Sun City & Safari 4 Star (8 Days) SUNSAF

It’s a passion born from the time spent waiting for a fish to bite, a love fed by spending days alone outdoors and the sense of satisfaction that arises when reeling in a record-breaking trout.

Whether you’re a beginner learning how to tie a Royal Coachman or a long-time fisherman perfecting your dry fly-fishing technique, you’ll enjoy Dunkeld Country & Equestrian’s high-quality fly-fishing environment.

Dullstroom is recognised as South Africa’s premier fly-fishing destination and Dunkeld – with its 19 well-stocked still water dams – gives visitors the chance to experience this for themselves. Trout were introduced into the area in the 1900s because the cool waters and climate provided ideal conditions. Stocked with Rainbow Trout, Dunkeld offers enthusiasts the chance to spend time in pursuit of the perfect catch.

Our trail centre horses are well trained and trustworthy, giving even the most novice rider the confidence to enjoy a ride in the Dullstroom countryside. Our Equestrian Centre is a popular destination for short weekend riding workshops for the more experienced rider.

Learn more about this exciting operation that keeps our dams stocked and supplies the northern hemisphere with 60 million live trout eggs!

Named for the year of Dullstroom’s founding, 1883 is a fine food establishment where hunger meets heart and where the charm of Dullstroom is represented in every dish.

The experienced chef and his team bring a delicious à la carte menu to diners with fresh, local produce in each meal. The trout for which the area is so well-known for, features in some of the dishes and comes highly recommended. Pair this with a bottle from the extensive wine selection for a memorable dining experience in this beautiful country setting.

Take a bit of the magic home with you and visit the deli section where freshly baked rusks, biscuits, bread and locally produced confectioneries and jams.

Overview
Meet the five giants ambling towards you in the cool of the early morning. The elephants know they’re in for a treat as you’ll get to share their favourite cubes with them and then indulge them with a brush down. It’s during times like these that you’ll really see how deep the relationship between these amazing creatures and their handlers goes. Meander with the elephants as they enjoy their breakfast ramble and meal. End the morning as five of the gentlest creatures you’ll ever meet enjoy a swim in the dam and will have plenty of incredible photo-ops.

About Elephant Whispers
There is no other place for African elephants except the wild, and Elephant Whispers is no exception. The five elephants which make up the small herd at Elephant Whispers each have their own individual quirks and distinctive personalities and the incredible bond between each other, and the team of humans who have dedicated their lives to caring for them, is incredibly moving and humbling. This amazing place is called Elephant Whispers because of its founder, one of the world’s truly unique people, Zimbabwean Rory Hensman. When he acquired two young orphaned elephants, Jumbo and Miss Ellie, he soon realized elephants are incredibly intelligent and responsive to human interaction. Soon those who were critical of his unique methods which proved African Elephant didn’t need to be tamed by means of submission were stunned. His patience, trust and respect earned Rory the title of ‘Elephant Whisperer’. As a result of his loving care, which he taught to the team, the elephants at Elephant Whispers now feel so safe and cared for that they generously extend their warmth towards guests. As they have only ever been shown kindness and love, all five elephants are completely safe for humans of all ages and even disabilities. The largest and oldest elephant in the herd is 34-year-old Tembo. Standing over 11 feet high, this gentle giant, and protector of his herd, towers over humans and the other elephants. The youngest member of the herd is 17-year-old Lindiwe who stands nearly 9 feet tall.

The Code of Ethics at Elephant Whispers
Elephant Whispers runs on a strict code of ethics. The welfare and emotional health of the elephants is of paramount importance to the team. Elephant Whispers’ goal is their safety, health and contentment. As a result, the animals’ gentle nature is respected as is the dynamics of the herd. And method of interaction which involves ‘breaking the animals’ spirit is considered animal brutality at its worst and is not engaged in at all. Instead a bi-lateral ‘ask and reward’ technique, based on mutual respect, is the only approved way of working with the elephants at Elephant Whispers. The elephants are never chained. Their movement is not restricted in any way. In fact, if the elephants wanted to wander off into the bush and not return, they can. The elephants stay at Elephant Whispers out of choice. Their dignity is respected at all times and will never be trained to behave in undignified or ‘theatrical’ ways. Time spent with guests is limited. Roaming freely, feeding and interacting with each other is most important. Breeding isn’t undertaken at Elephant Whispers and the male, Tembo, is given a six-monthly GNRH vaccine to prevent pregnancies.

