South Africa · PILANESBERG SAFARIS

The 15 Best Pilanesberg Safaris from Johannesburg

23 tours  ·  from $49

An extinct volcano two hours from the city, malaria-free, with all of the Big Five inside it. The 15 below compare open vehicles against closed, half days against full, and whether Sun City is bolted onto the end.

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari - The 5:45 a.m. pickup and long road north
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From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

1.Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,327 reviews · 12 hours · from $186Our pick

Leave Johannesburg early for two open-vehicle game drives in Pilanesberg, with 4.5 to 5 hours in the reserve. Guides such as Petrus, Martin, and Desmond are praised for sharp animal spotting and lively explanations. Expect elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and a chance at the Big Five.

“I think this was an extremely amazing experience. It was extremely good value the guy who were friendly, informative, and helpful. I enjoyed my experience and would highly recommend this.”

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Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria - Your first game drive in the open 4x4
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Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

2.Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 718 reviews · from $159

Leave Johannesburg or Pretoria early for Pilanesberg National Park, then join a professional ranger for morning and afternoon open-vehicle safaris. You’ll have time for lunch at the Pilanesberg Center beside a waterhole, with a small group capped at 10 people and return transport included.

“My very first Safari experience. The initial drive takes a while but once at the Safari it’s a magical place. Would 100 percent recommend this tour.”

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Full Day Pilanesberg Experience in Open Vehicle - Lunch at a Pilanesberg Rest Camp
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Full Day Pilanesberg Experience in Open Vehicle

3.Full Day Pilanesberg Experience in Open Vehicle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 414 reviews · from $137

Leave Johannesburg around 6:00 a.m. for Pilanesberg, where a park guide such as Petrus or Thaboo leads a three-hour open-vehicle safari. After lunch, continue in a closed vehicle for about two hours. Hotel transfers and uncapped WiFi are included.

“Petrus was an excellent tour guide. Extremely knowledgeable on all animals and he was fun and light-hearted. He made the experience wonderful.”

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From Sun City: Pilanesberg National Park 3-Hour Game Drive - Into Pilanesberg’s extinct volcanic crater
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From Sun City: Pilanesberg National Park 3-Hour Game Drive

4.Pilanesberg National Park 3-Hour Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 216 reviews · from $49Best value

Travel from Sun City into Pilanesberg’s extinct volcanic crater for a 3-hour drive in a 25-seat open safari vehicle. English-speaking guides such as Jeremy, Peter, and BY help you spot wildlife, explain conservation, and make the most of morning or afternoon departures.

“The activity was fantastic and the guide, Jeremy, was outstanding. the only unpleasant thing was the poor road conditions that caused a bumpy and uncomfortable ride. otherwise, the activity was worth every penny.”

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Full Day Safari Tour of Pilanesberg National Park, Open Jeep experience - What you might see during the game drive
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Full Day Safari Tour of Pilanesberg National Park, Open Jeep experience

5.Full Day Safari Tour of Pilanesberg National Park, Open Jeep experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · from $155Top rated

Set out from Johannesburg around 6am for an 11 to 12-hour Pilanesberg safari in an open-sided jeep. Your park guide searches for lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffaloes, cheetahs, hippos, and more, while lunch, park fees, transfers, and water are included. Breakfast is not.

“This was such an amazing and once in a lifetime experience! We saw 4 out of the big 5. This was just awesome! I would definitely recommend this tour.”

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Full Day Pilanesberg Safari Adventure - The 2.5 to 3-hour morning drive
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Full Day Pilanesberg Safari Adventure

6.Full Day Pilanesberg Safari Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 109 reviews · from $121

Meet your guide at Pilanesberg’s Bakubung Gate or Sun City, then spend about six hours on two open-vehicle drives. Guides such as Tumi and Elvis share wildlife knowledge and radio sightings. Lunch, soda, and a small group of up to 10 are included.

“Animals are the stars of the show. They came out to show off and when they didn’t our awesome guide tracked them down for us Speaking of our guide, he shared so much interesting knowledge especially about the symbiotic relationships of the animals in the park. All in all exceeded our expectations. Lunch stop included is a nice touch.”

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Full Day Exquisite Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg - Five hours in an open safari vehicle
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Full Day Exquisite Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg

7.Full Day Exquisite Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · from $204

Leave Johannesburg at 5:30 am for Pilanesberg with hotel pickup, a scenic Hartbeespoort Dam drive, and about five hours of game viewing. Jason, Elvis, or another registered guide handles the road transfer, while park guides such as Lizzie, Bernie, or SiSi help spot lions, elephants, hippos, cheetahs, and more.

