Pillanesburg safari from Johannesburg: Big Five game drive

Game drive through Pillanesburg for leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo

A full-day private safari tour departing Johannesburg for Pillanesburg National Park, a 2-hour drive north into South Africa's Big Five habitat. You travel by minivan or open safari vehicle (your choice at booking) with a qualified English or Spanish-speaking guide, spend 3 to 5 hours on game drives depending on which option you select, and return to your hotel by evening. Round-trip transport, park entry, water and guide are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Pilanesberg safari

• Depart hotel in Johannesburg
• Drive towards North West Province
• Stop for break and refreshments
• Continue to Pilanesberg National Park
• Embark on 3-5 hour game drive
• Return to hotel in Johannesburg

The experience

Pillanesburg National Park sits just 2 hours north of Johannesburg, close enough for a full day without an overnight. The drive itself crosses from the city into the North West Province, with landscape shifting as you go. Your guide stops once along the way so you can stretch and grab a hot or cold drink, then continues into the park proper. From there, the day is built around the game drive: either a 3-hour outing in an open vehicle where you sit higher and have clearer sightlines, or a 4 to 5-hour private coach option that covers more ground. The park holds all five of Africa's Big Five (leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo), though sightings depend on where the animals are on any given day.

The open vehicle and the coach move at different paces and suit different priorities. An open safari vehicle gets you closer to the landscape and gives better camera angles. A coach vehicle is more sheltered and lets the guide drive longer routes before heading back. Both include your qualified guide, who navigates the park roads and knows where to look. Water is provided throughout. After the game drive ends, you head back to Johannesburg, arriving at your hotel by late afternoon or early evening depending on which option you booked.

What’s included

• Round-trip hotel pickup and transport from Johannesburg.
• park entrance fee.
• qualified guide in English or Spanish.
• water throughout the day.
• choice of open vehicle or private coach for the game drive.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00, 07:00, 11:00 and 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Senior (71 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Virgio Tours

Is this one for you?The open vehicle suits photographers and those who want the closest view of the landscape. The private coach works better for longer exploration and anyone who prefers shelter from weather. Both options run a full day with 2 hours of driving each way, so plan for an early start and a late return to your hotel.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

How long is the actual game drive in Pillanesburg?

The open vehicle option runs about 3 hours. The private coach option runs 4 to 5 hours. Both are dedicated to wildlife viewing once you enter the park.

What's the difference between the open vehicle and the coach?

The open safari vehicle seats you higher with better photo sightlines and a closer feel to the landscape. The private coach is fully enclosed, more comfortable in bad weather, and allows longer driving routes into the park.

Does the tour include the drive time from Johannesburg?

Yes. Round-trip transport from your Johannesburg hotel is included, which is about 2 hours each way. The tour also includes a rest stop on the way in.

What animals might I see at Pillanesburg?

Pillanesburg is home to all five of Africa's Big Five: leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Sightings vary by season and where the animals are on the day you visit.