Pilanesberg & Waterberg Safari

ABOUT THIS TRIP

Get up close to the Big Five and all other African wildlife on guided game drives in open off-road vehicles. The Pilanesberg National Park, which covers around 55,000 hectares, is only around two and a half hours' drive northwest of Johannesburg and boasts a rich variety of wildlife and beautiful landscapes in the area of a huge volcanic crater. The journey continues to the 22000ha private Entabeni Safari Reserve, which is about a three-hour drive north of Johannesburg. In contrast to Pilanesberg National Park, only overnight guests at the lodges have access here and the excellent rangers ensure a first-class, undisturbed game viewing experience, including the Big Five. Both Pilanesberg and Entabeni are malaria-free.

This module is in English and can be started daily. Individual changes such as the number of overnight stays, alternative accommodation or additional activities are possible. The tour can be started from/to Cape Town or Johannesburg for an additional charge. This tour can also be combined with other of our modules by adding domestic flights or land transfers. We will be happy to provide you with a personalized offer.

OVERNIGHT STATIONS

• 2x Pilanesberg
• 2x Waterberg

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• 4x overnight stay in the Superior category ****
• 4x breakfast, 4x lunch, 4x dinner
• private transfers according to program
• four game drives in Pilanesberg National Park
• four game drives in a private game reserve in the Waterberg Mountains
• Travel documents according to the booked tour itinerary
• Local offices with 24-hour hotline (German/English)
• Travel insurance certificate

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Meals not mentioned
• not mentioned or optional activities
• Flight performance
• Entrance fees and conservation fees not mentioned
• other personal expenses, tips
• personal travel insurance
• Continuous tour guide

DAY 1: JOHANNESBURG

ONEWAY TRANSFER TO PILANESBERG

In the case of a transfer from your accommodation, you will be picked up at the entrance of your guesthouse, lodge or hotel at the agreed time. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation or at the airport.

For transfers from the airport, you will be met personally in the arrivals hall. Please look out for a person carrying a sign with your name on it. If an explicit pick-up point or meeting point is mentioned in your tour book, please go there. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation.

This private transfer is operated by a qualified English-speaking driver. The vehicle is air-conditioned and corresponds to your private group size, there are no other passengers. The transfer company has all the necessary licenses and insurance for its vehicles and drivers to guarantee legal passenger transportation (no Uber or similar). For long-distance transfers, toilet and catering stops are made as required (catering not included in the price).

DAY 1 TO DAY 3:

PILANESBERG

The malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park is located around two and a half hours' drive northwest of Johannesburg. The 55,000 hectare park is almost circular and encompasses the area of a 1200 million year old volcanic crater with a small lake in the center. The extremely scenic terrain lies in the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and the wetter lowveld, so both types of vegetation can be found here. The park is home to the Big Five and many other African wild animals.

You will spend the night at the Black Rhino Game Lodge, which is situated in a private part of the northwest of the park that is only accessible to overnight guests. The 23 detached suites are furnished in modern African style and equipped with a bathroom/WC, air conditioning, minibar, TV, safe, tea/coffee making facilities and a veranda with outdoor shower. The Deluxe Suites also have their own plunge pool or hot tub on the veranda. The lodge offers a bar, a restaurant, a boma (traditional campfire dining area), three plunge pools, a viewing deck overlooking a waterhole and free Wi-Fi.

You take part in two guided game drives per night in an open off-road vehicle, which take place in the afternoon before dinner and in the morning before breakfast (English-speaking, conducted with additional persons). Conservation fees are not included in the price and are paid on site.

BLACK RHINO GAME LODGE (SUITE)

2X OVERNIGHT STAY WITH FULL BOARD AND 4 ACTIVITIES

DAY 1 TO DAY 3:

PILANESBERG

OPTIONALLY UPGRADEABLE FROM 195 € PER PERSON

The malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park is located around two and a half hours' drive northwest of Johannesburg. The 55,000 hectare park is almost circular and encompasses the area of a 1200 million year old volcanic crater with a small lake in the center. The extremely scenic terrain lies in the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and the wetter lowveld, so both types of vegetation can be found here. The park is home to the Big Five and many other African wild animals and has made a name for itself in particular for its leopard breeding program.

You will spend the night in the luxurious and intimate Tambuti Lodge, which is located in a private part of the northwest of the park that is only accessible to overnight guests. The five detached suites are furnished in modern African style and equipped with a shower/WC with separate bath and additional outdoor shower, air conditioning, minibar, TV, safe, tea/coffee making facilities and a veranda with seating. The lodge offers a bar, a restaurant, a boma (traditional campfire dining area), an outdoor deck with plunge pool and free Wi-Fi.

You take part in two guided game drives per night in an open off-road vehicle, which take place in the afternoon before dinner and in the morning before breakfast (English-speaking, conducted with additional persons). Conservation fees are not included in the price and are paid on site.

