Pilanesberg Game Reserve
The volcano that gave birth to a game reserve
The volcano erupted some 1300 million years ago and is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world. The crater of the extinct volcano is now the setting of the Pilansberg Game Reserve and covers an area of 55 000ha.
It is the fourth largest park in South Africa. Pilansberg rate high amongst the world’s outstanding geological phenomena.
The park exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation. The very topography makes the area a feast for the eye. Here are syenite koppies, thickly forests ravines, typical “bushveld” and also rolling grasslands and lightly wooden areas, it offers a kaleidoscope of breathtaking sceneries, natural beauty and African diversity.
The beauty of Pilansberg is reflected in a large central lake, the Mankwe dam, and off the centre of the park is Thabayadiotso, "the Proud Mountain".
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. Pilansberg National Park rates high amongst the world's outstanding geological phenomena.
Pilansberg 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.
Springbok, brown hyena, the red eyed bulbul, and camel thorn trees usually found in arid areas are found cohabitation with moist-area-limited impala, black eyed bulbul and Cape chestnut trees.
The colourful hues, varied habitats and panoramas will delight and entertain photographers and visitors.
Over time, wind and water have carved a spectacular landscape with rocky outcrops, open grasslands, wooded valleys and thickets.
The creation of the Pilansberg National Park is considered one of the most ambitious programmes of its kind to be undertaken anywhere in the world. The Operation Genesis, which involved the game-fencing of the reserve and the reintroduction of long-vanished species, began during the late 70's.
Today, Pilansberg National Park accommodates virtually every mammal of southern Africa. Also home to the Big Five.
The Bird life diversity is excellent with over 360 species having been recorded. Though some are migrants, most others are permanent inhabitants. Their food sources vary with some eating carrion or live prey, others eat seeds, fruit or tiny water organisms.
There is a self-guided trail in the Walking Area at the Manyane Complex in the east, which offers environmental education whilst game viewing and bird watching on foot. Also at Manyane there is a walk-in aviary with over 80 species of indigenous birds.
Bird watching in the Pilanesberg National Park
Bird watching in the Pilanesberg National Park is excellent and it is a prime venue for bushveld birding with some 350 bird species being recorded, including migrants and permanent inhabitants.
Birding in winter may yield up to 100 bird species while summer birding should yield many more! A two to four day stay is recommended, although day visits to the Pilanesberg from Gauteng are also worthwhile.
The best birding is in the campsites (if overnighting) and by driving to the different viewing spots, hides and picnic spots where you may get out of your vehicle. The Pilanesberg National Park road network is excellent.
Birding Habitats of the Pilanesberg National Park include rocky ridges, hill slopes, grasslands, woodlands, dams with connecting streams, and a vlei adjoining one of the dams.
The hill slopes have Pied Babbler, Sabota Lark, Rufousnaped Lark, Little Bee-eater and Whitefronted Bee-eater,
The grasslands and savannas support Lilacbreasted Roller, Purple Roller, Ostrich, Secretarybird, Pale Chanting Goshawk and Longtailed Shrike. Kori Bustard, Whitewinged Korhaan and Redcrested Korhaan are common.
The woodland thickets have Redbilled Hornbill, Southern Yellowbilled Hornbill, Grey Hornbill, Greenspotted Dove, Marico Flycatcher, Goldenbreasted Bunting, Violeteared Waxbill and Blue Waxbill. Many west-east species pairs occur at Pilanesberg, e.g. Whitebacked Mousebird and Speckled Mousebird, Ashy Tit and Southern Black Tit, Pied Babbler and Arrowmarked Babbler, Redeye Bulbul and Blackeyed Bulbul, Kalahari Robin and White browed Robin, and Shafttailed Whydah and Pintailed Whydah.
In the rocky areas one may see Black Eagle, Rock Kestrel, Jackal Buzzard, Rock Pigeon, Rameron Pigeon, Mocking Chat, Rock Martin and Rock Bunting. Other raptors include Blackbreasted Snake Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, and several true eagles (Tawny Eagle, Wahlberg's Eagle, and Martial Eagle). Pearlspotted Owl and Spotted Eagle Owl are common.
There are many small dams in the reserve in addition to the large central Mankwe Dam. These have African Fish Eagle, Hamerkop, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, African Spoonbill and terns. A large vlei at the eastern end of Mankwe Dam attracts African Crake, Redchested Flufftail, and Grass Owl. Osprey is a vagrant but has often been recorded at Mankwe Dam during the rainy season.
A vulture restaurant near reserves Manyane Gate (on the eastern side of the Pilanesberg National Park) attracts 30-40 Cape Vultures, and occasionally Whitebacked Vulture and Lappetfaced Vulture, and Marabou Stork.
There is a self-guided trail in the Walking Area at Manyane Complex in the east, which 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.
Pilanesberg National Park Birding Specials: Include African Crake, Redchested Flufftail, Grass Owl, and Osprey, raptors, Cape Vulture, Whitebacked Vulture, Lappetfaced Vulture, Green Sandpiper, African Cuckoo, Redbilled Oxpecker and typical bushveld species.
