2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 30 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari worth booking?
2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari is a 48-hour experience in Johannesburg, South Africa, from $681 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 30 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (30)
- Duration
- 48 hours
- From
- $681 per person
This tour is perfect for time-strapped travelers or romantic couples who want to get out of the city and into the gorgeous Pilanesberg bushveld for a Big 5 safari tour, a night of pampering at a 4-star safari lodge and a few hours of fun at South Africa’s favorite entertainment resort. Your accommodation will be at a 4-star lodge located in a private game reserve that has been incorporated into the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. It’s located in a malaria-free region and less than a 3-hour drive from Johannesburg.
What you get
About this experience
This tour is perfect for time-strapped travelers or romantic couples who want to get out of the city and into the gorgeous Pilanesberg bushveld for a Big 5 safari tour, a night of pampering at a 4-star safari lodge and a few hours of fun at South Africa’s favorite entertainment resort. Your accommodation will be at a 4-star lodge located in a private game reserve that has been incorporated into the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. It’s located in a malaria-free region and less than a 3-hour drive from Johannesburg.
What's included
Included
- All entrance fees
- 1x Midday Closed Vehicle (Minivan) Safari Drive
- 1x Afternoon / Sunset Open Vehicle Safari Drive
- Dinner
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Breakfast
- Collection and Drop off from any Hotel or address in Johannesburg
- 1x Morning Closed Vehicle (Minivan) Safari Drive
- 1x Morning Open vehicle Safari Drive
Not included
- All beverages
- Lunch meals on day 2
- Gratuities
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- MoAfrika Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 30 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
7 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Organization
5 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
30 verified traveler reviews for 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Well organized, excellent...
Well organized, excellent hotel and friendly, client-orientes staff both for transportation and accomodation.
via Viator
Awesome two days
This was an exceptional quick excursion. The tour group promptly picked me up from my hotel and drove me the game park where they transferred me to a game vehicle for a game drive at 9am. Great animal viewing. Next drop off at the Ivory tree lodge for lunch and check in. You are greeted with drummers and a cool beverage. That night the lodge game drive. Awesome. Saw 5 lions. Then dinner. The next day a morning game drive. After each drive you are given a free beverage and snacks as well. The hotel offered breakfast but I skipped it. After hotel check out the tour company picked me up and we did another game drive. Leopards! We saw everything except buffalo and cheetah. Then drive back to Johannesburg. Well worth the money. Everyone friendly. I had no issue traveling alone. The hotel is fantastic. Thank you!
via Viator
Great Animals but Poor Organisation
Shuttle Pick Up from MoAfrika was scheduled for agreed 5:30am. We were picked up late at 6:52am. All people on shuttle bus with us were doing Pilanesberg day trip on the other side of the National Park away from Ivory Lodge Hotel. The driver didn’t know we were staying at Ivory Lodge and had to ring Reception + MoAfrika to find out which hotel we booked. Once he finally found the booking I showed him on Trip Advisor he phoned Ivory Lodge successfully only to run out of phone credit! So he paid the operator to drive us through Pilanesberg National Park where we saw amazing animals. We checked in and food + drinks & afternoon safari were great! I was too tired to wake up for morning safari as we had to rush for 5:30am wake up scramble to contact trip advisor via email and phone and wait 82 mins for pick up the previous day! My son took some great photos and the lions came out for the 1st time in 7 days! Breakfast was nice and welcoming! Beware of communications between you, Trip Advisor and MoAfrika before you book this Safari
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your feedback about your recent experience with us. We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the afternoon safari, the incredible wildlife sightings, and the welcoming breakfast at Ivory Lodge. It’s also wonderful that your son captured some great photos and that you got to see the lions—an amazing highlight! We sincerely apologize for the delay in your pickup and the communication challenges you faced. We made several attempts to reach you using the contact number provided, but unfortunately, it didn’t work in South Africa. We also sent a message through the Tripadvisor app to confirm details, though it seems you didn’t read this message . Safe travels, and thank you again for choosing Moafrika!
via Tripadvisor
An Unforgettable Pilanesberg Safari – A Perfect Alternative to Kruger!
