Sun City & Pilanesberg

The Pilanesberg Game Reserve offers a taste of an African safari with malaria-free game viewing. The Sun City resort offers plenty of action for families, keen golfers and sports enthusiasts.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Jan to Nov

Overview

Sun City & Pilanesberg Game Reserve are set in an ancient volcanic ridge only 2 hours north of Johannesburg, and about 1½ hours from Pretoria.

The malaria-free Pilanesberg Game Reserve offers a taster of an African safari with game viewing in open 4x4 vehicles. It encircles the Sun City resort with its family-friendly activities, golf courses, water park and water sports. So you can easily combine a Pilanesberg safari with the razzle & dazzle of Sun City.

Pilanesberg Game Reserve

The natural bushveld of the Pilanesberg Game Reserve offers malaria-free game viewing. It’s a popular choice for families. Or for people who are unsure about a full-on safari.

Pilanesberg is the most accessible game reserve from Johannesburg and so it’s a little busier than most reserves, especially in the southern parts.
There are different ways to enjoy a safari experience in the Pilanesberg including horse-riding and even hot air ballooning.

Pilanesburg game drive

Features

Why you may love it

  • Some of South Africa's best golf courses
  • Pilanesberg is a good malaria-free game reserve, close to Johannesburg, ideal for families with younger children
  • Stay at Sun City and simply take a morning or evening game drive into the Pilanesberg, booked when you arrive in Sun City.
  • Another option is to stay at one of the large game lodges in the Pilanesberg. They don’t offer a very intimate safari experience. But they’re well-suited to families with younger children. Plus they are sufficiently close that you could head to Sun City as a day visitor.

When to visit Sun City & Pilanesberg

Pilanesberg Climate

Dry season is best for safari

The Pilanesburg & Sun City share the same summer rainfall climate of Johannesburg. But it is a little bit warmer in both summer and winter. Summer max can be up to 29C whereas winter remains a pleasant 20-21C. However there's a big difference in night-time temperatures with winter months getting very chilly so pack accordingly.
AVG MONTHLY RAINFALL From 101mm in summer to 7mm in winter
MAX TEMP 21-29 ℃ / 70 to 84 ℉
MIN TEMP 2-17 ℃ / 37 to 63 ℉

Popular tours & safaris

We arrange trips to more than 100+ destinations throughout the African continent.

Start planning your dream trip

Find me the best in for

Need a little help? View our Safari Guide to help you get started

Accommodation

View More Accommodations
Did you know
  • LocationSits in the crater of an extinct volcano, which erupted more than 1,300 million years ago
  • History of Sun City1st & only fantasy holiday & theme park in South Africa

Book with confidence

 
ABTA logo
Zicasso Logo
Aito assurred logo
SATSA logo

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Start planning

How it works

 
Cedarberg talk-to-us
Chat with us about your perfect itinerary
Cedarberg curate
We listen, discuss and curate your ideal experience
Cedarberg pack
You pack and enjoy your holiday

Gloria Darvall

Africa Travel Specialist

Hi I’m Gloria, I’m here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keen to get some more useful info about planning a dream safari? Enter your name and email below

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.