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Tags: travel, lodges, africa, vacation, holiday, kruger park, hunting, national parks, holiday, lion

One of the lesser known safaris of Africa is the Pilanesberg Safari, known more for the game and adventure associated to it rather than real wildlife, but if you are lucky, you might just spot the Tiger somewhere. Pilanesberg is located in the North-West province of South Africa and is famous for “game safaris” rather than the normal self-drive safari that parks like kruger boast of.

Game safari is basically a pre planned safari, in which, a group of people is taken along with a ranger who knows the park and its creatures well. Therefore, ii=n a game safari, the element of doubt is totally removed, because the rangers are almost certain as to what you might see at a certain place, much like a zoo,  but none the less, these game tours are designed in such a way that they thrill you to the core. Pilanesberg houses the largest “games relocation project” undertaken on the continent of Africa (known as ‘operation genesis’). The landscape, vegetation and wildlife of this park are totally awesome.

The park is home to a 3 ml. year’s old extinct volcano, which has deposited alkaline wastes around itself, giving rise to diverse vegetation.

The environment is just amazing, with rolling round knolls in the background, contrasted with flat brown ground grass or savannah in the foreground. And this type of forest setting is perfect for animal like zebras, antelopes and buffaloes, which can be seen in large groups all over the park, painting its natural backdrop with the colors of life. The actual game viewing in the park begins early morning at around 5 and the ground crew of the park makes sure that you are taken care of. And when you begin the perfectly timed game drive, you catch the sun-rise which illuminates the whole park in amber light, a perfect start to a perfect safari. The roads of the park are designed in such a way that they often lead to water sources and are easy to walk on, so the chances of spotting a lion, taking a stroll to the river are greatly increased, although, it is not as authentic as spotting the big one by a bush, yet it is thrilling none the less.

This is what “game viewing” is all about; the park is designed in such a way that you get a clear view of each and every animal present, without hampering their natural habitat. The rangers are well equipped and are in constant touch, and this helps them track the tigers, and in turn, helps us to get a good view of the animal, specially while is catching its prey, i.e.

When the “game” is on! Another heart rendering experience of the Pilanesberg park is the balloon safari, enabling the tourist to pick the “game(hunting)” he wants to view. You can effortlessly float to any part of the park without worrying about following the map or the roads, and you are even served with a sparkling glass of wine, atop the hot air balloon. Finally, while you are nearing the end of your trip, you might be able to spot a hippo, submerged in a river somewhere, bidding adios to you!

Tags: animals, africa, big five, rhino, resorts, holiday, leopard, camping, safaris, vacation