4 Day Pilanesberg National Park Tented Camp Safari

February 8, 2017February 8, 2017admin

Summary of this Budget Safari Package

Enjoy an affordable four day getaway into the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park, within an easy three hour drive from the city of Johannesburg and boardering the well known Sun City resort.

This tented camp safari is camping out in nature without having to sacrifice basic comforts – the best of both worlds. Explore the 550km²of Pilanesberg wilderness on game drives in open-sided safari vehicles. You are accompanied by local guides with in depth knowledge of the area and the resident Big 5.

The Pilansberg is notable for its unique setting in an ancient volcanic crater and the huge diversity of fauna and flora.

Itinerary for this Tour

Day 1: Johannesburg to Pilanesberg National Park – South Africa

We will depart from the city of Johannesburg at 10h00 and travel the 3 hours North West to the very accessible Pilanesberg. We collect our guests from O.R. Tambo or selected points in Johannesburg, or alternatively in Pretoria by arrangement in the comfort of our air-conditioned Toyota.

We aim to reach our malaria free tented camp in Pilanesberg National Park by 13h00. Check in and enjoy lunch (own account) at the restaurant in the area of the main swimming pool. After lunch there is time to relax in the pool and enjoy some leisure in the sun before afternoon tea and coffee ahead of our first game drive. Departing at 16h30 we begin to explore the rich diversity of Pilanesberg Park. The park is set in a transition zone between the dry Kalahari and the more lush Lowveld region which has resulted in an extraordinary intersection of animals, birds and plants living side by side. Practically every large mammal native to South h Africa can be found in Pilansberg. In addition to the diverse habitats and animals found in Pilanesberg, the reserve is the sight of a rare geological feature. It is set within an ancient volcanic crater formed 1 200 million years ago, one of only three in the world, which has created beautiful and rare rock formations and rock types.

Our knowledgeable local guides take you out in open safari vehicles, tracking animals and birds using their vast experience and understanding of the bush. Your guides are there to inform you about the surrounding terrain and creatures found in Pilanesberg and offer insight into life in the wild. Covering a relatively small area of 550km²Pilanesberg National Park offers a much greater chance of seeing the Big 5 than many of the larger reserves. While searching for elusive predators and other wildlife, we stop for sundowners (own drinks) in the bush while enjoying spectacular scenery against the backdrop of a magnificent African sunset. Once the sun has disappeared beyond the horizon we will make our way back to our camp where dinner is served in the tented dining area at around 20h00, followed by an evening of relaxation around the fires under a blanket of stars.

Includes: Dinner

Day 2 & 3: Pilanesberg National Park – South Africa

Day two starts with coffee and rusks and a 06h00 (weather permitting) departure on our first game drive of the day. Early mornings are well known for being ideal for game viewing when the weather is still cooler and animals tend to be more active. Mornings are also perfect for catching some of the 360 incredible species of birds which can be found in Pilanesberg.

After some time of surveying the diverse habitats in the park we break for a tea and coffee in the wilderness. After tea we continue with our safari drive keeping a special look out for the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) who roam freely and abundantly through the beautiful scenery. Sightings of these animals are regular and always a highlight on any game drive. There are many well designed photographic hides concealed in the bushveld terrain in Pilansberg which afford guests the opportunity to be out of sight while observing wildlife. Those with the patience are rewarded with remarkable photo opportunities from these vantage points.

We return to camp at 09h00 when breakfast is served. The rest of the morning is leisure time for you to enjoy until lunch (own expense) at the restaurant beside the main swimming pool.

After lunch there is opportunity for a nap or to read a book by the pool until we reconvene for tea and coffee at about 16h00. At 16h30 we head back out into the reserve in our open safari vehicles for a late afternoon experience of the bush under the guidance of our ranger. Besides for the Big 5 highly rewarding sightings include the cheetah and wild dog – usually very elusive but often spotted in Pilanesberg. The afternoon drive is perfectly completed with another flawless African sunset by which to enjoy our sundowners while the sky puts on a display of light and colour. We continue our game drive and start to head back to camp keeping an eye open for the first sightings of nocturnal animals coming out.

