Overview

Pilanesberg National Park7,000 animals including the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo), giraffe, hippo, zebra, jackal, hyena, antelope, and over 350 species of birds. 

The park boasts over 120 miles of roads for self-drive game viewing with numerous scenic picnic sites throughout the park, and several concealed photography hides. The park once stood over 23,000 feet above sea level and the great plains of Africa. It is a flagship reserve with the intention to support local communities, protect wildlife, and restore the biodiversity and ecosystems of this area. Pilanesberg is one of South Africa’s ultimate adventure tours and wildlife safari destinations. The park has a 14-mile diameter and is a rare type of volcano categorized as an Alakli Complex due to its mineral content and fascinating geographical features. 

The Pilanesberg National Park was established in 1976 and opened to the public in 1979 thanks to Operation Genesis. The creation of Pilanesberg National Park is considered to be one of the most ambitious programs of its kind to be undertaken anywhere in the world. In 1979 Operation Genesis had the park’s game area fenced and re-introduced many long-vanished species, the project was designed to reinforce the homegrown game population in the area. The Black Rhino Game Reserve is an almost 5,000-acre reserve that was included in the Pilanesberg National Park in 2011. This piece of land is home to a number of private and commercial lodges as well as some excellent boutique hotels.

Things to see and do

Pilanesberg National Park allows visitors to choose their own adventure and immerse themselves in the fascinating surroundings filled with flora and fauna. Just some of the activities that can be enjoyed in the park include hot air balloon rides, game drives, guided safari walking tours, and birding safaris. Other activities include photography, fishing, archery, tennis, and quad biking. 

The park is accessible by 124 miles of roads, there are a few ways to explore the park with either self-drives, guided drives, guided walking safari tours, game drives, and birding safaris. 

A Game Drive is one of the most popular ways to explore Pilanesberg in an open safari vehicle that allows passengers to experience close encounters with the Big 5; lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. The Big 5 are joined in abundance by other rare species including wild dogs, and cheetahs. These drives normally take place in the early morning or late afternoon which tend to be the cooler hours of the day when more activity can be seen from the wildlife. Predators tend to hunt at dusk or dawn. Game Drives are conducted by experienced professional rangers and game trackers who are always eager to share their knowledge and passion for the wildlife of Pilanesberg. The open safari vehicles allow for great views as well as safety at all times. 

A hot air balloon ride over Pilanesberg National Park is an incredible, tranquil experience. Flights depart daily (depending on the weather) and last around an hour, after which the balloon will land in the park. A hot air balloon ride will give you a different perspective of the animals below, from your vantage point in the basket, you will also be able to see the extent of the volcano crater in the park. Passengers can expect to see herds of antelope, buffalo, and elephants roaming through the park. 

Experiencing the park up close and personal on foot is another popular way to explore Pilanesberg. There are a variety of guided hiking trails found within the park, the hiking trails are led by experienced and qualified guides who will share their extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna within the park. Walking through Pilanesberg allows visitors to immerse themselves in the wonderful, unspoiled wilderness and learn about the stunning nature surrounding you. These tours are a great opportunity for photographers to capture a different angle in order to capture the perfect wildlife shot. Your talented guide will introduce you to different types of vegetation, insects, birds, and the unique overlaps between the Kalahari and the Lowveld. Also if you get the chance to encounter big game on foot it will give you a new appreciation for the sheer size and grace of the African wildlife. 

Pilanesberg National Park is home to a rich array of South African wildlife including the famous Big 5 which are the five most dangerous game animals in the country. Most of the large animal species in South Africa live within Pilanesberg National Park today including lions, elephants, black rhinos, white rhinos, cape buffaloes, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and crocodiles. Other animals include sable antelopes, kudus, impalas, and spotted and brown hyenas. The park accommodates virtually every mammal in South Africa. As of December 2010, the total count of large mammals in the park is approximately 10,000. 

The park is a fantastic place for bird watching, at Manyane there is a walk-in aviary featuring over 80 species of indigenous birds. The bird-watching experience here is excelling and there are over 350 species recorded in the park. Some of these birds are migrants and others are permanent inhabitants of Pilanesberg, some of the birds eat carrion or live prey, and others eat seeds, fruit, and tiny water organisms. 

If you are a fan of music then you should check out an African musical experience that will provide music lovers with some great evening entertainment with local musicians and dancers. Visitors can experience age-old music and dance traditions like learning how to play the djembe drum, dun-dun bass drum, or tambourines in a drum circle. You can learn to drum to an African beat, drumming is one of the first forms of communication. The Marimba is a wooden instrument like a xylophone, the marimba band features different-sized marimbas from the big bass marimba to a small flute-like chime that covers a wide spectrum of tones. African tribes have a rich tradition in dance, each having their own style and costumes. Dance is expressive and visitors can watch different performances at different locations to get the complete African musical experience with a performance by dancers, marimba players, and percussionists.

Dining

There are not many dining options found within the National Park other than a restaurant located at the Pilanesberg Center in the heart of the park close to Mankwe Dam. The restaurant serves an array of hot and cold food as well as tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. There is a large open deck area at the front of the center boasting panoramic views of teh plains and rolling hills of the park with opportunities to spot wildebeest, zebra, and other wildlife just meters away.

Many of the meals visitors will eat are provided by their accommodations with full breakfasts served at sunrise before heading out for an exciting day ahead. Lunches can be enjoyed at the Pilanesberg Center or at a picnic in the park. Visitors are also welcome to have lunch at the restaurants found at either Manyane or Bakgatla Resort.

Intimate dinners can be enjoyed in a variety of settings such as an elegant dining room, beside the pool, around a roaring boma fire, under the stars at your lodge, or on the private deck at your suite. There are some other restaurant options to choose from in the immediate area. Diners can enjoy some gastronomic delights prepared by the magnificent chefs on site to satisfy their hunger for superb bush cuisine.

There are five scenic picnic areas throughout the park. Three are exceptional for their location nestled on the hillside with breathtaking views of the lake and plains below. The first is the Fish Eagle picnic area that looks over teh Mankwe Dam, and the other two are located on Baile Drive. Each picnic area is fenced and equipped with a braai (barbeque) facilities, water, shade, and bathing facilities.

Nightlife

There is really not much to do at night in Pilanesberg National Park, there may be some night safari options, or possibly a fire at your resort with other guests. It is not a nightlife destination. Visitors can partake in a boma (open-air enclosure) for an exciting evening, and enjoy sundowner drinks as the sun goes down, followed by dinner under the star-studded African sky! Listen to the sounds of the bush and watch a tribal dance group perform.

Sun City is a well-known resort located within the Pilanesberg crater complex offering a variety of exciting entertainment options and a great place to spend the evening. Sun City boasts plenty of restaurants, bars, a water park, a cinema, a health spa, a golf course, live shows, and a casino. The casino here is open 24/7. There are also clubs on site where guests can party and dance the night away with some of the best DJs in South Africa.