Waking before dawn, we prepared for our first morning game drive at Pilanesberg Game Reserve. The weather was a brisk 54 degrees as we ate a quick breakfast and warmed up with a hot coffee. Bundled up, we boarded our open-air jeeps which were outfitted with thick blankets in search of the Big 5: the African Elephant, African Lion, African Leopard, the Cape Buffalo and the white and black Rhinoceros.
Within minutes of leaving the Safari Park, our guide pointed out a herd of young African impalas. Distinguished by the “M” on their backside, these beautiful deer-like creatures are most active throughout the day. As the males mature, they will grown antlers and establish their territories in search of females. We were fortunate enough to spot them in the early morning hours and would certainly spot many of them while touring the park.
Pilanesberg National Park covers an area of 221 square miles. Jay, our guide who had been working at the reserve for the last three years, was familiar with the locations which were best for animal sightings. He was helpful in pointing out plants and watering holes as well as providing an overview of the history of the Reserve. With the help of his fellow guides, he had just learned of an early morning lion sighting and quickly changed course traveling full speed ahead. Soon we had arrived to see this amazing pride of lions as the sun began to appear over the horizon.
Carefully approaching, Jay pointed out the young male to the left, explaining that he was just over one year old. The male lion cub is born without a mane and as he ages to about three to four months, the fur around his face will grow thicker and lighter. Between the ages of 5 to 6 years old, his mane will reach maximum length and will darken as he reaches adulthood.
While lions possess a keen sense of sight and hearing, they also use their sense of smell to detect and recognize odors as well as identify prey up to a mile away. As the jeep stopped a few feet away from the pride, the young male began sniffing the air making low growling sounds warning us to keep our distance.
Soon the pride was joined by two additional lion cubs in hopes that leftovers were still available. It was an incredible start to our morning safari drive.
It wasn’t long until we were joined by more cars and safari jeeps.
After our morning game drive, we returned to the Kwa Maritane Lodge for breakfast and enjoyed a couple of hours to enjoy the amenities. We were provided the option to join a small Bush Walk for an additional fee where we would accompany a ranger in hopes of additional animal sightings. Prepared with our cameras and binoculars, we hiked out into the wilderness where we experienced a successful walk with cheetah sightings, a pack of hyenas and a close up encounter with a young zebra.
Just as we were preparing to head back for lunch, we were surprised by a herd of greater kudu, found in eastern and southern Africa.
The kudu male travel in groups but are most often solitary. They are not great fighters and would rather leave the situation than engage. However, if threatened, they have a kick that can kill an animal instantly, They are also known to charge with their horns or clear a five foot fence in retreat.
Noon was soon approaching so we began our journey back to the lodge for lunch and additional free time before our evening game drive. It was the perfect time to check out the watering hole for animal sightings and to watch the local baboons play.
Have you experienced an African Safari? Where did you go? Pilanesberg? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my amazing experience at Pilanesberg and wishing you many exciting adventures.
What to See and What to Do:
Pilanesberg National Park
North West Province, South Africa
Telephone: +27 14 555 1600
Where to Stay:
Kwa Maritane Lodge
Telephone: +27 14 555 1600
Where to Eat:
Kwa Maritane Lodge
Telephone: +27 14 555 1600
What to Eat:
- Biltong: salty dried meat of hamburger or kudu
- Bobotie: meatloaf with raisins
- Boerewors: South African sausage
- Bokkoms: salted, dry fish
- Bunny Chow: a bread bowl, seasoned with curry and topped with meat (sometimes rabbit)
- Chakalaka: spicy South African vegetarian dish served with bread
- Denningvleis: lamb stew with a sweet and sour flavor; one of the most delicious dishes in South Africa
- Gatsby: footlong sandwich topped with fries
- Koeksisters: South African donut
- Malva Pudding: pudding with apricots
- Melktert: sweet milk tarts
- Potjiekos: stew of meat and vegetables
- Pap en Sous: corn pie topped with tomato and onion
- Snoek: type of mackerel
- Peppermint Crisp Tart: dessert made with bread rolls, caramel, chocolate, whipped cream and peppermint chocolate bars
What to Read:
- Out of Africa, by Isak Dinesen
- The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver
- Cry, The Beloved Country, by Alan Paton
- Half of a Yellow Sun, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Born Free, by Joy Adamson
Photo Guide for Pilanesberg:
- Animals on Safari
- Mankwe Way
- Sun City
