ZAR 13,500
Need more Info?
Yes, if you want more time in the park and several chances to go on safari.
The biggest advantage over a 1-day trip is time. Instead of travelling to Pilanesberg and back to Johannesburg on the same day, you have two nights in the area and multiple game drives to work with.
That gives you more opportunities to explore different parts of the park and look for wildlife at different times of day. Sightings are never guaranteed, but having several drives means you’re not relying on a single day to get lucky.
For travellers who can afford the extra nights, a 3-day safari is a much more relaxed way to experience Pilanesberg than trying to fit everything into one day.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days / 2 nights |
| Typical accommodation | Budget camping, tented camp or 3-star accommodation |
| Game drives | Multiple guided drives, depending on the package |
| Wildlife | Big Five, giraffes, zebras, hippos, wildebeest and more |
| Typical 2026 cost | From around R7,500+ per person, depending on accommodation and what’s included |
| Transfers | Johannesburg and OR Tambo Airport transfers are available with many packages |
| Meals | Often includes breakfast and dinner; lunch varies by package |
| Safari vehicle | Usually a shared open safari vehicle |
| Best for | Budget-conscious travellers, couples, families and first-time safari visitors |
| Main advantage | More time for game drives than a 1-day safari |
| Main drawback | Higher total cost because accommodation, meals and additional safari time are included |
| Big Five guarantee? | No. Wildlife sightings depend on animal behaviour, location and conditions |
A 3-day, 2-night Pilanesberg safari costs roughly R7,500 to R13,500 per person sharing in 2026, depending on the accommodation, number of game drives and what’s included.
If you’re focused on keeping the price down, camping options start at around R7,463 per person sharing. A 3-star option is around R10,801, while MoAfrika Tours’ 3-day Tlou Tented Safari is listed at R13,500 per person sharing.
So, for most travellers, I’d budget around R10,000 to R13,500 per person for a comfortable 3-day safari, with camping options available below that.
| Package type | Typical inclusions | 2026 price |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Camping Adventure | Camping accommodation, guided game drives, meals and Johannesburg transfers | From R7,463 pp sharing |
| 3-Day Sundown Country Estate Hotel Tour | Hotel accommodation, game drives, meals and transfers | From R9,695 pp sharing |
| 3-Day Camping Safari | 2 nights at Tlou Tented Safari Camp, guided game drives, meals, park fees and Johannesburg transfers | From R9,995 pp sharing |
| 3-Day 3-Star Pilanesberg Safari | 3-star accommodation, guided game drives and transfers | From R10,801 pp sharing |
| 3-Day Tlou Tented Safari – MoAfrika Tours | 2 nights at Tlou Tented Safari Camp, around 18 hours of game drives, meals and Johannesburg transfers | R13,500 pp sharing |
| 3-Day Tlou Tented Safari – Single | Same safari experience with single accommodation | R15,095 pp |
These are 2026 guide prices, not fixed rates. Safari prices can change with dates, availability, accommodation and what’s included in the package.
A 3-day safari can cover quite a lot beyond the accommodation. Depending on the package, you may get:
For example, the MoAfrika 3-day camping safari includes 2 nights at Tlou Tented Safari Camp, game drives, meals, Pilanesberg entrance and conservation fees, Johannesburg or OR Tambo transfers and bottled water.
Always check the inclusions before booking. Two tours with similar prices can offer quite different amounts of game-drive time.
For a 2026 trip, these ranges are a useful starting point:
If you have around R10,000 per person sharing, you should have several options to choose from. If you want a more comprehensive tented safari with lots of time on game drives, I’d budget closer to R13,500 per person.
If you want more than a quick day trip, yes.
The main advantage is simple: you get more time in the park. A single day can give you several hours of game viewing, but two nights allow for more game drives and more chances to come across animals you might miss on a shorter trip.
| Benefit | Why it matters |
| More game-drive time | Several drives give you more chances to find lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and other wildlife. |
| Less rushed | You don’t have to squeeze the whole safari into a single day. |
| Different wildlife-viewing conditions | Multiple drives let you explore different areas of the park at different times of day. |
| Cheaper than a luxury safari | Budget accommodation keeps the total cost down while still giving you a proper safari experience. |
| Convenient from Johannesburg | Pilanesberg is roughly 2–2.5 hours from Johannesburg, so it’s relatively easy to add to a South Africa itinerary. |
| Good for first-time safari visitors | Three days is long enough to get a feel for the park without committing to a much longer safari. |
If you’re working with a budget of R8,000–R11,000 per person, there are 3-day Pilanesberg safari options worth looking at, particularly camping and 3-star packages.
For a more comfortable tented safari with extensive game-drive time, expect to pay closer to R13,500 per person sharing.