Adopt an Elephant
What a precious gift, for yourself or for someone else – being part of one elephant’s life for a year! Adopt one, or more of the herd, contribute to their care, and get access to your elephant’s Facebook page, an adoption certificate and profile, regular updates on your elephant as well as a voucher for 2 to visit Elephant Whispers.

Community Involvement
Elephant Whispers is also very involved with the community. Entokozweni Crèche, Alexandria Lower Primary School and Rindzani High School as well as the Hosanna Community Projects and Hospice have all benefitted from the generosity of Elephant Whispers in one way or another and continue to do so. Children with cancer have, thanks to the Rotary Club’s Camp Quality have had an encounter with the herd which brings a measure of joy to their lives. Then there are those people who have been blind from birth and have no ‘picture’ in their mind of the sheer size, power, and distinctive physical characteristics of the majestic African Elephant. A guided ‘touch experience’ with the elephants opens up a whole new word for them.

Research for Elephant Health and Safety
Dr Kruger with students from the University of Western Kentucky in the USA is conducting ways to help local communities live with wild elephants, especially when it comes to crop safety, and the herd at Elephant Whispers is part of his research team. Another part of his research is the vital role elephants play in seed dispersal.

Taking the ‘Panorama Route’ in South Africa means falling head long into an immersive adventure. The Panorama Route is steeped in history, famous natural land formations, incredible waterfalls, caves and canyons. Set deep in the Mpumalanga Province, it is centred around the Blyde River Canyon. There is no other canyon like it in the world and is uniquely African. It is the third largest canyon in the world and is exceptional for being the largest forested canyon in the world. The views from the rim are spectacular. They seem to stretch forever filled with waterfalls, wildlife and of course the indigenous forest nearly 3000 feet below. The forest is home to an enormous diversity of wildlife, from fish and other water inhabitants such as crocodiles and hippos, antelope species and every primate species South Africa has. Among the many species of birds found here is the beautiful and much sought Narina trogon, a bird named after the mistress of French ornithologist François Levaillant. And when you hear the haunting cry of the African fish eagle, you’ll have heard the heart of Africa.

The area was once home to mysterious civilizations whose presence is only felt through the hollow terracotta sculptures dating back to 500AD which they left behind. These are known as the Lydenburg Heads. Many of the small towns found along the route, such as Pilgrim’s Rest- a small museum town, was created as a result of the gold rush of the late 1880s. The village holds the National Gold Panning Championships every year.

Famous for its many mountain passes, the panorama route has a number of viewing spots revealing the different faces of this amazing location. Among them are the views to God’s Window, the Lowveld Viewpoint, the Pinnacle Rock view, and the view of the Three Rondavels.

Famous for its many mountain passes, the panorama route has a number of viewing spots revealing the different faces of this amazing location. Among them are the views from the Lowveld Viewpoint, the Pinnacle Rock view, the Three Rondavels, and of course, God’s Window.

A steep footpath cum stairway leads heaven-ward from the car park. At the edge of the escarpment a boardwalk meanders through the peaceful rainforest. Moss covered trees, little streams, and boulders lead the way to the highest and most inspiring viewpoint, appropriately called God’s Window. From here you will gaze down across the largest green canyon in the world, the 2nd largest canyon in Africa and the 3rd largest on earth. Sheer cliffs plunge over 3000 feet into canyons that seemingly stretch forever laced with plunging waterfalls, and thick indigenous forest nearly 3000 feet below. The Blyde River Canyon has some of the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon on the planet. From God’s Window, this nearly 250km long unbroken rampart of cliffs, it feels as if one can see forever on a clear day. When there are no clouds to obscure the view, you can see over the Kruger National Park towards the Lebombo Mountains on the border with Mozambique. And on an exceptionally fine day, you can see as far as the Indian Ocean 215 miles away.

Lisbon Falls, the highest in this Province are at the centre of Mpumalanga’s Waterfall heart. There are more waterfalls in this region than anywhere else in Southern Africa, and all of them are both beautiful and dramatic. The Lisbon’s crystal-clear waters cascade 300 feet into the canyon below. And they are especially dramatic when see from the footpath where this tributary of the Blyde River crashes to the ground, splitting into two and disappearing into the lush subtropical foliage. Tree ferns, cycads, orchids, lilies and proteas all nestling under the shade of the green canopy of trees, line the banks of the rivers.

