Pilanesberg: One day safari

 We all know by now that life is to0 short… You must never regret not doing something. We know that travelling is on everyone’s bucket list. And we also know that Africa is one of the most popular destinations to visit. Because time is sometimes of concern, we have included one-day safaris on our website. Just a short two hour drive from Johannesburg lies Pilanesberg National Park. And we will take you there!

 

More about Pilanesberg National Park

 

The Pilanesberg Game Reserve is located north of Rustenburg in North West Province in South Africa. The park is next to the entertainment complex Sun City. North West Parks and Tourism Board currently administers the park. Pilanesberg National Park has an area of 572 square kilometres. One can easily visit Pilanesberg in a standard road vehicle as the authorities maintain the roads well. The three main tarred roads are named Kgabo, Kubu and Tswene. There are several camps serving the park from the outside, such as Bagatla and Manyane. Within the park itself, one will find several lodges. For the day visitors there are several stops on the inside where there are bars and gift shops. Towards the center of the park you will find a lake which is man-made. It is called the Mankwe Dam, and Thabayadiotso, which means “the Proud Mountain”.

 

Pilanesberg National Park

Pilanesberg National Park

 

Some ancient history

The area is fringed by three concentric ridges or rings of hills, of which the formation rises from the surrounding plains. Pilanesberg is named after a Tswana chief, Pilane. The ‘Pilanesberg Alkaline Ring Complex’ is the park’s primary geological feature. This vast circular geological feature is ancient, even by geological standards as it is the crater of a long extinct volcano. It is also the result of eruptions some 1,200 million years ago. It is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its type in the world. The rare rock types and formations make it a unique geological feature. A number of rare minerals occur in the park.

Scattered throughout the park are various sites that originate from the Iron Age and Stone Age and show the presence of man from those periods in these areas.

 

Fauna and flora

The scenic terrain lies in the transition zone between Kalahari and Lowveld. Therefor, one will see both types of vegetation in this area. As a result of the park being on a transition zone there are overlaps in mammals, birds and vegetation. Today, Pilanesberg Game Reserve accommodates almost every large mammal of southern Africa.

 

The park has a large variety of southern African wildlife including the Big Five, the five most dangerous game animals in Africa. Most of the animal species of southern Africa live in the Pilanesburg Game Reserve today, including lions, elephants, black rhinos, white rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, cheetahs, Hartmann’s mountain zebras, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles. The Cape wild dog had been extirpated from the park, but they have tried to reintroduce the specie with an unknown outcome. One can see over 360 bird species in the park. The Pilanesberg National Park is not in a location which the Big Five animals would naturally inhabit, however they have been brought into the 550 square kilometres of African bushland.

 

Two male lions in Pilanesberg

Two male lions in Pilanesberg

 

The Bird life diversity is excellent. The park has over 360 species. Though some are migrants, most others are permanent inhabitants. Their food sources vary with some eating carrion or live prey, others eat seeds, fruit or tiny water organisms.

There is a self-guided trail in the Walking Area at the Manyane Complex in the east, which offers environmental education whilst game viewing and bird watching on foot. Also at Manyane there is a walk-in aviary with over 80 species of indigenous birds.

 

Some of Pilanesberg's birdlife

Some of Pilanesberg’s birdlife

 

Safari With Us one-day Pilanesberg Safari

 

For the wildlife enthusiast whom is short on time, we have crafted a 1-day Pilanesberg day safari which includes 2 open vehcile game drives. During this safari you can enjoy one of South Africa’s finest wildlife reserves at an affordable price! This sought after tour is one of our top-sellers so book now to avoid disappointment. We pick you up from your Johannesburg hotel or guesthouse early in the morning.

The drive to Pilanesberg is around 2.5 hours and about halfway we make a stop in Hartebeespoort dam. Here you can have some coffee or tea or other refreshments and make use of the restrooms. We arrive at the Pilanesberg National Park around 9:00 am. You will the enjoy an open vehicle game drive.

 

Open game drive vehicles

Open game drive vehicles

 

During the game drive we stop at various waterholes and hides where you can stretch your legs, take in the spectacular scenery and enjoy your game viewing. At around noon we visit one of the park lodges where you can enjoy a tasty lunch.  

After lunch you go on a second open vehicle game drive. We depart for Johannesburg after the game drive. 

 

Beautiful clouds en-route to Johannesburg

Beautiful clouds en-route to Johannesburg

 

Everyone will enjoy this tour! Adding to this, it is affordable and suitable for the traveller who is short on time. Book now and enjoy this short and sweet safari!