The Pilanesberg National Park is one of Southern Africa’s most popular and interesting wildlife reserves, as well as one of the easiest to visit on a safari. This vast area, which is malaria-free and located in an ecologically rich transition zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld, provides exhilarating big game viewing even on a short excursion.
The Pilanesberg National Park is open every day of the year. In addition to the five public gates that provide access to various parts of Pilanesberg National Park, there is also a private gate to the Black Rhino Reserve, which forms part of the greater Pilanesberg National Park.
The gate times for Pilanesberg National Park at which one can enter or leave the park vary by season, with 6:00 being the earliest one can enter and 19:00 being the latest one can leave, depending on the relevant season of the year.
From Johannesburg or Pretoria, get on the N4 westbound and take the exit onto the R556 northbound; then follow road signs to Sun City. The drive from either of these cities to Sun City typically takes a little more than an hour up to two hours. As you approach Sun City, the R510 will direct you to the Pilanesberg National Park entrances that are situated to the east of the city.
You will need to stay on the R556 until you reach Sun City to get to the western entrance of the park. It shouldn’t take you more than two hours to get to the park’s entrance gates; however, you should leave yourself enough time to drive to your lodge before it gets dark.
The different entrance gates can be used to get quicker and easier access to specific resorts in the park.Â
The exclusive Black Rhino Reserve has its own entrance, which can be reached from the R565 when travelling in a northern direction. This entrance is only accessible to members of the reserve. After checking in at the main gate, you will have the option of driving to your lodge on your own or, if you are participating in a guided tour, you will be driven there by your host or a chauffeur.
Lodges that can be reached through the Black Rhino Gate include Buffalo Thorn Lodge, Black Rhino Game Lodge and Morokolo Game Lodge.
The Babukung Gate can be found to the west of Sun City and is located within a reasonable distance from the resort. If you are coming from Johannesburg, get on the R556 and keep going as it passes Sun City; this will bring you to the entrance.
Lodges that can be reached from the Babukung Gate include Babukung Bush Lodge and Tshukudu Bush Lodge.
The Bakgatla Gate is located in Pilanesberg’s north-eastern corner, not far from Saulspoort. From Sun City, take the R510 to Mogwase and then follow the signs to Pilanesberg National Park. Continue straight until you reach a T-intersection, and the Bakgatla Gate will be on your left after you pass through the Manyane Gate.
Lodges accessible from the Bakgatla Gate are Ivory Tree Lodge and Bakgatla Resort.
The Kwa Maritane Gate is handily located between the Sun City Resort and the Pilanesberg Airport, making it easily accessible to both of these destinations. Both the Sun Vacation Club gate and the Kwa Maritane gate, which is located seven kilometres away from Sun City Resort, provide access to the Pilanesberg National Park from Sun City.
The lodge accessible from the Kwa Maritane Gate is Kwa Maritane Game Lodge.
The Manyane Gate in Pilanesberg Park is located on the park’s eastern side. Take the R510 out of Sun City toward Mogwase, then continue through town until you reach the point where you turn left toward the gate.
The Manyane Resort is accessible from the Manyane Gate:
Visitors should note that Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge also has a private entrance to the park, which can be reached when travelling north on the R565.
Pilanesberg tariffs are charged per person and per vehicle and amount to the following:
South African adults pay R80
Foreign nationals adults pay R110
Children (6-12 years) pay R30
South African pensioners pay R40
The fee per vehicle (Sedan, LDV or SUV) is R40.
SA citizens must produce their identity documents to prove citizenship.
Pilanesberg is open all year round for safari trips, but access is only possible during the following hours of the day:
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At what times can you enter the Pilanesberg National Park gates?
Entrance times for the gates at Pilanesberg are as follows:Â From March – April @ 06h00, From May – August @ 06h30, From September – October @ 06h00 and From November – February @ 5h30.
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At what times do you have to exit the Pilanesberg National Park gates?
Exit times for the gates at Pilanesberg are as follows: From March – April @ 18h30, From May – August @ 18h00, From September – October @ 18h30 and From November – February @ 19h00.
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How many entrance gates are there in the Pilanesberg National Park?
There are 5 entrance gates to the Pilanesberg National Park, each located on a different side of the park. They are the Bakubung Gate in the east, the Kwa Maritane Gate in the north, the Manyane Gate in the west, Babukung Gate to the west of Sun City on the R556 and Bakgatla Gate in the North-Eastern corner of the Park, not very far from Saulspoort.Â
