Saturday, 21 December 2013

Pilanesberg Game Reserve, Pretoria South Africa



Pilanesberg Game Reserve
South Africa

Arranged through Goway Tours

We leave Cape Town on South Africa Airlines, flying to Johannesburg.  Our guide picks us up at the airport for a three and a half hour drive, north to Pretoria and the game reserve.

We are off to see the Big Five--the elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros and the cape buffalo, north from Johannesburg and Pretoria in one of the country’s most popular wildlife areas  Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Set in an ancient volcanic crater, this well-stocked reserve has a dramatic landscape that supports a wide variety of plants, animals and birds.

The fourth largest park in South Africa, Pilanesberg is a melting pot of topographies--which include syenite koppies, forested ravines, bush veld and rolling grasslands and lightly wooded areas--all contained in the crater of an extinct volcano that covers 55,000 hectares.
Thabayadiotso, "the Proud Mountain", offers fitting relief to the panoramas of the park. Apart from the large mammals, the park is home to over 300 species of birds. 


 
Our accomodations are in the Ivory Tree Lodge.
Ivory Tree Game Lodge is situated in the north eastern region of the Pilanesberg National Park, the closest point of entry is through Bakgatla Gate.

Nestled in the basin of an ancient amphitheatre divided by riverine woodlands and elephant trails lies this exclusive private game lodge. The central facility includes, stunning feature pool, bar, conference room, dining room, boma, reception and curio shop. Guests stay in private bungalows, with the featured outdoor shower!


Once settled in our room, we begin our first of the twice daily game drives. Viewing animals in their natural habitat is one of the most thrilling experiences ever. The game drives were three to three and a half hours in length. Morning drives began at 5 a.m and evening drives at 4:30 p.m. We didn’t miss one and were thrilled and amazed on every drive. Our guide, Solly Maponyane was knowledgeable, entertaining and determined to show us the Big Five!    If you plan to visit Pilanesberg, or Ivory Tree Lodge, be sure and ask for Solly. He is the best!


We left South Africa with sadness and will definitely return. It was one of the best trips ever for us and we would highly recommend it. Thanks to Winnie at Goway Travel for all of the arrangements and to Fazelia and Roberto, with Thomson Africa Tours for taking care of us in Cape Town.

 We took hundreds of pictures and I can only share a few, so enjoy !


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