Pilanesberg
National Park
Prices
for Pilanesberg National Park - Rates 1 Sept 07 - 31 Aug 08.
I am a small specialist owner/operator
based at Mogwase, Pilanesberg and Pretoria, Gauteng.
I'm the only safari operator that does open - close. Payment cash on departure
no credit cards.
I'm a specialist and I 'm pretty expensive; and I disclose everything possible. So please don't send me emails wasting half a day of my time if you have no intention of paying my asking price in the 1st place. And don't waste my time if you don't seriously want to book with me. I type slow, try to answer myself & I could have been in the bush instead!! If I'm rude to you when you procrastinate and change your mind a zillion times, ask me for Martin XJ Johannson's mail address and he will elaborate. Wasted time is never recoverable! And the older I get, the more valuable my time is to me.... :) And I do not negotiate on rates, I 'm only flexible on times. You either want to go with me or you don't ! Minimum charge is for a half day; but for more than that I will add extra hours at R200pp/hour. Note that I think half days/5 hours are far too short! My Schedule:
Open to Close in the Park; with lunch midday-ish... normally 11 hours viewing; 1 more in summer, 1 less in winter. Please do not mail me and ask me for the schedule - this is it. My schedule totally depends on what the animals allow me to do....My "normal" day tour: 13,5 hours in the park summer, 11,5 hours in winter
Departures Nov - Feb half an hour earlier, May -Aug half an hour later!
Repeat clients get 20% discount.
Included: Transport, overnight (except Sun City/PB clients) or alternatively early 3.30am transfer, entrances, guide for the full day open - close, 1 Pilanesberg map/person, 2l bottled water, 2 soft drinks, snacks and biscuits to stand in for breakfast. For half days half of this.
Excluded: All Meals. This leaves more time for game viewing. We stop for lunch about midday.
Rates 1 Sept 07 - 31 Aug 08 pp cash, no credit cards
Individual Pilanesberg bookings : There could be other clients; or not!
Saturday Special:
Trips booked: Persons booking days before departure from Sun City & Lodges from Johannesburg/Pretoria Option 3: below tables
The only late flights are KLM & Air France, departs about 23h00 if you want to max your day.
Private Pilanesberg trips & groups: 1 - 6 pax
Private Pilanesberg trips: from Sun City or Lodges from Johannesburg/Pretoria Group booking: 7+ pax Depending on numbers & where from
Bookings for 1 person: booked:
*Prices will revert to normal rates when and if other persons join subject to the same option/transfer. So for 2 people look at "My normal day tour rates" as above!*# Equivalent to rate of Full Day trip booked 60 days before departure. So will do a half day for 1 pax for a normal day rate if booked 60 days in advance. Half days will be 5 hours, open plus 5 or the last 5 till closing. So 6h00 - 11h00 or 13h30 - 18h30 with half an hour earlier/later in summer/winter. Transport from Pretoria 2 hours earlier, Jo'burg 2,5 hours earlier. Normally no departures the night before, but if I 'm willing, then expect to pay R500pp additional for accommodation. If you can only do a half day, then I would recommend a morning trip.
All full day trip prices includes accommodation for the night before, whether you take it up or not. Most departures will be 7pm the night before, I 'm getting too old for 2 am wake ups. I can run a special transfer through @ 3am if the group is split. In case of everyone only leaving early am from Pta/Jo'burg it still prices the same. Note I have to pay the accommodation establishment in case you cancel. But if you are serious enough to book with me I will be serious enough to book and pay for the accommodation. A special thanks to you Martin XJ Johannson, it cost me R2000 to try & help you..
Also bring your swimming trunks with in summer, we try cool down at one of the camps - it makes a welcome midday break. Short though please; 10 minutes in & out. Of course, if you take a private trip you are the boss.Option 1: I prefer this one
Departing 7pm Jo'burg, 8pm Pretoria, back Pta 9pm, Jo'burg 9.30pm.
Option 2: You might prefer this one
Departing 3.30am Jo'burg, 4am Pretoria, back Pta 8.30pm, Jo'burg 9pm.
Note: Nov - Feb half an hour earlier, May -Aug half an hour later!Option 3: Flexible with up to 2 hours max.; depending traffic etc. I DO NOT do Jo'burg traffic though.....
