The South African Wanderer's Beginner's guide to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve

The South African Wanderer's Beginner's guide to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve - Watch before you go!

Рет қаралды 9,169

Жыл бұрын

NB: Two important corrections:
I mention both 1978 and 1979 as the founding date for the park. The park was proclaimed in 1979.
Second, I mention the big intersection with the R556 being the R530 - it is actually the R530.
Located just over 2 hours from Johannesburg, the financial hub of South Africa, the Pilanesberg Game Reserve makes for the perfect escape if you only have a short time in the city. The reserve is a big five reserve and presents some of the best elephant and rhino sightings anywhere in South Africa. The reserve is also reputed for the leopard sightings it offers with some 50 named leopards in the park.
The reserve was established in 1979 in what is an extinct volcano, known as the Pilanesberg Alkaline ring complex. Rehabilitation of the farm land that covered the reserve then began and one of the largest translocation of animals began, namely Operation Genesis.
The reserve is home to a great variety of large mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. Being in the transition zone between wet and dry savannah, the reserve boasts a large variety of species that cannot be seen further east, in the Kruger National park.
An ideal getaway whether it be just for the day or for a longer stay!
Some of my other Pilanesberg adventures (and misadventures):
kzfaq.info/sun/PLXRFEAM8gDWCTFJtmtN8IYSCfI5lv-6Fn
Don't forget you can book me for a guided trip either through my website southafricanwanderer.co.za/
or by contacting me directly on
+27836937710

Пікірлер: 53

@michaelroebuck1340 Ай бұрын

I see you have the same passion for the Park that my family have. Keep.up your excellent presentations.

@SouthAfricanWanderer Ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Yes I love being in the park, will be there on Monday again.

@michaelroebuck1340 Ай бұрын

I have to book now school Holidays for my eldest son and 3 grandchildren. They have the same love and passion for the park . Being so close to Jo'burg we are blessed like you we drive every road try to keep away from convoys and some of the ill mannered safari vehicles. Last week a couple of these made some sightings very unpleasant the one who caused most upsets was from Ivory. Tree Lodge.

@SouthAfricanWanderer Ай бұрын

@@michaelroebuck1340 Yes I think I've seen it happen all too often as well. I just try to be as courteous as possible and move through as quickly as possible. I take a lot of joy from the sightings of some of the smaller animals as well and try to avoid the big traffic jams if I can.

@lawrencewilcox2092 Жыл бұрын

I.ve seen quite a few clips by locals on various destinations in South Africa and this is probably the best presented , most complete and informative video that has been made !!!

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, the feedback means a lot to me 🙏🏼🙏🏼

@bernardoc8254 Ай бұрын

Absolutely amazing video. We've been to Pilans for the last 8 years and always stayed at bakgatla. Decent resort however in tha past few years since Covid its gone down a bit. On the game drivers We've experienced good and bad. The last time we had to use a 5 series BMW sadly due to unforseen issues on our main overlander. This seemed to make far too many of the game drivers point us out as "idiots" as one of them exclaimed. Some are extremely rude however some have been Absolutely amazing towards us. Love your video though, we're going again in about 3 weeks

@SouthAfricanWanderer Ай бұрын

I wonder why anyone would not want you to use your BMW in the park. Or a small Toyota for that matter. Everyone is there to enjoy nature and the park. You will enjoy the park, it has been very productive the last couple weeks with lots of great sightings and the animals out and about. They have graded the roads and it makes driving some of my favourite routes a little better. The tar roads, especially Kgabo from the PC to Bakgatla are still bad and possible worse than some of the dirt roads.

@CharlesJHin Жыл бұрын

Cool video. I was a field guide for 8 months at Bakubung and Tshukudu. It was an awesome time.

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! Yeah being in the park is something I always look forward to!

@AlgarveAddicts Жыл бұрын

Wow, that was a fantastic guide. I just watched from beginning to end. Congratulations on your extensive documentation of the Pilanesberg. We're coming in March, so its a great planning tool. Great job and thank you for all your hard work!

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the feedback 🙏🏼 You are going to love it! If you have any questions please feel free to drop me an email and I will definitely do my best to get you the answers!

@bozach99 9 ай бұрын

Very informative and well done. Thank you very much Wanderer.

@SouthAfricanWanderer 9 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Bobby and I am glad I could be of assistance!

@mostofall8456 10 ай бұрын

You made a real helpful guide! I love it. Well done. Greetings from Germany!

@SouthAfricanWanderer 10 ай бұрын

Thanks so much 🙏🏼 The park has been experiencing some bad fires this last weekend so will take some time to recover. Are you traveling to the park anytime soon?

@emilyvisser1804 Жыл бұрын

Love this guided tour! I'm coming to the reserve in November and staying at manyane resort with others. Will be my first time in SA. I'm very excited

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Ah November is a great time to visit - summer temperatures will be in and it is generally dryer than February and March. It is also the month Impala and Wildebeest begin to lamb so the bush is full of babies from about the second week of November onwards! I am sure you are going to love the park as well as the rest of South Africa as well! Where else are you planning to travel?

