Pilanesberg
National Park
Seen on a
2 day safari tour to Pilanesberg National Park
Look, I know this page is for ages ago, but this is a typical day! Jan 2007 - Otherwise look at:
Picture
Gallery 2007
Picture Gallery 2006
Picture Gallery 2005
Picture Gallery 2004
Seen on a 2 day safari to Pilanesberg - 9 & 10 August 2004: Just mentioning highlights
Day 1: Women's Day - the park was busy so though we were at the gate early 4 cars went in while we were getting our permit. However, knowing what we know :-), we were the 1st to see lion, an excellent sighting. 2 cars about 50m in front of us actually went right past them. True to form as soon as the 2nd and 3 rd car joined us they went off into the bush. We tracked them for a total of about 50 minutes, where they chased a giraffe a bit and then crossed a road 5 m from us. We then got extremely lucky with a 2nd lion sighting 20 minutes later - 2 females dragging half a Wildebeest carcass behind a bush. Just a 2 minute sighting and seeing the carcass reasonably clearly only once. Then we went on to the Lenong viewpoint seeing 2 rhino from about 2 km's. We decided to have breakfast then. On our way down we saw 2 magnificent kudu bulls quite close.
After breakfast I decided to go north as 2 weeks before the most game was in that part of the park. We passed some new parts that was burnt (veld management) seeing very little for the next hour or so. Then near Malatse dam we spotted zebra, waterbuck and kudu. After a bit of juggling we switched off. About 5 minutes later the zebra crossed 5 m from us and drank 8 m from us as the water table is quite high. This was followed by 2 waterbuck 10 minutes later. by the time we went back to the kudu they have already crossed and were just disappearing into the bush 20 metres away. So off to a late lunch at Bakgatla in the north.
We finished about 2.30pm and too Tau road as I 've been lucky with rhino's there quite often. Instead I saw a couple of giraffe from about 1 km away. They were heading towards a watering hole that is not actually popular except with the birds. We found one giraffe there that moved away when we stopped. Giraffe have a 15m safety zone and and it is difficult to get closer. We waited and they came up to about 8 metres from us drinking. It is amazing how close you can get if you know what you are doing. We also saw like 100 blue waxbills, a black collared barbet and a myriad of other birds.
We then went past the Mankwe dam ( the lake in the centre) where we saw 4 crocodiles just hanging around. Went off to the south late afternoon towards Bakubung and ran into 2 groups of elephant. With the 2nd some crazy Italian got out of their rental van and walked past us to take pics. Unfortunately the ele's didn't kill him. We didn't spend long as we had to head back to make the gate before closing.Day 2: We went straight for the area that the lions had the carcass in but no luck. I then decided to head for the elephants. Instinct made me turn off on a road not well used. The fact that that cars came from the front this early meant there was probably no lion there. We got extremely lucky and had 3 male lions all to ourselves. They were right next to the road and I took one of the best pics I 've ever. After about 20 minutes I spotted 6 rhino in the distance moving towards the road. As seeing 5 or 6 together is extremely rare we left the lion and spend about 20 minutes with the rhino coming closer; up to about 10 metres before moving away. We then saw hippo out the water, an elephant bull in must, some jackal, a group of 9 elephants again. We then went sable hunting. Sable is extremely rare and shy & live on the western side of the park where there is little competition.. It always makes my day when I see some. On the way to the west we had a magnificent sighting of 7 giraffe drinking at a water hole. An hour later we found 2 male sable coming towards - our timing was just right! 2 minutes later and we would have seen nothing. Half an hour later we had the most difficult spot of the trip. One of the girls saw a mountain reedbuck on top of a hill about 100m away.
Day 3: We just did a 2,5 hour drive on the way to Sun City. We saw nothing new except about 70 springbuck grazing pretty close. We saw the same herd of Elephants, the same everything. And on the way back from Sun City we went through the Park and saw them again!
Seen one of the day trips to Pilanesberg - 19 Sept 2007:
Why go to Pilanesberg with me? My Prices for day visits and 2 day safaris to Pilanesberg: Also Sun City.
Next Definite Dates 2008: Most dates not here are available.
The rest is alphabetical - if you look here before you ask you will save time - mine and yours.... and if you ask something that is not on here I will put it up!Accommodation in the Park only: Staying Friday or Saturday you have to pay for 2 nights min.
Accommodation in and around Sun City. Staying Friday or Saturday you have to pay for 2 nights min.
Airport at Pilanesberg
Animal studies in Pilanesberg
Backpacker accommodation near Sun City and Pilanesberg
Bakgatla Resort
Bakubung Bush Lodge
Balloon Safaris: In Pilanesberg National Park - R2 950pp - 1 hour, minimum 8 pax!
Binoculars needed
Bird list
Brochure request - you need a DNL reader
Buffalo in the Park
Camping - book direct at 014 555 1000, don't be surprised if you hold 15 minutes and then get cut off.
Cancellation Terms and Conditions
Condition of the Veld
Dangers in Pilanesberg
Disclosures: About vehicles used for Pilanesberg and other
Directions - see map
Elephant Back safaris in Pilanesberg.
Entrance fee - see gate times
Etiquette in Game Parks like Pilanesberg for self drives
Friends of Pilanesberg Society - Volunteers helping to maintain the Park.
Gate Times for Pilanesberg National Park
Geology of Pilanesberg National Park
Highlights seen in Pilanesberg the last 2 years:
Don't expect something like this or the animals to stand next to the road waiting. It's not a Zoo!History of Pilanesberg National Park
Idiot Gallery - Stunts pulled in Pilanesberg National Park by the mentally challenged. Other tour operators are welcome to contribute - I will give you recognition except if you don't want it!Ivory Tree Game Lodge
Kids on Safari. in Pilanesberg or other parks
Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge
Manyane Resort
Map and directions to Pilanesberg
Other Parks near Pilanesberg
Other Tour Operators doing Pilanesberg
Packages to Lodges
Picture Gallery - taken by us over the last 2 years in Pilanesberg.
Pilanesberg National Park vs Kruger National Park.
Reading - other re Pilanesberg.
Safety in Pilanesberg
Schedule - tour schedule for Pilanesberg
Seen one of the day trips to Pilanesberg - 19 Sept 2007:
Seen on a 2 day safari to Pilanesberg - 9&10 August 2004:
Testimonials from clients we have taken to Pilanesberg
Things to do in and around Pilanesberg
Transfers only to Pilanesberg and Sun City - one way: charged per vehicle:
Tshukudu Bush Lodge
Veld Condition in the Park
Weather and Climate for Pilanesberg area
What can you hope to see in Pilanesberg?
When to go to Pilanesberg: best time etc