THE DRAMATICALLY BEAUTIFUL PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK IS A TREMENDOUS BIG FIVE RESERVE SET WITHIN THE SLOPES OF AN EXTINCT VOLCANIC CRATER. KALAHARI MEETS THE WETTER LOWVELD IN THIS REGION THAT CONVENIENTLY LIES OUTSIDE THE MALARIAL BELT. A LARGE LAKE BY THE NAME OF MANKWE DAM LIES AT THE CENTRE OF THE VAST AND VARIED RESERVE PROMOTING EXCELLENT SIGHTINGS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE DRY WINTER MONTHS.
African wild dog, brown hyena, cheetah and sable antelope proudly occupy the natural bushveld along with the captivating Big Five namely buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino. Birdwatching is an awesome affair. Legends such as the serious-looking black-shouldered kite, radiant lilac-breasted roller, singing pin-tailed whydah, somewhat sedentary rufous-naped lark and arresting Verreaux’s eagle feature amongst 350 other species.
The wildlife is nothing if not abundant with strikingly stunning landscapes only adding to the scene that is a pleasure to capture on camera. Enrich your perspective by putting sole to soil as you trek through the bushveld or watch plains game at play during a hot air balloon flight. Then again, simply sticking to vehicles never disappoints as guided game drives in the mornings, afternoons and spot-lit night drives are offered. Another highlight adding to the list of activities is visiting Stone and Iron Age sites found in the park; places holding evidence that early man lived in the area.
Pilanesberg National Park is roughly two hours from Johannesburg and therefore easily accessible. Families, first-time safari-goers and couples can all be comfortably and luxuriously accommodated at this hassle-free destination. Kid-friendly lodges offer a range of fun and simultaneously educational activities while honeymooners are bound to relish rejuvenating treatments at an award-winning spa followed by private candlelit dining. Secluded spots such as Shepherds Bush Lodge or Black Rhino Game Lodge offer that classic safari experience.
The popular Sun City resort is on the park’s doorstep. Activities for all ages, golf courses, casinos, a water park and water sports are sure to excite. The challenging Gary Player Golf Course (home to the Million Dollar Challenge) and the Lost City Golf Course are both world-class courses.
Technically the volcano never erupted which means it is actually a very rare formation called a ring dyke complex, one of only three in the world. The crater was formed when the centre collapsed leaving a base that now holds the dam. The hard rock left behind, a tribute to millions of years of erosion, makes up the iconic mountain. Much later, Pilanesberg was transformed from a farmland with alien plants on eroded land into a sanctuary before introducing 6 000 animals to the reserve.
THE DRAMATICALLY BEAUTIFUL PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK IS A TREMENDOUS BIG FIVE RESERVE SET WITHIN THE SLOPES OF AN EXTINCT VOLCANIC CRATER. KALAHARI MEETS THE WETTER LOWVELD IN THIS REGION THAT CONVENIENTLY LIES OUTSIDE THE MALARIAL BELT. A LARGE LAKE BY THE NAME OF MANKWE DAM LIES AT THE CENTRE OF THE VAST AND VARIED RESERVE PROMOTING EXCELLENT SIGHTINGS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE DRY WINTER MONTHS.
African wild dog, brown hyena, cheetah and sable antelope proudly occupy the natural bushveld along with the captivating Big Five namely buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino. Birdwatching is an awesome affair. Legends such as the serious-looking black-shouldered kite, radiant lilac-breasted roller, singing pin-tailed whydah, somewhat sedentary rufous-naped lark and arresting Verreaux’s eagle feature amongst 350 other species.
The wildlife is nothing if not abundant with strikingly stunning landscapes only adding to the scene that is a pleasure to capture on camera. Enrich your perspective by putting sole to soil as you trek through the bushveld or watch plains game at play during a hot air balloon flight. Then again, simply sticking to vehicles never disappoints as guided game drives in the mornings, afternoons and spot-lit night drives are offered. Another highlight adding to the list of activities is visiting Stone and Iron Age sites found in the park; places holding evidence that early man lived in the area.
Pilanesberg National Park is roughly two hours from Johannesburg and therefore easily accessible. Families, first-time safari-goers and couples can all be comfortably and luxuriously accommodated at this hassle-free destination. Kid-friendly lodges offer a range of fun and simultaneously educational activities while honeymooners are bound to relish rejuvenating treatments at an award-winning spa followed by private candlelit dining. Secluded spots such as Shepherds Bush Lodge or Black Rhino Game Lodge offer that classic safari experience.
The popular Sun City resort is on the park’s doorstep. Activities for all ages, golf courses, casinos, a water park and water sports are sure to excite. The challenging Gary Player Golf Course (home to the Million Dollar Challenge) and the Lost City Golf Course are both world-class courses.
Technically the volcano never erupted which means it is actually a very rare formation called a ring dyke complex, one of only three in the world. The crater was formed when the centre collapsed leaving a base that now holds the dam. The hard rock left behind, a tribute to millions of years of erosion, makes up the iconic mountain. Much later, Pilanesberg was transformed from a farmland with alien plants on eroded land into a sanctuary before introducing 6 000 animals to the reserve.
