Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Infrastructure Maintenance

I stay quite close to Pilanesberg National park and have been visiting the park from my childhood years. Although there are still a large variety of animals to see it is obvious that the numbers are declining especially the antelope which I presume is due to poaching from the nearby villages, not uncommon if one look at the state of the outside fencing.
What prompted me to write the review is the bad shape the park has fallen into. I remember the days where park maintenance especially roads were priority or so it seemed for the general road condition was kept in good condition. Unfortunately, that this not the case anymore. Also, the picknick sites I visited had visitors probably since there are no safety fences in place or completely discarded. Viewpoints are not getting the attention it should. I have noticed that there was some work done on new bridges, but it baffles me that the park accepted the bad quality work and finishing off concluded.
It is sad to see yet another part of government owned institution that are not receiving the proper attention it deserves and is sadly going backwards day by day.
Just whish our international visitors would put some pressure on the park management to start doing their jobs and look after the park.
PS. The decline of the park infrastructure cannot be blamed on COVID-19 like everything else as the decline has been observed for the last few years now.

We spent three days in the area near Pilanesberg, and took three game rides in the Park. The Park guides made our rides memorable experiences with their knowledge and anecdotes about the animals in the Park. We had remarkable photo experiences with a large group of elephants (including babies) that crossed the road in front of and behind of our vehicle. They were so close you could reach out and touch them (but we didn't). We also witnessed a group of five or six hippos frolicking in a pond area. The group included several young hippos who were sparring and playing like puppies. We also sighted several female lions feeding on a wildebeest. These sightings were only the tip of the iceberg, as we saw giraffes, impalas, rhinos, more lions, baboons, small mammals, birds, more hippos, more elephants. On one evening ride, I was able to capture photos of the most incredible sunset. Again, on an early morning ride, we rode along as the sun rose over the mountains and the mist lay in the valleys. It was very serene and peaceful. I'm sure I'm forgetting some of the creatures we saw. We were very impressed with the number of animals we saw in their natural habitat, and we would love to come back and see them again.

Experience the wildlife of South Africa in relative comfort.

I really enjoyed getting to go on a "Game Drive" through Pilanesberg in 2005. I've seen many of the same animals in zoos, but it's not the same as seeing them in their natural habitat. We saw elephants, white rhinos, a black rhino, crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and wild dogs. I was able to get some great video clips and photos, but was wishing my camera had a better optical zoom. The weather was beautiful and clear, with great visibility over distances. Our tour guide was very informative, explaning reasons for grazing habits and behaviors of various animals, and how they related to the natural defense mechanisms of the plantlife. Other than our tour vehicles, I don't recall seeing anyone else around the park when we were there (I was with a fairly large group). Though the environment felt like you were out in the wild, the accomodations were comfortable enough, and the evening "Bush Brie" we ate at was delicious and unique. Everyone was able to sample a variety of meats and specially prepared dishes, and there was plenty to go around. We spent the night in small wooden cabins furnished with cots & lockers, as well as a couple of chairs or stools, and working electricity. Overall it was a great experience, and I'd love to go again some day.

We did one day safari only. We did not find the felines. We could see other big animals like Rhino, Giraffe, Elephant, zebra, etc..
My little girl became really astonished.
I recommend it!

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Great wildlife!

a beautiful day, and seen many animals

A day to never forget. Given everything we wanted to see. But also learned a lot about the animals. In short, a recommendation for anyone who wants to do a safari in a day.
Thanks to Susan, Glen and the driver Wiggie

Beautiful landscape and scenery. Small enough so that one can actually spot the animals. Loved it!

Great experience!

It was very cool.

I had luck seeing some of the 5 Big very close. The scenery and weather is very similar with some regions in Brazil, i.e, savanna (cerrado) covers a large area of the Brazilian territory and our climate is subtropical in the south. The accommodations, food, transportation and guides were very good - Morokolo lodge is perfect. I suggest to everyone to be at least two days in this game reserve. Enjoy it.