In the late 1800s, when gold was discovered in the region, people from all over the world flocked to South Africa. Gold panners from Portugal flocked to the Mpumalanga region. These falls were named after the Portuguese capital.

Before the gold rush of the late 1800s, Tom Burke found himself in the Mpumalanga region of South Africa. He had a feeling the land was rich in gold, so he staked a claim. Although he was right about the region as a whole, his claim, as luck would have it, came up empty. It’s after this unfortunate prospector that Bourke’s Luck Potholes are named. These bizarre natural water features, hewn by centuries of swirling, rushing water and the sand and debris they carried, mark the start of the Blyde River Canyon. Tom Burke might have enjoyed the irony that although he was unsuccessful, the rock formations named in his honour now glisten with ‘gold’ – coins tossed in by others using the huge, cylindrical Holes as natural wishing wells. The Bourke’s Luck Potholes are otherworldly and dramatic. So much so that Frommer's 500 describe them as one of the places your kids should see before they grow up. Sitting at the confluence of the Treur, ‘the river of sorrow’ and Blyde, ‘the river of joy’, this abstract art of a geological phenomenon is famous for its giant’s kettles, potholes, smooth-sided cylinders, intricate network of tunnels, lines, rock layers and dark plunge pools. It’s a 700m walk to the potholes. A walk consisting of a network of pathways and metal footbridges which take you right above the potholes. Other walkways that go around the ridges open out different views of one of the most popular natural attractions in South Africa. They mark the start of the Panorama Route around the Blyde River Canyon.

Depending on which way you travel the Panorama Route, the Three Rondavels either start or end your journey. Together with God's Window and Bourkes Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels are three of the most famous natural wonders of the largest green canyon in the world. Over millennia, the softer stone around the more resistant quartzite and shale sections have been eroded away, leaving these three towers behind. There are actually 4 sections of free-standing quartzite and shale, but only 3 have the iconic conical tops. Together these formations with their forested summits are also known as the Chief and His Three Wives. The Chief, the flat topped peak next to the rondavels is called Mapjaneng. It is named after the Chief who opposed invading forces from Swaziland in a battle still remembered to this day. His wives, Magabolle, Mogoladikwe and Maseroto after whom the three other formations are named, were troublesome women to say the least. So, why are they known as the Three Rondavels? A rondavel is a traditional circular African dwelling with a conical thatched roof - which is exactly what they resemble. It may also be to avoid confusion with another trio of rock formations far to the South in the Northern Cape known as the Three Sisters.

From the lookout point, the view of the Blyde River Canyon across the Three Rondavels is breath-taking and is widely considered the best in South Africa. The fact that it looks like a Lost World may have something to do with it.

If you were looking for a lost world, the Blyde River Canyon would be a perfect fit. The 35-mile long, 30 000 hectare, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is the largest green canyon in the world, the 2nd largest canyon in Africa and the 3rd largest on earth. It has some of the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon on the planet. Sheer cliffs plunge over 3000 feet to the valley below. From this nearly unbroken rampart of cliffs it feels as if one can see forever. It’s not surprising then that one of the most famous views is called God’s Window. It’s possible to see over the Kruger National Park towards the Lebombo Mountains on the border with Mozambique. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Indian Ocean 215 miles away.

The canyon hosts the world’s highest cable gorge swing - freefalling 230 feet at 87 mph in under 3 seconds. Once in the valley, it’s 400 steps back to the top, but for a moment you’d be forgiven for thinking you could hear angels!

There are a number of iconic landforms in the canyon, from the Three Rondavels, the Weeping Face of Nature, Bourke’s Luck Potholes to Pinnacle Rock, not to mention the highest concentration of waterfalls in the regions, one of which is Lisbon Falls.

Its southerly position is what gives the canyon its green fame. Among the lush subtropical foliage, a large diversity of life dwells in and under the canopy, and in its rivers, including numerous fish, antelope species, hippos and crocodiles. Every species of primate in South Africa calls this place home.

Numerous species of birds, from black eagles to rock kestrels, bald ibis to white-faced owls, golden-tailed woodpeckers to malachite sunbirds enjoy the forested landscape and the vast open skies above the canyon floor.

If you have an adventurous spirit, a love of nature or are a keen photographer, Blyde River Canyon will be a feast of joy

Named for the year of Dullstroom’s founding, 1883 is a fine food establishment where hunger meets heart and where the charm of Dullstroom is represented in every dish.

