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PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK
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Pilanesberg National Park | North
West Game Reserve: The Pilanesberg National Park, which covers some 55 000
hectare, is the fourth largest in southern Africa. This malaria-free park is perched on
the eroded vestiges of an alkaline volcanic crater - one of only three such craters in the
world.
The history of Pilanesberg National Park is also unique amongst national parks in Africa.
Pilanesberg National Park's special features of rugged landscape, well-watered valleys and
attractive dwelling sites have made it a preferred site for human settlement for thousands
of years. Prior to its proclamation as a reserve in 1979, the Pilanesberg National Park
Complex was degraded and depleted of indigenous game populations due to fairly intense
settlement by commercial farmers. At considerable expense, the land has been restocked
with game, the scars of human settlement were removed and tourism infrastructure was
developed during the first 15 years (1979 and 1993). This constituted the largest and most
expensive game stocking and land rehabilitation project ever undertaken in any African
game reserve at the time. Additional information about the Pilanesberg National Park »
Pilanesberg National Park Accommodation | Game Lodges: |
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Bakubung
Bush Lodge - Pilanesberg National Park:
Bakubung Bush Lodge offers
accommodation in air-conditioned, thatched roof, studio rooms and chalets, which curve
into a horse-shoe around the outside entertainment areas, huddling visitors in cosy
intimacy. |
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Kwa Maritane Bush
Lodge - Pilanesberg National Park:
Construction on Kwa Maritane commenced centuries ago. An ancient
alkaline volcano fashioned the very hills that Kwa Maritane stands on today. Hence it's
name, which literally means "Place of the Rock". From here, you ... |
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Tshukudu Bush Lodge -
Pilanesberg National Park:
Built on a hilltop, the luxurious Tshukudu Bush Lodge offers
sweeping views of the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park. Offering only six luxury
cottages, attention to detail and personalised service is guaranteed .... |
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Pilanesberg
National Park: A 110 kilometre peripheral Big Game fence was erected over
some very rugged terrain, 188 kilometre of visitor roads have been developed and more than
6 000 head of game were introduced during the Operation Genesis game translocation
programme. Thus, while wildlife resources are rapidly declining in most developing
countries in Africa, Pilanesberg National Park is one of the few areas where this trend
has been dramatically reversed. For this far-sighted action the North West Province
(Previously Bop Parks) and its people have received worldwide acclaim and recognition. The
challenge that lies ahead is to further develop and manage Pilanesberg National Park in
such a way that the conservation, cultural, recreational and economic benefits of this
far-sighted action can be optimally utilised to the benefit of current and future
generations.
Pilanesberg exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld
vegetation, commonly referred to as "Bushveld". Unlike any other large park,
unique overlaps of mammals, birds and vegetation occur because of this transition zone.
Springbok, brown hyaena, the redeyed bulbul, and camel thorn trees usually found in arid
areas are found co-habitating with moist-area-limited impala, blackeyed bulbul and Cape
chestnut trees. Pre-sunrise and post-sunset drives are possible owing to gate
opening/closure times.
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,
to mention but a few.
Geologically, the area is world famous. Its structure, termed the "Pilanesberg
National Park Alkaline Ring Complex" was formed by volcanic eruptions some 1 200
million years ago. Apart from its unique size, shape and rock types, the volcanic origin
and resultant weathering of the extinct crater has resulted in a wide variety of
landscapes. This provides some of the most spectacular scenery in Southern Africa. It also
provides a wide range of habitats for game animals. Because of this, Pilanesberg National
Park has the potential to carry a wider variety of game species than any other similar
sized game reserve in Southern Africa. Its potential for supporting rare and endangered
species such as black rhino, roan, sable,
tsessebe, foot-and-mouth free buffalo and wild dogs is particularly high. As well as the
'Big Five' you will find the nocturnal brown hyena, cheetah, hippo, crocodile and even
sable. |
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 Overnight at Pilanesberg
Accommodation or Pilanesberg Hotels & Lodges. |
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