Africa's Big 5 are the five most difficult animals to spot in the wild. They are the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo. There are multiple parks that offer game drives to see them but before that, let's check out the city first.
Johannesburg
"Joburg" as locals call it, is South Africa's megacity, where head offices of big corporations are located. If you're heading to Kruger or Pilanesburg, this is probably where your plane is gonna land.
Great stay if you're looking for a place with a full kitchen.
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Attractions
I didn't spend a lot of time in the city itself because I flew here for the safari, but I went to visit Gold Reef City, where you could go down an actual mine. You can see the sunlight slowly going away, the air getting colder and in a matter of minutes you're 720 feet underground. One mind-blowing fact is that you're hundreds of feet below and you're only on level 5 of the mine, which goes all the way to level 57.
The Underground Mine Tour is a must-do when you visit this place. You go 720 feet underground on the actual "elevators" miners use, which is not fully closed so you see the sun go away and the dirt on the sides. It is an amazing experience.
If you're looking to stay at a place with countryside vibes, with endless lawns, this is the perfect hotel for you. You won't regret waking up early to make it to their breakfast.
A popular photo spot is the balcony, which goes all the way, but people usually crowd by the elevator, so go around for less people. Also, most people don't see it, but there's a small door you can go into to head upstairs.
My most memorable meal. This is where you get to eat game meats like zebra, venison, and more! It's a buffet too. Servers go around with grilled meat and give you a slice if you want any. Definitely a MUST!
One of Africa's biggest game reserves. They also have a lodge where you can stay at a tent within reserve property. I wanted to do it so bad but my parents are too scared we'd get attacked by animals. Lol.
I saw families of elephants and giraffes feeding right next to the jeep, a group of zebras crossing the road, and a leopard behind the brush. It's a surreal experience!
Modern conveniences but still within nature and very close to Kruger National Park.
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Pilanesberg National Park
We were supposed to do a hot air balloon tour above Pilanesberg but it was cancelled because of strong winds so we ended up doing a morning game drive. This is where I saw the rhinos and hippos.
This is the best hotel I've stayed at, trumping even Burj Al Arab in Dubai. AMAZING architecture and interiors with marvelous views, and a wide selection of food. It definitely lives up to its name, The Palace.
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Activities
The Palace is within the Sun City Resort, which has multiple hotels, casinos, shopping areas and a water park. So if you've seen the Big 5 and you've had enough wildlife watching, spend the rest of your trip relaxing here.
THE recreation city in South Africa with multiple hotels, casinos, shopping areas, and a water park. Most hotels bookings include complimentary entry to the water park, so book your stay before buying the park tickets!
Watch this video to get a glimpse of the experience I had in South Africa. If you find this guide helpful, you can leave a tip or say hi to me on Instagram @dressupgotravel. Happy travels!
Hiii! I'm Angel and I am gonna help you plan your trips so you don't have to stress about everything.
I've been to 46 countries in 6 continents, and most of them I explored DIY. I've done the research for every place I visit and actually living out the plan, I see what works and what can make the experience better. It's like a self-check of what the internet tells you to do vs what you can actually do when you're there, and I'm giving you first-hand tips from my personal experiences. I’m a Mariott and Hyatt member so if you are too, you’re in luck because all of my itineraries have these stay options.
I've been planning trips for my family and friends for about 10 years now because creating itineraries is just fun for me. I even give them tips like which side to sit on the train to get a better view and they love details like that!
I was born and raised in the Philippines and moved to Los Angeles in 2020 (yes, during the pandemic, I know I'm crazy) and I've been coming home every year since, so you'll be seeing a mix of tips, guides, and itineraries for the Philippines, LA, and the places I travel to.
Hope you enjoy it!