The experienced chef and his team bring a delicious à la carte menu to diners with fresh, local produce in each meal. The trout for which the area is so well-known for, features in some of the dishes and comes highly recommended. Pair this with a bottle from the extensive wine selection for a memorable dining experience in this beautiful country setting.

Take a bit of the magic home with you and visit the deli section where freshly baked rusks, biscuits, bread and locally produced confectioneries and jams.

Humala River Lodge is situated within the greater Songimvelo Game Reserve – a 49 000ha paradise in the malaria-free Mpumalanga province bordering Swaziland. Here you’ll find yourself off-the-grid. It’s a breakaway vacation where you can rest, relax and leave your worries behind. It’s the ideal spot for a digital detox, a honeymoon or a hideout for the weary city-dweller.

All game drives are under the supervision of qualified guides and undertaken in purpose build game drive vehicles. Don’t miss the opportunity to spot various game such as buffalo, elephant, rhino, leopard, blue wildebeest, waterbuck, zebra and many more. Remember your binoculars, camera and something warm to wear.

Guests have the opportunity to visit some of the nearby ancient rock formations, San paintings and village-type ruins dating back more than 1000 years. These tours are highly informative and capitalise on the abundant archaeological, historic and cultural significance of the Songimvelo Nature Reserve.

Highly knowledgeable field guides lead game walks, with the focus being on identifying different plant species, animal spoor and the abundant bird life. It’s an easy walk along a game track path next to the Komati River.

More than 330 bird species have been recorded in the Songimvelo Nature Reserve. Some of the more important bird species include the White Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Bald Ibis, Bat Hawk, Martial Eagle, African Finfoot, Stanley’s Bustard and Blue Swallow.

Test your fly-fishing skills against the sought-after wild Yellow Fish in the Komati River. All fishing is done with barbless hooks and a catch and release policy is strictly practised.

A truly special experience where you can observe the nocturnal animals and see what to get up to at night. The night drives take place daily from 20:00 – 23:00.

Guests can book a treatment at the Humala bush spa.

Guests can book a treatment at the Humala bush spa.

More than 330 bird species have been recorded in the Songimvelo Nature Reserve. Some of the more important bird species include the White Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Bald Ibis, Bat Hawk, Martial Eagle, African Finfoot, Stanley’s Bustard and Blue Swallow.

Test your fly-fishing skills against the sought-after wild Yellow Fish in the Komati River. All fishing is done with barbless hooks and a catch and release policy is strictly practised.

Guests have the opportunity to visit some of the nearby ancient rock formations, San paintings and village-type ruins dating back more than 1000 years. These tours are highly informative and capitalise on the abundant archaeological, historic and cultural significance of the Songimvelo Nature Reserve.

Highly knowledgeable field guides lead game walks, with the focus being on identifying different plant species, animal spoor and the abundant bird life. It’s an easy walk along a game track path next to the Komati River.

A truly special experience where you can observe the nocturnal animals and see what to get up to at night. The night drives take place daily from 20:00 – 23:00.

Affectionately known locally as Harties, the beautiful Hartbeespoort Dam, in the heart of the Magaliesberg Mountains, is not only a great location to live, but also to visit. Hartbeespoort means ‘gorge of the hartebeest’. The hartebeest is a species of antelope also known as the kongoni.

The 120km long Magaliesberg Mountains are 100 times older than Everest and half the age of the Earth itself. This mainly quartzite range, whose highest point is approximately 1,852 metres above sea level, is a natural treasure and one the 631 uniquely special locations on the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. The mountains, popular with hikers and climbers, are filled with sheer cliffs, deep gullies, and steep-sided, wooded ravines. One of the best hikes is the 1.2 km Dassie Loop. Adventurous hikers also enjoy downhill mountain biking on the slopes, and paragliding off them.

The Magaliesberg have been home to mankind for millennia. The Sterkfontein Caves at the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site have revealed evidence of some of the earliest homini species on record.

The Aerial Cableway will carry you from the small town of Harties to the top of the Magaliesburg Mountains. From here you can see the whole town, the dam which first overflowed in March 1925, and the surrounding mountainous area stretching out below you. But it’s not simply a cableway. In addition to the panoramic views there are also other attractions. A number of restaurants provide a variety of options from the family-style to cocktails and tapas. There are curios or other delights available in the small shops at the both the cableways base station or the top station. Kids are also catered for at the KidZone.

