Pilanesberg
National Park Safaris - Why
do a Pilanesberg safari tour with me?
You might only be in Africa this one time ...It's
your choice whether you make the most of it!
Pilanesberg
National Park Safaris - Why
do a Pilanesberg safari tour with me?
You might only be in Africa this one time ...It's
your choice whether you make the most of it!
It's really simple. ... I 'm a fantastic spotter and my clients have the best quality sightings.
We have had top sightings consecutively for the last 6,5 years & 321 days in the Park.
My vehicle has the best practical height, and is weather and relatively dust proof.
I have a permanent backup vehicle 3km's outside the Park at my base.
With me you will have a full day fun safari, not just a day tour....
6th Sighting out of 240 days, and the best one! October 2006
I am a specialist....and I 'm getting better & better every day. When you are in the Park just about every week you learn to milk it. I don't show you the animals, but what they do.... . I'll wait an hour for giraffes that might mate instead of just taking pics and moving on. I'm the only nut that is passionate enough to do open to close in the Park, with lunch when and if sightings allow for it! And with my base just outside the Park, I always have a backup vehicle available. Your life is as safe in my hands as can be, as I treat the animals with the respect they deserve. Then, I actually do 2 days in 1- a real long, fascinating and intense day!To see something special you either have to be just plain lucky, or you have to have the ability to spot the smallest movement. Then you have to know the roads, know the animals' behavior in the different seasons, and you have to be good at projecting where a sighting will move to. I'm great at all this, and that gives us the chance to get really close....and nothing compares to 1 such experience! Most important you need to know when to stay far away..... I can reverse very well round a bend and through the culverts at 40 km's/h! There are always some males coming into musth, and all of them are highly aggressive. I swear they hide behind any 6 ft bush next to the road when they hear a car approaching and jump out when they think they can nail you! Have a look at my friend Bill just avoiding a light elephant charge by Steriod on 27 Dec 2008 on YouTube .... :)
12 meters only - just some elephants right?
This Baby is about 4,5 hours old, born 8 Nov 2004. Took about 2 minutes before we could spot the little one, then 3,5 hours old, all other ele's formed a protective ring around him. Nobody else saw it for about 1 hour (till we could get this pic). It's a boy, shape of his head and all. And I had tears in my eyes when I heard this was one of the ellies that died in the fire of 2005. And this is it. In a nutshell I don't just show you elephants, I find that special behavior or activity. 
Also look at the Buffalo kill pics
We normally travel in 1 of 2 VW microbuses( for height) seating 7 pax max; preferably 5. The other Kombi is the backup and is normally at our site 3km's out the Park. The left back window behind the sliding door has been modified so it can open, haven't seen anyone else that have done that. This is absolutely the best vehicle that you can go in. It sits higher the sedan cars so you can see over the tall grass, we regularly have a laugh about that. We can also keep the dust out if we have to - very important for camera gear. Lastly animals see the vehicle as one animal only. With open dusty safari vehicles people do stand up, scream & shout - & animals do scatter. You are also out of the rain and cold if the weather chooses to be moody. The only negative on the Kombi is that the fan kicks in at odd times. And it has a dent or 3 that I picked up in the Park.....
I am willing to run at any time. I will always go for 1 person but please book well in advance. I prefer going weekdays - you get about 40 - 80 cars at a time in the park in the week; weekends it is up to 400 cars at a time. Half the visitors endanger your life as they are ignorant. I also try to avoid going public and school holidays but sometimes we have no choice! It stays an awesome experience .... Just note that we will stop a little bit further from especially elephants when the park is busy. You are always dealing with wild animals.
I have PDP's (public drivers permits), COF's (certificate of fitness) and carry passenger liability of R5 Million per incident per vehicle as required by law. Same for my 2 transfer vehicles..
My one German client (Nov 2004) mentioned that he didn't actually know if I was for real. No one else was doing even remote what I was doing - I was just too good too be true! Internet bookings can be scary and it is a risk you take. In my case an expensive one! Who knows, I might just be a good salesman that can't deliver! So, after mulling it over for 3 weeks he decided to book; and I 'm glad to say he told me by midday that he felt he made the right choice. I 'm not going to twist your arm to book with me - it's totally up to you. If this site can't convince you nothing can. But the fact that I 'm willing to only take payment on pickup speaks for itself. As does the pictures on the Pilanesberg section of the site. As does the fact that I 'm willing to get up at 1h45 in the summer to pick you up at 3h00 in Jo'burg. If you can't see the passion I have for the Park on these pages, then you must be blind & you deserve to go with someone else... as with the group of 6 I canceled on 1 & 2 July 2006 - the 1st ever cancellation by me. In this case I was actually bribed a week after canceling to take them.... empanadas are my Achilles heel! I didn't get them though..... A 2nd booking I'm not taking; September 2007. What don't you get? Query my character and you can take a hike. Timewise I do have a write off line that I draw; so if you are indecisive & time spend exceeds that I will refuse your booking. And here is another vital difference between me and all the other operators - I really don't care if you choose not to come with me! All I ask is that you please don't waste my time. And as I say somewhere else, you are most welcome to use all the info on my site for your own benefit, with no obligation.
