Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 11 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg worth booking?
Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg is a 10-hour experience in Johannesburg, South Africa, from $464 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 11 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (11)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $464 per person
Pilanesberg offers over 200 km of roads for guided or self-drive game viewing. On this tour you will enjoy an extensive game drive conducted by your own experienced and knowledgeable tour guide who will answer all your questions about the fascinating wildlife and environment. Together with your own private driver and guide, you can have the ultimate day safari experience in a closed vehicle in the Pilanesberg National Park. You should not forget to bring your camera to get a permanent record of all the wild animals and the spectacular landscape this National Park has to offer. The tour to Pilanesberg Game Reserve starts from Johannesburg and includes return transportation to the park as well as two game drives during which you can go on search for the Big 5 and other animals under the expert guidance of your own highly qualified ranger in a private open vehicle.
What you get
About this experience
Pilanesberg offers over 200 km of roads for guided or self-drive game viewing. On this tour you will enjoy an extensive game drive conducted by your own experienced and knowledgeable tour guide who will answer all your questions about the fascinating wildlife and environment. Together with your own private driver and guide, you can have the ultimate day safari experience in a closed vehicle in the Pilanesberg National Park. You should not forget to bring your camera to get a permanent record of all the wild animals and the spectacular landscape this National Park has to offer. The tour to Pilanesberg Game Reserve starts from Johannesburg and includes return transportation to the park as well as two game drives during which you can go on search for the Big 5 and other animals under the expert guidance of your own highly qualified ranger in a private open vehicle.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Lunch
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Morning and afteroon open vehicle safaris drives with a combined time of 5 hours game viewing
Not included
- Gratuities
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Alcoholic beverages
- Carbonated beverages
- Conservation Fee
What you'll see and do
Pilanesberg National Park
Visit Pilanesberg Game Reserve from Johannesburg for a full-day safari. The tour includes return transportation to the park and two 2.5-hour game drives with a highly qualified ranger in an open vehicle. On arrival your guide will take you on an exciting morning open 4x4 safari vehicle safari drive in search of the Animals that inhabit the National Park. Our guides are knowledgeable and will give you in depth information on the animal you are viewing and try their utmost to find the members of the Big 5.During the heat of the day you will enjoy lunch at one of the many rest camps in the National Park before departing on an afternoon open vehicle safari drive. Our vehicles depart the National Park between 15:30 – 16:00 in order to arrive back in Johannesburg before sunset.
480 minutes here · Admission not included
Roughly 45 minutes' drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, surrounded by the beautiful Magaliesberg mountain range, Hartbeespoort Dam, or Harties to locals, has become a hive of activity and is a very popular weekend getaway for the two cities.
Pass by without stopping
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- MoAfrika Tours
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 11 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
11 verified traveler reviews for Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A wonderful Sunset-Drive and a BIG Thanks to Petrus 🫶
Let me start this review by saying: If I could give more than five stars, I would do it without second thoughts. Our guide was Petrus who has accompanied for three Safaris now and it has been a pleasure every time! Thanks to him we were able to explore another side of Pilanesberg and could see so many AMAZING sightings! Starting the day off strong with a herd of over 10 elephants was certainly a sight to behold, but it didn’t stop there. Thanks to Petrus insights and quick reactions we were able to see elephants bathing RIGHT in front of us, only two meters away. His patience and knowledge made it possible to see the elephants exiting and reentering the water while splashing their friends and fighting. He stopped for every picture and would reposition so that we would be able to take even better pictures, that way we were able to take incredible shots of Zebras, Warthogs as well as a Rhino with its baby! We enjoyed a lovely sunset while eating snacks and drinking refreshments and afterwards were able to enjoy some nice night-driving where we met up another elephant on the road. Thanks to Petrus we were able to see this without disturbing the animals! We really want to thank Petrus for EVERYTHING he‘s done for us! It was thanks to him that this experience will be impossible to forget! His humour, his kindness and his patience made this truly special, because it’s not only the animals and nature you experience, but also the people who make the Safari this special! We will truly miss him and can hopefully come back another time to do this all over again!! Thank you!! Anna & Sophie will miss you, Petrus! Hopefully not our last time 🫶🫶
Response from the operator: Hi annad Thank you so much for this incredible review! If we could give more than five stars for your kind words, we would! We’re truly honoured that you have chosen Petrus for three safaris now and that each experience has been so special. It sounds like you enjoyed some truly unforgettable sightings, from the incredible herd of elephants and elephants bathing just metres away, to the rhino and baby, zebras, warthogs, and your beautiful sunset and night drive. Petrus’s patience, knowledge, humour, and care for the animals clearly made all the difference. We’ll be sure to share your heartfelt thanks with Petrus. It has been an absolute pleasure having you with us, and we sincerely hope to see you again for safari number four! Until then, safe travels! The MoAfrika Tours Team
via Tripadvisor
Just amazing
Our driver Martin was just perfect ! Very knowledgeable, social and humorous ,he did his best to make our day unforgettable and he succeeded ! We saw lots of animals and it was amazing ! Thank you Martin !
