The Pilanesberg National Park is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa at 55000ha. It is situated in an ancient volcano crater – which it shares with the Sun City Casino and Hotel Resort and the Palace of the Lost City.

The reserve features the Big 5 – elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino, but it is also home to almost every mammal species found in Southern Africa.

A private concessionary company, Game Tracker Adventures, offers game drives, hot-air balloon and elephant back safaris in the Park.

There are several lodges and resorts in the reserve, scattered around the perimeter of the ’round’ reserve, and then there is also Sun City!

Getting there: From JHB take the R511 to Hartbeespoort Dam, continuing through the tunnel under the dam. Head west in the direction of Rustenburg, turning off right onto the R556 just outside of Hartbeespoort.