We have just returned after spending 4 nights in Pilanesberg. We were reasonably lucky in that we saw lions on no less than 7 occasions (but two of those were repeat sightings of lions that we had seen previously) - a pair, a trio, another pair, a pride of 6, and a single lioness. Add to that the repeat sightings. In addition we saw umpteen white rhinos - some from VERY close - and goodness only knows how many elephants - loners and also breeding herds with some very young ones. Plus, of course, many other species of animals. We also had a bird list of 89 positively identified species that we saw - not very good as we did not see any really exciting species.
We have seldom been disappointed in our visits to Pilanesberg and have already booked our annual pilgrimage there for November next year.
Hi Julie, I just missed one of them too.... as we came around a corner.
I am still trying to sort out our pics of our recent trip - there are about 2500 of them and it is turning out to be one heck of a job. Unfortunately they are not exactly of competition standard.
And no we did not see a moose - much to my regret.
Hi Rudi, you're making our holiday seem lightyears away ! Jealousy isn't normally one of my failings, but boy its running close to the surface now !
I'm amazed (in a delighted kind of way) that you still derive so much pleasure from your local ecosystem, and long may you continue to do so !!
See you on December 10th !!
Rudi, where do you stay when you visit Pilanesberg? (I'm considering renting a motorhome and using the caravan park at Manyane or Bakgatla). If we see anything like your very impressive list above, we'll be over the moon!
PNP - Once a year we stay in Bakubung where we have a time-share mid-week break. We sometimes simply do a day trip from Johannesburg, leaving home as early as possible and leaving the park at closing time, getting back quite late (it is about 90 to 120 minutes from our home, depending on the traffic). We do not particularly like Manyane, but have camped at Bakgatla on a few occasions where we like the camp-site which is at the entrance gate. On those occasions we take our tent and we have over the years accumulated enough camping odds and ends to keep us very comfortable.
I saw your query on motorhomes and was wondering how to respond. If you mean a caravan which you tow behind a car (or with which you tow a car) and leave parked at the Bakgatla camp-site, there is no problem whatsoever as many of the sites have power points. If you mean a motor-home that is part and parcel of the vehicle that you drive, I would be hesitant as you would limit yourself to the better roads and in any case along many of those roads buses and caravans are not allowed.
I cannot comment about the economics of renting a caravan as against renting one of the self-catering chalets - either in Bakgatla, Manyane, Bakubung or Kwa-Maritane, or even at Sun City Vacation Club. Just outside Manyane is a town called Mogwase. There are a few B&B's there and I have had a look at one of them (can't remember the name though) and was impressed by the quality of the accommodation. How big is your party? Is it not worthwhile looking at the accommodation alternatives?
You will certainly see Elephants and Rhinos (you will probably get pretty close to both), but one does not always see lions. On this visit we were particularly lucky. In the past we have (in Pilanesberg) seen cheetah on a number of occasions, wild dogs (once only), honey badgers (once only), black rhino (once only) and leopard (once only). It all depends on luck and, to a certain extent, knowing what areas are unlikely to yield many sightings.
Julie - I remember that I got us hopelessly lost coming home from Pilanesberg, but I cannot remember what we saw there during your visit. Was it such as to encourage PNP to go there? And to make Martin even greener?
Martin - will it help to tell you that immediately prior to going to Pilanesberg, we spent 5 days at a trout farm near Lydenberg learning how to cast and trying out our new-found skills on the river trout. First time I have ever done any fly-fishing. We have always enjoyed travelling and holidaying in Southern Africa. There is such a variety of experiences to be had here that I cannot but enjoy our local ecosystem(s).
Rudi - ouch !
Brother in law had a go at fly fishing and really enjoyed it, as yet i've not tried it, but i'm sure that when I get too old to wander around the golf course with a sack full of bats on my back, i'll probably give it a go !
Are you ok for the Wanderers club on the 10th ? It's ok with Arthur, and im sure Loz will be ok with it (I'll pick her up from Pretoria)
I've got Tomtom South Africa now so hopefully wont get lost too often.
Wanderers club..... highly recommended - good beer (guess which), good food and great company. Even the odd celeb (well, Allan Donald) mingling with the hoi polloi. Enjoy.
Yes, Martin, my wife and I will be there. We look forward to the evening. We'll have to find another celeb as I doubt whether there will be any cricket on then. Won't Arthur do?
Are there no other Thorn Tree'ers in or around Johannesburg on the 10th? Or are they deliberately keeping a low profile so that they do not feel they have to join us?
Seb, will you still be around?
Wigman, where are you?
What about those of you from foreign climes who are now working in Johannesburg for a while?
Peterscot - don't you want to fly out for the event?
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