This service can be booked for an additional charge.

TAMBUTI LODGE (LUXURY SUITE)

2X OVERNIGHT STAY WITH FULL BOARD AND DRINKS AND 4 ACTIVITIES

DAY 1 TO DAY 3:

PILANESBERG

OPTIONALLY UPGRADEABLE FROM 790 € PER PERSON

The malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park is located around two and a half hours' drive northwest of Johannesburg. The 55,000 hectare park is almost circular and encompasses the area of a 1200 million year old volcanic crater with a small lake in the center. The extremely scenic terrain lies in the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and the wetter lowveld, and both types of vegetation can be found here. The park is home to the Big Five as well as many other African wild animals and is particularly well known for its leopard breeding program.

You will spend the night at the luxurious Shepherds Tree Game Lodge in the west of the Pilanesberg National Park. The 32 detached modern suites offer a great view over the park and have a shower/WC with separate bathtub, air conditioning, a minibar, a safe, a tea/coffee maker and a veranda with an outdoor shower. The Executive Suites also have a lounge area and a private plunge pool on the veranda. The villas have two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and a private plunge pool on the veranda. The lodge offers a pool, an outdoor deck, a restaurant, a lounge, a boma (traditional campfire dining area), a spa area (for a fee) and free WiFi.

You take part in two guided game drives per night in an open off-road vehicle (English-speaking, conducted with additional persons), which take place in the afternoon before dinner and in the morning before breakfast. Additional activities such as balloon trips can be booked on site.

This service can be booked for an additional charge.

SHEPHERDS TREE GAME LODGE (EXECUTIVE SUITE)

2X OVERNIGHT STAY WITH FULL BOARD AND 4 ACTIVITIES

DAY 3: PILANESBERG

ONEWAY TRANSFER TO ENTABENI

In the case of a transfer from your accommodation, you will be picked up at the entrance of your guesthouse, lodge or hotel at the agreed time. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation or at the airport.

For transfers from the airport, you will be met personally in the arrivals hall. Please look out for a person carrying a sign with your name on it. If an explicit pick-up point or meeting point is mentioned in your tour book, please go there. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation.

This private transfer is operated by a qualified English-speaking driver. The vehicle is air-conditioned and corresponds to your private group size, there are no other passengers. The transfer company has all the necessary licenses and insurance for its vehicles and drivers to guarantee legal passenger transportation (no Uber or similar). For long-distance transfers, toilet and catering stops are made as required (catering not included in the price).

DAY 3 TO DAY 5:

WATERBERG

In the malaria-free Waterberg region lies the 22000ha Entabeni Safari Conservancy, which is home to the Big Five as well as many other wild animals. The region impresses with its unique landscapes and varied nature. Mountains, gorges, steppes and lakes offer a reflection of many original African areas in a small space. The Waterberg region is still considered an insider tip in South Africa. The special thing about Entabeni is the division into a high plateau (Upper Escarpment) and a low plateau (Lower Escarpment), which cannot be found in any other game reserve in South Africa.

The modern Honeyguide Conservation Lodge is situated in the Lower Escarpment of the Entabeni Reserve with magnificent views of the bushveld, a lake and the mountains in the background. The ten detached chalets have a bathroom/WC, air conditioning, a minibar, a safe and a veranda from which you can enjoy an impressive view of the landscape. The lodge's amenities include a restaurant, a bar and an infinity pool, which invites you to cool off on hot days. WLAN is available in the main building.

You take part in two guided game drives in an open off-road vehicle per overnight stay, which are conducted in English with other participants. These activities take place in the afternoon before dinner and in the morning before breakfast. For an additional charge and subject to availability, you can book guided bush walks on site. Conservation fees are not included in the price and are paid on site.

HONEYGUIDE CONSERVATION LODGE (CHALET)

2X OVERNIGHT STAY WITH FULL BOARD AND 4 ACTIVITIES

DAY 3 TO DAY 5:

WATERBERG

OPTIONALLY UPGRADEABLE FROM 440 € PER PERSON

In the malaria-free Waterberg region about three hours' drive north of Johannesburg lies the 35000ha Welgevonden Game Reserve, which is home to the Big Five as well as many other wild animals. The region impresses with its unique landscapes and varied nature. Mountains, gorges, steppes and lakes offer a reflection of many original African areas in a small space. The Waterberg region is still considered an insider tip in South Africa.

The luxurious Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway is situated in the Welgevonden Game Reserve in a breathtaking hillside location with unique views. The lodge offers an infinity pool overlooking the gorge, a large outdoor deck with a fire pit, a fireplace lounge, a restaurant and a spa area (for a fee). The eight luxurious and detached suites are furnished in a modern African style and have a shower/WC with separate bathtub, air conditioning, minibar, tea/coffee maker, safe, lounge area, private veranda with outdoor shower and plunge pool.

