2-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended safari
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 13 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 2-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended safari worth booking?
2-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended safari is a 48-hour experience in Pretoria, South Africa, from $1,006 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 13 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (13)
- Duration
- 48 hours
- From
- $1,006 per person
A large amount of this trip is private and therefore more flexible. As part of our package, we provide an additional private extended game drive (5 hours+) with our vehicle going a little further into the reserve than the lodge’s vehicle, two drives in total. Because our driver/guide is very experienced it maximizes your game viewing and animals seen . On the Mmilo private extended drive, we get out and walk at the waterholes and dams at the special viewing points. This enables you to experience the sounds, sights, and smells of the reserve more closely. Our private transfer to the lodge and back is done in our SUV. On the way to or from the safari, we can add visits to other attractions such as the Elephant Sanctuary and Sun City - additional charge will apply. This is also the best and most cost-effective option for a short safari from Cape Town where there is no option for a safari that is authentic and worthwhile. Just fly into Lanseria airport. We pick you up from there.
What you get
About this experience
A large amount of this trip is private and therefore more flexible. As part of our package, we provide an additional private extended game drive (5 hours+) with our vehicle going a little further into the reserve than the lodge’s vehicle, two drives in total. Because our driver/guide is very experienced it maximizes your game viewing and animals seen . On the Mmilo private extended drive, we get out and walk at the waterholes and dams at the special viewing points. This enables you to experience the sounds, sights, and smells of the reserve more closely. Our private transfer to the lodge and back is done in our SUV. On the way to or from the safari, we can add visits to other attractions such as the Elephant Sanctuary and Sun City - additional charge will apply. This is also the best and most cost-effective option for a short safari from Cape Town where there is no option for a safari that is authentic and worthwhile. Just fly into Lanseria airport. We pick you up from there.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- National Park fees
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Local taxes
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
- Lunch on Day 2
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 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 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Mmilo Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by at least 1 adult
- Infant seats are available for transfer vehicle on request if advised at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Operates in all weather conditions but please bring warm jacket even in summer and hat and scarf in winter as wind generated by the OSV can be chill. Please wear comfortable walking shoes to assist climbing into the OSV and walking to waterholes and viewing spots.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 13 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
4 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
13 verified traveler reviews for 2-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended safari. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Extraordinary Safari with a Great Company
Awesome trip! We had only two free days and Mmio worked with us to make this the perfect trip. From pickup to the extended personal drives to meals to the group drive to accommodations to drop off -- every aspect was full and well thought-out. We chose the morning bush walk, which added a whole new dimension to the trip. And yes, we did see the "big five," along with a lot of other animals and sights. We cannot thank Mmilo enough for this safari!
Response from the operator: Dear Phillip, so glad to hear you saw the Big 5. Pilanesberg is such a great place to really see the animals because of the perspectives created by the hilly terrain. On the flat its sometimes difficult to see what's behind the grass and bushes. Thanks for encouraging others to do the Bush Walk, as you say, a whole new dimension to a safari. Patrick Hanratty Owner Mmilo T
via Tripadvisor
The perfect trip to Pillanesberg with the best guide ever
For our first trip to South Africa, I looked for an animal sighting tour that would accommodate the needs of our family party, including myself, my 85 y/o mother, and an 18 y/o nephew. Our Choice could not have been better. Mmilo Tours offered us exactly what we were looking for, a private 2-day tour to Pillanersberg in a comfortable SUV just for us and definitely the most knowledgeable guide in the country, Mr. Willem Heckroodt. Apart from knowing the geography of South Africa in detail, which meant a lot to us since I am a professor in physical geography and my mum Emerita in the same field, Willem is a great conversationalist and a professional who anticipates and caters to all your needs. He excels in every aspect you would expect from a tourist Guide and made us feel at ease at all times, turning the trip into a unique learning experience and a relaxing and pleasurable one. I am incredibly grateful for his efforts to make the whole experience easy for my octagenarian mother, such as producing a plastic step stool to help her access the vehicle. Hence, I thoroughly recommend the services of Mmilo Tours without a hint of hesitation; they have always been helpful and proactive since our first contact. Their highly professional attitude has added to our satisfaction with the South African experience and made us wish to come back soon.
via Tripadvisor
Great Trip to Pilanesberg
We had such a great experience on our trip to Pilanesberg organized by Mmilo Tours. We saw all the Big Five including two great encounters with Leopards. Every aspect was perfectly planned and carried out by Mmilo. Francois Rix ensured everything was well-taken care of.
via Tripadvisor
Highly Recommend! Ask for Anton.
