South Africa · PILANESBERG SAFARIS

The 15 Best Pilanesberg Safaris from Johannesburg

55 tours  ·  from $49 a head

Pilanesberg sits in an extinct volcano two hours north of Johannesburg, and it is malaria-free, which is why so many first safaris happen here. These 15 compare pickup times, vehicle type and whether Sun City is bolted on.

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari - The early Johannesburg pickup and long road north
Johannesburg Tours, National Parks, Pilanesberg Safaris, Safari, Tour Reviews

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

1.Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Game Safari

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

Review of the 12-hour Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg, with open-vehicle game drives, Big Five sightings, lunch, costs, and practical tips.

“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 - The morning drive gives you the best energy
Full-Day, Full-Day Tours in Johannesburg, Johannesburg Tours, National Parks, Pilanesberg Safaris, Safari, Tour Reviews

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

Review of the full-day Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg, with two open-vehicle drives, lunch by a waterhole, pickup, value, and practical tips.

“The ease of being picked up and driven back was wonderful. The actual safari was also great. Saw zebras, elephants and lots of impalas. It rained the day before so it wasn’t dusty at all. Try to see as much as you can with the first run because after lunch we could barely keep our eyes open!”

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Full Day Pilanesberg Experience in Open Vehicle - The 6:00 a.m. pickup from Johannesburg
Full-Day, Full-Day Tours in Johannesburg, Johannesburg Tours, Pilanesberg Safaris, Tour Reviews

Full Day Pilanesberg Experience in Open Vehicle

From Sun City: Pilanesberg National Park 3-Hour Game Drive - Key points to know before you go
3-Hour Experiences, Big Five Game Drives, City Tours, National Parks, Pilanesberg Safaris, Tour Reviews

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

Review the 3-hour Pilanesberg game drive from Sun City, with Big Five sightings, guide tips, costs, timing, and practical advice.

“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 the guide adds to the game drive
Full-Day, Full-Day Tours in Johannesburg, Johannesburg Tours, National Parks, Pilanesberg Safaris, Safari, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

Review of Pilanesberg’s full-day open-jeep safari from Johannesburg, with Big Five wildlife, lunch, hotel pickup, guides, costs, and practical tips.

“Such an amazing day being out of the city and with such a wide variety of animals! The driver (Tshepo) from the hotel to the park was so friendly and helpful in learning about South Africa. The guide (Ambos) was very fun and incredible in his knowledge of all the animals. Highly recommend this excursion!”

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Full Day Pilanesberg Safari Adventure - The morning drive, about three hours among the animals
Full-Day, Pilanesberg Safaris, Safari, Tour Reviews

Full Day Pilanesberg Safari Adventure

6.Full Day Pilanesberg Safari Adventure

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

Review of the Pilanesberg safari from Sun City, with Big Five sightings, open-vehicle drives, lunch, price, timing, and booking advice.

“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 - Entering Pilanesberg National Park
Full-Day, Full-Day Tours in Johannesburg, Johannesburg Tours, Pilanesberg Safaris, Safari, Tour Reviews

Full Day Exquisite Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg

3-Hour Private Game Drive of Pilanesberg National Park - Three hours of tracking animals in an open vehicle
3-Hour Experiences, Big Five Game Drives, National Parks, Pilanesberg Safaris, Private, Tour Reviews

3-Hour Private Game Drive of Pilanesberg National Park

8.3-Hour Private Game Drive of Pilanesberg National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 67 reviews · from $529

Review of Pilanesberg’s private 3-hour safari, with Big Five viewing, guide insights, pricing, pickup details, and practical booking advice.

“The private game drive was amazing, in 3 day safari we get to see lions, elephants, jiraffs, leopard, buffalo, hippo and creerás junting. Our driver and guide MK was the best, he knows a lot about wildlife.”

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Pilanesberg National Park/Sun City Hot Air Balloon Safari - The early pickup and drive through the park
Balloons, City Tours, National Parks, Pilanesberg Safaris, Safari, Tour Reviews

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

Float above Pilanesberg National Park, spot big game, toast your landing, and enjoy a full English breakfast near Sun City.

“Absolutely amazing balloon ride over the park. Beautiful scenery and many game sightings. We saw giraffes, rhinos, zebras, different antelopes and many more. Really expensive but it is an experience that will stay with you for many many years. We were 3 families, 10 people aged 12-61, and everybody enjoyed it.”

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Balloons, National Parks, Pilanesberg Safaris, Safari, Tour Reviews

Hot Air Balloon Safari at Pilanesberg National Park

11.Hot Air Balloon Safari at Pilanesberg National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 55 reviews · from $346

Review of Pilanesberg’s sunrise hot air balloon safari, with Big Five views, expert pilots, breakfast, pricing, weather tips, and booking advice.

“Absolutely amazing. Don’t hesitate in booking. Picked up early by Greg who was fun for the 45 minute journey to the launch site. Even if it’s summer wear warm clothes as it’s an open sided vehicle. Captain Harman and Tony piloted the Balloon beautifully. It was a stunning majestic experience, we saw Rhinos, leopards, hyenas, lots of Game all from the serene comfort of the balloon. Honestly a once in a lifetime experience. Highly recommended”

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3-Hour Scheduled Safari Game Drive in Pilanesberg National Park - Big Five sightings, with realistic expectations
3-Hour Experiences, Big Five Game Drives, National Parks, Pilanesberg Safaris, Safari, Tour Reviews

3-Hour Scheduled Safari Game Drive in Pilanesberg National Park

12.3-Hour Scheduled Safari Game Drive in Pilanesberg National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $54

Review of Pilanesberg’s 3-hour safari from Sun City, with Big Five sightings, expert guides, open vehicles, pricing, tips, and practical advice.

“Tiaan is an incredible guide! His passion for the animals is unbelievable! He went above and beyond for us to see as many animals as possible. His intellect on the animals and surroundings was outstanding!”

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3-Hour Shared Game Drive in Pilanesberg National Park - Leaving Sun City in a small open vehicle
3-Hour Experiences, Big Five Game Drives, National Parks, Pilanesberg Safaris, Tour Reviews

3-Hour Shared Game Drive in Pilanesberg National Park

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari - The 2.5-hour drive from Johannesburg
Pilanesberg Safaris, Safari, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

From Johannesburg: Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari

14.Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari

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

Review of the Pilanesberg safari from Johannesburg, with Big Five viewing, open or closed vehicles, lunch, transport, and practical tips.

“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 - Inside the 550-square-kilometre reserve
National Parks, Pilanesberg Safaris, Pretoria Tours, Tour Reviews

Pilanesberg Nature Reserve

15.Pilanesberg Nature Reserve

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

Review of Pilanesberg Nature Reserve safari with hotel transfers, lunch, open game vehicle, Big Five sightings, and photo service.

“What a wonderful day! We got to see so many animals and were able to learn about them a lot! Tim and the driver Elvis were an amazing host and provided a personalized feel to the journey! Tim even provided coffee and homemade biscuits in the morning which was great! Definitely recommend!”

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