The Lion and Safari Park is a 600 hectare wilderness reserve situated in the Hartbeespoort, Magaliesburg and Cradle of Humankind area. The park offers guests an incredible opportunity to get up close to many of South Africa’s most iconic animals. Our mission is to provide an opportunity for guests, both local and international to learn more about these wonderful African animals. Our staff and volunteers are there to answer any questions, and we would be delighted to assist.

The Lion and Safari Park aslo offers a wealth of exciting activities for the whole family. Guests are guaranteed the opportunity to get extremely close to many of Africa’s most exciting animals including Brown and White Lion, Wild dog, Cheetah and over twenty different African wildlife species. While exploring the park, guests will get the opportunity to view many amazing animals including Zebra, Giraffe, Gemsbok, Springbuck, Blesbuck, Sable, Nyala and many many more.

“Our culture is the light of our nation. Whoever walks here amongst our cultures at Lesedit Cultural Village can also see the light.” South Africa is called the Rainbow Nation, which perfectly captures the country's cultural and ethnic diversity. There are 12 official languages and four major ethnic groups. The Nguni, which includes the Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi. The other three ethnic groups are the Sotho – pronounced Sutu, the Shangaan-Tsonga and the Venda. The Lesedi Cultural Village in the heart of the African bushveld within the Cradle of Humankind which is a World Heritage Site, is the perfect introduction to discover and explore the fascinating cultures and traditions of five of these tribes; the Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele. Visit traditional homesteads with members of the tribes as your hosts. The song, music and warmth experienced here add a truly unique touch to your visit.

The Zulu, or People of Heaven, are the largest tribe and their language is spoken by many as both a first and second language. Dancing is a stand-out features of Zulu life. The Umhlanga or Reed Dance, at which beadwork forms most of the attire and the Indlamu. Unconnected but similar in intent to the Maori Haka, the Indlamu is performed with drums and is derived from the war dances of the warriors. Full regimental attire, precise timing and uncompromised posture are required. Men of all ages take part. This ceremony may also include the art of stick fighting - a celebration of manhood for Zulu men.

The Xhosa people refer to themselves as the amaXhosa. The tribe of 8 million people speak the second-most-spoken home language, isiXhosa.

The Pedi are a Bantu(Sotho)-speaking people inhabiting the Limpopo province in South Africa. The basic Pedi social and living unit is the kgoro, which is a semi-circular residential cluster of dwellings sheltering an extended family established around related males but may also include others. 

The one tribe which can trace its rich culture and origins back to the pre-historic era, the Basotho, also speak Sotho. The royal family of Lesotho are from the Basotho clan, Bakuena. The Basotho dress is markedly different to most other tribes, especially the conical hat, the moseha whose shape represents Lesotho’s Qiloane Mountain. Basotho history is passed down through war songs, praise songs, poems, storytelling, and odes.

The Ndebele are, like the Xhosa, an Nguni tribe. Ndebele art has always been an important identifying characteristic of the Ndebele and their homes are painted in vibrant colours and geometric shapes.

Food is integral to any culture and a part of the experience of Lesedi. The vibrant decor of the large restaurant which supplies an exotic buffet is divided into three venues, East Africa, South Africa, North Africa – The Nile Room (where guests sit cross-legged on floor cushions at low tables). Here, you can delight in the variety of colours, sights, smells, tastes and sounds of the various African customs.

The newly refurbished Cabanas hotel is situated at the Sun City Waterworld Lake, offering guests a contemporary twist and great ‘base’ to explore the resort. As the sun sets over the open spaces and rolling lawns the nights begin at the Cabanas Pool Deck, with chic cocktails and a vibrant island setting.

Top reasons to stay at Cabanas:
•Cabanas is a 3 star hotel offering guests a place to recharge in-between their fun filled days and wild nights exploring the resort.
•Choose from 24 standard lake-facing rooms, 120 standard twin rooms, 32 family lake-facing rooms, 201 family standard rooms and 3 accessible rooms. All bathrooms come standard with a shower only.
•Most of the rooms at the Cabanas have views of the lake, or open up onto tropical gardens of the hotel.
•Enjoy a cocktail or a light lunch at the Cabanas Pool Deck.
•Take a stroll down to the lakeside beach at Waterworld, where you can jetski, water ski, parasail, or catch a sunset cruise.
•Let your children be entertained at Kamp Kwena, play a round of Rock Venture Mini Golf or visit Animal World.
•The Sun City Casino is a 5-minute walk away, located at the neighbouring Soho hotel.

