PILANESBERG GAME RESERVE
Fantastic to be back in South Africa!! Three years since the last time, just before the pandemic.
With a rental car from Johannesburg, we were headed first to Pilanesberg Game Reserve, known for Big 5 game viewing in a malaria-free environment. It was two and a half hour drive northwards. We had booked a two-night stay at Bakubung Lodge in the park. Around five in the evening, we entered the reserve, a bit late to catch the afternoon safari, so we had a one-and-a-half-hour self-drive safari before checking in at the Lodge.
Just great to soak in the African atmosphere and the wildlife feel. So wonderful to see giraffes, zebras and elephants again. And many marabou storks by Lengau Dam (not far from the entrance)- just as the last time we were here.
BAKUBUNG LODGE
The Lodge is near the Bakubung gate entrance, south of the game reserve. It has lovely rooms with a veranda or balcony, a good restaurant and a lovely pool. The Lodge also offers a wide range of sports activities and shuttles to the nearby Sun City.
MORNING SAFARI
At 05.30, we were ready for a three-hour morning safari!
The most extraordinary sight this morning was a leopard. I have never seen a leopard in this game reserve before. It was lying by some bushes a bit far from the road, but I managed to zoom it in. Some branches were in front of it, so it was hard to get a good picture, but it was a great sight anyway.
We had a coffee break at Pilanesberg Centre, in the middle of the park.
SELF-DRIVE SAFARI IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY
After breakfast, when my daughter wanted to spend some time at the gym and by the pool, – I went on a self-drive safari for a couple of hours. I would spend my time well in this game reserve, even if we also were going on an afternoon safari. It has been so long since I got to experience African wildlife.
Met this special bird – Kori Bustard (Norwegian: koritrappe). The Kori Bustard is Africa’s heaviest flying bird and can weigh up to 19kg – a fascinating sight.
Another unique sight this day was – an elephant with a calf which came walking out of the bushes and on the road towards me:
I had a break at the Pilanesberg Visitor Centre, where you will find a restaurant and a shop.
Just outside the outdoor restaurant, a salt block is placed where animals come by and lick the salt. I watched both kudus, zebras and impala there.
By the Mankwe Dam, I also met this enormous and fascinating group of impalas!
And just before driving back to the Lodge for lunch – a giant elephant by the Lengau Dam and quite close to the road.
So even if you go on a safari in the middle of the day – you may not see cats – but you can see many other exciting animals and birds !!
AFTERNOON SAFARI FROM BAKUBUNG LODGE
At 16:30 was the time for the afternoon safari!
The rarest sight this afternoon was, without a doubt, a serval. I have never seen this kind of cat in the wild – ever. It wasn’t easy to spot – before it came walking out of the high grass!
The serval s characterised by a small head, large ears, a golden-yellow to buff coat spotted and striped with black, and a short, black-tipped tail. This cat has the longest legs of any cat relative to its body size.
We had a short stop and a sundowner and then enjoyed the sunset – on our way back to the Lodge.
LAST DAY IN PILANESBERG
Lovely to have breakfast outside – with a view of the game reserve. Sometimes wild animals come close to the fence that surrounds the Lodge. We spotted two elephants once,
and warthogs close like this one:…
After two days in the park, it was time to move on. We travelled northwards – driving through the park – and out the Baglata Gate in the north. So we got a couple of hours more self-drive safari before we left the Pilanesberg Game Reserve for this time.
Rhino – and Zebra – surrounded by the lovely hilly landscape of Pilanesberg
We also visited a bird hide. Inside were some swallows that were so close to us; I guess it was to look after their nest. These birds are called Lesser Striped Swallows.
In the distance, we watched hippos, giraffes and a tree full of beautiful bee-eaters. I was able to zoom them in for a better look 🙂
Thank you for now – Pilanesnberg – hope to be back soon!
