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Pilanesberg National Park

When to go to Pilanesberg National Park...

When to go:

Like good restaurant service that knows when not to biother you, It's easier to answer when NOT to go:

The worst day to go is a Saturday on a school holiday. So 2nd will be a Sunday on a school holiday. Then of course a Saturday on a long weekend, followed by the 1st day & then the last day of.... this is worse than school holidays. Then School holidays, May is intense as the Easter weekend overlap, December is the 2nd worst, followed by July and then September.

Mo - Th is better than Fridays but Fridays are still great, it only gets busier after 2pm when the weekenders arrive. Weekenders are known to come test their 4x4's at max speed making lots of dust! On arrival some of them race through the Park to see what they have missed. They tend to endanger your life and bugger up your sightings, specifically iro their noisy diesel engines that they don't switch off. So you will be enjoying the sound of rhino's or ellies right next to you munching away, and they will come and park right next to you making an incdredible racket, totally oblivious.

Avoid the dates below if you can:

Public holidays for 2013:
June 16 & 17, Aug 9, Sep 24; Dec 16, 25, 26

School holidays for 2013: Inland! FS, GP, L, MP & NW
21 June - 14 July, 20 - 30 Sept, 4 Dec onwards

School holidays for 2013: Coast! EC, KZN, NC& WC
21 June - 14 July, 20 - 30 Sept, 4 Dec onwards

Source: Department of Basic Education [PDF]

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2014 school calendar - All nine provinces now have the same school calendar for 2014.

Term	Duration	Number of weeks	Number of days	Number of public holidays	Actual number of school days
1	(13) 15 Jan - 28 March	11	(55) 53	1	(54) 52
2	7 April - 27 June	11	60	5 + 3	52
3	21 July - 3 Oct	11	55	1	54
4	13 Oct - 10 (12) Dec	9	(45) 43	0	(45) 43
Total		42	(215) 211	7 + 3	(205) 201

- Dates and days in brackets ( ) are applicable to educators

Public and school holidays

1 January	New Year's Day
21 March	Human Rights Day
18 April	Good Friday
21 April	Family Day
27 April	Freedom Day
28 April	Public Holiday
29 April	School Holiday
30 April	School Holiday
1 May	Workers' Day
2 May	School Holiday
16 June	Youth Day
9 August	Women's Day
24 September	Heritage Day
16 December	Day of Reconciliation
25 December	Christmas Day
26 December	Day of Goodwill

Source: National Education Policy Act: 2014 school calendar for public schools

 

So when to go???
My best times yearly was 2004 Aug - Dec; 2005 Sept - Dec; 2006 July - Oct; 2007 March till Dec, 2008 June - Dec, 2009 Aug - Nov, 2010 right through, and the whole 2011 & 2012, and then 2013 has been awesome so far. Certain times of the year is definately better. I prefer late winter/spring/early summer to late summer/autumn. There is less water and less bush around so in general you see animals easier, and also near water holes. Nutrition in the grass & bush is also less so animals have to feed longer in winter. As survival is more important they pay less attention to traffic. Last year during the drought conditions we stopped 1 m from 2 zebra - they didn't move as they needed to conserve energy. This can never happen in normal times. The downside is that during winter parts of the park gets burned and it looks quite unappealing. This is unfortunately necessary - veld management and all. In winter it is also easier to spot lions. So in general in mid July to mid Oct is an excellent time. BUT one of the rules is never to generalize. I 've seen absolute amazing sightings in the middle of summer as well. The 2 baby elephants born I saw 30 Nov 04 (3,5 hours old) and 30 Dec 04 (40 min old). I also saw elephant swimming and having a ball numerous times in the heat of the season, actually from Oct to Jan. Then lots of youngsters around in Nov and Dec. And the rutting season from late Feb is also special. It does however get difficult from Jan to see into the dense bush. If you have a choice go mid July to end Dec. Your attitude should however be to make the best of whatever the situation at the time of your going is; realizing that some animals may not be seen. Also assuming that you'll see the big 5 is stupid. They don't live in the wild to accommodate you! And there are so many smaller and exciting viewings....

Now if you want to go yourself, do exactly the opposite. Go on weekends and school holidays when there are 400 cars in the park at a time. It will still be less crowded than Kruger. Someone is bound to see something and you'll just have to look where the cars gather.

A last comment. If it was me on holiday and I have 3 weeks or so and I want to see the absolute most this country can offer, I will come in October. Pretoria has Jacarandas blooming, the whales are active in Hermanus, even Kruger is stunning. It's not too hot yet and there are very few tourists so finding accommodation is easy!

Hope this has been of help.

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Pilanesberg Dawn to Dusk Safaris from Johannesburg, Pretoria, Pilanesberg and Sun City

Picture Gallery 2011 & after
Picture Gallery 2010
Picture Gallery 2009
Picture Gallery 2008
Picture Gallery 2007
Picture Gallery 2006
Picture Gallery 2005
Picture Gallery 2004

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It's alphabetical - so save us both time.... and if 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

Bakgatla Resort

Bakubung Bush Lodge

Balloon Safaris: In Pilanesberg National Park -  R3 750pp - 1 hour, minimum 8 pax!

Binoculars needed

Bird list

Black Rhino Game Lodge

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

Commission offered to booking agents

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 8 years in Pilanesberg.

Pilanesberg National Park vs Kruger National Park.

Reading - other re Pilanesberg.

Safety in Pilanesberg

Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge

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

806 Unit 2, Mogwase, Pilanesberg, Office 078 618 8675
PO Box 250 Sun City, 0316 - Updated May 2013
All Pilanesberg queries -  travelinafrica@gmail.com