The cheapest option isn’t automatically the best deal. Look at how many hours you’ll actually spend on game drives, what meals are included, whether park fees are covered and whether Johannesburg transfers are part of the price.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days / 2 nights |
| Typical accommodation | Budget camping, tented camp or 3-star accommodation |
| Game drives | Multiple guided drives, depending on the package |
| Wildlife | Big Five, giraffes, zebras, hippos, wildebeest and more |
| Typical 2026 cost | From around R7,500+ per person, depending on accommodation and what’s included |
| Transfers | Johannesburg and OR Tambo Airport transfers are available with many packages |
| Meals | Often includes breakfast and dinner; lunch varies by package |
| Safari vehicle | Usually a shared open safari vehicle |
| Best for | Budget-conscious travellers, couples, families and first-time safari visitors |
| Main advantage | More time for game drives than a 1-day safari |
| Main drawback | Higher total cost because accommodation, meals and additional safari time are included |
| Big Five guarantee? | No. Wildlife sightings depend on animal behaviour, location and conditions |
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Actual itineraries vary depending on the Pilansberg safari package selected.
Budget safaris commonly use simple 3-star lodges or tented camps such as MoAfrika’s Tlou Tented Safari or basic chalets.
These lodgings provide essential comforts like private or shared rooms, en-suite bathrooms or shared ablutions, and meals included, while ensuring you spend most of your time in the bush. The focus is on wildlife, convenience, and value.
With two nights on-site, you double your game drive opportunities, making it much more likely you’ll spot elusive animals like leopards.
Dawn and dusk drives often deliver the best sightings, and with more time, your guide can pursue specific targets based on animal movement and conditions.
Dry winter months (May to September) offer the best wildlife visibility as vegetation thins and animals gather near waterholes. However, the bush blooms in summer, and birdwatchers will enjoy that season too.
The consistent inclusion of accommodation in your safari means you stay comfortable no matter the weather or climate.
Pilanesberg offers excellent wildlife, malaria-free terrain, and a dramatic volcanic landscape, all within a two-hour drive from Johannesburg. A 3-day and 2-night safari here is smart for anyone who wants more than a day trip, with a richer experience and better value than remote or luxury reserves.
It gives you solid wildlife time, camp or lodge comfort, and easy logistics.
Budget offers avoid high lodge rates and premium guides but still deliver the essentials: guided drives, wildlife, meals, and accommodation.
Opting for shared vehicles, basic lodging, and fewer add-ons keeps prices manageable. That lets you enjoy 3 days and two nights in the park without stretching your budget.
1. Lachlan Forsyth, (Belgium)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was easily one of the highlights of our trip. Anya was an amazing guide and made the whole safari such a great experience. We booked the 3-day, 2-night safari with transfers from Johannesburg, and everything ran smoothly from start to finish. It was well organised, stress-free, and even better than we expected.
2. Corey Nord, (South Africa)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We had an amazing time on this safari. Everything was well organised, from the pickup in Johannesburg to the drive into Kruger, so we could just relax and enjoy the experience. Lambs was a fantastic guide. He knew the park inside out and shared so much about the wildlife along the way. We were lucky enough to see leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and plenty of other animals. It was an unforgettable few days.
3. Sandy, (United States)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“MoAfrika Tours were recommended by a friend. Communication was excellent from the start, using WhatsApp to answer all our questions. The safari was professionally organised and ran smoothly.”
Most full-day packages include conservation fees, while some budget options exclude drinks or extras.
Pick-ups typically begin around 05:30 to 06:30 so you reach the park for the prime morning game drive.
No, Pilanesberg is marketed as malaria-free, which is why it is popular with families and first-time safari goers.
Wear neutral layers, a hat and sunscreen, and bring a warm top for the early drive because winter mornings can be cold in an open vehicle.
Inclusions vary by package but generally cover two nights’ accommodation, guided game drives, selected meals, Pilanesberg entrance fees and return transfers from Johannesburg or OR Tambo International Airport. Check the individual tour details before booking, as lunches, drinks and optional activities may not always be included.
Prices vary according to the accommodation, travel dates and package inclusions. Based on the current options listed by MoAfrika Tours, travellers can expect to pay approximately R7,500 to R13,500 per person sharing. Prices may change depending on availability and seasonal demand.
Accommodation options include camping facilities, tented safari camps and comfortable three-star hotels or lodges. The accommodation is generally simple and practical, allowing budget-conscious travellers to enjoy a multi-day safari without paying luxury-lodge rates.
Many three-day Pilanesberg safari packages include return transfers from selected Johannesburg hotels or OR Tambo International Airport. The exact collection point and pickup time depend on the package, so these details should be confirmed when booking.
Pilanesberg National Park is home to lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo. Spending three days in the area provides several opportunities to search for wildlife at different times of the day. However, the animals roam freely, so specific sightings cannot be guaranteed.
