Experience an unforgettable Big 5 Pilanesberg Safari in South Africa's premier malaria-free game reserve, just 2.5 hours from Johannesburg. Stay in a luxury safari lodge and enjoy expert-guided game drives in search of Africa's iconic wildlife. This 3-day safari offers outstanding value and is perfect for the whole family!
Begin your Big 5 Pilanesberg Safari with an early morning pickup from Johannesburg. After a scenic 2.5-hour drive, arrive at Pilanesberg National Park - a malaria-free Big Five reserve.
Explore the park in our air-conditioned tour vehicle before settling in at Ivory Tree Game Lodge and enjoying a tasty lunch. In the afternoon, set off on your first game drive in an open safari vehicle, where expert rangers use real-time tracking to locate lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo.
As the first day of our Big 5 Pilanesberg Safari comes to an end, we head back to the lodge for a fine-dining experience at the lodge restaurant.
Rise early for prime Big 5 viewing during your morning game drive in Pilanesberg National Park. Your expert rangers use real-time tracking to maximize wildlife sightings during the optimal viewing hours. At Ivory Tree Lodge, game drives are conducted in open-sided game-viewing vehicles with a maximum of 10 passengers.
After our 3-hour sunrise drive in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, we return to the lodge for breakfast and leisure time. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the luxury lodge or lounging by the pool.
Before leaving for the afternoon game drive, we enjoy a light lunch. We end the day with a delicious dinner in the restaurant or at the outdoor boma, depending on the weather.
We have an early start on day three of our Big 5 Pilanesberg Safari. Start with a 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 lodges' 20 seater open-sided safari vehicle, your professional guide tells you more about the wildlife, plants, birds, and habitats found here.
We return to the luxurious lodge for a hearty breakfast; pack up and get ready to check out by 11:30 am and spend the rest of the morning relaxing at the lodges' fantastic facilities—lounge by the pool, book a spa treatment, or enjoy lunch (at own expense).
The standard shared shuttle transfer collects guests between 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM for the return journey to Johannesburg, with drop-off between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM.
For added flexibility or more safari time, you may choose one of the following options at additional cost (Please see full pricing info):
Experience a premier Big 5 safari at Pilanesberg National Park, the ideal safari destination just 2.5 hours from Johannesburg. This malaria-free reserve offers incredible wildlife encounters in an ancient volcanic crater, perfect for families and first-time safari travelers seeking an authentic African bush experience from Johannesburg.
Pilanesberg covers over 55,000 hectares (135,908 acres) and is the fourth-largest game park in South Africa. It is one of the top Big 5 game reserves near Johannesburg and one of the most accessible and affordable safari parks in the country.
Pilanesberg National Park is located in the North West Province's Bojanala Region amid a transitional vegetation zone. It is also the meeting point of the arid Kalahari Desert and the moist Lowveld biomes. As a result, a wide variety of animal, plant, and bird species inhabit this protected area.
Pilanesberg National Park is home to all of Africa's iconic Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. Our expert rangers use real-time tracking to maximize your chances of encountering these magnificent animals during prime viewing times. Beyond the Big 5, the park hosts diverse wildlife, including cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and over 360 bird species.
Pilanesberg National Park is home to nearly all of Southern Africa's wildlife, including endangered and uncommon species such as African wild dogs and roan, sable, and tsessebe antelope.
Your Big 5 Pilanesberg Safari includes luxury lodge accommodation at the Ivory Tree Game Lodge. Ivory Tree Lodge is a luxurious safari resort in Pilanesberg National Park's far northwestern region.
The lodge is designed in earthy tones with bursts of color to create a lively environment. Guests can choose between ordinary deluxe suites and ultra-luxurious executive suites. Each unit has its private patio with breathtaking views of the neighboring bushveld. Ivory Tree Game Lodge has activities to keep everyone entertained.
One of the Lodge's highlights is a bush braai (barbeque) at the outdoor boma, featuring entertainment such as interactive drumming, Zulu dance, an African marimba band, and percussion performances.
Travelers who want to add an extra night to their safari itinerary can do so at their own expense. This luxury safari offers basic accommodations.
All Pilanesberg National Park Luxury Safari meals feature carefully selected, traditionally prepared South African dishes. In addition, the aha Ivory Tree Game Lodge restaurant also includes a gourmet dinner.
While we always anticipate that our original schedule, hotels, and transportation will stay the same, unexpected events can arise. As a result, we reserve the right to make necessary modifications. Every effort is made to use comparable alternatives when necessary.
We believe this will not affect anyone's overall experience, but if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
On this 3-day safari, transfers will be conducted in an air-conditioned minibus (Quantum). Transfers to and from the Lodge will be in a shared car. At the start and end of the day tour, travelers are picked up and dropped off at their accommodations in these enclosed tour cars.
Travelers will be collected from their accommodation in Johannesburg or central Pretoria between 05h30 and 07h00.
Drop-off at your accommodation in Johannesburg or central Pretoria will take place between 18h00 and 18h30.
This Pilanesberg Big 5 Safari begins in Johannesburg, where guests will be collected from their hotels (between 05h30 and 07h00). Our driver will pick you up and take you to Pilanesberg National Park.
Please schedule flights that provide additional time for delays if your onward flight departs on the evening of this Big 5 Pilanesberg Safari. We recommend reserving domestic flights departing from OR Tambo International Airport 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 well-priced Pilanesberg Safari, which can be added to your tour booking upon request. The 4-star lodge is 10-15 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Follow the tour pricing 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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