We boarded the safari jeep and within in twenty minutes, we could see a rhinoceros in the distance. Looking closer, we noticed that she had a calf at her side. From the start we knew it was going to be a great game drive.
While all of the animals within Pilanesberg National Park are protected, the white and black rhinoceroses are specifically monitored to ensure they are safe within the refuge. Misconceptions surrounding the medicinal value of the rhino’s horn is what drives poachers to mutilate these amazing animals and leave them to die. Fortunately, the park is on high alert of this issue and they employee a special task force to ensure the rhinos are secure with additional systems in place as well as helicopter surveillance.
The landscape in Pilanesberg is exceptional with hills, mountains and watering holes attracting many of the animals on the reserve. We had just arrived at a small lake in search of a lion sighting as our ranger had been tipped off by a fellow colleague. Soon we would be approaching a pride that had recently made a kill to witness first hand the survival of the fittest.
Crossing a bridge, we went off-road for a few minutes looking for the troop. We could have easily missed the lioness blending in with the tall grass and could clearly see the blood from the kill on her face. Pacing the ground, she was soon joined by a couple of cubs who had emersed from the nearby bushes. With her babies in tow, she returned to the carcass to feed her furry brood.
Our ranger explained that he would take an alternate route as a few additional cars and jeeps were crowding up the dirt road. He knew of a location where we may be able see a couple of young zebra foals or the baby elephant that was born a couple of months ago. The sun was beginning to set and the glow of the plains made it easier to spot the zebras. The foal was rolling around in the grass and playfully prancing in close distance to its mom.
Around a corner we happened to catch a male waterbuck looking at us like a deer in headlights. Blending in with the brush, he wandered alone and may have been in search of water. The waterbuck can be distinguished by the elliptical ring on his backside and long curved antlers.
Our jeep moved forward towards the sunset as we squinted into the glare of the sun. Grazing on small patches of grass were a confusion of wildebeest which hardly noticed our arrival. We learned that the wildebeest will often graze with the zebra alert to its warning signals of potential danger. Native to South Africa, they can be found among short-grass plains.
Continuing our journey through the brush, a cow elephant was pulling down branches from a tree as her calf stood close by. The baby elephant clearly noticed us and began prancing about the patchwork of grass as if calling us to play. Unsteady on his feet, he darted between the trees as if begging to be chased. With a trumpet-like call from its snout, he would return to his mother for protection.
As the night began to fall, the temperature quickly dropped and the animals seemed to have all disappeared. Our ranger assured us that this was actually one of the busiest times of the day as predators were in search of their prey.
A call from the walkie-talkie alerts our driver to a nearby lioness that had taken down a wildebeest. Our guide reacts quickly as our jeep slips and slides along the bush with branches scratching against its doors. We huddled towards the center of the vehicle, watching antelope cross the path of our vehicle’s headlights. The rocky terrain made for a rough ride until we finally reached the lioness standing over a watering hole along with the kill from her hunt.
While we only saw one lioness, it is most likely that she had help from other lionesses during the attack. They will stay hidden, crouching down into the grass, until they have reached their prey, striking unnoticed. The females are most responsible for the feeding of her family as she moves faster than the lion and blends in easily within her surroundings. The lions are the protectors of their family and will fight to keep them safe.
Our guide allowed us plenty of time to not only capture the moment on film but in our minds. The moment was absolutely surreal realizing that we had just witnessed an opportunity of a lifetime.
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