Pilanesberg Tour Big 5 Hunt

The Pilanesberg Tour Big 5 Hunt offers an exhilarating opportunity to explore one of South Africa’s premier game reserves. Spanning over 55,000 hectares, the Pilanesberg Game Reserve is renowned for its diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife, including the iconic Big Five. Guests can embark on a guided game drive, traversing the reserve in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinoceroses, while also spotting over 300 bird species. With convenient hotel pickups and a focus on safety and environmental integrity, this tour promises an unforgettable safari experience. Whether you’re a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or a first-time visitor, the Pilanesberg Tour Big 5 Hunt is sure to leave a lasting impression.

This experience made our list of the 3 Best Tours In Pilanesberg Nature Reserve.

Key Points

• The Pilanesberg Game Reserve is a 55,000-hectare park that is home to the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinoceros.
• The 12-hour guided tour includes a 6-hour game drive to explore the diverse landscapes and spot the iconic Big Five wildlife.
• The tour offers flexibility with hotel pickup and drop-off, and is accessible to wheelchair users and available in both English and French.
• Strict regulations are enforced to protect the wildlife, including a prohibition on feeding the animals and carrying weapons or sharp objects.
• Despite the high price, a 1-star review on GetYourGuide highlighted concerns about the overall experience, value, and guide performance.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

The Pilanesberg Tour Big 5 Hunt offers an exciting opportunity to explore one of South Africa’s premier game reserves.

Priced from $161.91 per person, this 12-hour tour includes a 6-hour game drive and a 1-hour lunch break.

Pickup is available from hotels around Johannesburg, with the park about a 2.5-hour drive away.

The tour is offered in English and French, and is wheelchair accessible.

Guests can take advantage of free cancellation up to 24 hours prior or reserve their spot with no upfront payment.

The Pilanesberg Game Reserve is home to the Big Five and over 300 bird species, showcasing diverse terrain from savannah grasslands to rocky outcrops.

Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Pilanesberg Game Reserve, a prominent wildlife haven in the North West Province of South Africa, sprawls across approximately 55,000 hectares of diverse terrain.

The reserve boasts a rich tapestry of savannah grasslands, rocky outcrops, and wooded valleys, providing a thriving habitat for the iconic Big Five – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros.

Plus, over 300 species of birds call this reserve home, making it a haven for avid birdwatchers.

Visitors can explore the reserve through self-drive safaris, guided game drives, and even hot air balloon expeditions, offering unparalleled opportunities to witness the region’s remarkable wildlife in its natural setting.

Wildlife and Landscape

Spanning across 55,000 hectares, Pilanesberg Game Reserve boasts a remarkable diversity of landscapes that provide a thriving habitat for an abundance of wildlife.

From the sweeping savannah grasslands to the rugged rocky outcrops and lush wooded valleys, the park’s varied terrain supports an impressive array of flora and fauna.

At the heart of the reserve are the iconic Big Five – lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinoceroses – drawing visitors in search of unforgettable wildlife encounters.

In addition, the park is home to over 300 bird species, making it a premier destination for avid birdwatchers.

With its captivating landscapes and diverse wildlife, Pilanesberg offers an unparalleled safari experience.

Itinerary Details

Typically, the Pilanesberg Tour Big 5 hunt begins with a pickup from the traveler’s hotel around Johannesburg. The 2.5-hour bus or coach transfer takes visitors to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.

After a brief 15-minute break, the guided tour commences, lasting approximately 7 hours within the park. The itinerary includes:

• Exploring the diverse terrain of savannah grasslands, rocky outcrops, and wooded valleys
• Spotting the iconic Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhinoceros) and over 300 bird species

Returning via the 2.5-hour bus or coach transfer to the original pickup location.

The tour includes hotel pickup, entrance fees, water, lunch, and snacks, though personal purchases and alcoholic drinks are at an additional cost.

