| v> | | | | views across the landscape. With only 6 luxury |
| Having been called to Johannesburg to assist with the | | | | cottages it offers a quieter and more secluded |
| coordination of a large corporate function, I figured | | | | atmosphere than Ivory Tree, but an exclusive rate |
| I’d grab some free time and visit Pilanesberg | | | | accompanies it! |
| National Park, a growing tourist destination only 2 | | | | Adding one of these two adventure activities could |
| hours out of Johannesburg. My friend and colleague | | | | make the Pilanesberg the highlight of your stay! Enjoy |
| Colin joined me on my full day’s escapade. | | | | a 1-hour early morning hot air balloon ride over the |
| Pilanesberg National Park, a malaria free area, is set in | | | | park or a 1-hour exhilarating elephant back safari. |
| the crater of a long extinct volcano, a fascinating | | | | Both of these activities are within easy reach of the |
| alkaline complex produced by volcanic eruptions some | | | | lodges. |
| 1300 million years ago. Its rare rock types and | | | | The nearby Sun City Resort complex offers a myriad |
| structure make it a unique geological feature. Fringed | | | | of entertainment and relaxation opportunities. As an |
| by three concentric ridges or rings of hills, the park | | | | added attraction to the Pilanesberg area it offers a |
| rises from the surrounding plains like a bubble. Game | | | | popular casino, great restaurants and bars, Valley Of |
| drives through the park make fascinating viewing as | | | | The Waves water park, world class golf courses, bird |
| you experience syenite inselbergs, thickly forested | | | | park, adventure activities such as quad biking, |
| ravines, rolling grasslands and acacia bushveld. Game is | | | | archery, clay pigeon shooting and guided games |
| plentiful and diverse and includes all of the Big 5. Bird | | | | drives into the park. Sun City offers 4 luxury hotels |
| life is prolific offering some 300 different species. It is | | | | all at different levels of accommodation (from 3 to 5 |
| a relatively young game reserve compared with the | | | | star). |
| other reserves within South Africa having been | | | | While enjoying the luxuries back at the very |
| proclaimed a national park in 1976 and is therefore still | | | | comfortable 5 star Palazzo Hotel, Montecasino, |
| making its mark as a great tourist destination in | | | | Johannesburg, Colin and I planned another days |
| South Africa. I believe it deserves the attention it | | | | outing in order to use our spare time productively. |
| calls for. It is a beautiful reserve, some 50 000 | | | | We whisked ourselves off to Maropeng, the official |
| hectares in size making it the 8th largest national park | | | | visitor centre for the Cradle of Humankind World |
| in SA. | | | | Heritage Site. Maropeng, which is a Setswana word |
| A number of accommodation establishments are | | | | meaning returning to the place of our |
| available to you in the park, however I believe there | | | | origins’, takes visitors on a fun and informative |
| is only one that gives great value for money and | | | | journey of discovery using spectacular methods to |
| that is Ivory Tree Game Lodge situated in the north | | | | tell stories of the evolution of life and the origins of |
| eastern section of Pilanesberg. Offering 60 luxury | | | | humankind. It denotes the universal relevance of |
| suites, superb personal service, highly qualified game | | | | the Cradle of Humankind as the ancestral home of all, |
| rangers and a bush spa that has just recently won | | | | no matter what colour, culture or creed. One could |
| Les Nouvelles Bush Spa of the year award, Ivory | | | | spend a good 2 hours here — An interesting |
| Tree provides a great all inclusive bush experience | | | | experience! It is open from 09h00 until 17h00 daily |
| that will be fondly remembered. | | | | and the entrance fee is R80 per adult, R45 per child |
| Tshukudu Bush Lodge is another luxury lodge set high | | | | under 12 yrs. |
| up on a hill with open balconies providing spectacular | | | | |