Pack up and treat yourself to a wildlife getaway at Bakubung Bush Lodge, a family-friendly safari destination in Pilanesberg National Park near Johannesburg.
Bakubung Bush Lodge overlooks a large waterhole where you can sit back and watch the resident pod of hippos and other animals. This luxurious lodge offers a range of activities from guided 4x4 game drives to a Junior Rangers Program for kids.
This South African safari tour includes transfers from Johannesburg, and back. Book your stay today to escape the busy city life and enjoy nature’s calming effect.
This 4-Day Pilanesberg Safari kicks off in Johannesburg where you are collected from your pre-tour accommodation early in the morning. From Johannesburg, you are driven to Pilanesberg National Park, about two to three hours away.
We start by exploring the game reserve for a few hours, arriving at Bakubung Bush Lodge at midday. Settle in, enjoy a light lunch, and relax at the luxurious lodge before we embark on a late afternoon game drive in the Pilanesberg game reserve. Game drives are conducted in an open-sided safari vehicle or a larger, open 20-seater safari vehicle. Your expert ranger will lead the search for the Big 5 of Africa (lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, and leopard) and the array of other animals and birds found in Pilanesberg.
After our first exciting Big 5 game drive, we return to the well-equipped lodge as the sun is setting and enjoy an al fresco dinner or cozy meal in the restaurant.
Day two of our Pilanesberg Safari at Bakubung Bush Lodge begins with a fresh coffee or tea overlooking the bushveld. Then we set off for a 3-hour sunrise game drive in the Pilanesberg National Park. Set off in an open safari vehicle with a professional game ranger as day breaks.
Keep an eye out for giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, and the Big 5 of Africa! Our rewarding game drive is followed by a mouthwatering breakfast back at the lodge. Thereafter you are free to laze by the pool and enjoy optional activities at Bakubung Bush Lodge. For an additional cost, you can join a guided bush walk or a game tracking activity, or visit the reserve’s wildlife center or Predator’s World.
Lunch will be served at the lodge, followed by free time to take a nap or enjoy the lodge's extensive facilities. We then take a late afternoon game drive in Pilanesberg, soaking up the beautiful scenery as we scan the bush for animals and birds.
As evening falls we return to the lodge for dinner in the restaurant, on the patio, or under the stars in the boma.
Wake up to the sights and sounds of wildlife-rich Pialnesberg National Park. After an early morning tea or coffee, we venture back out into the wilderness in our open safari vehicle.
The lodge's guides are experts at tracking down animals and spotting them in the bush. As you explore, your experienced guide shares insights and interesting facts about the local fauna and flora. After our 3-hour sunrise game drive in Pilanesberg game reserve, we return to the lodge to have a hearty breakfast. Then you are free to enjoy other activities that Bakubung Bush Lodge has to offer. For an additional cost, you can join a guided bush walk, track wildlife, try archery or visit the reserve’s wildlife center or Predator’s World. Treat yourself to a pampering spa treatment or read a book beside the pool.
In the late afternoon, your guide takes you on another thrilling game drive in Pilanesberg. As night falls we return to the lodge for a delicious dinner around the fire or in the restaurant.
We have an early start to the last day of our Big 5 Pilanesberg Safari. We start with refreshing tea or coffee before going on a 3-hour sunrise game drive in the Pilanesberg National Park. As you explore the bush in the 4x4 safari vehicle your professional guide tells you more about the wildlife, plants, birds, and habitats you encounter.
After our final 4x4 game drive we return to the luxurious lodge for a hearty breakfast; pack up and get ready to depart. At about 11h30 for 12h00, our driver collects you in the air-conditioned vehicle (minivan) and takes you on a final game drive in the reserve. We then make our way back to Johannesburg, arriving in the late afternoon, when you are dropped off at your post-safari accommodation.
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 Pilanesberg Safari, we stay at the well-known Bakubung Bush Lodge. This is a family-friendly safari destination located in the southeast corner of the Pilanesberg National Park, a short 15-minute drive from Sun City Resort. The game lodge overlooks a sweeping lawn that leads down to a large waterhole that usually features a resident pod of hippos and other visiting animals.
