South Africa: Safari
Pilanesberg National Park is about two hours by car in the north direction from Johannesburg. This place was actually an active volcano some 1.2 billion years ago, and now a complex of hills and valleys is all that remains of the eroded dome. Fertile volcanic soil has given birth to a vivid plant life, especially a large number of grass varieties. Except for one natural lake, other have been man made to provide nourishment for the animals. Most of the wildlife here has been brought in from other areas, but since than it has been living and breeding completely on its own, like in real wilderness. The park has a lot of trails that you can drive with your car, and safe locations like hides and viewpoints where you can come out. Most of the well known African animals live in this park, but it would take more than a few visits to spot them all. Anyway, even a single visit would give you a good safari here.
![R556 Road to Pilanesberg](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_005_2669.jpg)
![Safari tent at the Manyane resort](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_006_2679.jpg)
![Safari tent inside](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_007_2685.jpg)
![Camping site](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_008_2687.jpg)
![Acacia trees](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_009_2694.jpg)
![Acacia trees](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_010_2697.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_011_2701.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_012_2702.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_013_2703.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_014_2707.jpg)
![Wildebeest](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_015_2714.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_016_2729.jpg)
![Springbok](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_017_2747.jpg)
![Warthog](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_018_2772.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_019_2792.jpg)
![Warthog](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_020_2802.jpg)
![Warthog](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_021_2808.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_022_2820.jpg)
![Termite Mound](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_023_2822.jpg)
![An elephant chasing us down the road](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_024_2829.jpg)
![An elephant chasing us down the road](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_025_2834.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_026_2847.jpg)
![Plains Zebra](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_027_2853.jpg)
![Plains Zebra](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_028_2854.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_029_2889.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_030_2891.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_031_2896.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_032_2906.jpg)
![Plains Zebra](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_033_2980.jpg)
![Water Lilly](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_034_2995.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_035_3016.jpg)
![Lenong View](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_036_3022.jpg)
![Giraffe](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_037_3026.jpg)
![Girrafe](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_038_3027.jpg)
![Lenong View](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_039_3032.jpg)
![Lenong View Panorama](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_040_Lenong View Panorama 02.jpg)
Lenong View Panorama
Lenong is the name of a hill in Pilanesberg on which you can climb with your car. Once on top, you can exit the vehicle and enjoy the panorama of the plains with lakes below.
![Lenong View Panorama (VR)](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_041_Lenong View Panorama 360.jpg)
Lenong View Panorama (VR)
If you're not afraid of the lions, you can climb to the actual top of the Lenong hill, which offers a wider view.
![Moloto View Panorama (VR)](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_042_Moloto View Panorama 360.jpg)
Moloto View Panorama (VR)
Moloto drive is a trail that leads to the west, more wilder part of the park. Low trees are denser here and there are not so many grass plains, except for that large one in this panorama. In this area hyenas live, but due to their nocturnal activity, they are not easy to spot while hiding during the day.
![Elephant](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_045_3042.jpg)
![Wildebeest](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_046_3046.jpg)
![Lenong View](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_047_3050.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_048_3052.jpg)
![Impala](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_049_3054.jpg)
![Impala](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_050_3059.jpg)
![White Rhino](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_051_3061.jpg)
![Impala](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_052_3069.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_053_3074.jpg)
![Wildebeest](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_054_3076.jpg)
![Guinea Hen](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_055_3093.jpg)
![Guinea Hen](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_056_3097.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_057_3102.jpg)
![Slender Mongoose](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_058_3103.jpg)
![Slender Mongoose](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_059_3105.jpg)
![Slender Mongoose](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_060_3107.jpg)
![Warthog](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_061_3112.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_062_3115.jpg)
![Blue-eared Glossy Starling](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_063_3118.jpg)
![Blue-eared Glossy Starling](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_064_3120.jpg)
![Complete wash of the dusty car that took 2 hours](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_068_3125.jpg)
![Complete wash of the dusty car that took 2 hours](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_069_3126.jpg)
![](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_070_3130.jpg)
![Vervet Monkey](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_071_3138.jpg)
![Vervet Monkey](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_072_3141.jpg)
![Impala](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_073_3143.jpg)
![Mankwe Lake from Lenong View](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_074_3147.jpg)
![Lenong View](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_075_3149.jpg)
![Lenong View](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_076_3153.jpg)
![Hippo in the Ratlhogo Lake](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_077_3205.jpg)
![Ratlhogo Lake](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_078_3215.jpg)
![Girrafe](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_079_3222.jpg)
![Plains Zebra](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_080_3230.jpg)
![Plains Zebra](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_081_3231.jpg)
![Plains Zebra](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_082_3237.jpg)
![Plains Zebra](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_083_3242.jpg)
![Plains Zebra](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_084_3249.jpg)
![Plains Zebra](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_085_3265.jpg)
![Hippopotamus](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_086_3271.jpg)
![Hippopotamus](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_087_3273.jpg)
![Hippopotamus](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_088_3276.jpg)
![Hippopotamus](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_089_3277.jpg)
![Hippopotamus](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_090_3280.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_091_3283.jpg)
![Jackal](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_092_3288.jpg)
![Elephant](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_093_3291.jpg)
![Elephant](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_094_3300.jpg)
![White Rhino](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_095_3304.jpg)
![White Rhino](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_096_3305.jpg)
![White Rhino](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_097_3308.jpg)
![Girrafe](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_100_3646.jpg)
![Girrafe](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_101_3656.jpg)
![Girrafe](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_102_3659.jpg)
![Water Lilly](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_103_3673.jpg)
![Lake wildlife](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_104_3675.jpg)
![Lake wildlife](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_105_3677.jpg)
![Lake wildlife](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_106_3683.jpg)
![Africa_Safari_2009_107_3689](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_107_3689.jpg)
![Africa_Safari_2009_108_3696](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_108_3696.jpg)
![Africa_Safari_2009_109_3699](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_109_3699.jpg)
![Africa_Safari_2009_110_3702](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_110_3702.jpg)
![Slender Mungoose](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_111_3712.jpg)
![Slender Mungoose](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_112_3716.jpg)
![Slender Mungoose](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_113_3718.jpg)
![Pilanesberg Park](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_114_3724.jpg)
![Rathlogo Hide Panorama](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_115_Ratlhogo Hide Panorama.jpg)
Rathlogo Hide Panorama
Lake hides are really great features of this park. These wooden cabins are usually mounted on pillars and above the surface of the water, offering a wide view. Inside you can sit on a cosy bench and observe birds, hippos bathing in the water, or other wildlife that comes to get rid of the thirst.
![Africa_Safari_2009_120_3737](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_120_3737.jpg)
![Elephant](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_121_3741.jpg)
![Elephant](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_122_3746.jpg)
![Africa_Safari_2009_123_3764](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_123_3764.jpg)
![Plains Zebra](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_124_3777.jpg)
![Plains Zebra](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_125_3791.jpg)
![Plains Zebra](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_126_3792.jpg)
![Plains Zebra](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_127_3793.jpg)
![Warthog](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_128_3798.jpg)
![Springbok](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_129_3805.jpg)
![Springbok](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_130_3806.jpg)
![Vervet Monkey](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_131_3813.jpg)
![Vervet Monkey](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_132_3815.jpg)
![Vervet Monkey](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_133_3818.jpg)
![Vervet Monkey](/content/photography/travel/020-africa-safari/thumbs/Africa_Safari_2009_134_3824.jpg)