South Africa Safaris and Tours

The 56 000 ha Pilanesberg National Park, which has Sun City on its border, was officially opened on 8 December 1979. It is the oldest and best known of the North West Parks Board's game reserves.

The park, which is almost circular in shape, is situated on the eroded remains of a 1 200 million-year old extinct alkaline volcanic crater the third largest of its kind in the world. The rounded hills and open plains support a diverse range of vegetation types. In the early 1980's, the park was restocked with almost 6 000 animals of 21 species during Operation Genesis the largest ever game translocation exercise at that time.

Today almost all of the animal species that historically occurred in the area have been reintroduced and are now flourishing, including the "Big Five" (lion, elephant, white and black rhino, buffalo and leopard), hippo, giraffe, zebra and no fewer than 18 species of antelope. More than 350 species of birds have also been recorded in the park.

In its short history, Pilanesberg has undergone intensive development to become a premier wildlife destination in South Africa. For its size, Pilanesberg is now undoubtedly the most heavily utilised national park in southern Africa. The park caters for a wide range of overnight visitors and day visitors and offers a variety of outdoor activities.

Both the well known and highly successful Kwa Maritane and Bakubung Hotel lodges are found in the park, together with the luxurious Tshukudu Lodge (not to be confused with the one adjacent to the Kruger National Park). The park also has three tented camps of various sizes and sophistication (Mankwe, Kololo and Metswedi), as well as two chalet camps (Manyane and Bakgatla), a group facility camp at Bosele and a large caravan and camping area at Manyane Camp.

Adjacent to the Manyane Camp is a day visitor area that offers alternative activities to game viewing, such as mini-golf, trampolines, a swimming pool and two well-known walk-in indigenous aviaries.

The park has an extensive tourist road network serviced by many picnic sites, viewing areas and game viewing hides. Concessionaires operate in the park offering game drives, night drives, balloon flights, hiking and walking trails and bird watching trails. In areas of the park where tourist access is restricted, trophy hunting takes place in a highly controlled and sustainable manner.

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