Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari: Big Five game drive

Hunt the Big Five across a volcanic crater's bushveld

A game drive through Pilanesberg National Park in an air-conditioned vehicle, with a live guide in English, German or Dutch, hunting the Big Five across 580 km of bushveld terrain shaped by volcanic eruptions 1,300 million years ago. Pickup from a central Gauteng location between 6 and 7 am. A 3-hour drive through the park follows arrival, then lunch at the visitor centre (not included), observation from bird hides, and return in the late afternoon. The tour requires a minimum of 4 adults to depart.

Step-by-step itinerary

Pilanesberg National Park game drive

• Pickup at Gauteng central spot
• Travel to Pilanesberg National Park
• Enjoy 3-hour game drive in vehicle
• Lunch at visitor centre restaurant
• Observe wildlife from bird hides
• Return to drop-off point in late afternoon

The experience

What makes Pilanesberg stand out is the geology: the park sits inside the crater of an extinct volcano, one of the world's largest alkaline complexes of its kind. That rare rock structure supports an abundance of wildlife across terrain that shifts between different habitats. A 3-hour game drive in an air-conditioned vehicle gives you the main window to spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, black and white rhino, elephant and buffalo) moving through their natural habitat on the many roads that thread through the reserve.

After the drive, you stop at the visitor centre restaurant for lunch (you arrange and pay for it separately), then move to bird hides for more observation. Over 300 bird species are recorded in the park, some migrants and others permanent. The hides let you watch them without the movement of the vehicle. The guide speaks English, German or Dutch, and the whole day runs 9 to 11 hours from pickup to drop-off. Bring sun block, a sunhat, walking shoes, binoculars and a camera. Bottled water is provided.

The tour departs only with a minimum of 4 adults, and group discounts apply the more bookings you have. Pickup happens at a central spot in Gauteng between 6 and 7 am, and the itinerary can shift according to weather or unforeseen circumstances. The park sits in a malaria-free zone.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for the game drive.
• entrance fees to Pilanesberg National Park.
• parking fees.
• bottled water.
• live guide in English, German or Dutch.
• hotel or central pickup and drop-off in Gauteng.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 07:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 to 89 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish, German and Dutch

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 29 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by TourSouthAfrica

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling in a group of at least four adults and want a full morning and afternoon devoted to spotting the Big Five. The fixed 3-hour game drive window and the bird hide observation afterward fit a single day trip from Johannesburg or Pretoria.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4).

What are the Big Five I might see on this game drive?

The Big Five are lion, leopard, black and white rhino, elephant and buffalo. Pilanesberg's 580 km of bushveld terrain and diverse habitats give you chances to encounter all five in their natural habitat during the 3-hour drive.

How long does the whole tour take from pickup to drop-off?

The tour runs 9 to 11 hours total. Pickup happens between 6 and 7 am from a central Gauteng location, the 3-hour game drive begins after arrival, and you return in the late afternoon.

What's included in the price and what do I pay for separately?

The price covers the air-conditioned vehicle, entrance fees to the park, parking, bottled water and the guide. Lunch at the visitor centre restaurant is not included, so you buy and pay for that on the day.

Why is Pilanesberg geologically unusual?

Pilanesberg sits inside the crater of a long-extinct volcano and is one of the world's largest alkaline volcanic complexes. Volcanic eruptions 1,300 million years ago created rare rock types and a structure that make it a unique geological feature, and that rare geology supports the abundance of wildlife.

Can I watch birds as well as the Big Five?

Yes. Over 300 bird species are recorded in the park, and after the game drive you spend time in bird hides for observation. Some species are migrants, others permanent inhabitants.

What's the minimum group size to book this tour?

The tour requires a minimum of 4 adults to depart. Group discounts apply, so the more bookings you have, the less you pay per person.