As winter settles in the northern parts of South Africa, our striking Highveld changes from the beautiful greens of summer to the browns, oranges and yellows of winter. The vegetation thins and this heralds the beginning of the Safari season in South Africa. Because the grass is thinner and water is scarcer, it becomes much easier to see the animals that gather at the waterholes and they are more conspicuous in general.
The northern provinces of South Africa, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, are home to some of the world’s most famous and rich wildlife reserves, where you can see the Big Five animals: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, as well as countless other species noteworthy. For many, a Safari isn’t just about seeing the Big Five, it’s also about experiencing the breathtakingly beautiful scenery and interacting with the welcoming local population.
Pilansberg Game Reserve is located in the Bojanala region of the North West Province, adjacent to the world famous Sun City hotel complex. The reserve was created in 1979 and is located in the crater of an extinct volcano. It is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world and its rare rock types and structure make it a unique geological feature.
The area is bordered by three concentric ridges or rings of hills whose formation rises from the surrounding plains like a bubble. The park structure is named “Pilanesberg Game Reserve Alkaline Ring Complex”. Ancient, even on geological time scales, this extinct volcano is the most perfect example of an alkaline ring complex. Several rare (but not necessarily economically important) minerals are found in the park. Pilanesberg Game Reserve is one of the most outstanding geological phenomena in the world.
An abundance of wildlife thrives in the bushveld terrain, with an excess of 7,000 animals, including 24 of the largest species. It is home to healthy populations of lions, leopards, black and white rhinos, elephants, and buffalo, the “big five” of Africa. There is a wide variety of rare and common species such as the night brown hyena, the fast-footed cheetah, the majestic sable, as well as giraffes, zebras, hippos and crocodiles. The Park is the fourth largest park in South Africa and covers an area of 55,000 hectares.
With over 200 kilometers of excellent quality trails for either self-drive or guided tours and numerous hideaways and picturesque picnic spots, there is plenty to explore.