Why a Pilanesberg safari should be on your to do-list this festive season

In South Africa, as in most of the rest of Africa, it is generally agreed that safaris are more enjoyable during the drier, cooler winter months because of the increased visibility of large animals. The benefits of a summer visit should not be discounted though.

The beloved Pilanesberg Park is one of those places that, to truly appreciate it, you need to see in both the winter and the summer seasons. In some cases, the variations are startling.

Since the summer season is here, here are the reasons why you should place a Pilanesberg safari on your to-do list this festive season.

1.    The glorious natural beauty

With the summer rain, the grass and vegetation during a summer Pilanesberg safari are a dazzling shade of green; the dams, streams, and waterholes are brimming to overflowing; the earth is a rich, deep red; and the sky is often painted in a kaleidoscope of colours as the rain clouds, making for a truly breath-taking sight.

2.    It’s often quieter

While many tourists go on a Pilanesberg safari every winter, the park is far less crowded during the summer months since most people listen to the advice of locals and book a safari in the colder months.

The animals may be more difficult to notice, but the increased likelihood of having the area to yourself when you do see them makes such moments all the more memorable.

3.    It’s more affordable

During the summer season, Pilanesberg offers amazing deals on lodging (including last-minute deals, especially for locals).

4.    The thriving birdlife

The park’s avian population booms in the summer, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers and photographers.

This is due in part to the abundance of the park’s watering holes, which attract a wide variety of avian species and provide excellent photographic opportunities. Across the Pilanesberg, over 300 different bird species have been spotted.

5.    You will encounter a truly unique biomes

Biomes are huge regions, such as woods or deserts, where flora and wildlife have adapted to make the most of their natural environments. Arid savanna gives way to moist savanna in Pilanesberg, making it a place with two distinct biomes.

Pilanesberg is specifically located between the arid Kalahari and the more humid Lowveld flora (bushveld), therefore it is home to a wide variety of animals for you to photograph with your telephoto lens.

Interesting circular formations may be seen today because of the crater creation caused by the repeated volcanic explosions 1.3 billion years ago and the fall of the volcanic cone, and these have prompted extensive documentation.

In 1869, on his route to Botswana, the English artist Thomas Baines painted the Pilanesberg ring of hills. Baines is famous for his artwork depicting life during South Africa’s and Australia’s colonial periods.

6.    You might spot some endangered animals

Because of its position and geological significance, Pilanesberg National Park  provides a safe haven for more endangered species than other parks of a comparable size, making it an outstanding safari destination. The plains of Pilanesberg are now home to some truly unique species, including black rhinos, tsessebe, wild dogs, roans, and sables.

Also Read: 7 best value for money tours for South Africans