A full-day tour from Johannesburg combines a morning safari through Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, where guides position vehicles for wildlife viewing and stop at scenic overlooks, with an afternoon at Sun City resort featuring the Valley of the Waves waterpark, golf courses, restaurants and casino. The tour runs 7 to 9 hours with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, a live English-speaking guide, lunch and snacks included. Children from age 3 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Safari and Sun City adventure

• Start early from Johannesburg
• Enjoy Big Five safari in Pilanesberg
• Stop at panoramic viewpoints
• Visit Sun City waterpark and rides
• Explore Sun City golf courses and casino

The experience

Pilanesberg Nature Reserve sits in a volcanic crater an hour's drive from Johannesburg, and the safari portion of this tour starts early to catch the Big Five when they are most active. Your guide drives through the reserve in a climate-controlled vehicle, positioning stops for photography and pausing at viewpoints where the landscape opens up across the crater. The reserve holds lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, though sightings depend on the day: guides work to put you in position when animals appear, but wildlife moves on its own schedule.

After the safari, the tour heads to Sun City, a resort built into the same volcanic landscape. The afternoon is yours to spend at the Valley of the Waves, an indoor waterpark with wave pools and slides, or to walk the grounds, eat at one of the gourmet restaurants, play golf, or try the casino. Sun City is a self-contained property (everything from shops to shows sits within it), so you move between activities without leaving the resort. Lunch is provided during the day, along with snacks and bottled water throughout.

The full itinerary runs between 7 and 9 hours door-to-door. Your hotel pickup is arranged in advance from anywhere in Johannesburg or Pretoria, and the same vehicle brings you back at the end of the day. The guide stays with the group through both the safari and the Sun City portion, answering questions about the geology of the crater and the wildlife you encounter.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Johannesburg or Pretoria.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• English-speaking guide.
• entry to Pilanesberg Nature Reserve and Sun City.
• lunch and snacks.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Stephenson Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to combine a morning safari with afternoon resort activities in one trip: the early start catches wildlife while you're fresh, then you transition to Sun City's facilities without backtracking between separate locations.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What animals might I see on the Pilanesberg safari?

Pilanesberg is a Big Five reserve, so the guide will look for lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Sightings are never guaranteed (the animals move freely through the reserve), but your guide positions the vehicle to increase your chances and stops at viewpoints where animals are often spotted.

How much time do I spend at Sun City versus on the safari?

The morning is devoted to the Pilanesberg safari, and the afternoon is yours to spend at Sun City. The split gives you roughly half the day in the reserve and half at the resort, though exact timing shifts based on wildlife activity and traffic.

Is the Valley of the Waves waterpark included, or do I pay separately?

Entry to Sun City is included in the tour price, and you have access to the Valley of the Waves waterpark, the grounds, restaurants and other facilities. Any food or drinks you purchase beyond the included lunch and snacks, or activities like golf or the casino, are separate.

What is included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Johannesburg or Pretoria, the air-conditioned vehicle for the full day, the English-speaking guide, entry to Pilanesberg and Sun City, lunch, snacks and bottled water are all included.