Southern African Highlights

The Pilanesberg Game Reserve

The Pilanesberg National Park lies in a crater of a long extinct volcano. This second largest alkine volcano in the world is now home of the Big 5 and 359 other animal species.
Pilanesberg used to be farmland, but in 1979 the “Operation Genesis” started the relocation of about 7000 animals into what is today the Pilanesberg National Park.
There are several reasons that made the Park one of the most popular parks in South Africa – no malaria, the Big 5 plus Cheetah, leopard and brown hyena, the park’s natural beauty and the great abundance of animals.

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	Tariffs (from 01 Feb 08) Adults: R45,00 Children: 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 Times March & April 06h00 - 18h30 May - September 06h30 - 18h00 September & October 06h00 - 18h30 November - February 05h30 - 19h00

How to get there?

Pilanesberg Game Reserve is in the Bojanala Region of the North West Province, adjacent to Sun City. The Park offers an affordable Malaria Free Big Five Safari - ideal for guests and travellers whose budget might not stretch to the luxury prices of other reserves in Africa. It is only about 200km from Johannesburg (Pretoria is even closer), which allows travellers to do even daytrips to Pilanesberg on their own. Finding the appropriate accommodation in the area is no problem at all. You can find everything from basic B&B to the fancy hotels in Sun City. Only backpackers cannot be found close to Pilanesberg.

Accommodation in & around Pilanesberg

Pilanesberg and nearby Sun City are defo some of the prime tourist attractions in South Africa's North West Province and neighboring Gauteng. No backpacker hostels in & around the Park, but a good number of lodges, guesthouses and bed & breakfasts can be found, as well as the hotels of the famous Sun City.

If you fancy an organised trip to South Africa's fourth largest National Park, check the following tours:

Safari in Pilanesberg Game Reserve Tourbeschreibung & Buchungsformular auf Deutsch! »

Pilanesberg Game Reserve is South Africa's fourth largest game reserve, and is two hours from Johannesburg. This 500 square kilometres national park lies in the crater of a 1200 million year old extinct volcano. In this transitional zone between the Kalahari Desert and Lowveld (a tropical savanna), you'll see a variety of vegetation as you explore the surrounding mountains and the savanna of the park. The area around Mankwe Lake is particularly stunning with its towering rocky outcrops. The Reserve is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, hippo, rhiono and buffalo), as well as the white rhinos, giraffes, a variety of antelopes, zebras, hyenas and African wild dogs. Keep your binoculars handy and spot many of the region's birds. With an impressive variety of wildlife, birds and diverse vegetation, Pilanesberg Game Reserve is the ideal place to appreciate South Africa's game and vegetation diversity. [more info & booking]

Sun City and Pilanesberg Game Reserve Tour Tourbeschreibung & Buchungsformular auf Deutsch! »

Two hours from Johannesburg and neighbouring Sun City, the 500 sq km Pilanesberg National Park lies in the crater of a 1200 million year old volcano! Enjoy a wildlife-spotting safari and you’ll come across some of the Big Five - the elephants, hippos and buffaloes as well as black and white rhinos, giraffes, a variety of antelopes, leopards, lions, zebras, hyenas and African wild dogs. In the afternoon, visit Sun City, a massive entertainment and hotel complex. The Lost City is the main attraction of this resort. Grab the rails of the Bridge of Time as it rumbles and you’ll suddenly be surrounded by a white cloud as dry ice pours out from the sides. The Valley of Waves is a pool with a wave machine that creates 1.8 metre high waves every 90 seconds. The Palace of the Lost City here is considered to be one of the most beautiful hotels in the world. Wildlife spotting in the diverse landscape of Pilanesberg Game Reserve and loads of fun at Sun City will make this a memorable day.

A Day At The Sun City and the Lost City Tourbeschreibung & Buchungsformular auf Deutsch! »

In an extinct volcano crater lies Africa's kingdom of pleasure, the exotic Sun City! It is one of the biggest resorts in the world and is often called the 'Las Vegas' of South Africa. This fantasy world has four hotel complexes, and the most resplendent of them all is the Lost City, filled with a myriad attractions. Enjoy a walk on the rumbling Bridge of Time, flanked by statues of life-size elephants. There is lots of excitement in store at the Valley of Waves where a pool with a wave machine creates 1.8 metre high waves every 90 seconds! Other must-see sights here include the Palace of the Lost City, one of the most breathtakingly beautiful hotels in the world, with intricate carvings, mosaics, frescoes and hand painted ceilings. With casinos, two of South Africa's best golf courses, sports activities and loads of entertainment, the Sun City entertainment complex is most certainly one of the best holiday venues in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

© Sebastian Hermanns - All Rights Reserved - last modified 2010-07-16 12:23 PM