Response from the operator: delphabgrall Thank you for taking the time to share your kind feedback following your Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari. We are delighted to hear that you had such an amazing and unforgettable experience. It is wonderful to know that Martin made such a positive impression with his knowledge, humour, and dedication to ensuring you had the best possible day. We are especially pleased that you were able to enjoy so many incredible wildlife sightings during your safari. Your kind words will certainly be shared with Martin, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for another memorable safari adventure in the future. MoAfrika Tours Team
via Tripadvisor
Absolutely fantastic...
Absolutely fantastic private tour at Pilanesberg National Park with Petrus & driven to and from Sandton area with Thombu. We very much enjoyed the tour - we booked the private tour and it was well worth it. We were picked up in a nice SUV and then transferred to the open-air jeep for the safari. We saw a lot of animals and has a wonderful time, even with the rain in the afternoon. The picnic lunch was also very delicious- especially, the marinaded beef. Thank you!!
via Viator
Great last day in South Africa
We had a wonderful full day tour with MoAfrika. The planning was easy, everything was on time and we got back to Johannesburg in plenty of time for our night flight. Simon was a very good, careful driver- he handled the traffic beautifully. Vincent was a great safari guide, we saw so many different animals and he always got us in a good position for photographs. Not only does he know the animals but all the birds, beetles, moths, etc. This was a wonderful day to complete our South Africa trip
Response from the operator: Hi ElizabethSteve800, We are thrilled to hear you had such a memorable safari with us, and grateful for your kind words. Hearing that you enjoyed how smoothly the day ran is exactly what we hope for. It would be an absolute pleasure to host you again on your next safari with us. Warm regards, The MoAfrica Team
via Tripadvisor
Awesome experience!
From booking to the tour - fuss free and awesome Our guide Petrus was awesome! Very informative and knowledgeable too! He is friendly, humourous and observant, always observant and taking care of our needs too! Will book him again if I’m back!
Response from the operator: Hi 417adelineh, We are thrilled to hear you had such a memorable safari with us, and grateful for your kind words. Hearing that you enjoyed our guiding is exactly what we hope for. Your appreciation for Petrus will absolutely be passed along — thank you for the special mention. 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
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $464 to $8,500
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
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 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Johannesburg.
How much does Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg cost?
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Prices start at $464 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 Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg is not rushed.
Is Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 11 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Johannesburg, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg?
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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 Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg 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 Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg?
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Around 4 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 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg 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 Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg?
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Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off; Professional guide; Lunch; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Morning and afteroon open vehicle safaris drives with a combined time of 5 hours game view. Not included: Gratuities; Breakfast; Dinner; and Alcoholic beverages. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 294 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 Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg 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 Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg?
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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.
What happens to Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg 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: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Private Ultimate Pilanesberg Safari from Johannesburg?
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Across 11 reviews averaging 5.0 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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