The crater of a long extinct volcano is the setting of Pilanesberg. Sitting at 50 000 hectares, Pilanesberg Game Reserve is the 4th largest game reserve in South Africa. It is home to the Big 5 and is a popular destination due to its proximity to Johannesburg and it comes with the bonus of being malaria-free.
Pilanesberg Game Reserve is also known as Pilanesberg National Park. There is a debate about the correct name, as the original name given by the Bophuthatswana government was Pilanesberg National Park.
However, since 1994 the park is under the administration of the North West provincial government, which makes it a provincial game reserve. All South African National Parks are administered by the national government body called SANPARKS and the Pilanesberg Game Reserve does not fall under this body.
But the argument remains that the original name was Pilanesberg National Park and should take president, even though the name is erroneous in nature. So, the debate goes on and at the end of the day, it hardly matters. Call it what you wish, it remains a beloved game reserve by all of those who visit it and is most definitely a South African National Treasure.
Overview
The crater of a long extinct volcano, where Pilanesberg is set, is a fascinating alkaline complex produced by volcanic eruptions some 1300 million years ago. It is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world. Its rare rock types and structure make it a unique geological feature.
The area is fringed by three concentric ridges or rings of hills - the formation rises from the surrounding plains like a bubble. The structure of the park is termed the "Pilanesberg Alkaline Ring Complex".
Ancient, even by geological time scales, this extinct volcano is the most perfect example of an alkaline ring complex. A number of rare (but not necessarily economically important) minerals occur in the park. Pilanesberg rates high amongst the world's outstanding geological phenomena.
Pilanesberg has survived ages of erosion and stands high above the surrounding bushveld plains. The early presence of man can be seen in the numerous Stone and Iron Age sites that are scattered throughout the park.
The park exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation, commonly referred to as "Bushveld". Unlike any other large park, unique overlaps of mammals, birds and vegetation occur because of this transition zone. Over time, wind and water have carved a spectacular landscape.
There is a varying and fascinating combination of geology, landscape and rainfall which give rise to different patterns of vegetation - wide open grasslands, steep hill slopes, rocky outcrops, wooded valleys, thickets and thickly wooded gorges. There are over 132 species of trees and at least 68 species of grasses.
The colourful hues, varied habitats and panoramas will delight photographers and visitors. The very topography makes the area a feast for the eye - the syenite koppies, thickly forested ravines, typical bushveld, rolling grasslands and lightly wooded areas.
Off the centre of the park is Thabayadiotso, "the Proud Mountain". The Park covers an area of 55,000 hectare and ranks among the larger of the parks in South Africa. The beauty of Pilanesberg is reflected in a large central lake, the Mankwe Dam.
Beyond Pilanesberg, heading north, is a pristine conservation area - Madikwe Game Reserve. Madikwe offers a full safari experience in one of the more remote wilderness areas of South Africa.
Location
Pilanesberg is situated in the Bojanala Region of the North West Province, adjacent to Sun City - just 2 hours away from Johannesburg or Pretoria. An abundance of wildlife proliferates in some 580km² of diverse and interesting bushveld terrain.
History
Humans have lived in the Pilanesberg area since the Middle Stone Age. Many artifacts have been discovered over the years, such as hammerstones, spear points, stone knives, scrapers and other tools commonly found at such sites.
The people inhabiting the area during later periods were mostly livestock farmers and were quite adept at working both bronze and iron.
Between 300 – 600 AD the local human population, today known as the Tswana Tribe, migrated away from the area. It is unclear at the time of writing why this migration took place. Around 1200 AD the people returned to the area and continued a pastoral lifestyle.
During the 18th century, major Tswana town were established and the society was beginning to thrive. Unfortunately, most of these towns were destroyed in the early 19th century during the Difaqane Wars, when King Mzilikazi, the founder of the Ndebele Kingdom, conquered and occupied the area
In 1829 the first European settlers arrived in the area. In 1853 mining exploration began and vast deposits of coal, iron, copper, cobalt, gold were found.
Later, one of the largest deposits of the world’s platinum was also discovered in the area and is actively being mined to this day. The 50 000 square kilometres area in which the deposit lies is called the “Platinum Belt”.
In 1969 a study done by the University of Potchefstroom suggested that the Pilanesberg area be developed into a recreation are and a nature reserve.
In the early 1970’s negotiations began with the Bophuthatswana government and the Bakgatla tribe regarding the land and the resettlement of the 60 farmers living in the area. The Pilanesberg Game Reserve was named after their chief, Chief Tsidimane Pilane.
The Bophuthatswana government also purchased land from the Bakubung tribe and this land now makes up the southern region of the park. The payment was made in the form of new land on a hectare for hectare basis. The land on offer by the Bophuthatswana government was agriculturally more valuable than the land they were purchasing, so the Bakubung tribe accepted the payment.
Once the land was obtained, the Bophuthatswana government ensured that a 100km of fencing was erected around the park. They then reintroduced wildlife to the region, and this project became known as Operation Genesis.
In 1994, with the boom in South African tourism, the park became home to several luxury safari lodges and hotels. To this day it remains one of the most popular travel destination in South Africa.
Operation Genesis
The creation of the Pilanesberg National Park is considered one of the most ambitious programmes of its kind to be undertaken anywhere in the world.
Thanks to Operation Genesis in 1979, which involved the game-fencing of the park and the re-introduction of many long-vanished species, Pilanesberg now has in excess of 7,000 animals including 24 of the larger species.
Wildlife
Pilanesberg accommodates virtually every mammal of southern Africa and is also home to healthy populations of lion, leopard, black and white rhino, elephant and buffalo - Africa's Big Five.
A wide variety of rare and common species exist here, like the nocturnal brown hyaena, the fleet-footed cheetah, the majestic sable, as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo and crocodile, to mention but a few.
Springbok, brown hyena, the red eyed bulbul, and camel thorn trees usually found in arid areas are found in cohabitation with moist-area-limited impala, black eyed bulbul and Cape chestnut trees.
Bird watching is excellent with over 350 species recorded. Some are migrants, others permanent inhabitants; some eat carrion or live prey, others eat seeds, fruit or tiny water organisms.
Visitors are offered many opportunities to experience the wonders of Pilanesberg. There are nearly 200 kilometres of roads for either self-drives or guided drives, and professional guides who operate within the park.
Numerous hides and scenic picnic sites enable the tourist to experience "out-of-car" experiences as well. A self-guided trail in the walking area at the Manyane Complex offers environmental education whilst enjoying game viewing and bird watching on foot. Also at Manyane is a walk-in aviary with over 80 species of indigenous birds.
