Pilanesberg

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.

Rudi, sounds fantastic!

Wow Rudi, you lucky devil. I miss the ellies.

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?

Hi Rudi,
Have a group of 6 couples travelling on a golfing/touring trip in April. Few days in J'burg then 3 nights Bakubung Lodge Pilanesberg. We will have two 8-10 seater buses/people movers (maybe with trailers for luggage) and you comment on buses not being allowed on some of the trails concerns me. We will drop the trailers at the camp but planned to use the buses throughout the park - perhaps picking up a local guide. Do you think our vehicles are too big?
We fly Jburg to Port Elizabeth and pick up similar vehicles then to Addo. Do you think we will have the same problem there?
Thanks
Ossie

Rudi, with you , Mrs Rudi and Arthur in attendance, how could we possibly be short of celebrities ? And dont forget our antipodean lady (who's probably on her way by now !)

Seb, it would be an honour and a privilege to have you in our happy little band (Jo'burg and CT)

Bosch, mandella, Ndluvo ?

Mmmmm I can taste the Windy already !

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Drink Windhoek not Castle

Rudi - I like the idea of flying out for the event. I'm investigating the options for the future, but I think I'll be immersed in a new venture around then.

(Mrs Scot is a bit of an anorak when it comes to cricket grounds - Lords, the Oval, MCG etc - so she was in seventh heaven to have been in the hallowed hallways of the Wanderers.)

I'll raise a glass of Windhoek on the night.

Martin - be prepared for the RWC final to be analysed in fine detail. Its shown on a loop on the TV in the bars and and don't think the locals will have gotten over their delight at winning for a long time.

Peter, if you're referring to the Club and not the Wanderers Oval, then I'm afraid you have to tell "Mrs Scot" that it doesn't count.

otraveller, Rudi, I checked with the motorhome rental company (Bobocampers) and they said they are not aware of any roads in Pilanesgerb that their motorhomes could not use (they are ~6m long). I will try to contact the park authorities (anyone have an email address for them?) for more info on vehicle restrictions on Pilanesberg roads . . .

Martin #11, remind me a bit closer to the time, things are a bit hectic at the mo'.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Its shown on a loop on the TV in the bars<hr></blockquote>I was trying to think of a clever remark when I read that Friday. But now I'm glad I didn't. Because some time since then I happened to be channel-hopping on M-Net/DSTV and guess what. The game. Seemingly (from the time allocated) in full. OK, we haven't resorted to a "loop". (Yet? What a wonderful idea Peter!) But I think we're gonna have four years of re-runs.

Don't worry Arthur, the re-runs will stop after we have been beaten by Wales and the Baa-Baas.

Arthur/Rudi can the 10th be a 'NON GLOATING NIGHT' please !

Bosch, when do you want me to start sending reminders ?

Gloat? We don't even know the meaning of that word. How could we?

You Bokkies kicked our lily white asses in the final mate, im sure BB of martraveller will have no problem reminding me throughout our CT stay, and Arthur and your good self get the first chance to have a go ! Dont worry, I never get offended, but dont ever leave your Windy unattended, or it could just vanish down a lily white ( Should that be Roiineck ?) throat !!!

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Drink Windhoek not Castle

Guys, much as I enjoy reading your friendly banter on this forum (though its much slower to read it this week!!!) I'm not so sure I like you hikacking [b]my[/b] posts!

Anyway, I have finally managed to get a reply from Pilanesberg on where I could take a motorhome in the park and Christina Matha (Sales and Information Officer: Pilanesberg National Park) tells me there are no restrictions on where I can go. Hence, I intend to go ahead and rent that motorhome for the following reasons:
1) it will make a change for us all (esp. the kids) - and its only for 3 nights - variety is the spice of life when it comes to organising a holiday itinerary!
2) we will enjoy a high vantage point for animal viewing
3) if any of us need a pee at the waterhole (or a coffee - or a beer!) then we don't need to move the vehicle and the animals will be oblivious to our antics!
4) it will be a breeze to get the kids up for those early morning drives - they can stay in their pyjamas if they want
5) it works out cheaper than the Bakgatla/Manyane chalets by some margin (I don't need a car as well)

When I get back I'll let you nkow how it went - motorhome rental seems to be extremely rare amongst TTers - try a search and see!

PnP

PNP - I am not sure what the squiggle ahead of the 6 meant when you gave the length of the motor-home. I presume it means less than 6 metres?? By all means go ahead, and enjoy yourselves. Small motor-homes are surely allowed on the roads. One sees them occasionally in Pilanesberg. Just make sure that you tie everything down - some of the roads are at present in a relatively poor condition.
Good luck - it will be nice to read a report-back after your visit.

Thanks Rudi,
Appears all will be OK. Will probably use a 'hop-on ranger' for at least the orientation day. We are there for 3 nights.
Regards
Ossie

Oops!
My last 'thank you' should have been addressed to PNP but I thank you both for the clarification. My understanding of ~ means 'about'. PNP, please keep this thread informed of your travels.
Ossie