Pilanesberg Game Reserve Species List Wildlife: Since late 1979, thanks to Operation Genesis - the largest game translocation ever undertaken at the time, tourists have been able to take note of nature's alphabet - from aardvark to zebra. The park boasts healthy populations of lion, leopard, black and white rhino, elephant and buffalo - Africa's "Big Five". A wide variety of rare and common species exist with endemic species like the nocturnal brown hyaena, the fleet-footed cheetah, the majestic sable, as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo and crocodile...
While touring in the North West Province visit:
 Madikwe Game Reserve Madikwe is a Big Five Game Reserve covering some 75,000 hectare. It is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa. Read More  Sun City Resorts and Hotels Deep in the rugged bushveld, in the heart of an ancient volcano, lies the world's most unique resort. This is the internationally acclaimed Sun City. Read More Top Destinations
LionBig 5 - The Lion (Panthera leo) Most people will hope to see a lion or three while on safari in Africa. Luckily they are not quite as difficult to spot as the rhino or leopard. You have a good chance of seeing lion at most of the major game parks in southern and eastern Africa. Unlike most felines, lions are actually quite social and live in prides of up to 15 members. So, you can get the chance to watch the little ones play and interact with their bored looking mothers. There is nothing quite so chilling as hearing a lion roar in the night while you are camping but they are actually not prone to attacking humans unless you're unlucky and come across a man-eating lion. LeopardBig 5 - The Leopard (Panthera pardus) While leopards are more numerous than rhino in the Big 5 pantheon, they are sometimes just as difficult to spot while on safari in Africa. Leopards use trees as observation platforms and for protection, so you have to remember to look up to see this solitary, beautiful cat. Leopards are shy and nocturnal, quite modest for a cat that can climb, swim and live in a wider range of habitats than most other wild cats. ElephantBig 5 - The African Elephant There are two distinct species of African elephant: African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) and the African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana).The largest mammal in the world is remarkably adaptable; you can see elephants in rain forests, deserts and savannahs while on safari in Africa. Elephants are usually quite peaceful if left alone, but if they feel threatened, watch out. There's nothing quite like being charged at by 12,000 lb's of animal, flapping its ears and trumpeting loudly. Did you know that an elephant's trunk has more than 40,000 muscles? BuffaloBig 5 - The Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) When you spot the Cape Buffalo while on safari in Africa, you usually don't spot them alone. They tend to appear in very large (and intimidating) herds. Even when looking at them through binoculars from a distance, the males always seem to be staring right at you with intense dislike. Weighing in at over 700 kg's (1540 lb's) even lions don't dare take a chunk out of this beast. Cape Buffalo are said to have killed more big game hunters than any other animal in Africa. Hence they have earned their place in the Big 5. RhinoBig 5 - The African Rhino In Africa, there are two distinct species of rhinoceros; the Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and the White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). Both of these species have two upright horns on the snout.Rhinos are large mammals (only second in size to the elephant), shortsighted, bad tempered but magnificent to look at. Unfortunately there aren't too many to look at these days due to poaching. Rhino horn, used for medicinal purposes, is much prized in the Middle East and the Far East where it is more valuable than gold. There are two species of rhino in Africa, the Black rhino and the White rhino, both of which you can see while on safari. Black rhinos have suffered the most drastic reduction in population in the last 20 years. |
Top Lodges Bakubung Bush Lodge  Ivory Tree Game Lodge  Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge  Tshukudu Bush Lodge  Bakgatla Resort  Manyane Resort  Shepherd's Game Lodge  Pilanesberg Private Lodge  Black Rhino Game Lodge  Finfoot Game Reserve  Morokolo Game Lodge  Buffalo Thorn Lodge How to get hereFrom Johannesburg/Pretoria take the N1 north towards Polokwane. Take the N4 Rustenburg split. A signboard indicates Pilanesberg to the left on route 91.Where to stayPilanesberg offers a variety of affordable accommodation, like the self-catering Manyane, Bakgatla and Metswedi camps. The Tshukudu, KwaMaritane and Bakubung game lodges are also situated in the reserve.Best time to visitSummers can get hot, but visitors to Pilanesberg will enjoy the park all year round.Around the areaSun City, with its entertainment centre, golf course, water world and casino, is right next door.Tours to doActivities include game drives, either self-driven or guided, game walks and birding. Pilanesberg also operates balloon safaris.Did You Know?There is an initiative underway to join Pilanesberg with Madikwe, creating a new superpark.Owl Box Project LocationPilanesberg Game Reserve is in the Bojanala Region of the North West Province, adjacent to Sun City.Tariffs from 1 february 2009Adults: R45,00Children: R20,00 Pensioners: R20.00 Vehicles: R20.00 Bus (17-25 seater): R60.00 Bus (25-50 seater): R80.00 Bus (50+): R170.00 Gate TimesMarch & April06h00 - 18h30 May - September 06h30 - 18h00 September & October 06h00 - 18h30 November - February 05h30 - 19h00 Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust
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| This website is not affiliated, associated or connected in any way with the North West Parks and Tourism Board or the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Its purpose is to provide great accommodation deals, news, information and opinion on the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. |
