Big 5 at Pilanesberg Nature Reserve
Only 2 hours drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria, the Pilanesberg National Park is home to the BIG 5 and thousands of other types of wild animals and bird species that live and roam in this spectacular landscape.
Here, you can enjoy activities such as guided game drives, self-drive game viewing, game walks, bird watching and even hot air ballooning. Afterwards, you have the option to drop in at The Sun City complex, which is close by.
Pilanesberg Safari Accommodation
If you plan to stay, we offer accommodations in 4 and 5 star Pilanesberg lodges as well as more affordable yet comfortable tented accommodations. All our recommended lodges offer amenities and facilities you will expect from a fine hotel. These include restaurants, bars, swimming pools, spa treatments, Wi-Fi, DSTV and more.
Information about Pilanesberg National Park
The Pilanesberg National Park is the fourth largest game park in South Africa and spans an area of about 55,000 hectares (550 square kilometers).
Located in the Bojanala Region of the North West Province, the park is home to 7,000+ animals that live and roam freely in the wild. Here, you can find all of the BIG FIVE animals (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo) as well as host of other animals including 300 plus bird species. Some of the other animals you are most likely to encounter include are zebra, giraffe, cheetah, hyena, hippo, crocodile, jackal, wild cat, warthog and various antelope.
A road network of over 200 km enables visitors to enjoy long game drives and fascinating wildlife viewing. We offer guided closed vehicle as well as open-vehicle game drives. Along the way there are a number of viewing decks and shelters as well as scenic fenced picnic areas to enjoy. These spots are usually equipped with shaded tables as well as restroom facilities.
Pilanesberg Volcanic Crater
Pilanesberg National Park nestles in a crater that resulted from a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. As a result, it offers a rich landscape with amazing typographies that include a mixture of rocky hills, forested gorges, bush veld, rolling open grasslands, wooded areas as well as waterholes and dams.
The Mankwe Dam is a prominent landmark and the main water feature where you can also spot a large a variety of animals and wildlife. Thabayadiotso, “the Proud Mountain”, provides a majestic backdrop the seemingly endless panoramas of the park. The park is fringed by three concentric hills that form a bubble like alkaline ring complex.
Pilanesberg Climate
Pilanesberg has a warm steppe climate with mild chilly winters and hot summers interspersed with thunder showers and short bursts of rain. During the colder winter months you will need to take some warm clothes such as a pullover or jacket. Summer months (October to March) are hot in Pilanesberg with average temperatures in the 30 degrees Celsius and highs around 40 degrees.
A cold soda or water bottle can be useful in the heat. This is a summer rainfall area with most rain occurring between mid-December and mid-February. When it rains, it is normally in the style of a hard but short spell. At times it can rain in certain areas of the park while other areas remain dry. The rainfall and high temperatures enable plant life to flourish during the spring and summer months resulting in a spectacle of plants, bushes, grasslands and other flora.
Summer: October to March is when the area sees a significant amount of rainfall. Temperatures are expected to be between 27 °C and 35 °C.
Winter: This is considered to be the best time to visit the park. During the period from July to September, animals in the park are more active and easier to spot. They also spend more time feeding. It is also the mating season which is something memorable to see. Days are mild and clear.
Best times to visit the Pilanesberg National Park
You will likely always have an adventurous, interesting and enjoyable experience whenever you decide to go on one of our tours to the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve. Bear in mind that animals are more difficult to spot during the hot summer months due to the lush vegetation and overgrowth. Any month is good but April to October are considered the best months for game spotting.
Book a Pilanesberg game tour
When you consider all of the above, it is no wonder that Safaris and game tours are popular in this sought-after malaria free wildlife destination. Follow the link below to book a Pilanesberg day tour or overnight safari.