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moelynphotos
US
Visited:
May 2017
Reviewed: Mar 20, 2018
Email moelynphotos | Experience level: first safari
Axel Martin
A perfect stay in the bush - only a three hours drive away from Johannesburg
Unlike many other South African parks Pilanesberg is a piece of "man made" nature: It was founded in 1979 on former farmland, so more than 7000 animals from other parks like Kruger NP had to be relocated to (re-)populate the area. Since then, these animal population has been left on it's own.
The main park can be explored either by self-drive or on guided tours. In Black Rhino Private Game Reserve private cars are only allowed to access the lodges - all game drives are guided tours organized by the respective lodge. While the game drives from Black Rhino are allowed to enter the national park, no visitors "from outside"
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are allowed to enter Black Rhino.Since 2011 my spouse and I have visited Black Rhino Private Game Reserve 5 times. We stayed at two different lodges that are quite similar compared in service: Both offer good quality meals, spacious bungalows and a small pool. Two game drives per day are already included in the room price.
The game drives are done with small cars (max. 10 people per car). All 4 different guides on our meanwhile 29 game drives did an excellent job: They tried to find as many different animals as possible, with the focus not only on the "Big Five". They stayed as long near the animals as the guests wanted (very good for photography!). There was no "rush from one animal to the next" like we already experienced at some of the smaller game lodges in the Western Cape, which (in comparison to a national park) are more like small zoos where the predators live in separate fenced areas.
...o.k. if the animals don't cooperate, even the best ranger can't do anything! After all one should not forget that the animals of a national park (although they might be used to the cars) are still wild: The grazers keep in the bush to hide from their predators and the predators hide themself to better approach their prey. Large animals like elephants, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe or even white rhinos are quite easy to find in the grassy areas - but don't expect to be so lucky that you'll see a lion, a hyaena, a black rhino or even a leopard on your first visit! On most of your game drives you'll most likely see only the "usual suspects".
Taneesha
ZA
Visited:
March 2025
Reviewed: Mar 8, 2025
Email Taneesha | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The most disappointing thing I’ve experienced
Where do you even begin…..the park is so run down. When we arrived at the first gate we were only then notified that the gate was closed and had to use an alternative gate , at the second gate staff were extremely unfriendly and it could clearly be felt. There are very few animals on such a large property, the “tarred” roads are in such bad condition that they are basically non-existent and one of the hides we stopped at was boarded up with no note at the top gate and the conservationist that had stopped at the hide as well also didn’t bother to notify us, we later read in reviews that it’s been that way for more than 6 months. With the advertised prices at the lodges found within the park the question begs where the money for maintenance and conservation is going.
Francine
US
Visited:
August 2019
Reviewed: Feb 8, 2024
Email Francine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Days and Nights
Since we were staying in and flying out of Johannesburg, we chose the closer Pilanesberg over Kruger NP so we would have more time viewing animals and less time driving in the two days we had for the safari. It did not disappoint us at all. We travelled extensively through the park and especially enjoyed when our guide Shade took us to the less explored areas where there were fewer people, beautiful views, and interesting animals. In our two days which included evening and early morning exploration, we checked off all the Big 5 and so much more! We watched a pride of lions hunt and succeed in securing a meal, watched the elusive cheetah have a morning drink at the waterhole, and adorable baby elephants. I'm sure some of the larger parks may have a more wild feel and vibe, but we were very happy with our experience in Pilanesberg!
The toilets in the park is disgusting.
It is an embarrassment to see that they take tourist to the bathroom in the game park. It is disgusting how dirty they are.
Alan
ZA
Visited:
June 2021
Reviewed: Jul 14, 2021
Email Alan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Game feast in a beautiful mountain ringed crator with expansive views extending kilometres.
I have travelled Kruger and Pilanesberg extensively. The rhino have disappeared from Kruger. Although the vistas have limits in Pilanesberg you can access 5 hides with many more opportunities of alighting from your vehicle. All hides have toilets. While people share their sightings with other game viewers this is seldom the case in Kruger. Hides are few and far between in Kruger without toilet facilities except lake panic.
I have often seen 4/5 big five…. Buffalo are elusive in Pilanesberg…within a weekend. Big herds are not on show though as they are in Kruger.
A great advantage of Pilanesberg is proximity to Jhb 2.5 hrs drive and it is MALARIA FREE and for the animals TB free too.
The Iron Age site in Pilanesberg allows you to roam around a large section of bush which is fenced. The view points from Moloto drive are exquisite…
Pilanesberg’s only drawback is noise from the populated areas near the rest champs at night and after 3 days you will find that you travel the same routes again, not so with Kruger.
Brenda
ZA
Visited:
May 2021
Reviewed: May 27, 2021
Email Brenda | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Pilanseberg is pretty good, one sees quite a bit of game, the Springbok herd is unexpected and very special.
Kaz
US
Visited:
May 2018
Reviewed: Jun 22, 2018
Email Kaz | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Neeltje
NL
Visited:
February 2018
Reviewed: Feb 20, 2018
Email Neeltje | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great and condensed park to spot wildlife. The park is very well maintained. I guess for the real bush feeling you would need to go to other countries in Africa. Since the park is fenced and very nice, it did not give me the real bush vibe. But the safari itself was great and would not have wanted to miss it!
Mohammed
ZA
Visited:
February 2017
Reviewed: May 27, 2017
Email Mohammed | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Although a relatively small Reserve, Pilanesberg is popular due to its proximity to the Sun City resort. Very scenic with a mountainous section and a large dam which is a refuge for local birds. Lots of Wildlife present and one may be lucky enough to catch sight of one of the large carnivores which are scattered across the park.