
Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 14 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY worth booking?
Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY is a 10-hour experience in Pretoria, South Africa, from $217 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 14 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 67 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (14)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $217 per person
If you don’t have the time for a Kruger Park Tour then this is your best alternative - only about two hours from Pretoria / Johannesburg, you will get to visit a great National Park home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant), and more than 365 bird species!
What you get
About this experience
If you don’t have the time for a Kruger Park Tour then this is your best alternative - only about two hours from Pretoria / Johannesburg, you will get to visit a great National Park home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant), and more than 365 bird species!
What's included
Included
- Light refreshments
- Bottled water
- National Park fees
- Lunch
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (Pretoria)
Not included
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
What you'll see and do
Pilanesberg National Park
If you don’t have the time for a Kruger Park Tour this is your best alternative - only about two hours from Pretoria / Johannesburg. This malaria-free 58 000 hectare park - the fourth largest in South Africa - is situated on the eroded remains of a 1,2 billion-year-old extinct volcanic crater, and is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant), and more than 365 bird species. Several overnight packages are available. DAY TOUR ITINERARY: 06:15 – 06:30 Departure Johannesburg pick-up points 07:00 – 07:15 Departure Centurion pick-up points 07:30 – 07:45 Departure Pretoria pick-up points 09:30 – 10:00 Arrival at Park 10:00 – 16:00 Game viewing in a closed air-conditioned Ulysses Tours vehicle 13:00 Light lunch at Pilanesberg Centre / Bakgatla Camp 16:00 Departure from Park 18:00 – 19:00 Drop-offs
360 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Sat
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Ulysses Tours & Safaris cc
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Please note: an additional fee is levied for departures from Johannesburg / Sandton / Airport
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 14 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
14 verified traveler reviews for Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
First Class tour of Pilanesberg - Gratham is the best!
Gratham has so much knowledge of the park, the animals, local history, rugby, omg he kept us entertained for the whole day. Knowing the park so well he was able to help us find so many elephant and rhino and many others including the elusive leopard. Our day with Gratham was truly the highlight of our visit to Johannesburg and a very memorable one.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that Gratham made your day so special. His passion for the park, wildlife and local knowledge really does make him a fantastic guide. Finding elephants, rhino and the elusive leopard was certainly a memorable experience! It was a pleasure having you with us, and we’re thrilled that your day with Gratham was the highlight of your visit to Johannesburg. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure!
via Tripadvisor
Outstanding one day game drive experience
I had an excellent experience with my one day trip to Pilanesberg National Park. The trip followed the description perfectly (no bait and switch, last minute unannounced changes, etc). From start to finish, it was a great day. In planning, it asked for my hotel in Pretoria. Although it was not on the drop down list, it is a prominent hotel and there was no issue with picking me up there. The pickup was also reconfirmed by text in advance to bolster confidence. On the morning of the 0700 pick up, the driver was actually 15 minutes early. As it turned out, there was only one other guest and we were in a very clean, well maintained, late model Mazda crossover. I suspected we may have been driven to a rendezvous point to join a larger group in a bigger bus. This was not the case, it was just the three of us in that vehicle for the day. The driver/guide, Aaron, was outstanding. He is an excellent, skilled and safe driver. I learned much about South African history, contemporary life and environmental concerns along the way. The drive to the park took almost exactly two hours and we were in the reserve at 0900. Over the course of the day, we had many superb animal sightings. I would warn that if you only have a camera phone, you may not be happy with the results. Many of the animals were partially obscured by foliage and/or too far from the vehicle for photography unless you had a sophisticated lens set up. I had a good pair of binoculars and had a splendid game viewing experience. We spotted three of the Big 5; elephant, rhino and leopard (no buffalo nor lion). Other sightings included giraffe, zebra, duiker, kudu, impala, warthog, wildebeest, hippopotamus, crocodile and iguana. The included lunch was another nice surprise. We were instructed to order an entree and a drink from the menu. The food was very good and the restaurant overlooked a watering hole and salt lick so there were animals there, too. Aaron truly maximized our time in the park and then safely returned us to our hotels. Both myself and the other guest were in town on business and had the day off. I would give my highest recommendation to this tour to anyone wanting a true game drive experience but does not have the time for a more comprehensive experience.
Response from the operator: Dear Sentryd... - thank you very much for taking the time to do this detailed review. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the safari and that you saw a lot of animals. Thank you also for your kind words regarding Aaron. Looking forward hosting your next tours Kind regards
via Tripadvisor
Guidance highly effective and intelligent, in very rich English. Aaron was really wonderful! Trip excellently organized!
Quite well designed, maximum possibility to see wild animals. Safe with excellent quidance by Aaron!
Response from the operator: Dear Silvy_C Thank you for taking the time to send this review - we appreciate the feedback. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour with Aaron - he is indeed a great guide and enjoys what he does. We look forward to assisting you again on a future tours & trips. Kind regards
via Viator
Informative and satisfying day!
Ask for a jeep not a car . That was my only complaint although I did find the gift shop to be very expensive. Lucky was a fabulous intelligent and well informed guide who made the experience exceptional. Had many animal sightings close up. Really wonderful! Had a Lovely lunch. If you only have one day for a safari I would recommend it
Response from the operator: Dear Katharine Thank you for taking the time to do the review - we do appreciate it. We do offer an option where you can do an open safari vehicle game drive - this is however a private tour and not part of the daily specials on TripAdvisor/Viator. They are a lot more expensive, especially for a single traveller, but can be booked with us direct on our website or via email. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the day with Lucky - he is indeed a great guide and enjoys what he does. We look forward to assisting you again on a future trip to South Africa Kind regards
via Viator
Excellence
Aaron was an excellent guide, and all went very well. We had a whole menagerie of animals around us, including giraffes, zebras, elephants, rhinos, and hippos.
Response from the operator: Dear Sanja - thank you very much for taking the time to do this review. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the safari and that you saw a lot of animals. Thank you also for your kind words regarding Aaron. Please let us know if there is anything further you may need.. Kind regardss
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Sat
- Price range
- $217 to $3,500
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Ulysses Tours & Safaris cc, who run 15 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 63.0.
See everything Ulysses Tours & Safaris cc runsWhy this scores 67
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Pretoria.
How much does Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY cost?
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Prices start at $217 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 Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY take?
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Plan for about 10 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 Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 14 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Pretoria, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY?
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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 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY 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 Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY?
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Included: Light refreshments; Bottled water; National Park fees; Lunch; and Hotel pickup and drop-off (Pretoria). Not included: Drinks; Gratuities; and Food and drinks, unless specified. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 4 listed pickup locations in and around Pretoria. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY 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 Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY?
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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 Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY 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: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Pilanesberg National Park Day Tour from Pretoria, every SATURDAY?
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Across 14 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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