As winter settles in the northern parts of South Africa, our striking Highveld changes from the lovely greens of summer to the browns, oranges and yellows of winter. The vegetation thins out and this heralds the start of the Safari season in southern Africa. Because the grass is thinner and the water scarce, it becomes much easier to see the animals that congregate at the watering holes and are more visible in general.

South Africa’s northern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga are home to some of the world’s most famous and richest wildlife reserves, where you can see the Big Five animals – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo – as well as countless other noteworthy species. For many, a Safari isn’t just about seeing the big five, it’s also about experiencing the breathtakingly beautiful scenery and interacting with the welcoming local people.

Pilansberg Game Reserve is located in the Bojanala region of the North West province, next to the world famous Sun City resort. The reserve was created in 1979 and is located in the crater of an extinct volcano. It is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world and its rare rock types and structure make it a unique geological feature.

The area is bordered by three concentric ridges or rings of hills whose formation rises from the surrounding plains like a bubble. The park structure is called the “Pilanesberg Game Reserve Alkaline Ring Complex”. Ancient even on geologic time scales, this extinct volcano is the most perfect example of an alkali ring complex. Various rare (but not necessarily economically important) minerals are found in the park. Pilanesberg Game Reserve is one of the most outstanding geological phenomena in the world.

A wealth of wildlife thrives in the bushveld terrain, with in excess of 7,000 animals, including 24 of the largest species. It is home to healthy populations of lions, leopards, black and white rhinos, elephants and buffalo, Africa’s “big five”. There is a wide variety of rare and common species such as the nocturnal brown hyena, fast-footed cheetah, the majestic sable, as well as giraffes, zebras, hippos and crocodiles. The Park is the fourth largest park in South Africa and covers an area of ​​55,000 hectares.

With over 200 kilometers of excellent quality trails for either self-driving or guided tours and numerous hideaways and picturesque picnic spots, there is much to explore.