The ‘rainbow nation’ is a vibrant country with vast experience in treating visitors to some of the best safari experiences in Africa. The numerous national parks and private game reserves in South Africa ensure that South Africa safaris will be everything you could hope for, from ticking off the Big Five to the facilities of tented camps. One South Africa safari holidays destination not many visitors have heard of is Pilanesberg National Park.
This beautiful national park is only a few hours drive north of Pretoria. A group of ancient volcanic “ripples” in the earth form four concentric circles of hills and a beautiful landscape that offers a fantastic South Africa holidays experience.
In Pilanesberg I was lucky enough to see three of the “big five safari animals”: lions, white rhinos (including mother with baby), and elephants. Plus tons of zebra, blue wildebeest, kudu, waterbuck, impala, and many warthogs.
It is possible to go on guided drives and also to drive through the Pilanesberg National Park in your own car. The guided drives are good but it is also nice to go at your own pace, enjoying the scenery and observing the animals, so I recommend a combination of both.
The comfortable campsite is also full of wildlife – troops of baboons mount scavenging raids on the rubbish bins and hornbills check their appearance in car wing mirrors.
Pilanesberg is a particularly good place to see white rhino, as well as the ‘big five’. Huge solitary bull elephants stride across the landscape, many of them resettled here from Kruger.
Each of the many game reserves in South Africa is distinctive and appealing in its own way. A tradition of warm hospitality and the highest commitment to providing the best South Africa safari experience to guests is common to all. For an affordable family safari holiday in South Africa that is malaria free and within a few hours drive of Johannesburg/Pretoria, Pilanesberg is difficult to beat. You can safely bring even small children on the adventure of their young lives without having to worry about them taking malaria tablets.
If you are visiting Pilanesberg on your South Africa holiday, your family may also want to spend some time enjoying the thrilling water parks of the nearby Sun City Resort, another opportunity to keep the kids happy on your South Africa holidays.
Natasha von Geldern
