Treat yourself to this unique, short safari tour in the renowned Pilanesberg National Park near Johannesburg, South Africa.
This exclusive experience in the private concession area of the malaria-free Pilanesberg game reserve includes a stay at the luxurious Ivory Tree Game Lodge and exciting Big 5 game drives with experienced game rangers.
The safari tour includes transfers from Johannesburg or central Pretoria, and back. It is an excellent value-for-money South Africa safari, perfect for the whole family!
Our exciting 2-Day Pilanesberg Safari starts in Johannesburg or central Pretoria, where you will be picked up early in the morning and driven to the Pilanesberg National Park. Along the drive into the scenic North West Province of South Africa, we stop for refreshments and a quick breakfast (on your own account). The drive to Pilanesberg National Park takes between 2 and 3 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
The game-viewing adventure kicks off as soon as we arrive at the park. After exploring the wildlife park in our enclosed tour vehicle for a few hours, we arrive at Ivory Tree Game Lodge around midday. Settle in at this luxurious safari lodge and enjoy a light lunch before we embark on a late afternoon game drive in an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle. An expert game ranger guides us to see the Big 5 of Africa (lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, and leopard) and the array of other animals and birds found in Pilanesberg. While we explore, our guide shares in-depth information about the habitat and wildlife we encounter. As the sun sets, we return to the safari lodge for a gourmet dinner at the lodge's restaurant.
Day 2 of our Pilanesberg Safari is dedicated to observing the wild animals of Pilanesberg National Park. We start the day with hot beverages before embarking on a 3-hour sunrise game drive in an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle.
After our exciting morning game drive, we return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. We then pack up and prepare to leave by mid-morning. From the lodge, we take a game drive back to the park gate in our closed tour vehicle. The safari ends late this afternoon when we arrive back in Johannesburg or central Pretoria.
Pilanesberg is South Africa's fourth-largest game park, covering approximately 55 000 hectares (135 908 acres). It is one of the best Big 5 game reserves near Johannesburg and one of the country's most easily accessible safari parks.
Pilanesberg National Park is located in the Bojanala Region of the North West Province, in a transitional vegetation zone. It is also where the arid Kalahari Desert and the wetter Lowveld biomes meet. As a result, this location is home to a diverse range of animal, plant, and bird species. Pilanesberg is home to nearly all of Southern Africa's wildlife species, including endangered and rare species such as African wild dogs and roan, sable, and tsessebe antelopes. Pilanesberg is home to all five Big 5 animals (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, and elusive leopard). Cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, jackals, wild cats, and various antelopes also roam the national park. In addition, the Pilanesberg National Park has over 360 bird species recorded.
The Pilanesberg National Park is a provincial park managed by the North West Parks Board. An interesting fact about the national park is that it was formed in a crater millions of years ago by a volcano eruption. The extinct volcano is a fascinating geological site with stunning scenery.
On this well-priced Pilanesberg Safari, we stay at the Ivory Tree Game Lodge. The Ivory Tree Lodge is a sophisticated safari lodge located in the far northern corner of the Pilanesberg National Park.
This family-friendly lodge is decorated in earthy tones with splashes of color that create a vibrant atmosphere. Accommodation is in the standard deluxe suites. Each suite has its private patio with panoramic views of the beautiful bushveld surroundings. Ivory Tree Game Lodge offers optional activities (own account) including archery, drumming sessions, and spa treatments. Optional activities and extra nights of accommodation can be added to the above safari program at extra cost.
One of the highlights of staying at Ivory Tree Lodge is the bush braai (barbeque) experience in the outdoor boma. This boma dining experience offers fun entertainment, including interactive drumming, Zulu dancing, an African marimba band, and a percussion show.
All meals served on this Pilanesberg Safari at Ivory Tree Lodge are traditional South African dishes that have been carefully selected and prepared. A gourmet dinner at the Ivory Tree Game Lodge restaurant is included.
Transfers on this 2-Day Pilanesberg Safari are conducted in an air-conditioned minibus (Quantum). The transfers to the lodge and back, are in a shared transfer vehicle. You will be collected and dropped off at your accommodation in these enclosed tour vehicles at the start and end of the day tour.
During your stay at the Ivory Tree Lodge in Pilanesberg National Park, your game drives are conducted in open-sided 4x4 safari vehicles.
For travelers with onward flights departing on the evening of day two of this Pilanesberg Safari, please book flights that allow extra time for delays. We recommend booking domestic flights out of OR Tambo International Airport that depart by 19h30 and international flights departing by 21h00.
Please note that we offer convenient pre and post tour lodge accommodation for before and after this Pilanesberg Safari, which can be added to your tour booking upon request. The 4-star lodge accommodation is located 10-15 minutes from the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Follow the link for information on rates.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
Children under 6 years of age are not permitted on the game drives.
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