The Valley of Waves water park is Sun City’s legendary hub for all kinds of water fun. Offering family-friendly water activities that appeal to adventurers of all ages, there is something for everyone at this iconic Sun City water park. Both day visitors and Sun City Resort guests are invited to enjoy a full day of exciting activities, with a designated children’s area and lifeguards on duty. The main attraction at Valley of Waves is the Roaring Lagoon – a 6 500 square metre wave pool with hydraulic mechanisms that generate waves of nearly 2 metres high every 90 seconds.

The largest permanent maze in the Southern Hemisphere, The Maze of the Lost City is constructed from artificial stone and wood, creating the illusion of an ancient archaeological discovery. It’s just as much fun for families to explore, as it is for teambuilding and corporate functions. The Maze of the Lost City was added to Sun City Resort in September 2012 and covers a half-acre. The Maze is accessed via a 100 metre-long suspension bridge from the Entertainment Centre, and offers some of the most spectacular views of the resort, particularly of The Palace of the Lost City and the Gary Player Golf Course. When night falls, flaming torches light the paths along the chambers. At the end of The Maze of the Lost City is the Maze Bar that has a selection of ice-cold craft beers on tap. The craft beer menu is updated regularly so you can always expect something new at this unique Sun City maze bar.

This Sun City maze can be hired out for private parties, conferences or as a dining area, hosting up to 200 people.

The Gary Player Country Club Golf Course, designed by Gary Player, is an 18-hole par-72 walking course, with a 5km running trail along the course. Built in an extinct volcanic crater, this immaculate golfing paradise conforms to the stringent US PGA specifications and was recently named South Africa’s Best Golf Course in the World Golf Awards 2015. It is also home to the annual Nedbank Golf Challenge which plays host to some of the world’s golfing legends.

When construction of the Sun City Resort began in 1978, the decision was taken to build a golf course that would rival the best in the world. Today, in spite of stiff competition, the Gary Player Country Club is deservedly ranked as one of the most prestigious golf courses on the African continent.

Tucked in the expanses of the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park, Bakubung, meaning “People of the Hippo”, provides luxury, service and the peace and tranquillity of a true bush experience.

Over 1300 million years ago, the Pilanesberg area in South Africa’s North West Province, was alive with volcanic eruptions and overflowing magma. The result is an alkaline volcanic crater, one of three on Earth, that is one of the largest circular volcanic complexes of its type in the world. The rare geological features, rock types and formations attract geologists and photographers from all over the world. And we haven’t even mentioned the wildlife yet!

Man has lived here beneath Thabayadiotso, ‘the Proud Mountain’, since the Stone Age and has left his mark in a number of sites. During the apartheid era, the area was part of the then independent ‘bantustan’, Bophuthatswana. As the Park’s terrain lies in the transition zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld with overlaps in mammals, birds, and vegetation, the Bophuthatswana President, Lucas Mangope, decided to convert the Pilanesberg into a game reserve in 1977 and re-introduce long-vanished wildlife and remove all non-native plant life from the region. Operation Genesis began. This mammoth achievement was the largest game resettlement in the world.

Today, the Pilanesberg Game Reserve is home to over 10 000 animals and has the world’s largest number of hyenas. Because of its ecologically rich and malaria-free location, this vast area dramatically increases your chances of encountering, among others, the Big 5, wild dog, Roan, Tsessebe, Sable antelope, cheetah, giraffe, hippo, zebra, and crocodile. There are more than 360 species of bird. You can immerse yourself in the natural world on exciting game drives or in the well-built, concealed photographic hides which provide a comfortable place to wait for that perfect shot. The Mankwe Dam is ideal for spotting animals pausing for a drink.

As it’s only 3 hours’ drive from Johannesburg, and is also close to Pretoria and Rustenburg, Pilanesberg National Park, the 4th largest Park in South Africa, is the most accessible and popular game reserve in the country.

It’s great for day trips and is also near the Lost City. In the Park, an array of activities is on offer, including guided walks, game drives, and hot-air balloon rides, traditional tribal dance performances, music workshops, and luxury spa experiences.