“Started when we got picked up at the hotel our driver Jason Pollard is very accommodating, kind, and informative. He made us feel at ease from the hotel and on the way back with emphasis on safety. Bernard our safari driver is funny and gave us the safety before starteRead more”

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3-Hour Private Game Drive of Pilanesberg National Park - Entering Pilanesberg in an open safari vehicle
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3-Hour Private Game Drive of Pilanesberg National Park

8.3-Hour Private Game Drive of Pilanesberg National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 67 reviews

Spend three hours in Pilanesberg National Park with your own guide and open 10-seater safari vehicle. Choose a morning or afternoon drive, watch for lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo, and learn about animal behavior and conservation. Sun City pickup is available.

“Absolutely Great Service from the Booking to the actual day of the Game Drive...Well Done Mankwe GAMETRACKERS Team!!! A special thank you to our Game Driver ( Captain B - Mr Bongani you are a absolute start my man!!!)”

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Pilanesberg National Park/Sun City Hot Air Balloon Safari - The early pickup and the long ride to the launch site
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Pilanesberg National Park/Sun City Hot Air Balloon Safari

9.Pilanesberg National Park/Sun City Hot Air Balloon Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 63 reviews · 4 hours · from $421

Start before sunrise with an open safari-vehicle ride through Pilanesberg National Park. After a safety briefing, fly for 45 minutes to an hour, then toast the landing with sparkling wine and orange juice. Finish with a full English breakfast and a signed first-flight certificate.

“My bucket list dream was eventually achieved. Was way more than I ever expected. From the start with the pick up to the flight, the champagne brekkie and the return game drive was awesome. Have already told so many friends about it and they are revved to do this. Thank you to the team.”

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Johannesburg: 2-Day 4-Star Pilanesberg Safari - Leaving Johannesburg for Pilanesberg
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Johannesburg: 2-Day 4-Star Pilanesberg Safari

10.2-Day 4-Star Pilanesberg Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 61 reviews · 2 days · from $609

Leave Johannesburg for Pilanesberg’s volcanic hills and four game drives in two days. You’ll ride in both open 4x4s and a closed minivan, sleep at a 4-star lodge, and may spot four of the Big Five. Guide Moloko has earned special praise for her care and effort.

“Mye for pengene! Nydelig sted og veldig god mat!”

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3-Hour Scheduled Safari Game Drive in Pilanesberg National Park - Why the open safari vehicle changes the experience
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3-Hour Scheduled Safari Game Drive in Pilanesberg National Park

11.3-Hour Scheduled Safari Game Drive in Pilanesberg National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $54

Travel from Sun City into Pilanesberg National Park for a 3-hour shared safari in an open vehicle. A certified guide such as Tiaan explains animal behavior and park ecology while you search for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and birdlife.

“Brilliant experience, absolutely loved it! Thanks to Tian for sharing his knowledge, enthusiasm, passion and patience.”

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3-Hour Shared Game Drive in Pilanesberg National Park - Three hours among Pilanesberg wildlife
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3-Hour Shared Game Drive in Pilanesberg National Park

12.3-Hour Shared Game Drive in Pilanesberg National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 38 reviews · 3 hours · from $56

Set out from Sun City in a shared open-top safari vehicle for three hours in Pilanesberg National Park. An English-speaking certified wildlife guide leads a group of up to 10, with chances to spot lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and birds.

“Excellent guide, very knowledgeable and good communication. Efficient transfer to and from hotel. Love the smaller group size. Highly recommend”

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From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari - The 2.5-hour road trip from Johannesburg
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From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari

13.Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 12 hours · from $263

Travel from Johannesburg or Pretoria to Pilanesberg in a small group of up to 13. After the 2.5-hour drive, choose an open safari vehicle or closed minibus for game drives around an extinct volcano. Guides such as James and Peter explain the wildlife, with lunch, water, entry fees, and return transport included.

“Nosso transporte feito pelo sr. Jason foi tranquilo e pontual, ida e vinda. Muito atencioso e solícito. Nosso tour pelo parque foi muito legal, não vimos os Big Five, apenas w deles, mas vimos muitos outros animais. E o mais divertido foi a briga de girafas e os elefantes invadindo a rua, passando ao lado do carro e até indo atrás. O motorista Peter foi muito bem nas explicações.”

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Pilanesberg Nature Reserve - Exploring 550 square kilometres in an open vehicle
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Pilanesberg Nature Reserve

14.Pilanesberg Nature Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · from $229

Leave your hotel at 06:00 for a full-day Pilanesberg safari with Wildside Tours and Safaris. Guides including Tim, Mike, Elvis, and Joe lead small groups of up to 13 in an open game-viewing vehicle, with lunch, water, and tour photos included.

“I had the best experience with Tim! From the moment that we got picked up until the drop off, we were fully taken care or and felt very comfortable. Tim is a very lovely and funny guy, just what we hoped for, for this incredible once of a life time experience. Thank you 🙏”

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Pilanesberg Game Reserve 6 Hour Sunrise Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria - The 4:00 am departure and long road transfer
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Pilanesberg Game Reserve 6 Hour Sunrise Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

15.Pilanesberg Game Reserve 6 Hour Sunrise Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · from $255

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.”

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New in Pilanesberg Safaris

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