NORTH WEST
PILANESBERG GAME RESERVE
Trade the elephant sculptures of nearby Sun City for the real thing in this
Big Five reserve. It’s in the crater of an extinct volcano and therefore surrounded by a ring of hills. There are animals galore and 300 recorded bird species, and you can explore in your own car or on a guided game drive, as well as on foot (walking safari) or even in a hot air balloon! (See
mankwegametrackers.co.za)
DO THIS: Pilanesberg has six bird hides. Mankwe on the edge of Mankwe Dam is the most popular. It’s built in a C-shape, extends into the water and allows you to take photos facing east and west for good light at dawn and dusk. Birds like to perch in the dead trees in the water. Go get that malachite kingfisher shot you’ve always wanted!
Daily conservation fee: R80 per adult; R30 per child aged 6 – 12;
R40 per vehicle.
ACCOMMODATION: Bakgatla Resort: Camping with no power from R322 p.n; with power from R345 p.n. for up to six people. Minimum two-night stay over the weekend.
Manyane Resort: Camping with no power from R322 p.n; with power from R345 p.n. for up to six people. Safari tents (B&B) from R1 545 p.n. for two people. Chalets (B&B) from R2 244 p.n. for two people. Children under 6 stay free but pay for meals. Minimum two-night stay over the weekend.
Tented Adventures Pilanesberg: Safari tents R1 100 p.p. sharing – includes breakfast, dinner and two daily game drives. No children under 6.
The reserve has four mid-range lodges – Bakubung, Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge, Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge and Ivory Tree Game Lodge: Rooms from R2 575 – R3 170 p.p. sharing.
The private Black Rhino Reserve in the north-western corner of Pilanesberg has a range of luxury lodges. Luxury suites from R5 790 p.p. sharing; chalets from R5 280 p.p. sharing. Most rates include meals and two game drives per day, and require a minimum stay of two nights. Check the website below for specials.
Where? About 53 km north of Rustenburg.
Contact: 014 555 1600; pilanesbergnationalpark.org
MAGALIESBERG BIOSPHERE RESERVE
This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve stretches for about 120 km from Rustenburg in the west to Pretoria in the east. The mountains are water-rich, and more than 500 flowering plants and 434 bird species have been recorded here.
Mountain Sanctuary Park, about 38 km south-east of Rustenburg. This park has something for everyone: from camping to comfortable chalets, pools for the little kids and natural rock pools for the big kids, a short 15-minute hike and a long eight-hour hike, waterfalls and rock formations. It’s a place that people of all ages and all fitness levels can enjoy. No day visitors. 014 534 0114; mountain-sanctuary.co.za Maretlwane Experience, about 45 km south-east of Rustenburg. Situated along the Maretlwane River, this conservancy has a bit of everything that the Magaliesberg has to offer: kloofs, waterfalls and refreshing rock pools. While you’re there, go for a walk up to Castle Gorge (7 km). Camping, cabins and lodge accommodation. Day visitors are welcome. One-off conservation fee R100 p.p.
076 804 0435; maretlwane.co.za
Magaliesberg Canopy Tour, about 33 km south-east of Rustenburg. Great views of the mountains on the zipline tour – it takes 2,5 hours and includes 10 slides. A 4x4 vehicle will take you up the mountain to the first platform. R695 p.p. 079 492 0467; canopytour.co.za
MARICO BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The Marico Biosphere Reserve covers the catchment area of the Marico River, but also some of the catchments of the Elands, Molemane and Molopo rivers. It’s best enjoyed by staying over near the village of Grootmarico. These are some of our favourite spots:
At Riverstill Guest Farm ( 014 503 0085; riverstill.co.za) just south of Groot-marico, you can go sit by the river where you might see one of its shy inhabitants, like an otter or African finfoot.
Further upriver lies Evergreen River Guest Farm ( 0145031057; evergreenguestfarm.co.za) with neat cottages and a brand-new campsite. Built high on a ridge above the valley, The Hanging Garden ( 082 554 5651; troy@thehanginggarden.co.za) looks out onto the veld and the owners are very knowledgeable about trees.
The Marico Eye (about 35 km south of Groot-marico) is the magical source of the river. It’s like a giant aquarium. Pack your snorkelling gear to properly enjoy the crystal-clear underwater world. Day visitors pay R50 p.p, or R80 if you want to snorkel or scuba-dive. They also offer basic accommodation and camping at the Eye ( 084 512 9185; marico-oog.co.za).
