Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari in South Africa

July 16, 2019July 16, 2019admin

Summary of this Budget Safari Package

Pilanesberg National Park is South Africa’s fourth largest wildlife reserve. It’s ideally situated, close to Johannesburg, for a quick foray into a reserve teeming with wildlife, exceptional birdlife and home to the Big 5.

Take early morning and evening wildlife viewing drives in both open and closed vehicles with an experienced guide, as you go in search of the Big 5 and more.

Travel with a small group of no more than seven guests in an air-conditioned vehicle and camp in comfortable 2-man dome tents, with mattresses. The camping resort is close to Pilanesberg and offers great facilities including two swimming pools.

Itinerary for this Tour

Day 1: Johannesburg to Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

This short, malaria-free wildlife safari departs Johannesburg early in the morning after collecting guests from their accommodation. Travelling via the scenic Hartbeespoort Dam it’s a three and a half hour drive to the National Park. On arrival, guests assist in setting up camp and then it’s time for the first three-hour wildlife viewing drive.

Pilanesberg is set in an extinct volcanic crater, with grasslands, wooded valleys and multihued rock formations. It lies within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation and is known as ‘bushveld’. The various habitats are suited to a diverse collection of wildlife which includes elephants, lions, leopards, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, rhinos, exceptional birdlife and more.

As night falls we return to camp and a hearty South African style braai (barbecue). Replete, we relax around the campfire, chatting with our fellow travellers under starry African skies.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Dinner
Travel: 200 Kms

Day 2: Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

We are up with the dawn this morning and after a light snack, we board the open safari vehicle to join our local game trackers on a three-hour wildlife viewing drive.

Early morning is the best time to view wildlife as they emerge from the bushveldt and head to the waterholes. As soon as the day heats up they wander back into the bushveldt in search of shade.

The open safari vehicle brings guests up close and personal with the wildlife and makes for great photo opportunities and the professional local game trackers are a mine of information.

Back at camp, after an exciting morning, it’s time for a hearty breakfast and then some relaxation at the campsite. Enjoy a cooling dip in one of the two pools and then find a shady spot for a nap or some reading.

You may choose to go out in the afternoon on another wildlife viewing drive, either in an open vehicle (own expense) or with your guide in a closed vehicle.

Back at camp, your guide will conjure up another typical South African meal in the evening after which guests gather around the campfire.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Pilanesberg National Park to Johannesburg, South Africa

There is an option, early in the morning on day three to take a final, open vehicle wildlife viewing drive with the local trackers (own expense).

We journey back to Johannesburg via Hartbeespoort Dam where we stop to take a trip in the cableway (own expense) which takes guests to the top of the Magaliesberg. The panoramic views from the top are well worth the trip.

Continuing to Johannesburg your guide will drop you back at your accommodation or at the airport.