Tour Overview

Located in a remote private concession of the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park near Johannesburg, the award-winning Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge is the perfect destination for your ideal Big 5 safari experience.
Experience five-star opulence, thrilling Big 5 game excursions in open-sided 4×4 safari vehicles, and gourmet dining at the on-site restaurant when you check into the luxury safari lodge.

Transfers from Johannesburg and back are included in this South Africa safari tour to Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge. It is the ideal location for a family vacation or a romantic retreat.

Tour Highlights

2 Day Pilanesberg Safari (Shepherds Tree Game Lodge)

Day 1: Johannesburg to Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

The day commences with our driver’s early morning pickup in Johannesburg for the journey to Pilanesberg National Park. Upon our arrival at Pilanesberg, we continue our air-conditioned voyage and spend a few hours exploring the game reserve. We arrive at Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge at approximately midday, having become accustomed to our environs.

Following a brief period of relaxation, we indulge in a light lunch before embarking on a late-afternoon game drive through the Pilanesberg game reserve. An expert ranger will guide the search for sightings of the Big 5 of Africa (lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, and leopard) and the diverse array of other animals and wildlife found in Pilanesberg during game drives in an open-sided safari vehicle. We return to the lodge as the sun begins to set and indulge in a delectable supper at the restaurant.

• Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
• Activities that are included include: Pilanesberg Game Drive in the Afternoon
• Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge: Standard Room

Day 2: Johannesburg to Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa

The second day of our Big 5 Pilanesberg Safari commences with an early start. Before embarking on a three-hour sunrise game drive in the Pilanesberg National Park, begin with a revitalizing cup of tea or coffee. Your professional guide provides you with additional information regarding the wildlife, flora, birds, and habitats of the area as you traverse the bush in the open-sided safari vehicle.

We return to the opulent lodge for a satisfying breakfast before preparing to depart. Our chauffeur will collect you in the air-conditioned minivan at approximately 11:30 a.m. and transport you on a final game drive in the Big 5 game reserve until 12:00 p.m. We subsequently return to Johannesburg, where you will be dropped off at your post-safari accommodation at approximately 17:30 in the late afternoon.

• Breakfast is included in the package.
• Activities Included: Morning Game Drive in Pilanesberg

About the Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa

Pilanesberg is the fourth-largest game park in South Africa, spanning an area of approximately 55,000 hectares (135,908 acres). It is one of the most readily accessible safari parks in the country and one of the best Big 5 game reserves near Johannesburg.

Pilanesberg National Park is situated in the Bojanala Region of the North West Province, within a transitional vegetation zone. It is also the point at which the arid Kalahari Desert and the moist Lowveld biomes intersect. Consequently, this region is home to a wide variety of bird, plant, and animal species. Pilanesberg is the habitat of nearly all of the wildlife species in Southern Africa, including African wild dogs and roan, sable, and tsessebe antelopes, which are endangered and uncommon. All five Big 5 animals—elephant, rhino, lion, bison, and the elusive leopard—are found in Pilanesberg. A variety of antelopes, crocodiles, jackals, wild cats, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, hippos, and cheetahs are also present in the national park. Furthermore, the Pilanesberg National Park has recorded more than 360 avian species.

The North West Parks Board oversees the Pilanesberg National Park, which is a provincial park. The national park was created in a caldera by a volcano eruption millions of years ago, which is an intriguing fact. A captivating geological location with breathtaking scenery is the extinct volcano.

Accommodations at Pilanesberg Safari Lodge

Shepherd’s Tree Game resort, a magnificent safari resort situated in a Big 5 private concession area within the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, is our lodging during this safari. It is concealed in a secluded location in the southwest corner of the reserve. Pilanesberg is situated in a malaria-free region and is a straightforward two-hour journey from Johannesburg. This location is adjacent to the renowned Sun City Resort and the Black Rhino Private Game Reserve.

The renowned Amani spa, a renowned luxury safari lodge, provides guests with an exclusive safari experience. The lodge boasts a modern architectural design, luxurious accommodations, a gourmet restaurant, a cigar lounge, a spacious viewing deck with a poolside cocktail bar, and a rim-flow swimming pool. An authentic African braai (barbeque) is a unique experience that can be enjoyed in the gorgeous bushveld setting of the lodge’s boma.

Professional rangers accompany guests on daily game excursions in an open-sided safari vehicle. Game excursions in the remainder of the Pilanesberg Game Reserve are unrestricted, while access to the private concession is restricted to the safari lodges and their payment guests. The evening wildlife drives are distinguished by the exquisite sundowners that are served at unique vantage points. The ideal conclusion to your day is interactive percussion, which provides live cultural entertainment.

Safari Meals in Pilanesberg

The dishes served at Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge during this Pilanesberg Safari have been meticulously selected and prepared. The package includes a delectable supper at the Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge restaurant.

Pilanesberg Safari Transport

On this two-day Pilanesberg Safari, transfers are conducted in an air-conditioned minibus (Quantum). Transfers to and from the lodge are conducted in a shared vehicle that accommodates 2 to 10 passengers. In these enclosed tour vehicles, you will be collected and dropped off at your accommodation at the commencement and conclusion of the day tour.

Between 5:30 and 7:00 a.m., we will collect you from your lodging in central Pretoria or Johannesburg.
From 17:30, you will be dropped off at your accommodation in central Pretoria or Johannesburg.

Throughout your stay at the Shepherd’s Tree wildlife Lodge in Pilanesberg National Park, you will embark on wildlife drives in open-sided 4×4 safari vehicles.

Note for Onward Travel

 Travelers with onward flights departing on the evening of the second day of the Pilanesberg Safari are advised to reserve flights that allow for additional time in case of delays. We suggest that you reserve domestic flights departing from OR Tambo International Airport by 19h30 and international flights departing by 21h00.

Pre and Post Safari Lodge Option:

We are pleased to inform you that we provide convenient pre and post tour lodge accommodation for the period immediately preceding and following the Pilanesberg Safari. This accommodation can be incorporated into your tour booking upon request. The 4-star lodge accommodation is situated 10-15 minutes from the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. For rates, please refer to the provided link.

Includes & Excludes

Getting There

The trip will start from Nairobi, Kenya and End in Seychelles . Therefore book flights landing in Nairobi on day one and departing from Seychelles on day 9.

Fill in and send the safari request form, we shall respond as soon as we receive your message.
You can also reach us on Whats-app Number: +256753750983 for urgent requests.