South Africa · BIG FIVE GAME DRIVES IN PRETORIA
Good big five game drives in Pretoria fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 5 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Spend eight hours with an English-speaking guide such as Sipho, Thabang, Pule, or Carson, pairing a Lion Park game drive with Pretoria’s key historic sights. Expect more than lions: cheetahs, hyenas, and wild dogs are also found here. Lion cub handling is not currently permitted.
“My guide Pule was super nice and very very informative. We enjoyed our time and learned so much. Thank you.”
Leave Johannesburg or Pretoria at 4:00 am for a private, six-hour sunrise safari in malaria-free Pilanesberg. Your guide, possibly Anton, Willie, or Norman, handles the driving, park fees, wildlife commentary, and lunch at Bakubung Bush Lodge.
“We had an amazing day guided by Norman. We saw 4 of the Big 5 - no leopard on this occasion but we saw many other animals. Birds in abundance, animals in their native setting. Nothing was too much trouble for Norman making sure we had an amazing experience. Highly recommended.”
Set out early from Johannesburg or Pretoria for a three-hour Pilanesberg game drive, then spend three hours at Sun City. Expect a small group of up to 12, hotel pickup, a professional guide, and extra costs for Valley of Waves, meals, and optional elephant experiences.
“This was a memorable trip that I have already described many times to the envy of my co-workers. Don't forget to watch the antics of the baby elephants.”
Leave Johannesburg at 7 a.m. for Kruger National Park, staying overnight in Hazyview. Your driver-guide takes you through Phabeni Gate for a four-hour afternoon drive, followed by a 5:30 a.m. morning safari. Guides such as Patrick and Lambert have helped guests find both large and small wildlife.
“We had a tour guide pick us up promptly at our hotel in Johannesburg and drive us to our accommodation in Kruger. I am a little confused because the lodging we were provided was different from what was advertised in the listing. For the pricRead more”
Set out early from Johannesburg or Pretoria for a full-day Pilanesberg safari with Soul Adventures. Your ranger drives an open-air game vehicle for six hours, tracking lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard, giraffe, zebra, hippo, and more. Lunch, park fees, water, and hotel transfers are included.
“A great option if you don't have time or ability to make it to Kruger but want to see rhino, elephant, giraffe, zebra, and impala. Amazing how close they were sometimes; so different seeing them in their natural setting than in a zoo. Beautiful Read more”
Pick a reserve, a coastline or a cellar.