@pamelameela Жыл бұрын

lovely photos and it was so great to see the reserve. many thanks

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

@michaelroebuck1340 Ай бұрын

Just spent 10 days at Bakgatla we have time share end of.May..then November..hhave been regulars since.1980 this is our place of peace. Just had my sisters grandson out from uk. Saw Cheetah kill of Waterbuck calf. Its mother tried to free it but no such luck the two crocs came from the mankwe dam and stole the kill . The one croc was very big . We sat for over 2 hours at first only vehicle on the sighting. The luck of the Irish Lions Mating , Leopard hunting. I guess you recall the early days when to see Ellie dung was exciting this trip herds up to 80strong. Saw at close range the last of the six males who settled.the young bulls. My special Ellie Amarula no tail passed peacefully now Mukumale last one. He is very dignified in his old age . We used.to stay at Mankwe tented.camp long closed.when they introduced Lions. The roads are being graded and much improved some paved roads ar 43:32 e not great for low suspension vehicles. My granddaughter granddaughter is becoming a guide wants to.undertake practical in Kenya . Enjoyed your video maybe our.paths may cross. Keep safe on your drives.

@SouthAfricanWanderer Ай бұрын

Thanks so much for the comment. Sounds like you had some amazing sightings! If you’d like to keep in contact you can email me on southafricanwanderer@gmail.com or my number is 0836937710 🙏🏼

@sandyharrod8831 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the beautiful tour . We have visited the Pilansberg Nature reserve 17yrs ago..alot has changed since our last visit. Stunning views and great images captured of the animals!😍😍👏👏

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Sandy! I can only speak from about 2015 and most things have stayed about the same! Animal numbers perhaps increased and flourished so sightings keep getting better!

@leonbadenhorst Жыл бұрын

Awesome, thanks so much. Will visit soon

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

It’s a must! Let me know when you do and if I’m in the park I’ll come say hello!

@leonbadenhorst Жыл бұрын

@@SouthAfricanWanderer Will do!

@NamibianYoutubeChannel Жыл бұрын

Great video, thank you

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Only a pleasure 🙏🏼🙏🏼

@RoamingMediaSA Жыл бұрын

Awesome job!

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Rogan!

@nehalpragjee Жыл бұрын

Fantastic boet 🔥🔥🔥

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Thanks dude!

@themba_radebe 8 ай бұрын

Please advise on the best camp site between Manyane and Bakgatla? I hear Manyane can be noisy due to local tarvens? Any theft issues?

@SouthAfricanWanderer 8 ай бұрын

Depends on the time of year you stay and how sound a sleeper you are. Manyane had 28/32 chalets burn down so on the whole may be better to stay at bakgatla in the next few months as Manyane will in all probability be a construction site. Also explore outside options. I recently picked guests up from The Kingdom resort and they really enjoyed the facilities

@rinaybhownath4555 Жыл бұрын

Nice one boet

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Rinay! Took a while to complete but hope it helps

@jamaicanonthemove.3239 3 ай бұрын

Do you have trips to the Park?

@SouthAfricanWanderer 3 ай бұрын

Yes I offer trips to the park, I was just on one today in fact. Email me on southafricanwanderer@gmail.com and we can discuss

@RG....... Жыл бұрын

Hey thanks for sharing! So to enter the park there is no need of pre booking like in Kruger? I can just drive up to the gate and get a permit to enter?

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

They do have daily gate limits in terms of the number of cars but I’ve only ever experienced it once in more than 7 years of going into the park. If I’m honest I don’t even know how one would go about prebooking (but I’ll find out). You should be fine if you are traveling anytime off peak.

@RG....... Жыл бұрын

@@SouthAfricanWanderer I'm actually spending a few days in Kruger in May, and then thought of spending 1 or 2 days here before catching the flight out of JNB. Any suggested gate to enter/ exit from?

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

@@RG....... both Manyane and Bakubung gates would be good entry points. Manyane is my preferred entry.

@michaelroebuck1340 Ай бұрын

We always enter at Bakabung my grand children like to buy from the guys there some are from Malawi and having lived there for 12 years. I speak the language which helps when buying to bring down prices.

@michaelroebuck1340 Ай бұрын

The roads are being graded and in good order some paved plenty pot holes but if you drive with care no problem . Game sighting.last week 31.05 24.throughto 07 06 24. Was excellent so don't let people put you off.

@mohapimoumakwa Жыл бұрын

The park roads are very very bad.that’s is my turn off going there

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Yes agreed. I think since making the video they got worse with the rains over the summer. And unfortunately the patch work approach to repairs aren’t working. Hopefully they use some funds for a much needed upgrade soon!

@shrirangjadhav3969 Жыл бұрын

Have you been to pillanceburg park today i feel i saw you

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

Hi yes I had guests on a tour with me today. Did you see my car? Silver Subaru.

@shrirangjadhav3969 Жыл бұрын

@@SouthAfricanWanderer i passed you twice or thrice on durt road. watching some video and flashed you so message you

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

@@shrirangjadhav3969 ah flag me down the next time and say hello

@shrirangjadhav3969 Жыл бұрын

@@SouthAfricanWanderer sure

@SouthAfricanWanderer Жыл бұрын

@@shrirangjadhav3969 hope you had a good day in the park 🙏🏼 Excellent lion sighting today and we got there just in time to see the brown hyena as well