Zebra are found in large herds at Pilanesberg at this time of year (winter)

We were delighted to have some conservation students and ecology enthusiasts on our Pilanesberg Day Safari recently.  Management have been doing controlled burning in the Park (veld needs to burn every few years or so to promote good grazing and get rid of the accumulation of dead material over time) and we saw herds of wildebeest and zebra grazing on the burnt areas.  Research done in Kruger National Park during an extensive fire season some years ago revealed that burning veld also creates a source of carbon for animals, which will tend to graze on the burnt grass during winter to obtain additional carbon in their diets.  We also saw the female rhino and calf we have seen before – it is amazing how quickly the young grow within a few weeks!  This was just the start of the amazing wildlife and birding experience we were to enjoy that day…

White-browed Scrub Robin - near Mankwe Dam

We drove around a loop near Mankwe Dam and saw several hippos out of the water (this is somewhat unusual and we are wondering whether the water is perhaps too cold for them this winter!), as well as a large adult Fish Eagle and a few male waterbuck.  Some crododiles were also evident.  It was quiet at the hide this time, although the reserve had several visitors that day, and we were able to admire several bird species including Egyptian Geese, Great Egret, African Darter, Reed Cormorant and several Pied Kingfishers diving and hovering (but none catching anything).  We saw a baby crocodile too.  The walk into the hide revealed Tawny-flanked Prinia, Chinspot Batis, White-browed Scrub Robin and a Little Grebe, which seemed to be eating small fish, catching several with great success.  A large likkewaaan (monitor lizard) and a few terrapins were also sunning themelves on the banks of the dam.  In the parking area, we found a Brown-hooded Kingfisher (these are not aquatic), as well as a family of Crested Francolin, which appear to have taken up residence there.  The Crimson-breasted Shrike and Red-winged Starlings were also in evidence.

White Rhino

We continued on to another hide, passing another large dam.  En route, we saw several white rhino (in all, we must have seen about 12 rhino in various groupings the entire day, the most we have ever seen in the Park).  The dam revealed several hippos as well as a group of African Spoonbills, which appeared to be squabbling over food.  We also saw the carcass of a hippo, which was now reduced to bones; interestingly, no hyenas appeared to have found it as it was largely intact even after a few weeks.  We crossed the river, to find a few warthog – and more hippos, as well as a few impalas, together with a Short-toed Rock Thrush.  We stopped at a hide, which was very quiet.  As our clients were enjoying the scenery, we took a scenic drive through towards the Bakubung Gate and were surprised to find several blue duiker – small, rather shy antelope.  (”Duiker” is Afrikaans for “diver” and these antelope tend to dive through the grass to get away when disturbed, often hiding in thick vegetation or thickets).  Needless to say, these ones disappeared rather quickly.  We found more rhinos in this region of the Park, too. 

We headed for the picnic site overlooking Mankwe Dam but found only mixed herds of zebra and wildebeest en route.  We also saw some waterbuck grazing at the edge of the dam.  While we ate our lunch, Jock scattered breadcrumbs as usual and several birds arrived as the bush telegraph went out; Arrow-marked Babbler, Red-winged Starling, Grey Hornbill, Streaky-headed Seed-eaters and Southern Masked Weavers.  On our way down the hill, we saw several of the waterbuck, which seemed to have come uphill along a nearby game path.  This was somewhat unusual as they tend to favour areas near water.

Lions on a dead elephant (the ellie died of natural causes apparently)

During the course of the afternoon, we found two wonderful kudu bulls, one with two-and-a-half turns of the horns, which was wonderful to see.  We had been told that there was a dead elephant at one of the Park’s larger dams, complete with an attendant lion pride.  En route, we chanced to see a single elephant on its own.  Although it was a young male in musth, it didn’t seem too worried about the tourists stopping to look at it.  We took a scenic drive to get to the dead elephant - where the traffic was like rush hour in Johannesburg!  Eventually, as the sun sank lower in the sky, we reached a good position and were able to view the sight.  Two lionesses played on a nearby flat rock while various male lions, including some young ones, guarded the carcass, growling and flailing at one another with their saucer-size paws.  Hippos honked as they got ready to leave the water but changed their minds when one of the lions growled.  The interactions between the various lions and other animals was wonderful to see – even for South Africans who have often seen lions on carcasses.  It was certainly the highlight of the day for our visitors.  The owner of the guest house where they were staying said that they could not top talking about the wonderful day they had had!

Young male lion on elephant carcass

Enjoy these and similar experiences on our full day safaris to Pilanesberg National Park.  Cost at present is ZAR 1 350 per person and includes transport in a luxury minibus (we fetch you and drop you off at your accommodation in Johannesburg/Pretoria), entrance fees, picnic lunch, soft drinks & bottled water, services of a qualified, registered national nature guide and separate driver.  Minimum – 2 pax; maximum – 8 pax.  Corporate groups welcome too.  Contact us  for more information and bookings.