A lesser-known wild corner in this part of North West is the Enzelsberg, about 20 km north-east of Zeerust, which has several narrow kloofs where leopards roam and marula, wild fig, common red milkwood and thorny elm trees jostle for space. Stay over at Diep ini Bos ( 083 555 6953; Tersia) and walk into Watervalkloof. On a farm next door you’ll find Ancient City ( 073 715 0882; kaditshwene.com), the site of the ruins of Kaditshwene, once home to around 20 000 Bahurutshe in the early part of the 19th century.
For more information, visit marico.co.za or contact Santa at the
Info Centre 083 272 2958; 014 503 0085
MOLOPO GAME RESERVE
This remote reserve in the north-western corner of the province is not well known, but it’s a beautiful stretch of Kalahari on the Botswana border with game like gemsbok, eland, zebra and kudu. If you’re lucky, you might even see a brown hyena or honey badger.
DO THIS: If you have a 4x4 or 4x2 with diff lock, you can drive the road network in the reserve. There are a number of waterholes. Park nearby and see which animals you can tick off your list.
Daily conservation fee: R30 per adult; R20 per child aged 2 – 12;
R20 per vehicle.
ACCOMMODATION: Phiri Camp: The campsites are spread out under camel thorn trees. The ablution facilities are not always in a great condition. Camping (no power) R100 p.p. (two people per stand).
Where? About 250 km north-west of Vryburg.
Contact: 053 939 0200; northwestparks.org.za
BARBERSPAN BIRD SANCTUARY
Large flocks of waterbirds congregate on this pan during summer; it’s also a stopover for many migrant species. The reserve has been declared a Ramsar Site and offers easy access to the water. No power boats are allowed on the pan, making it a tranquil spot to watch birds, and to fish and paddle.
DO THIS: Bring your binos and bird guides and spend some time in one of the several hides. You can see many species, including chestnutbanded plover, great crested grebe, red-knobbed coot, great white pelicans, lesser and greater flamingos.
The reserve is also a prime fishing spot – it hosts regional and national angling competitions. Fish for carp, barbel and yellowfish (R25 p.p.).
Daily conservation fee: R50 per adult; R25 per child.
ACCOMMODATION: Camping in the fishing area (no power) R50 p.n. for up to six people per stand. Four ablution blocks are spread out along the shore – they only have cold water.
Flamingo and Pelican self-catering houses: Sleep six and eight people respectively. R200 p.n. for two people. Bring your own cutlery and crockery.
Where? About 17 km north-east of Delareyville.
Contact: 018 013 0369; northwestparks.org.za
BOTSALANO GAME RESERVE
Enjoy Kalahari thornveld, acacia woodland and grassland near the border with Botswana. The reserve breeds antelope and white rhino to stock other reserves; there’s game in abundance.
DO THIS: The reserve doesn’t offer any activities, but it has an extensive road network for self-drive game viewing. Pack a flask of coffee and some padkos and make a day of it.
Daily conservation fee: R40 per adult; R25 per child aged 2 – 12; R10 per vehicle.
ACCOMMODATION: Camping with no power and basic ablutions. R100 p.n. for up to four people; R20 per extra person (six people per stand). The bush camps – Safari, Lerako, Legora and Sentry Hill – have no power or hot water. Open-air shower and toilet. Rates from R250 p.n. for up to eight people; R20 per extra person (sleep 12). Mogobe Tented Camp: Self-catering; solarpowered lights; gas geysers. From R400 p.n. for two people; plus R50 per child aged 2 – 12.
Where? About 50 km north of Mahikeng.
Contact: 018 386 8900; northwestparks.org.za
DIKHOLOLO RESORT
This private game farm and resort has a wild feel: giraffe, kudu, sable antelope and zebra roam freely. It’s family oriented and offers a range of fun activities: kuier around the braai pit, get pampered at the day spa or slide down the supertube. No day visitors allowed.
DO THIS: Leap Adventures offers guided quad biking, horse riding and ziplining – R250 p.p. for 30 minutes/two slides.
ACCOMMODATION: Double room from R998 p.n; family rooms from R1 188 p.n; chalets from R2 138 p.n.
Where? About 35 km north of Brits.
Contact: 012 277 9000 (reception); dikhololo.co.za