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3 Day Budget Friendly Safari in Big 5 Pilanesberg

A "Tower" of Giraffes in Pilanesberg
Price From : ZAR 19,708.00 (Per Person Sharing) Currency Converter

Big 5 Private Safari from Cape Town

Treat yourself to this 3-day Big 5 private safari from Cape Town to Pilanesberg Game Reserve, with return flights from Cape Town, great food, and accommodation. This Big 5 private safari offers you opportunities of encounters with lions, leopards, rhino, elephants and blue wildebeest, is ideal for the budget-conscious traveler wanting a convenient, private safari from Cape Town, and is priced accordingly.

In just over 3 hours of leaving Cape Town, you can reach Pilanesberg for your exclusive safari in one of the largest, pristine Big 5 game reserves, with herds of thousands of iconic African wildlife in their natural habitat. This is closer than you may think. Distinctively, in Pilanesberg, the Big 5 and other wildlife have roamed freely for eons, in this unspoilt environment.

Enjoy one/two shared 3 hour safaris and one 6 hour extended private safari, totaling 11 to 12 hours of immersive wildlife exploration, guided by our expert Pilanesberg safari guides. Travel in a specialized 4×4 SUV for exceptional photographic and wildlife viewing opportunities. (We can add 3 hours in a private open safari vehicle on request).

Set within a 2-billion-year-old volcanic caldera, Pilanesberg’s concentric rings of mountains and hills create one of the most scenic Big Five safari destinations in Africa. If you have arrived in Cape Town expecting an extended safari in an unspoilt setting, this could be the solution.

<img src="leopard resting-ranch.jpg" alt="one of more than 300 leopards in this big 5 reserve">

Big 5 Private Safari from Cape Town Stay

<img src="pilanesberg-bull-elephant.jpg" alt="big 5 private safari from cape town">

A bull, one of more than 600 Pilanesberg elephants

<img src="pilanesberg-leopard-resting.jpg" alt="big 5 private safari from cape town">

One of more than 30 Leopards, in Pilanesberg

Itinerary for This Tour

Day 1

Your Pilanesberg adventure begins with boarding a return Flight to Lanseria Airport to the North West of Johannesburg, followed by a scenic 90-minute drive through one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges and past the richest platinum mines on Earth. Arrive at Pilanesberg Game Reserve, set within the remains of a 2-billion-year-old volcanic crater, home to thousands of Africa’s iconic wildlife species, including the Big Five.

After checking in to Sundown Country Estate close to Bakubung gate of the Pilanesberg Reserve enjoy a  3-hour sunset game drive shared with other guests with opportunities to exit the vehicle at safe viewing spots at waterholes with hippos swimming and crocodiles lazing on the banks carefully watching the animals coming to drink. providing a truly immersive safari experience. No two game drives are the same you can see all the Big 5 or maybe just one of them but you will surely see the richness and diversity of wildlife in this reserve the 6th largest Big 5 reserve in South Africa

Your afternoon safari continues until after sunset, taking in the breathtaking landscapes as the African bush comes to life in the golden hour.

Return for dinner at Sundown Country Estate.

Sundown Country Estate is a well kept hotel serving the local community and business as well as leisure visitors. It is a cheaper but very adequate alternative to staying at one of the lodges inside the reserve.

Be aware this is excellent beef country due to the “bushveld”grazing here. Completely naturally fed with hardly any grain or supplements in their diet the animals here yield the most nutritious and tasty beef. Try South African “boerewors”made locally from this in the restaurant.

 

Day 2

Wake up to the sounds of the African bush and set off before sunrise for a 6 hour dawn to mid morning 6 hour safari—the most active time for wildlife.

With a packed picnic breakfast, you’ll stop at scenic viewpoints and waterhole hides, where you can stretch your legs and take in the sights and sounds of nature.

Your private guide and open safari vehicle (osv) will maximise your game-viewing experience, ensuring you maximise your time in the Big Five territory with out encumbrance. You are in charge and can stay or move on as you wish. Wildlife sightings are always unpredictable—this is the wild, untamed African bush, where the big cats hunt and roam freely.

Just before midday, return to the lodge for a rest and  lunch (at your own cost) and relax or even go for a walk in the large grounds of the estate.

You can optionally go for another shared sunset drive starting at about 3.30pm and returning at 7.00pm but we have not included this as you will have done 6 hours today already on safari. You can add this at ZAR1140.00 per person.

Like yesterday enjoy a dinner of wholesome local food in Sundowns Restaurant.

 

Day 3

This morning go for a shared dawn safari of 3 hours and return to lodge for breakfast.

After 12-15  incredible hours on safari in open safari vehicle with your skilled knowledgeable guide ( private and shared) you will be collected by Mmilo Tours and  begin your return journey, departing Pilanesberg at approximately 11:00 am for Lanseria Airport.

Tour Notes

Inclusions

  • Flights from Cape Town and back to Lanseria Airprort (a smaller airport closer to Pilanesberg than Johannesburg Airport)
  • All meals and accommodation mentioned in this itinerary.
  • All Transport in air conditioned vehicles with knowledgeable guides.
  • Park fees
  • Bottled drinking water on board vehicles
  • 2 x 3 hour game drives in open safari vehicle
  • 1 x 6 hour game drive

Excluded

  • All canned or bottled drinks alcoholic or non will be added to your tab.
  • Optional shared sunset drive on Day 2. Available for an extra ZAR1140.00 per person.

Accommodation for this Tour

Sundown Country Estate

Welcome to Sundown Country Estate, where the wild beauty of the African bush meets the comfort and sophistication of modern hospitality.

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