Travel Unlimited

 

 

 

11-13 Sep 2009

 

 

 

 

It is spring in South Africa, and everywhere there is signs of new life. Trees in blossom and wildlife grazing on the sprouts of green grass. I needed some time out of the city and decided on the Pilanesberg National Park.

The Pilansberg National Park is an extinct volcanic crater covering some 55000 hectares. It is a sanctuary to a huge variety of Wildlife, including the big five. It is natural ecosystem that has developed over hundreds of thousands of years. It exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation, commonly referred to as the “Bushveld”. Unlike any other large park, unique overlaps of mammals, birds and vegetation occur because of this “transition zone”. Springbok, Brown Hyaena, Red-eyed Bulbul and Camel-thorn Acasia Trees usually seen in dry areas are found with Impala and Cape Chestnut Trees. These latter species are usually found in moist, eastern Areas.

 

There is varying and fascinating combination of geology, landscape and rainfall which gives rise to different patterns of vegetation – wide open grasslands, steep hill slopes, rocky outcrops and thickly wooded gorges. There are over 132 species of trees and at least 68 species of grasses. As a result of the range of habitats and vegetation, there is a wide diversity of animal species, from the “Big Five” to 50 other species of large animals, 354 bird species, 65 reptile species, 18 amphibian species and thousands of other smaller animals.

 

 

 

 

Common species found in Pilanesberg are:

Baboon

Buffalo

Bushbuck

Caracal

Cheetah

Crocodile

Grey Duiker

Eland

Elephant

Gemsbok

Genet

Giraffe

Red Hartebeest

Hippopotamus

Brown Hyaena

Impala

Jackal

Klipspringer

Kudu

Leopard

Lion

Monkey – Vervet

Ostrich

Reedbuck (Common & Mountain)

Rhino (Black & White)

Sable Antelope

Springbok

Steenbok

Tsessebe

Warthog

Waterbuck

Wildebeest (Blue)

Zebra

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pilanesberg National Park is just about 2 hours drive form Pretoria.

The Park gates open:

• Nov-Feb              05:30-19:00
• Mar-Apr               06:00-18:30
• May-Aug             06:30-18:00
• Sep-Oct               06:00-18:30

We arrived at Bakgatla round about 18h45 on Friday evening. The evening started with a braai (barbeque) of mutton, pork and boerewors (beef sausage), a cold salad and wine.

On Saturday morning we were awake by monkeys running on the roof and looking for something to prey. We watched the Tri-Nations Rugby match between the Springboks (South African National Team) and the All Blacks (New Zealand National Team) which we won.

 

After the match we took a drive through the National Park (Admission R30 p/person/day). In a period of 3 hours we were lucky to have seen the following:

Elephants, Giraffes, Hippo’s, Impala, Zebra, Crocodile, Duiker, Red Hartebeest, Kudu, Rhino, Springbok, Warthog, Wildebeest and Waterbuck. We have seen the following birds: Fish Eagle, Kingfisher, Hornbill, Cape glossy Starling, Bulbul, Grey Falcon

 

The following accomodation is available:

• Manyane
  • Self-catering and time share chalets
  • Caravan Park with 100-fully electrified caravan stands, 60 Camping sites, ablution & laundry facilities
  • A la carte Restaurant, Shop & Bar
  • Swimming Pool, Jungole Gym, Mini-Golf and walk-in aviary (over 80 species of indigenous birds)
  • Bosele Camp with dormitories for School groups
  • Tel +27145551000

   

• Bakgatla

 

•  
  •       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• We stayed here
• Brick Chalets set in attractive mountains setting
• Full Facilities & Swimming Pool
• Braai & Picnic sites with kiosk
• Camping
• Rate: Midweek R1,850; Weekend R2,000 (5 Bed Chalet)
• Tel +27145551000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Bakubung
  • Hotel accomodation overlooking private dam with resident hippos
  • Bar Area, restauant, curio shop, Conference Centre & Sporting facilities
  • Afternoon, Sunrise & Sundowner game drives & Bush Braais
  • Guided Bush Trails
  • Tel +27145526000

  Tshukudu

  • 6 Luxury thatched Chalets, nestled against an isolated koppie and overlooking its won waterhole with game viewing
  • Five star Standards
  • Game Drives and walks
  • Kwa Maritane
    • Luxirious Hotel & Timeshare Game Lodge, 5 bed luxury duplex cabanas or 8-bed chalets
    • Conference centre
    • Underground viewing hide
    • Swimming Pools, tennis- & Vollball courts
    • Day & Night Game drives
    • Tel +27145525100

The following Outdoor Adventures is available by Game Trackers (www.gametrac.co.za)Tel +27145562710:

• Day & Night Game Drives from the Bakgatla & Mnyane Resorts
  • 2h30
  • R310 p/person
  • Hiking Trails
    • 4 hours
    • R455 p/person
    • Game Drive & Bush Braai or Breakfast
      • 4 hours
      • R605 p/person
      • Balloon Safaris
        • 1 hour flight
        • R3,200 p/person
        • Elephant Back Safari
          • 3 hours
          • R1,440 p/person
          • Quad Biking
            • 1 hour
            • R585 p/person
            • Clay Pigeon Shooting
              • 25 rounds
              • R505 p/person
              • Archery
                • 1 hour
                • R230 p/person