Safari: Pilanesberg

Safari: Pilanesberg

Home » Overview » Safari: Pilanesberg

Experience a Wild and Luxurious African Safari

The Pilanesberg Game Reserve is adjacent to the wonderland playground of Sun City and is the fourth largest reserve in South Africa. It is situated in an extinct volcano crater, that erupted approximately 1200 million years ago. Today it is home to Africa’s favorite beasts, the Big Five. Lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino offer safari lovers a front row seat into their wild world.

This area is the perfect combination of resort luxury and untamed African wilds. There is a true abundance of fauna and flora comprising over approximately seven thousand animals, over three hundred bird species and there is over two hundred kilometers of road geared for African exploration.

You can expect action-packed game drives with experienced rangers and trackers and there are options for night drives that will introduce you to the nocturnal creatures that roam the landscape after dusk. For avid photographers, keen on capturing the perfect African moment, there are a number of photographic hides where you can snap away undetected.

The reserve is malaria-free and with Sun City on its doorstep, it is the ideal family getaway. Accommodation options are varied and include several upmarket lodges that are geared to a more luxury safari experience. When in Pilanesberg, it is recommended to include a bucket-list experiential experience, the hot – air balloon safari. This birds-eye view of the Pilanesberg will leave you awestruck of the landscape.

Incentive Highlights

Photographic safaris
Excellent combination of Sun City resort & safari
Ultimate malaria-free family safari

Best time to go

Enquire

What to Do

View All

Celebrate with Boma, Bush or Airstrip gala dinners (Pilanesberg)

Luxury safari lodges offer a choice of inspiring venues to host outstanding and creative gala dinner events. These celebrations may be held at the Lodge’s boma, at a boma in the bush or even on Reserve’s airstrip. Surrounded by African wilderness and overhung by a legion of stars, a gala dinner while on safari will never be forgotten.

Dine under the dazzling African night-sky (Pilanesberg)

Dining out under the starry African sky is a fantastic part of the safari experience. Dinners in traditional-style African boma’s are characterized by roaring fires and delicious meats, including game, cooked over the blazing coals and accompanied by the finest South Africa wines. These occasions are often enhanced by traditional song, dance and story-telling.

Encounter the Wild on morning and afternoon game drives (Pilanesberg)

Early mornings and late afternoons offer the finest game-viewing opportunities. While on safari your guests will be encouraged to rise at dawn and head out with their rangers, full of anticipation for what wonders they may encounter. Knowledgeable and experienced rangers and trackers ensure the safety of guests and also enhance their game and bird-watching experiences by enthusiastically sharing their wealth of expertise about the magnificent and unforgettable fauna and flora of Southern Africa.

Enjoy sumptuous breakfasts, lunches & afternoon ‘High Teas’ (Pilanesberg)

Day time meals, including elegant colonial era ‘high teas’ are seamlessly blended into the game-viewing schedule. Your guests can expect outstanding, freshly prepared cuisine served in picturesque settings, whether that is breakfast on a game deck overlooking a waterhole or a champagne lunch set out in the bush in a dry riverbed.

Revel in the finest Luxury Safari Lodge accommodation (Pilanesberg)

We offer you world-class safari lodges set in outstanding Big 5 private game reserves that also provide stylish African-inspired décor, breath-taking views; and spacious, private indoor and outdoor accommodations. With fine attention to detail and a warm smile, Southern Africa’s top safari lodges cater for your guests’ every need.

Set out on intrepid guided bush walks and game-tracking activities (Pilanesberg)

Many of safari lodges offer guests guided bush walks that enable them to get up close and personal with Africa’s big and small game. Under the close guidance of experienced rangers and trackers they set out on foot to immerse themselves in the detailed beauty of the wilderness. At some lodges, game-tracking activities that serve as exciting team-building experiences can be added to your program.

Where to Stay

View All

Ivory Tree Game Lodge, Pilanesberg National Park

Located in the picturesque heart of malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park in the North-West Province, this exclusive lodge can cater for both smaller and larger incentive groups. The excellent facilities include a feature swimming pool, the bar and cocktail lounge, a multi-tiered dining room, two lounges and an open-air Boma. Guests are accommodated in comfortable suites with private bathrooms, mini-bars and covered patios.

Tshukudu Bush Lodge, Pilanesberg National Park

This luxury safari lodge nestles against the side of a hill surrounded by the mountains of the Pilanesberg National Park. With stunning views over a waterhole and a game-filled savannah, sightings of Africa’s Big 5 game and many other species of animal and birds are the norm rather than the exception. Each custom-designed lodge offers a luxurious sunken bath, an open plan lounge and bedroom, with a fireplace and private balcony. Guests will enjoy a upserlative bushveld experience, outstanding services, high quality game rangers and the uniqueness of Tshukudu’s African-inspired cuisine.

Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge

The Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge offers exclusive safaris in a private concession of the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park. Guests are accommodated in finely finished suites that provide beckoning views of the bushveld. With a focus on true quality, luxury and superlative standards, guests will enjoy the many facilities and amenities that include the gourmet restaurant, bar, wine cellar, lounge and cigar bar, the spectacular rim-flow swimming pool and deck, and outdoor boma.

Without the professional, timeous and effortless support from Zelda and her team this historical event would have been impossible and probably sub-standard. I can highly recommend them for your next event – be it big or small.

~ Thea Eiselen, World Federation of Nuclear Medicine And Biology Congress 2010