Ivory Tree Game Lodge
Ivory Tree Game Lodge is a large, well-appointed safari lodge in Pilanesberg National Park, offering a comfortable lodge-based safari experience close to Johannesburg. With a wide range of room types and family-friendly facilities, it suits travellers looking for an accessible Big Five safari at an affordable to mid-range price point.
Highlights
- Located inside malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park, about 2.5–3 hours from Johannesburg
- One of the larger safari lodges in the park, with 69 rooms and suites
- Family-friendly accommodation, including dedicated family suites
- Two daily safari activities included
- Swimming pool, spa facilities and relaxed lodge atmosphere
- Additional activities available, such as quad biking and archery
- Well-suited to families, small groups and first-time safari travellers
Safari experience
Guests typically enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in open safari vehicles, exploring Pilanesberg's varied landscapes of open plains, valleys and wooded hills.
Game drives are conducted in shared open vehicles seating up to nine guests, led by professional guides. Wildlife sightings in Pilanesberg commonly include elephant, rhino, lion and a wide range of plains game.
Because the reserve is relatively compact compared to Greater Kruger reserves, game drives focus on covering varied terrain and waterholes where animals frequently gather.
Rooms and lodge atmosphere
Ivory Tree is one of the larger lodges in Pilanesberg, offering a wide choice of accommodation types including standard rooms, deluxe suites, family suites and private villas.
Rooms are spacious and comfortably furnished, typically featuring private patios or verandas looking out onto the surrounding bushveld.
The lodge's layout and facilities make it particularly well suited to:
- Families travelling with children
- Small groups
- Guests looking for a relaxed safari environment rather than an ultra-exclusive lodge
Getting there
Pilanesberg National Park lies roughly 170 km from Johannesburg, making Ivory Tree one of the most accessible safari lodges in South Africa.
Transfers can easily be arranged, or guests can self-drive to the park and access the lodge via the main reserve gates.
Our take on Ivory Tree Game Lodge
Ivory Tree is one of the most practical safari options for travellers wanting a comfortable Big Five experience close to Johannesburg without the higher price levels of private Greater Kruger reserves.
Because it's a larger lodge with many room options, it works especially well for families and small groups, and the extra activities can be a bonus for guests staying more than one night.
If you're looking for a straightforward lodge-based safari in a malaria-free reserve, Ivory Tree Game Lodge is a solid and reliable choice.
Includes
- Accommodation in a suite or chalet
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
- Morning and afternoon guided game drives in Pilanesberg National Park
- Tea, coffee and refreshments during the day
- Use of lodge facilities, including swimming pool and guest areas
- Wi-Fi in public areas
Typical stays at Ivory Tree include two daily game drives and all meals, forming a classic lodge-based safari experience.
Excludes
- Premium alcoholic beverages
- Spa treatments at Amani Spa
- Optional activities such as quad biking, archery and cultural experiences
- Park entrance or conservation fees (where applicable)
- Gratuities and items of a personal nature
Many optional activities (quad biking, archery, drumming, etc.) are offered by the lodge but are booked and paid separately.
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Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge
Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge is an intimate safari lodge in Pilanesberg National Park, offering a more traditional bush-lodge atmosphere for travellers seeking a quieter safari close to Johannesburg. With fewer rooms and a more secluded feel than many Pilanesberg lodges, it suits couples and travellers looking for a more authentic lodge experience.