We had a wonderful trip and Anton, our guide, was excellent and welcoming. I recommend Mmilo Tours for its personal touch and flexibility. Anton went out of his way to ensure we had everything needed. He knew the park quite well and offered a personal touch to everything we did. Bakubung Lodge was also *wonderful.* Our biggest regret is not staying there longer! The food was really nice and the "proper braai" after our evening safari was a wonderful, authentic experience. We had a basic room, and it was roomy, spacious, and offered plenty of natural light. There was a full tub and shower, with plenty of hot water after a nice day in the park.
via Tripadvisor
Best RSA Safari Tour!!!
It would be impossible to explain how incredible this tour provider is, but I’ll try. We engaged Mmilo Tours for the 3-day Kruger NP private tour after extensive research of more than a dozen providers for a specific 3-5 day window. We engaged, booked specific flights within South Africa, and graciously, Mmilo added a morning drive before our flight out of Nelspruit on top of our previously arranged tour. Yes, it was reasonably priced…, but a significant amount for two couples. We paid everything before even entering RSA with knowledge of no refunds. Then nature happened. Rain. More rain. Flooding. More flooding. The Crocodile River reached historic flooding levels and Kruger NP was closed. People in the park required emergency food, water & extraction. However, we were located in Port Elizabeth the evening before taking two flights into Nelspruit. Given Stage 3 Load Shedding (blackouts), we were unable to receive communications via email, WhatsApp, etc. Mmilo, and Norman Lok, arranged to change our tour to Pilanesberg NP. They arranged with our airline to intercept us in Johannesburg international airport; they caught us in time to prevent us from flying into the flooding. Mmilo arranged everything to replace our Kruger experience in Pilanesberg NP. Everything. Yes, we had to rebook, and purchase new flights back to Cape Town for our international flight itinerary, though otherwise, Mmilo made all necessary new travel arrangements to our private lodging in the bush! Pilanesberg NP was incredible! Tshukudu Game Lodge was incredible, times 100! Bobo Malebye (our private guide) was spectacular!!! I could go on, and on, and on… BOTTOM LINE: you cannot book a better service than Mmilo. #period
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
- $1,006 to $25,870
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Mmilo Tours, who run 8 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 69.5.
See everything Mmilo Tours runsWhy this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
2-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended safari: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Pretoria.
How much does 2-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended safari cost?
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Prices start at $1,006 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Pretoria usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 2-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended 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 Pretoria is not rushed.
Is 2-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended safari worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 13 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Pretoria, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 2-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended 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-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended 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-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended safari?
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Around 5 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 Pretoria 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 Pretoria and add a light layer if any part of the 48-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 2-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended 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 Pretoria 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 Pretoria?
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On Outty we rank every Pretoria experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soweto Cultural Walking Tour with Lunch, Guided Bicycle Tour of Soweto with Lunch, Johannesburg and Soweto tour. 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 Pretoria?
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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 Pretoria?
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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-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended safari?
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Included: Bottled water; National Park fees; Lunch; Dinner; and Breakfast. Not included: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase); Gratuities; and Lunch on Day 2. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does 2-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended safari include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 672 listed pickup locations in and around Pretoria. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is 2-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended 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-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended 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-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended safari wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to 2-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended safari if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Pretoria. Standard cancellation terms apply.
What do travelers say about 2-Days Pilanesberg best chance to view "Big 5" with private extended safari?
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Across 13 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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