Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Greatest experience of my life can do it again with my family and friends without a second thought.

The experience was truly and amazing one going back

I have been around many game parks in my life - I was born and raised in Kenya. I know you have to be lucky to see certain animals. I did find the tarmac road through the park rather unusual, and although I understand the why, I found rhinos without horns a bit sad. The grass was very long so visibility was a bit difficult for things like warthogs, lions etc. It was very pleasant and my colleague had never been to Africa before so she found it wonderful.

Smaller park with easy access from Jo'burg airport hotels...a real satisfying suprise. Definately worth the day trip!!

Amazing all the animals and the nature !

We only had 6 hours in the park but managed to see 3 of the big 5, but lots of them and many more different animals as well; our driver and guide answered every question put to him.

We didn't get to see cats, but everything else was amazing!

Great safari for starters

Pilanesberg is a great game reserve option if you are in Johannesburg and a limited time for a safari (1-3 days), with rich variety of wildlife. In a 5-6h tour, we spotted giraffes, elephants, wildebeests, antelopes, zebras, boars, ostriches and jackals.

Although relatively small, Pilanesberg is in a transition area, so the landscape, vegetation and wildlife quickly changes from one part to another of the park.

I only visited the park, in a 1-day trip from Johannesburg, arriving early morning and leaving by late afternoon, it was a still an enjoyable experience, though a weekend would be certainly better. It is possible to visit the park with a private car and a guide, roads were excellent.

The tour with the park truck is probably a better option to view the wildlife - just be aware that there are limited rides (especially during the low season).

Pilanesberg. A South African gem

Pilanesberg is about a two hour drive from Johannesberg with Sun City on its southern edge. The area its contained within once was a volcano eroded over many centuries to form the present landscape. We stayed at the Ivory Tree Lodge just inside the park & there are many others with a similar high standard, very good food and excelent service. Game drives are arranged early in the morning before sunrise and then again late afternoon until after dark before your brought back for dinner. We stayed for three days and were lucky enough to see the Big Five (Leopard, Lion, Elephant, Buffalo & Rhino) and many other animals. We got to see a Lion kill of a young Giraffe and the Leopard as it stalked off towards prey just before sunset. We observed Elephants playing at a watering hole and many species of birds including Fish Eagles, Kori Bustards, Yellowbilled Hornbill, Red Bishop, Southern Masked Weaver, Pied Kingfisher & Spotted Eagle Owl.
Pilanesberg is a fantastic destination and easier to see the Big Five than Kruger National Park which is also a brilliant game reserve. If your thinking of going, do it you will not be disappointed.

Fantastic way to see the wildlife in its natural habitat

Whilst staying in Johannesburg we decided to visit the game reserve. We wanted to see animals in their natural habitat rather than visit some of the parks around Johannesburg. Arriving at the park in the early morning we had missed the 5:30am game drive so we decided to drive our hire car around the many miles/kilometres of tracks and roads. With just a map as reference we managed to see Rhino, Giraffe, Zebra, Wild Dog, Warthogs, Impala, Springbok, Kudu, Elephant, Hippo, Leopard, Monkey and other smaller animals all the way down to the dung beetle we watched for 10 minutes trying to push its dung across the road. There is so much to see although we couldn't find any Lions, probably as they sleep during the day. We drove for 6 - 7 hours and thoroughly enjoyed the day, stopping at the various hides and places to buy food and drinks. If you are looking for a safari experience Pilanesburg Game Reserve is a great day out and much better than seeing these animals in a fake environment.

Exceeded my expectations with the variety of wildlife, including jaguar, lions, rhinos, & hippos

I went on two game drives--one in the evening and another early in the morning. If you have a choice I would recommend the morning drive as you are much more likely to see a pride or two. The guides were both humorous and knowledgeable (and well connected with others around the park who had spotted other wildlife) and the transportation comfortable, with a stop for bio-breaks, food, & souvenir shopping midway through the drive. As expected, we encountered many elephants, rhinos, hippos, gazelle, etc. But I was delighted to encounter the lions and to spot two jaguar. An unforgettable and strongly recommended day trip from the strange colony that is Sun City.