Departing 10h00 Jo'burg, 10.30pm Pretoria, arriving 12.30pm, leaving next day 12.30pm, back Pta 2.30pm, Jo'burg 3pm. 24 hours from arrival to departure. Add R500pp for this for accommodation, our effort booking it and for normally taking me out of circulation for 2 days. Private & Group Rates also to add accommodation at cost price. Note that occasionally I get accommodation slightly cheaper but then I also get it more expensive at other times and have to pay in. So R500pp is about what it averages out at, and that is what I will invoice you for. You are most welcome to find, book and pay for your own accommodation. We normally stay 3km's OUTSIDE the Park, especially for 1 nighters, but sometimes at the resorts if we can get place, on the edge of the Park. It is all dependent on your time with me and the nature of your booking. Be assured that wherever I put you up will be as safe and secure as it can be.
Option 4: Tell me what you want & I 'll see if I can do it. If not I 'll pass you on....
But please note that I will depart Jo'burg or JIA anytime of the night and day BUT absolutely not during peak hour!Private Pilanesberg trips: as above
Group booking: max 6 people, this is the price. as above
Air crew: Seen as group booking.
Families with kids:
Normally a private trip with kids under 12 @ 1/2 price. BUT mail me - see Kids on Safari.Departures from Sun City:
It prices better than departures from Pretoria & Jo'burg. Accommodation is of course not included.2-day Pilanesberg trips
2 days and 2 nights, departures as normal. Normal daily rates apply per day.3 day Pilanesberg trips
3 days and 3 nights, departure 7pm as normal. Same as above. Note that you see progressively less new sightings as time goes on. What we are looking for is that one awesome sighting.Sun City add on:
Similar operators - actually the only other one
Travel & Booking Agent commissions
Why go to Pilanesberg with me?My Prices for day visits and 2 day safaris to Pilanesberg: Also Sun City.
Next Definite Dates 2008: Most dates not here are available.
Picture Gallery 2007
Picture Gallery 2006
Picture Gallery 2005
Picture Gallery 2004
The rest is alphabetical - if you look here before you ask you will save time - mine and yours.... and if you ask something that is not on here I will put it up!Accommodation in the Park only: Staying Friday or Saturday you have to pay for 2 nights min.
Accommodation in and around Sun City. Staying Friday or Saturday you have to pay for 2 nights min.
Airport at Pilanesberg
Animal studies in Pilanesberg
Backpacker accommodation near Sun City and Pilanesberg
Bakgatla Resort
Bakubung Bush Lodge
Balloon Safaris: In Pilanesberg National Park - R2 950pp - 1 hour, minimum 8 pax!
Binoculars needed
Bird list
Brochure request - you need a DNL reader
Buffalo in the Park
Camping - book direct at 014 555 1000, don't be surprised if you hold 15 minutes and then get cut off.
Cancellation Terms and Conditions
Condition of the Veld
Dangers in Pilanesberg
Disclosures: About vehicles used for Pilanesberg and other
Directions - see map
Elephant Back safaris in Pilanesberg.
Entrance fee - see gate times
Etiquette in Game Parks like Pilanesberg for self drives
Friends of Pilanesberg Society - Volunteers helping to maintain the Park.
Gate Times for Pilanesberg National Park
Geology of Pilanesberg National Park
Highlights seen in Pilanesberg the last 2 years:
Don't expect something like this or the animals to stand next to the road waiting. It's not a Zoo!History of Pilanesberg National Park
Idiot Gallery - Stunts pulled in Pilanesberg National Park by the mentally challenged. Other tour operators are welcome to contribute - I will give you recognition except if you don't want it!
Ivory Tree Game Lodge
Kids on Safari. in Pilanesberg or other parks
Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge
Manyane Resort
Map and directions to Pilanesberg
Other Parks near Pilanesberg
Other Tour Operators doing Pilanesberg
Packages to Lodges
Picture Gallery - taken by us over the last 2 years in Pilanesberg.
Pilanesberg National Park vs Kruger National Park.
Reading - other re Pilanesberg.
Safety in Pilanesberg
Schedule - tour schedule for Pilanesberg
Seen one of the day trips to Pilanesberg - 19 Sept 2007:
Seen on a 2 day safari to Pilanesberg - 9&10 August 2004:
Testimonials from clients we have taken to Pilanesberg
Things to do in and around Pilanesberg
Transfers only to Pilanesberg and Sun City - one way: charged per vehicle:
Tshukudu Bush Lodge
Veld Condition in the Park
Weather and Climate for Pilanesberg area
What can you hope to see in Pilanesberg?
When to go to Pilanesberg: best time etc
