PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK

The Pilanesberg National Park was opened in 1979, and is known as the largest game resettlement project in the history of South Africa. In the early eighties more than 6000 animals from other game parks were resettled here.

The Park borders on the entertainment complex of Sun City, and is 55 000 hectares in extent. It is almost perfectly circular as the area comprises of a 1200 million year old volcanic relic of four concentric circles with a small lake in the centre. This very scenic terrain lies in the transition zone between The Kalahari and The Lowveld, where both types of vegetation are found here.

It lies amongst the only significant hills in the area which rise skywards out of the flat highveld plain. The Pilanesberg is the highest peak towering 600 meters above Mankwe Lake, which sits in the heart of the ancient volcano.

Due to the shape, this area was recognized as being the perfect site for a National Park with its’ tall sides creating natural boundaries. The Park today, has the majority of Southern Africa’s animal species within its’ boundaries, including all of the big five, (Lions, Elephants, White and Black Rhinos, Buffaloes, Leopards) as well as Zebras, Hyenas, Giraffes, Hippos and Crocodiles. Over 300 bird species were counted, making the Pilanesberg a perfect area for bird watching.

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