Now as for topping the lion & buffalo sightings, it really is simple - early birds not only get the worm but bigger worms and more of them! And I've only lost one client so far.... She had to answer the call of nature. Thought the spade I gave her was to cover up her activities. Didn't think it was to hit the lion with... :) Got some real good pics! Luckily she paid when I picked her up.
Th 30 Dec 2004, 6h45, about 20 - 40 minutes old, we just missed the birth, the 5th one seen in 2004, my 2nd in 2004. We were the 1st to see it!
Don't expect to see the big 5 - I have only seen the big 5 twice in Pilanesberg in a 24 hour period. But I will give you a guarantee - I 'll guarantee that you will see something I haven't seen before - I always do!! And I will also make you work hard & long. I will tell you what to look for .... and if you are not willing to get in on the action you have 3 choices - 1. Go with someone else or 2. Stay at home and watch Animal Planet! or 3. Go to the zoo.....Do you think you can cut it ?!? YES, I am quite expensive....about the price of a decent night out in London!
So what can you get for my rate pp?!!? Wow, I'm too affordable.....!
A night at the The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City, if you can get a room - ZAR 5480
A balloon Safari in Pilanesberg, a 1 hour flight with a drive back to Bakubung -R3500
A good night out In London, about £200
So when to go? If you have a choice between going just after arrival in SA or just before departing, go for the latter as you will be more rested. The exception here is if the latter is a weekend and the arrival date isn't. And if you have a choice; October, and the 2 months before and after are my favorite times.
Testimonials from clients we have taken to Pilanesberg
Why go to Pilanesberg with me?My Prices for day visits and 2 day safaris to Pilanesberg: Also Sun City.
Next Definite Dates 2010: Most dates not here are available.
Picture Gallery 2010
Picture Gallery 2009
Picture Gallery 2008
Picture Gallery 2007
Picture Gallery 2006
Picture Gallery 2005
Picture Gallery 2004
The rest is alphabetical - if you look here before you ask you will save time - mine and yours.... and if you ask something that is not on here I will put it up!Accommodation in the Park only: Staying Friday or Saturday you have to pay for 2 nights min.
Accommodation in and around Sun City. Staying Friday or Saturday you have to pay for 2 nights min.
Accommodation Specials at Pilanesberg
Accommodation Specials at Sun City
Airport at Pilanesberg
Animal studies in Pilanesberg
Backpacker accommodation near Sun City and Pilanesberg
Bakgatla Resort
Bakubung Bush Lodge
Balloon Safaris: In Pilanesberg National Park - R3 500pp - 1 hour, minimum 8 pax!
Binoculars needed
Bird list
Brochure request - you need a DNL reader
Buffalo in the Park
Camping - book direct at 014 555 1000, don't be surprised if you hold 15 minutes and then get cut off.
Cancellation Terms and Conditions
Condition of the Veld
Dangers in Pilanesberg
Disclosures: About vehicles used for Pilanesberg and other
Directions - see map
Elephant Back safaris in Pilanesberg.
Entrance fee - see gate times
Etiquette in Game Parks like Pilanesberg for self drives
Friends of Pilanesberg Society - Volunteers helping to maintain the Park.
Gate Times for Pilanesberg National Park
Geology of Pilanesberg National Park
Highlights seen in Pilanesberg the last 2 years:
Don't expect something like this or the animals to stand next to the road waiting. It's not a Zoo!History of Pilanesberg National Park
Idiot Gallery - Stunts pulled in Pilanesberg National Park by the mentally challenged. Other tour operators are welcome to contribute - I will give you recognition except if you don't want it!
Ivory Tree Game Lodge
Kids on Safari. in Pilanesberg or other parks
Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge
Manyane Resort
Map and directions to Pilanesberg
Other Parks near Pilanesberg
Other Tour Operators doing Pilanesberg
Packages to Lodges
Picture Gallery - taken by us over the last 2 years in Pilanesberg.
Pilanesberg National Park vs Kruger National Park.
Reading - other re Pilanesberg.
Safety in Pilanesberg
Schedule - tour schedule for Pilanesberg
Seen one of the day trips to Pilanesberg - 19 Sept 2007:
Seen on a 2 day safari to Pilanesberg - 9&10 August 2004:
Testimonials from clients we have taken to Pilanesberg
Things to do in and around Pilanesberg
Transfers only to Pilanesberg and Sun City - one way: charged per vehicle:
Tshukudu Bush Lodge
Veld Condition in the Park
Weather and Climate for Pilanesberg area
What can you hope to see in Pilanesberg?
When to go to Pilanesberg: best time etc