Per night, you will take part in two guided game drives in an open off-road vehicle, which take place in the afternoon before dinner and in the morning before breakfast (in English, may be conducted with other guests). The conservation fees for the reserve are payable on site.

This service can be booked for an additional charge.

CLIFFTOP EXCLUSIVE SAFARI HIDEAWAY (LUXURY SUITE)

2X OVERNIGHT STAY WITH FULL BOARD AND 4 ACTIVITIES

DAY 3 TO DAY 5:

WATERBERG

OPTIONAL UPGRADE STARTING AT €2,030 PER PERSON

The malaria-free Marakele National Park was established in 1994 and covers an area of 670 square kilometers. It is located around three hours' drive northwest of Johannesburg, in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains, a region that is still quite untouched and scenically beautiful. You can even find the now rare yellowwood trees, mighty cedars, fever trees and cycad palm fern trees up to 5 meters high. The park is home to the Big Five and almost all other African wildlife species. The endangered Cape vultures are spectacular. More than 800 breeding pairs live in the park, the largest population of this vulture species in South Africa.

The luxurious Marataba Mountain Lodge, one of only two lodges in the area, is located in a 23,000-hectare private concession within Marakele National Park. Exclusive wildlife viewing is therefore guaranteed. The lodge consists of just five modern, detached chalet suites, each with a bathroom/WC, air conditioning, safe, tea/coffee making facilities, minibar, fireplace, and terrace. The lodge offers free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, a bar, an outdoor deck with a pool and fire pit, a spa area (for a fee), and a treehouse for overnight stays under the open sky (weather permitting, subject to availability).

For each overnight stay, you will take part in two guided game drives in an open off-road vehicle (English-speaking, participation with other people), which take place in the afternoon before dinner and in the morning before breakfast. Optionally, you can take part in bush walks and river safaris.

This service can be booked for an additional charge.

MARATABA MOUNTAIN LODGE (LUXURY ROOM)

2X OVERNIGHT STAY WITH FULL BOARD AND DRINKS AND 4 ACTIVITIES

DAY 5: WATERBERG

ONEWAY TRANSFER TO JOHANNESBURG

In the case of a transfer from your accommodation, you will be picked up at the entrance of your guesthouse, lodge or hotel at the agreed time. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation or at the airport.

For transfers from the airport, you will be met personally in the arrivals hall. Please look out for a person carrying a sign with your name on it. If an explicit pick-up point or meeting point is mentioned in your tour book, please go there. You will be driven to your destination and dropped off at your accommodation.

This private transfer is operated by a qualified English-speaking driver. The vehicle is air-conditioned and corresponds to your private group size, there are no other passengers. The transfer company has all the necessary licenses and insurance for its vehicles and drivers to guarantee legal passenger transportation (no Uber or similar). For long-distance transfers, toilet and catering stops are made as required (catering not included in the price).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TRIP

All prices quoted are subject to availability before booking and are based on the number of participants stated. Errors excepted. Alternative availability, seasonal overlaps or exchange rate fluctuations may lead to price changes. Please request your personal tour offer with your desired travel dates. This tour offer does not include flights.

The child rate applies to one child under the age of 12 staying in their parents' room. One child under the age of two stays free of charge. For children aged 12 and over, the adult rate generally applies. Not all accommodation allows children of all ages.

We recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance and travel health insurance to cover the costs of assistance, including repatriation in the event of accident, illness or death. We can provide a corresponding offer on request.

A passport is required to enter the country. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a visa in advance. Minors under the age of 18 may need to carry additional documents. We will inform you of the exact requirements before you book. Travelers who have stayed in an area at risk of yellow fever must provide proof of a yellow fever vaccination.

This trip is malaria free.

This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Please ask for suitable offers.

The organizer of this trip is South Africa Travel GmbH & Co. KG, Buddestraße 9, 33602 Bielefeld, Germany, Tel +49 521 33676880.

APPROXIMATE ADDITIONAL COSTS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

Long-haul flights to Southern Africa in Economy Class cost from EUR 900, while prices can be well over EUR 1000 in the high season. Flights in Premium Economy Class are available from 1500 EUR, in Business Class flights cost from 2500 EUR (per person for outward and return flights). All prices are average values depending on the airline and season. The actual prices at a given time depend on the number of bookings and may vary. Early booking is recommended, especially in the high season.

A light lunch costs about 5 EUR (small salad, soup) to 8 EUR (pizza, pasta, burger) per person; dinner costs about 10 EUR (pizza, pasta, burger, large salad) to over 12 EUR (steak, fish) up to 22 EUR (three-course meal) per person. Coffee, tea, beer, or soft drinks cost about 1.70 EUR per cup or glass. Prices may vary up or down depending on the region or type of restaurant.

Entrance fees to national parks cost between EUR 5 and EUR 25 per person per day, depending on the size and popularity of the park. Entrance fees to museums or other attractions cost between EUR 3 and EUR 20 per person. Children under the age of 12 usually pay half price.