Pilanesberg National Park

Introduction

White Rhino, Pilanesberg Game Reserve

© Utrecht

The Pilanesberg National Park, or also called Pilanesberg Game Reserve, is located just a few hours of driving northwest from Johannesburg and Pretoria near Sun City. Despite the fact that it is small (around 580 square kilometres), there are huge numbers of animals. It is a park which is somehow undervalued but for no apparent reason. The park is centred around a crater of a long extinct volcano and Pilanesberg is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world, with rare rock types and structures making it a unique geological landmark. The park has enormous numbers of both birds and mammals, and although for some mammals this wouldn't have been their national habitat, numbers have been introduced here in the 1970's and have been growing ever since. Lions, elephants, white and black rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, zebras, hyenas, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles are all present, but not in the numbers you would find in Kruger National Park. On the other hand, you can visit most of the park in 1 or 2 days, so densities are almost comparable.

Sleep

There are several options in or near the entrances of the park, ranging from budget/midrange to extremely expensive. A few options include:

• Manyane Resort - near the Manyane Gate, with relatively affordable, though still comfortable rooms/units
• Bakgatla Resort
• Bakubung Bush Lodge

External Links

Have a look at the official Pilanesberg Game Reserve website for more information. Or check the Pilanesberg National Park website for a lot more options regarding accommodation, activities and of course safaris.