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Next
door to the famous leisure and entertainment
resort of Sun City, is the Pilanesberg
National Park. It may not be very large
(212 miles² (550km²) compared to Kruger
or some of the other great African parks, but
it has a real wilderness feel to it and most
of the big animals you could wish to see.
It lies amongst the only significant hills in
the area which rise skywards out of the flat
highveld plain. This massif is a 1,200 million-year-old
volcanic relic of four concentric mountain rings.
The
Pilanesberg is the highest peak towering 1,950
feet (600 metres) above Mankwe Lake, which sits
in the heart of the ancient volcano. The volcano's
circular bowl was recognised as being the perfect
situation for a national park with its tall
sides creating natural boundaries.
The area was farmed until 1979 until Operation
Genesis was launched to rehabilitate the land
and stock it with game. This was one of the
most imaginative game-stocking enterprises ever
undertaken and the Pilanesberg became a great
success story. There are currently around 10,000
head of and it is a very popular game park for
locals and overseas visitors alike - many of
whom make the short trip from the nearby resort
of Sun City.
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| ANIMALS
& BIRDS
This
park is home to good populations of a whole range
of Africa's game, including the 'Big Five'; elephants,
black and white rhinoceros, buffaloes, lions and
leopards and you will also see giraffes, zebras,
hippos and a wide variety of antelopes including
the very attractive sable, eland, kudu and gemsbok.
There are also cheetahs and hyenas and jackal.
Birdlife
is good with over 300 species and bird lovers
will be interested in the huge stroll-through
aviary at the Manyane gate. Also in this area
is a 'vulture restaurant' - created to help save
the shy and endangered Cape vulture from regional
extinction.
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SEASONS
Rainy Season: It rains during
the summer months of November to March, with thunder
and lightening showers predominantly in February
and March. Temperatures hover around 79-86°F
(26-30°C).
Dry Season: April to September
is the cool dry winter season with bright clear
warm days and cold nights, particularly in the
mid-winter months of June to August. The winter
is the best for game viewing as the foliage has
died back and animals frequent waterholes.
PILANESBERG
SPECIALITIES
· Proximity to Sun city
· Small park with lots
of animals including the 'Big Five'
· Attractive scenery
· Good choice of safari
lodges in the area
· No malaria
FACTS
The Pilansberg covers an area of 135,908 acres
(55,000ha)
The volcanic peaks in the Pilanesberg area average
about 9,750 feet (3,000 metres) high.
The park has 88 miles (140 km) of well-surfaced
roads
It is approximately 2½ hour's drive north-west
of Johannesburg.
This is not a malarial area. |
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