Pilanesberg National Park is nestled within a volcanic crater and is the fourth largest in South Africa with a total area of about 55 000 hectares.
The history of the park is unique. This area, with its mesmerising rocky landscapes, flowering and fragrant valleys, has always been the area of choice for human settlement for thousands of years. Before the decision to designate the area as a nature reserve in 1979, local farmers worked and lived here and were relocated to other lands, and the tourist infrastructure was designed and built over a period of 15 years (from 1979 to 1993). In fact, this project was the largest and most expensive land restoration project on the African mainland at the time.
While wildlife resources are rapidly declining in most developing countries in Africa, Pilanesberg National Park is one of the few areas where this process is being reversed. The structure of the land on which Pilanesberg Park is located was formed by volcanic eruptions several million years ago. In addition to its uniqueness: its size, shape and volcanic origin, there are other "highlights" such as the wide variety of landscapes due to the weathering of the extinct crater. This has created some of the most spectacular scenery in South Africa.
Unlike any other large park, its uniqueness lies in its location in the transition zone between dry and wet climates. It therefore has a very high diversity of mammals, birds and vegetation. In the park you can see anteater, zebra, lion, leopard, black and white rhino, elephant and buffalo, brown hyena, fast-footed cheetah, majestic sable, as well as giraffe, hippo, crocodile, wild dogs and others. It is a "paradise" for bird lovers - there are over 360 species.
A recent survey conducted by the South African Tourism Board revealed that the Pilanesberg National Park has become number one on the list of the most popular game reserves in South Africa. The newfound popularity was made possible by its close proximity to Johannesburg, combined with its safety (malaria infection is completely avoided).