There’s so much to do at Bakubung Bush Lodge between the early morning and late afternoon game drives it's easy to keep the whole family busy. Lodge facilities include a large swimming pool, flood-lit tennis courts, kids’ playground, volleyball courts, internet lounge, gym and spa center, a large restaurant, and poolside bar. A highlight is the African-themed spit braais (barbeques) and bush braais that happen on certain nights of the week in the outdoor boma.
Accommodation ranges from standard/deluxe rooms to family rooms and exclusive private suites. Each ensuite luxury room is elegantly decorated and fully equipped for comfort and convenience. The spacious rooms open up onto a private balcony with a panoramic view of the reserve. This safari includes accommodation in standard rooms at Bakubung Bush Lodge.
All meals served on this Pilanesberg Safari at Bakubung Bush Lodge have been carefully selected and prepared. This Pilanesberg Safari includes hearty meals at Bakubung Lodge's restaurant, overlooking a hippo hide. Special dietary requirements can be catered for, upon request.
Transfers on this 4-Day Pilanesberg Safari are conducted in an air-conditioned minibus (Quantum). The transfers to the lodge and back, are in a shared transfer vehicle with 2 to 12 people. You will be collected and dropped off at your accommodation in these enclosed tour vehicles at the start and end of your safari.
During your stay at the Bakubung Bush Lodge in Pilanesberg National Park, your game drives are conducted in either an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle or an open-topped 20-seater safari vehicle.
For travelers with onward flights departing on the evening of the final day 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 from 19h30 onwards and international flights departing after 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 of all ages welcome at Bakubung Bush Lodge.
All Johannesburg Departures | All Pilanesberg National Park Tours | All Lodge Safari trips
An intimate 4 Day budget safari to Greater Kruger National Park staying at a tented safari lodge in Balule Nature Reserve.
More on this 4 Day Budget Lodge Safari
A great value 5 Day Kruger Park Safari to an authentic Bush Camp Lodge in South Africa's safari Mecca of Greater Kruger Park. Stay at an intimate safari lodge and enjoy morning and evening game drives to see the Big Five animals of Africa and more.
More on this 5 Day Budget Lodge Safari
An affordable Sabi Sands Safari exploring on open 4x4 game drives & stay at a private safari lodge in the exclusive Sabi Sands Game Reserve in Greater Kruger National Park.
More on this 3 Day Budget Lodge Safari
A fantastic 5 Day Sabi Sands & Kruger Safari to a unique Tented Safari Camp inside Sabie Sands Game Reserve. Includes open 4x4 game drives in Big 5 Kruger & Sabi Sands, South Africa's top game reserves.
More on this 5 Day Budget Lodge Safari
A super 4-day Sabi Sands Game Reserve Safari in South Africa staying at 1 of 3 budget Sabi Sands Lodges inside the private game reserve in Greater Kruger Park.
More on this 4 Day Budget Lodge Safari
An affordable Kruger National Park Safari, staying at a tented safari camp in Pretoriuskop Rest Camp. Explore Kruger on open safari vehicle game drives with expert guides.
An excellently priced 4-day Kruger Safari & Panorama Route Tour staying at a small tented camp in Pretoriuskop Rest Camp within South Africa's Kruger National Park.
This budget Kruger Safari in South Africa spends 3 nights at a comfortable lodge in a private nature reserve with a full-day Kruger National Park Safari and explore a Big 5 game reserve in Greater Kruger.
More on this 4 Day Budget Lodge Safari
An exclusive Budget Kruger Safari to Balule Private Game Reserve in Greater Kruger Park, South Africa with Big 5 game drives and safari lodge accommodation.
More on this 4 Day Budget Lodge Safari
Our team has the destination knowledge to help you plan an unforgettable African adventure. We're based in Cape Town and ready to help.
We can also plan you an affordable private group or tailor-made tour. We built our business on turning luxury travel into affordable travel.