We’re in our early 30s and had some trepidation about whether Pilanesberg would live up to the Kruger experience. With limited time and not keen on a six-hour drive from Johannesburg, we opted for Pilanesberg, just two hours away—and we’re so glad we did! Our journey with MoAfrika Travels started with an early morning pickup from our hotel in a comfortable minibus. Our driver, Alex, was charismatic and full of energy, instantly setting the tone for an unforgettable safari—even at 5:30 AM! Upon entering the park, Alex drove us to our accommodation at Ivory Tree Lodge, but the adventure started before we even arrived. Within just 30 minutes, we had already spotted three of the Big Five, including the elusive leopard! Alex made our first day truly special with his knowledge and enthusiasm. At Ivory Tree Lodge, we were warmly welcomed with hot towels and refreshing drinks. The lodge itself was stunning, with beautiful surroundings and above-average food. A nice surprise was that lunch on the first day was included, even though it wasn’t mentioned on our ticket. The lodge also has a waterhole at the back, and during our stay, we were lucky to see a hippo visit—an incredible sight! For our open-vehicle safaris (an evening drive on Day 1 and an early morning drive on Day 2), we were lucky to have Tanya as our guide. She was absolutely fantastic—knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about the wildlife. Overall, our Pilanesberg experience exceeded expectations. If you’re debating between Kruger and Pilanesberg and are short on time, this is an incredible alternative. Highly recommend! On the journey back, there was a bit of confusion about which bus we needed to take, but the team handled it quickly and efficiently, ensuring a smooth return trip.
via Viator
Great experience!
We are so glad we booked this tour. Could easily have been a 5 star experience except for a couple of things. The van ride going to and from Pilanesberg was packed full and not very comfortable, luckily only a 2 hour trip with a bathroom/coffee stop mid way. Also we arrived about an hour before our room was ready, so it was a little annoying to sit around with our bags on a lovely hot day by the pool without having a place to change into bathing suits and get comfortable. But otherwise, we had a GREAT time! The game drives in the park were so fun. Trucks can fit 9 passengers, but we only had 7 and we all became fast friends from around the world. Our ranger was incredibly knowledgeable and we saw tons of animals. The lodge was beautiful. The food was amazing! And we loved our cute cabin with the huge tub and outdoor shower. I can’t imagine a better way to experience an African safari with luxury accommodations in so little time and without breaking the bank.
Response from the operator: Hi J7604HZamandak, Thank you for the warm words — we are so glad you enjoyed your safari day with us. It would be an absolute pleasure to host you again on your next safari with us. Warm regards, The MoAfrica Team
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 48 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $681 to $12,955
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 11
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by MoAfrika Tours, who run 38 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 67.4 and 3 in the 90+ Club.
See everything MoAfrika Tours runsWhy this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Johannesburg.
How much does 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari cost?
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Prices start at $681 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Johannesburg usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari take?
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Plan for about 48 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Johannesburg is not rushed.
Is 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 30 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable nightlife in Johannesburg, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 48-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari?
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Around 11 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Johannesburg can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Johannesburg and add a light layer if any part of the 48-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Johannesburg within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Johannesburg?
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On Outty we rank every Johannesburg experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soweto and Johannesburg Exclusive Full Day Guided Tour, Ultimate Johannesburg Soweto Experience with Apartheid Museum, Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Johannesburg?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Johannesburg?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari?
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Included: All entrance fees; 1x Midday Closed Vehicle (Minivan) Safari Drive; 1x Afternoon / Sunset Open Vehicle Safari Drive; Dinner; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: All beverages; Lunch meals on day 2; Gratuities; and GST (Goods and Services Tax). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 331 listed pickup locations in and around Johannesburg. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Johannesburg. Standard cancellation terms apply.
What do travelers say about 2 Day Pilanesberg Luxury Safari?
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Across 30 reviews averaging 4.4 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, organization, the guide. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
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