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Inclusions and Exclusions

The Pilanesberg Tour Big 5 hunt includes an array of essential features to provide a comprehensive experience. Guests can expect hotel pickup, entrance fees, water, lunch, and snacks. However, personal product purchases and alcoholic drinks are not included and may be purchased separately at the park center.

Inclusions	Exclusions
Hotel pickup	Weapons or sharp objects
Entrance fees	Feeding animals
Water	Personal product purchases
Lunch	Alcoholic drinks
Snacks

The tour’s organizers aim to ensure a hassle-free and immersive wildlife adventure, catering to the diverse needs of guests.

Important Regulations

Certain rules and regulations govern the Pilanesberg Tour Big 5 hunt experience to maintain the safety and integrity of the wildlife reserve.

Visitors are strictly prohibited from bringing weapons or sharp objects into the park, as these pose a threat to the animals. Plus, feeding the wildlife is strictly forbidden, as it can disrupt the natural behaviors and ecosystem of the reserve.

The tour organizers take these regulations seriously, and any violations may result in immediate removal from the tour and potential legal consequences.

• No weapons or sharp objects allowed
• Feeding animals is strictly prohibited
• Violators may be removed from the tour and face legal consequences

Customer Feedback

Surprisingly, the lone customer review available on GetYourGuide for the Pilanesberg Tour Big 5 hunt paints a dismal picture, with a resounding 1-star rating. The reviewer from Qatar, who visited in August 2024, cited several issues with the experience:

Aspect	Rating
Overall	1/5
Value	1/5
Accuracy of Description	2/5
Guide Performance	1/5

The review highlights concerns about the tour not aligning with the advertised itinerary and a guide who failed to deliver a satisfactory experience. This lone negative feedback casts a cloud over the tour’s reputation and raises questions about the reliability of the service provided.

Booking and Cancellation

Booking the Pilanesberg Tour Big 5 hunt can be done directly through the provider’s website or a third-party platform like GetYourGuide. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, allowing for flexibility.

Travelers can also take advantage of the "Reserve now & pay later" option, which lets them secure their spot without making an upfront payment.

• The tour is wheelchair accessible, making it inclusive for all guests.
• Languages offered include English and French, accommodating a diverse range of visitors.
• With a duration of 12 hours, including a 6-hour game drive and 1-hour lunch, the tour provides an immersive wildlife experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Hunt the Big 5 Animals During This Tour?

The tour does not allow visitors to hunt the Big 5 animals. The experience focuses on guided game drives to observe the diverse wildlife in Pilanesberg Game Reserve, including the Big 5, without any hunting activities.

Will I Be Able to Take Home Animal Trophies?

No, guests cannot hunt or take home animal trophies on this tour. The tour focuses on guided game drives to observe the Big 5 animals in their natural habitat at Pilanesberg Game Reserve, without any hunting or trophy collection activities.

Are There Any Additional Costs for Firearm Rentals?

The tour package does not include any firearm rentals or hunting activities. Visitors are not allowed to bring weapons or engage in hunting during the guided game drives. Additional costs for such activities would not be part of this tour.

Can I Bring My Own Weapons on the Tour?

According to the tour information, weapons or sharp objects are not allowed on the tour. Participants are prohibited from bringing their own firearms and must follow the tour operators’ policies for safety reasons.

Can I Purchase a Hunting License on the Day of the Tour?

No, customers cannot purchase a hunting license on the day of the tour. The itinerary doesn’t include any hunting activities, and the tour company prohibits bringing weapons or sharp objects. Hunting is not part of this guided Pilanesberg game drive experience.

The Sum Up

The Pilanesberg Tour Big 5 Hunt offers an exceptional opportunity to witness the wonders of South Africa’s wildlife. With a diverse ecosystem, abundant game, and a focus on safety and sustainability, this tour provides an unforgettable safari experience. Guests can expect to spot the iconic Big Five and explore the stunning landscapes of Pilanesberg Game Reserve, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts.

You can check if your dates are available here: