About Pilanesberg

The History of Pilanesberg National Park

		Pilanesberg Game Reserve is 50 000 hectares in size and is located in the North West Province of South Africa, 150 km north west of the Gauteng metropolis and 60 km north of Rustenburg.   The history of Pilanesberg Game Reserve 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.

A 110 kilometer peripheral Big Game fence was erected over some very rugged terrain, 188 kilometer of visitor roads have been developed and more than 6 000 head of game were introduced during the Operation Genesis game trans-location program. 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 Geology

Diversity in Pilanesberg Game Reserve

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 and associated vegetation communities. 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. Thus apart from its conservation value, the area has very high game viewing and resource products potential.

Pilanesberg Big 5 Encounters

The Pilanesberg National Park covers some 55 000ha and is the fourth largest in southern Africa. The park is located on the eroded vestiges of a volcanic crater one of only three such craters in the world. It is here on the undulating hills and open savannahs; sightings of the 'Big Five', an abundance of wildlife and over 360 bird species can be enjoyed. Close-up and personal encounters can be on bush walks and game drives accompanied by skilled field guides.

The lodge uses a tracking system that allows various animals to be monitored. The data logged presents various options for locating the whereabouts of a specific species. All sources of information are used in the tracking of the animals, from ranger sightings and collared animals to park visitors’ sightings, creating an interactive community relationship between rangers and guests. The program further enhances the chances of spotting the game guests want to see, simply by highlighting a species past weeks’ movements and almost pinpointing an area in which to search, removing a rather large area of the 'hit or miss'  phenomenon constantly plaguing tourists.

Aside from game trails around the lodge, each individual luxury suite overlooks the centre of the horseshoe, around which the lodge is designed, a patch of untouched Africa, complete with a waterhole that incidentally, served as home to two hippos. The restaurant terrace also basks in view of the waterhole where visitors have been privileged enough to view the greatest of Africa's ‘Big Five’, the elephant.