2 Day Pilanesberg ultimate Luxury Safari

We booked a 2 day safari tour and stayed at Ivory Tree Lodge. The rooms, food and open game drives provided by the lodge were excellent. The transfers from Johannesburg provided by MoAfrika Tours did not meet our expectations. Although we advised we would be travelling with 4 suitcases, no provisions had been made on the outbound transfer so the suitcases needed to be stacked in the aisle. The outbound transfer was a disgrace. Just before checking out of the lodge we received an email, offering us a choice between being picked up at the arranged time 11:30 AM) and spending time in Pilanesberg on a closed game drive. Or spending time in the lodge and being picked up at 2:00 PM. We chose the first option but ended up spending 3 hours in the reception area for our transfer. The people at MoAfrika Tours kept telling us they did not know why the driver did not pick us up but he would be there within 10 minutes. He arrived a little before 2 PM and was met by a group of angry people (7 in total) who had been waiting since 11 AM. And 2 people who had chosen the second option, to be picked up at 2. The driver told us that the people of MoAfrica were well aware that he would not be able to pick us up before 2PM as he was in the park woth another group of people. So obviously it had been the intention of MoAfrika from the start to pick us up at 2. They just were not honest about the situation and kept us waiting for 3 hours without food as they had us believe the drivers would be there any minute. To make things worse, the driver was supposed to wait until 3 PM to pick up 3 more people. After we refused to wait any longer (5 of us had flights to catch), he decided to leave the other 3 behind and drove us to the airport. The driver was not to blame for this mess up, solely the people at MoAfrika office. After returning home, we sent a complaint to MoAfrika, but we have not received a reply or apologies. I would not recommend using MoAfrika Tours, just book the lodge yourself, nearly every lodge and hotel offers transfers. No need to book through MoAfrika or any other operator.

I had an incredible experience working with MoAfrika tours, who set me up on a 5-star, 2-day, 1-night safari experience at the Ivory Tree Game Lodge in Pilanesberg (and much more). MoAfrika was incredibly responsive and helpful throughout the entire booking process. They arranged everything - I made one payment that included transfer from Joburg to the lodge, a safari en route and back from Joburg, and included all amenities at the lodge including multiple safaris per day. I was picked up at my hotel very early in the morning (on time) by a MoAfrika driver, we made several other pickups around Joburg, and headed out to Pilanesberg. Once there, we dropped off day trippers at the gate and wound through the park to get to our lodges. That "safari" in itself was incredible - I saw more there than my first safari at the lodge! Once I got to the hotel all payment had been taken care of so I could relax until my room was ready and enjoy the pool and lunch. We took off on our evening safari and had a fantastic time in a small group (sundowners included!). Back to the lodge at night for dinner and rest was fantastic - the room I was assigned was huge with a beautiful outdoor shower and private patio overlooking the park. The interior was gorgeous as well with a posted king sized bed, stunning granite bath, and oversized space. My only regret is not having time for a second night! The next morning we went for a sunrise safari in the same small group and had a fantastic drive. I left the lodge around 11:00 to return to Joburg in a group and had another adventurous safari to leave the game reserve - we had elephants holding up traffic and a pride of lions napping near the exit. Overall, the experience MoAfrika provided was seamless and their recommendation for the Ivory Tree Lodge was amazing.

Great experience. Saw lots of animals and the rangers were very knowledgable. The driver on the way to Pilanesberg was also great with a couple of stops. We stayed at the Bakubung Lodge which was beautiful, the food included was amazing, great scenery great service, so much so we requested to stay another night. What we didn't realise is that it also included 2 more game drives for the price. Great surprise. Would thoroughly recommend this tour and we would certainly be returning.