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Pilanesberg Big 5 Safari Day Trip
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Big 5 wildlife just 2.5 hours from Johannesburg

Pilanesberg Big 5 Safari Day Trip

12 hoursMax 10 guestsEnglishFree cancellation up to 24 hours beforeBestseller
4.9(496 reviews)
Gray Line Certified Partner
Small Group & Private Options
Best Price Guaranteed
Booked 4 times in the last 3 hoursOnly 2 spots left today
11,000+ five-star reviews across all platforms

Small Group Tour

Max 10 guests

Private Tour

Own guide & vehicle

Luxury Custom

Tailored to you

Escape the city for a day of pure African wilderness at Pilanesberg National Park, set in the crater of an ancient volcano. This malaria-free reserve is home to the Big 5 — lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo — plus cheetah, wild dog, hippo, and over 360 bird species. Your morning begins with an exhilarating open-vehicle game drive led by expert tracker-guides who know every watering hole and hiding spot. Enjoy a bush breakfast in the reserve before a second game drive in the afternoon when predators become more active. Pilanesberg offers some of South Africa's best Big 5 sighting rates outside Kruger.

Tour Highlights

Big 5 game viewing in open vehicle
Pilanesberg volcanic crater landscape
Expert tracker-guide with spotting scope
Bush breakfast in the reserve
Malaria-free safari destination
360+ bird species for birders
Small group — max 10 guests

Interactive Route Map

Click markers to see stop details. Route is approximate and may vary.

Your Day, Stop by Stop

A cinematic journey through Cape Town's most iconic landmarks

1
05:30

Hotel Pickup

30 min

Early morning collection from Johannesburg/Pretoria hotels

2
06:00

Drive to Pilanesberg

150 min

Scenic 2.5-hour drive to the park with coffee & rusks

3
08:30

Morning Game Drive

180 min

Open-vehicle drive through the volcanic crater — prime time for Big 5 sightings

4
11:30

Bush Breakfast

60 min

Relax with a hearty breakfast at a scenic picnic spot in the reserve

5
12:30

Afternoon Game Drive

120 min

Second game drive — predators become active as the day cools

6
14:30

Departure

10 min

Leave Pilanesberg for the return journey

7
17:30

Hotel Drop-off

0 min

Return to your accommodation

What's Included

Inclusions

  • Hotel pickup & drop-off (Johannesburg/Pretoria)
  • Open safari vehicle
  • Professional field guide
  • Park entrance fees
  • Bush breakfast
  • Afternoon refreshments
  • Binoculars available on request

Exclusions

  • Gratuities
  • Lunch (optional upgrade available)
  • Personal expenses

Why Book Direct With Us?

Best prices guaranteed — no booking fees or markups
Direct contact with your tour guide
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Personal service & flexible customization
Choose small group, private, or luxury custom
11,000+ five-star reviews across all platforms
Booked 4 times today
From
$179/ person
Best price guaranteed — no booking fees
4.8(496)
Duration12 hours
Group SizeMax 10
Start Time05:30
LanguagesEnglish
Difficultyeasy
Only 2 spots left for tomorrow
Johannesburg
Summer Season
20–28°C
Warm, afternoon storms

Typical conditions · Plan your visit accordingly

Best Time to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Dry winter months offer the best game viewing — animals gather at waterholes and vegetation is sparse.

What to Bring

  • Warm layers for early morning
  • Binoculars
  • Camera with zoom lens
  • Sunscreen & hat
  • Comfortable closed shoes

Insider Tips

  • Early morning starts dramatically increase Big 5 sighting chances
  • Pilanesberg has excellent leopard sighting rates
  • The volcanic landscape makes for incredible photos

Meeting Point

Hotel pickup in Johannesburg CBD, Sandton, Pretoria

Ready for an unforgettable Cape Town experience?

Book direct for the best price — no middlemen, no booking fees, just personal service. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.