South Africa · Safari

3-Day Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari from Johannesburg with Big 5 Drives

3 Days Round trip from Johannesburg Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Go on thrilling game drives at Pilanesberg National Park
  • 02 Spot the famous Big 5 and other savannah animals
  • 03 Enjoy scenic drives between Johannesburg and the park
  • 04 Stay for two nights in accommodation situated inside the reserve

Embark on a scenic drive from Johannesburg to explore the famous Pilanesberg National Park on this 3-day excursion. Enjoy several exciting game drives and spot various savannah animals, including the Big 5, the African wild cat, caracal, serval, jackal, bat-eared fox, brown hyena, and the nocturnal aardwolf. Stay for two nights in accommodation situated in the reserve and experience the beauty of the South African bush between safaris.

Enjoy an early morning coffee and rusks as we watch the sunrise.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Johannesburg, Pilanesberg Game Reserve
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Johannesburg to Pilanesberg and Evening Safari

  • Departing from Johannesburg at 08h00, our journey leads us along some of the most scenic roads into the North West Province of South Africa.
  • En route, we will stop for lunch. After lunch, we continue our journey to the park and arrive shortly after midday.
  • Upon arrival at our accommodation, a welcome drink is served as we check into our rooms, where we will spend the next two nights. Situated in the reserve, the lodge gives us the opportunity to see animals and already start experiencing the beauty of this country.
  • We then slowly start preparing for our afternoon/evening safari within the park, where we have the opportunity to begin seeing some of the most incredible wildlife and species that inhabit this area.
  • We return to the lodge after the safari and enjoy a catered meal.

Meals included: Dinner

Driving Distance: 200 KM

Accommodation: Pilanesberg National Park Area

2
Day 02

Sunrise Safari and Afternoon Game Drive

  • Enjoy an early morning coffee and rusks as we watch the sunrise. This morning, we embark on another safari within the park. We experience how the animals move around and learn more about the smaller, intricate details of how everything in nature fits together.
  • Our guide will do their best to show us nature and help us learn more about the things we come across.
  • Before the heat of the day, we slowly make our way back to the lodge, where we will enjoy brunch and relax before setting off again in the afternoon to spot more wildlife.
  • Later in the afternoon, when it starts cooling down and the animals become more active, we head out on an afternoon game drive. Here, we will cover a bit more distance, giving us a great opportunity to spot some of the animals that inhabit the area. Keep your eyes open, as we will be searching for wildlife throughout the drive. Our guides are very well trained to spot animals, and they will share some amazing information with you during every encounter.
  • After our game drive, we slowly return to the lodge to enjoy dinner and share stories around the campfire about the things we have seen today.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Driving Distance: 100 KM

Accommodation: Pilanesberg National Park Area

3
Day 03

Final Safari and Return to Johannesburg

  • After another night in the wild, we wake up with the sun and enjoy a quick breakfast before setting out on our last safari experience inside Pilanesberg National Park.
  • Explore a different area of the park this morning, depending on the encounters we had the previous day and the advice of the local guides working inside the park.
  • After enjoying yet another great safari experience, we slowly start making our way back to Johannesburg to arrive just after midday.

Meals included: Breakfast

Driving Distance: 200 KM

Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park, South African bush

Where this trip takes you

Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park, South African bush

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Johannesburg 2 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • All transport
  • Food (as per the itinerary)
  • Coffee/tea
  • Accommodation
  • Walks
  • Game drives
  • Entry fees and permits
  • Group equipment
  • Professional South African tour guide

What's Not Included

  • Alcohol
  • Bottled water
  • Soft drinks
  • Curios and crafts
  • Tips
  • Meals whilst in transit to and from Johannesburg

What to bring

  • Long trousers
  • Tracksuit pants
  • Shorts
  • A belt or travel belt
  • Rain jacket
  • Windbreaker or umbrella
  • Jersey
  • Jumper / fleece / sweater
  • Swimming costume
  • Bathing suit
  • Pyjamas
  • Protective case
  • Contact lenses
  • Towel
  • Personal toiletries
  • Insect repellent
  • Personal prescription medication
  • Comfortable closed walking shoes, sandals, or flip-flops
  • Hat
  • Sun cream (SPF level 30+ and above)
  • Lip balm, preferably with SPF
  • Water bottle
  • Camera
  • Binoculars
  • Books (on birds, mammals)
  • Personal iPod
  • Deck of cards or something similar
  • Battery chargers for your devices
  • A small travel pillow
  • Mosquito net (optional)
  • Money
  • Torch / flashlight
  • Batteries / spare batteries
  • Sleeping bag for a camping tour
  • Eye drops
  • Your own medication with copies of allergy medicines
  • Medication for nauseousness
  • Passport
  • Copy of visa
  • Personal health insurance
  • Travel insurance documents
  • Next of kin info (friend, relatives)

Know before you go

  • This tour is an accommodated tour, and linen is provided.
  • Game viewing is difficult and not always guaranteed, so we also emphasise some of the more minor aspects of the bush.
  • It can get very hot, so suitable precautions against sunburn should be taken.
  • Before departure, clients will be required to enter into an agreement pertaining to our booking conditions and general information.
  • Clients are required to have their own comprehensive personal travel insurance.
  • When going to print, the above itinerary was correct, but we continually strive to offer our clients the best available tour options. As such, we reserve the right to change aspects of the itinerary at our discretion. During the validity of the published itinerary, conditions will change, roads are improved or deteriorate, often opening up new routes, contracted camps and accommodation facilities change standards, optional activities become available or are discontinued, recent border posts open, and old ones become congested, etc.
  • We are continuously monitoring all of the factors that make up a successful tour and, as such, will make amendments to the published itineraries if circumstances demand or if we believe that the change will enhance the tour.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tour start
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 3 days finish where they began, in Johannesburg.

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