The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Pilanesberg National Park
Afrikaans name: Pilanesberg Nasionale Park
Hot-air balloon ride over Pilanesberg National Park
Photo © Steven Herbert
North West
Pilanesberg National Park is situated north-west of Rustenberg and is about a 2 hour drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria. The reserve itself is located in the remains of an ancient, extinct volcano.
Pilanesberg is well stocked with game and features the Big 5. There are also plenty of other mammals to see including Giraffe, Hippo, Blue Wildebeest, Burchell's Zebra, Springbok, Warthog and much more.
Birders will really enjoy this reserve as it has a checklist of over 350 species. Summer is the best time for birding but winter can also be productive.
The reserve can be pretty dry at times but there are a number of permanent dams. Some of these have hides and make great locations for photographers.
There are a number of accommodation options in and around the park. These including a caravan and camping park through to upmarket lodges. Visitors should spend some time at the Visitor Centre in the middle of the park. Not only can you get food and drinks here you get a chance to view some of the mammals really close as they are attracted to the area by a waterhole and a salt lick.
The roads in the park are a mixture of tar and dirt but they are all well-maintained and do not present a problem for cars except in extreme rainy conditions.
Above - There are plenty of Elephants in Pilanesberg National Park
Photo © Steven Herbert
Above - A Giraffe chews on a bone
Photo © Steven Herbert
Mammals of Pilanesberg National Park
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Antbear / Aardvark
Bush Pig
Common Duiker
Grey Rhebuck
Honey Badger
Pangolin / Scaly Anteater
South African Hedgehog
Striped Polecat
Water Mongoose
Wild Cat
Bird checklist for Pilanesberg National Park
This checklist is a guide to some of the birds you might see.
Coqui Francolin
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
Jacobin Cuckoo
Levaillant's Cuckoo
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Red-chested Cuckoo
Black Cuckoo
Alpine Swift
African Black Swift
White-rumped Swift
Freckled Nightjar
Rufous-cheeked Nightjar
White-winged Tern
European Honey-Buzzard
Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk
Ovambo Sparrowhawk
African Hawk-Eagle
Wahlberg's Eagle
Rock Kestrel
Goliath Heron
Brubru
Black-crowned Tchagra
Brown-crowned Tchagra
Lesser Grey Shrike
Greater Striped Swallow
Icterine Warbler
Willow Warbler
Southern Pied Babbler
Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler
Rattling Cisticola
Neddicky
Cloud Cisticola
Black-chested Prinia
Bar-throated Apalis
Grey-backed Camaroptera
Barred Wren-Warbler
Monotonous Lark
Flappet Lark
Short-toed Rock-Thrush
Marico Flycatcher
Grey Tit-Flycatcher
Familiar Chat
Violet-backed Starling
Scaly-feathered Finch
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
Yellow-crowned Bishop
Black-faced Waxbill
African Firefinch
Jameson's Firefinch
Great Sparrow
Yellow-throated Petronia
Bushveld Pipit
Streaky-headed Seedeater
References and further reading
The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 66Top Birding Spots in Southern Africa - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 1992 - Page: 153
The Chamberlain Guide to Birding Gauteng - Author: Etienne Marais and Faansie Peacock - Published: 2008 - Page: 138
The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 93
Stuarts Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd ed - Author: Chris & Mathilde Stuart - Published: 2018 - Page: 52
Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 203
Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 56
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 170
Pilanesberg Nature Reserve - Map and Guide Book - Author: North West Parks Board - Published: 0 - Page: 1
Insiders Guide - Top Wildlife Photography Spots in South Africa - Author: Shem Compion - Published: 2010 - Page: 175
go! - Issue 087 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 32
go! - Issue 134 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 48
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 82
Country Life - Issue 271 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 81
Country Life - Issue 280 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 55
Family Fun - Author: Lisa McNamara - Published: 2015 - Page: 131
Getaway - Vol 32 No 07 - Author: - Published: 2021 - Page: 18
Go Birding in the Transvaal - Author: Brendan Ryan and John Isom - Published: 1990 - Page: 92
Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 357
Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 266
Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 658 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 32
Chris and Tilde Stuarts Guide to Southern African Game and Nature Reserves - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1989 - Page: 72
African Wildlife - Vol 37 No 6 - Author: - Published: 1983 - Page: 227
Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Published: 2006 - Page: 128
African Wildlife - Vol 37 No 1 - Author: - Published: 1983 - Page: 47
Pilanesberg National Park
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