By 19h30 we are back at the tented camp and at 20h00 dinner is served followed by an evening under starry skies, recounting tales of the day’s adventures around the campfire and unwinding at the bar.

Day three follows a similar itinarary to day two including two game drives with your guide and time to relax and enjoy being out in a safari camp environment.

Includes: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4: Pilanesberg National Park to Johannesburg – South Africa

On day four we get up early and have tea, coffee and rusks before embarking at 06h00 (weather permitting) on our morning game drive.

As we head out into the bush once more we are immersed in the crisp morning air as the bush begins to come alive. There is the feeling that anything is possible and that an incredible sighting could be just around the next bush. Your will notice how your wildlife spotting skills have already been refined as we search out clues of wildlife activity from the previous nights nocturnal affairs. Spending time in the bush one comes to realize how much information we can gather through the use of all our senses, your vision sharpens, your ears become hyper-sensetive to any sounds of movement, and even your sense of smell becomes a tool for providing clues about life in the wild.

While on our final game drive we stop for tea and coffee surrounded by unspoilt nature, keeping an eye out for birds and animals. From here we continue to explore Pilanesberg National Park until it is time for breakfast back at the camp at 09h00. After breakfast there is time to relax back at your tent or at the pool. There is a curio shop and the resort also has a spa which you are welcome to enjoy. Have a leisurely lunch (own account) in the restaurant before our departure at 14h00.

Departing our tented camp we make the three hour return journey to Johannesburg, making the transition from the African wilderness back to the to hustle and bustle of the City of Gold. This safari comes to en end at about 16h30 when we drop you off at your arranged destinations or the O.R. Tambo International Airport.

Includes: Breakfast

About the Pilanesberg Tented Camp

Our comfortable Tented Safari Camp is located at a resort in the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park of the North West Province, 3 hours from Johannesburg. The camp is set in a leafy area where impalas, warthogs and banded mongoose are often spotted.

We are accommodated in eight safari tents furnished with twin beds, linen and basic furnishings that make them more comfortable than regular camping tents. All of the tents are designed with big windows and built in mosquito netting to keep insects out while allowing you to open your windows. There is a small patio area for each tent with two camping chairs for sitting outside. This camp is authentic and basic yet does include amenities such as electricity, fans and electric blankets in winter to ensure a homely level of comfort without detracting from the experience of camping out in the wild.

The camp has a dining and lounge tent providing a communal space where guests dine together and unwind between game drives and activities. There are shared bathrooms which are serviced daily. Guests are welcome to enjoy the facilities at the resort which include a large swimming pool, bar, restaurant, shop, spa and fire pit.

About Pilanesberg National Park

Thanks to great conservation efforts over the years Pilanesberg is home to robust populations of wild animals, both big and small. One can expect to have close encounters with the Big Five (lion, leopard, black and white rhino, buffalo and elephant) as well as almost every animal species native to Southern Africa which all inhabit this 55 000 hectare reserve. These include the cheetah, jackal, hyena, hippo, giraffe, zebra, wild dog and a variety of antelopes such as roan, sable and springbok. Over 360 species of birds have also been recorded here. Considering the relatively compact size of the game reserve, Pilanesberg offers very rewarding game viewing and bird watching.

Pilanesberg Game Reserve is situated in what is called a transition zone between the very arid Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation zones, and due to this embodies a wide diversity of habitats that support a unique collection of plant and animal life. The park is also of geological significance as it is situated in the crater of an extinct volcano formed some 1.2 billion years ago. This volcanic complex, set around the Mankwe Dam in the Bojanala Region, is one of the biggest of its kind. The topography and vegetation of Pilanesberg thus form an unusual and scenic setting, where woodlands, grasslands, rocky outcrops, bushveld and thicket meet.