Safari Drives
Pilanesberg National Park Safaris
All of the wildlife is completely free and undisturbed in a safe and natural environment.
Neither hunting nor any human intervention is permitted.
The wildlife awaits you
Size matters – because at only 220 square miles Pilanesberg game reserve is more intimate than parks like Kruger you can confidently anticipate seeing a fabulous range of wildlife including examples of the Big Five, smaller animals, and exotic birds on a single game drive or safari. Location matters too – the reserve is part of a unique biosphere which shares elements of both desert and grassland, so there is an unusual richness of species concentrated together and you may not know in which direction to point your camera. At the heart of Pilanesberg is the Black Rhino Game Reserve and Savannah Lodge is situated within the boundaries of this haven, enabling guests to have privileged access to even the most endangered species as well as enjoying the wider park. The experience we can offer is like the start of a romance – a spine-tingling step into a new world – and we defy you not to fall in love.
On a Savannah private safari
Quiet Explorations
Savannah guests enjoy bespoke safaris with options to explore and observe as much as they wish. Our safaris are designed to make the memorable experience a private one; our rangers use their skill to avoid congregating with other vehicles and wherever possible maintain ‘radio silence’. This attitude is actually quite unusual and adds significantly to the sense of private exploration and discovery.
Vehicles are driven as unobtrusively as possible and guests are encouraged to stay calm and quiet when close to individual creatures or herds of animals. Because of this, these wild animals seem completely at ease with vehicles and their passengers, neither afraid nor disturbed by them. The vehicle itself is not threatening and makes the proximity irrelevant: guests can get memorably close, sometimes almost within touching distance, yet remain comfortable and completely safe.
Savannah’s Rangers
Our safaris are led by friendly and professional ranger-guides. They are knowledgeable about the park and its wildlife and enthusiastic about sharing their delight. They are also excellent four-wheel drivers, piloting the open vehicles on the network of gravel tracks that crisscross the landscape (off-road exploration is not permitted and the countryside and its animals remain untouched). Our rangers are one of the key benefits in the Savannah Safaris experience – in fact, they’re one of our stars.
Morning Safaris
Morning safaris usually start early, as dawn breaks, as the animals are cautiously waking up, moving around and grazing before the sun heats up. Nocturnal predators settle in to rest for the day. Mornings continue with larger game such as rhino, elephant and giraffe appearing, as individuals or in smaller or impressively larger groups. Impala are everywhere. Later on, water-holes and lakes become the focus of activity, where hippo and crocodile can be spotted.
Savannah’s safari drives will usually include stopping off for breakfast, morning coffee and ‘rusk’ biscuits (a South African speciality) and lunch. Breaks also happen at one of the many game and bird viewing hides, often hidden at the water’s edge. Pilanesberg is a birder’s paradise, with hundreds of species inhabiting the trees, bushes, skies and wetlands.
Evening Safaris
Evening safaris start before dusk and continue after darkness falls. Many animals move to seek safe resting places. Top predators like lion and leopard rest, call to one another or start hunting. Nocturnal wildlife emerges, shown up in the ranger’s powerful torch but unaffected by it.
Choose your perfect Savannah Safari Vacation