Pilanesberg
National Park
Lodges
and Resorts in Pilanesberg National Park compared - Rates
for 2018/9 - 18 March 2018
Weekend/peak times are extremely popular.
Please note that staying
Friday or Saturday you have to pay for 2 nights minimum.
You also have to pay a very reasonable daily entrance
to the park if self driving & staying in the Park - half price concession..
If staying outside the Park you have to pay entrance daily.
For Specials click here
Your options when coming to Pilanesberg is between the 2 Resorts, then the
5 Lodges in the main section, and lastly the private section Black Rhino Lodges.
I'll compare them with pro's and cons and rates, you can decide what suits
you. First, the Resorts are more affordable, but also more basic. Weekends
and holidays are pretty hectic thanks to the affordable camping and caravan
sites
I give 12% off Resort rates bookings that total over R1000
| Manyane Resort - 20 km's from Sun City | Bakgatla Resort - 35 km's from Sun City | |
| Restaurant food not great, don't expect medium rare, possible noise from outside on weekends | cons | Lots of weeds around swimming pool area |
| Close to Sun City, animals everywhere in the 400 ha area, free self guided walking trails | pros | Fantastic Pool, quieter than Manyane as it is further from the locals, and better food |
| Camping, Caravan, 2 person tents, 2 bed studio, 4 bed Chalet, some self catering units | Accommodation | Camping, Caravan, Executive en suite tents, all chalets 5 Bed |
| Weekend rates given, midweeks better priced | Price | Weekend rates given, midweeks better priced |
| R750/ 2n weekend | Camping | R6750/ 2n weekend |
| R860/ 2n weekend | Caravan | R860/ 2n weekend |
| R1465/n B&B 2 pax max kettle & bar fridge only | Tents | R2530/n B&B 2 pax |
| R2120/n B&B kettle & bar fridge only | Studio | |
| R3520/n B&B 4 sleeper | Chalet | R3560/n B&B 5 pax |
Next is the Pilanesberg Lodges in the main Pilanesberg (PB) section. Your viewing is better than in the Private section. All 3 hour drives, all connected on radio. Rates are the same midweek or weekends, yet again you need a minimum of 2 nights over weekends. Normally better rates "off season" 1May - 31Aug yearly. Guides normally work 6 weeks on 2 weeks off. Tipping is totally up to you, and appreciated. If you feel your guide excelled, then please do show your appreciation.
| Lodges | Bakubung | Kwa Maritane | Tshukudu | Ivory Tree | Shepherds Tree |
| cons | Some just ok, some great guides, slack Restaurant service, busy | 20 min double up route with very little | mega expensive, 132 steps | Can't think of something | Area location sour veld |
| pros | Some great guides, nice view | All solid and passionate guides, awesome head chef, live TV channel on waterhole | Sean the Legend :) | Very competent and passionate guides | Super setting, smallish Lodge |
| vehicles | 20/25 seaters | 20/25 seaters | 10 seaters | 10 seaters | 10 seaters |
| include | DBB, 1 drive* | DBB, 1 drive* | BDDL, 2 drives | BDDL, 2 drives | BDDL, 2 drives |
| am drive summer/winter | 5h30/8h00 | 5h30/8h00 | 5h30/8h00 | 5h15/6h15 | 5h30/6h30 |
| latest drive summer/winter | 15h00/16h30 | 15h00/16h30 | 15h0016h30 | 16h30/17h00 | 16h30/17h00 |
| extra drives | R550 | R550 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 2018 rate single** | R4408/n | R4408/n | R7890 - 10250/n | R10500/n | R10465 |
| 2018 rate double** | R6018/n | R6018/n | R11180 - 14510/n | R14910/n | R10465 |
| kids - accommodation | under 18 free sharing | under 18 free sharing | no under 12's | U 12 50% pp | U 12 50% pp |
| kids - meals | 13 - 17 half price | 13 - 17 half price | n/a | incl | incl |
| kids - drives | 12 - 17 @ R275 | 12 - 17 @ R275 | n/a | incl | incl |
| kids -other | no U 6 on drives | no U 6 on drives | n/a | no U 6 on drives | no U 6 on drives |
| other | free wi fi, extra kids drives 6-17 @ R275 |
free wi fi, extra kids drives 6-17 @ R275 |
Local drinks included No cell reception, no TV |
New rates 1 May 2019 |
New rates 1 May 2019 Conservation Levy R100 |
1 drive* - if booked through the right agent, could apply to kids as well.
If booked direct with Lodges this does not apply.
** Official Lodge rates, several discounters including myself, mail for a
rate or look at the Lodge page.