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HHM
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).
Mohammed
ZA
Visited:
February 2017
Reviewed: May 27, 2017
Email Mohammed | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Although a relatively small Reserve, Pilanesberg is popular due to its proximity to the Sun City resort. Very scenic with a mountainous section and a large dam which is a refuge for local birds. Lots of Wildlife present and one may be lucky enough to catch sight of one of the large carnivores which are scattered across the park.
Princess Lindy
ZA
Visited:
March 2016
Reviewed: May 26, 2017
Email Princess Lindy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The wild life we saw was limited to Zebras and Springboks mostly. We had fun during our Brazil lunch in the middle of the game reserve.
rudyerasmus
ZA
Visited:
April 2014
Reviewed: Mar 24, 2017
Email rudyerasmus | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Close to Big cities, Good Camps and Good Roads , Big 5 , an Plenty of Bush veld birds , and Bird Hides
Harold Brown
US
Visited:
April 2009
Reviewed: Aug 6, 2016
Email Harold Brown | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Pilanesberg was my first experience visiting a game reserve. That was in 1998 and it was a nice experience. Many of the larger animals I saw were at quite a distance away so it wasn't like visiting Kruger, but I did see lions trying to chase down their dinner without success which was my only experience of the chase. So each experience can bring something new.
Gareth
ZA
Visited:
June 2016
Reviewed: Jun 14, 2016
Email Gareth | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A great big 5 park, with a great chance of seeing game based on the varying types of terrain.
Ideal for day visit from Johannesburg or Pretoria.
Good bird hides
Lots of wildlife
Interesting landscape, old vulcano area.
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.
Coco
FR
Visited:
November 2015
Reviewed: Jan 11, 2016
Email Coco | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The Pilanesberg park is great you you leave in the area but don't have the time to go to the Kruger. It's smaller and closer to Joburg so it's more crowded but it's still a very nice place.
Tobie Schalkwyk
ZA
Visited:
November 2015
Reviewed: Jan 9, 2016
Email Tobie Schalkwyk | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The only reason for not giving 'Wildlife' a 5-star rating is that the lions are in a seperate 'camp' where they can be seen at additional cost. Other than that accommodation is neat and well established with all your self-catering needs catered for. It has a nice restaurant next to a pool. The roads provide something different every day and are always full of surprises. I'd spend a maximum of 3 or 4 days here.