Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Probably best visit for visitors with limited time and Gauteng inhabitants.

One of the best South African Safari destinations.

PGR is one of my favourite destinations in South Africa. It boasts great numbers of game including the Big 5. One can do self drives or go on a game drive with knowledgeable guides.

A day jaunt to the Pilanesberg

We have an American friend in Johannesburg and we wondering what to do with the weekend after New Year. We decided to take him to see Sun City and the Pilanesberg. It's close by, has the big five and some great lodges. It was late at night and very spur of the moment when we decided - could we get accommodation? A search on the Internet revealed some options - most places were full but we found a lodge with two rooms - and it turned out just perfect. We spent the next day in the sun re-living childhood as we hurtled down the water slides at SunCity's Valley of the Waves. That night we stayed at the Bakubung Reserve. We ate supper on the terrace with the bush sounds and starlit sky as companions. The next day we drove through he reserve - we left a bit late in the morning but still saw plenty of game. All in all a great way to spend two days!

We went to Pilanesberg National Park (PNP) before going to Idube and this was perfect. In PNP we saw many wild animals but missed out on lions, leopards and buffalos of the big five. We came close to hippos, giraffes, wildebeests a rhino, zebras, and many kudos, spring bucks and other antelopes.
The combination of going to PNP and drive around by our self and then go to Idube where we were shown the nature by experienced guides was perfect.

I thought Pilanesberg was gorgeous, but we saw less animals and the animals we did see were not as close.

Good location next to Sun-city and located in a huge volcano crater. Stayed offsite at Bakubang which was pleasant but I prefer to be staying in the reserve itself

Nice for a day outing if you want to see some game and don't have much time. Adjacent Sun City resort is great for golfing and just relaxing and of course it is all set in an ancient volcano.

Small park compared to Kruger, but highly recomended as it is next to a primier destination like the Sun City Hotel Complex. Visited this park and spotted the big cats on a morning game drive, and the quality of light was very nice to photograph.

Pilanesberg - Nice for a quite trip from Johannesburg

Pilanesberg is a nice reserve but not spectacular. We saw 4 of the big 5 but sitings were sparce. Good guides are key as we probably would have missed a great number of animals without them.

On track to the lions, but we did not see them! But certainly 4 rhino's!

We only spend 3 days in Pilanusberg, but we were impressed! Very luxury Bakabung Game Lodge, very good meals, nice safaris with a good explaining bij the ranger, beautifull landscape and a lovely swimmingpool!