Pilanesberg National Park
🇿🇦 South Africa
🐘 Elephants Thrive in PilanesbergPilanesberg National Park is a protected tropical savanna reserve in South Africa, set within a series of ancient ring-shaped volcanic ridges. Open grassland plains and scattered acacia thickets dominate this terrain, crossed by dusty vehicle tracks rather than walking paths.
-25.240° S 27.057° E
Wildlife
⭐ Iconic Species
★ 
African Bush Elephant
Loxodonta africana
★ 
White Rhinoceros
Ceratotherium simum
★ 
Lion
Panthera leo
📊 Most Spotted
Grey Go-Away-Bird
Corythaixoides concolor
Common Bulbul
Pycnonotus barbatus
Natal Francolin
Pternistis natalensis
Helmeted Guineafowl
Numida meleagris
Fork-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus adsimilis
Southern Giraffe
Giraffa giraffa
Plains Zebra
Equus quagga
Blacksmith Lapwing
Vanellus armatus
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiaca
Impala
Aepyceros melampus
Cape Turtle Dove
Streptopelia capicola
Common Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus amphibius
⭐ Iconic Species
★ African Bush Elephant
Loxodonta africana
★ White Rhinoceros
Ceratotherium simum
★ Lion
Panthera leo
📊 Most Spotted
Southern Giraffe
Giraffa giraffa
Plains Zebra
Equus quagga
Impala
Aepyceros melampus
Common Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus amphibius
Blue Wildebeest
Connochaetes taurinus
Greater Kudu
Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Waterbuck
Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Common Warthog
Phacochoerus africanus
Steenbok
Raphicerus campestris
Banded Mongoose
Mungos mungo
Vervet Monkey
Chlorocebus pygerythrus
Chacma Baboon
Papio ursinus
📊 Most Spotted
Grey Go-Away-Bird
Corythaixoides concolor
Common Bulbul
Pycnonotus barbatus
Natal Francolin
Pternistis natalensis
Helmeted Guineafowl
Numida meleagris
Fork-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus adsimilis
Blacksmith Lapwing
Vanellus armatus
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiaca
Cape Turtle Dove
Streptopelia capicola
LADO
Spilopelia senegalensis
Pied Crow
Corvus albus
African Sacred Ibis
Threskiornis aethiopicus
Red-shouldered Glossy-starling
Lamprotornis nitens
📊 Most Spotted
Nile Crocodile
Crocodylus niloticus
Serrated Hinged Terrapin
Pelusios sinuatus
Nile Monitor
Varanus niloticus
Leopard Tortoise
Stigmochelys pardalis
Montane Speckled Skink
Trachylepis punctatissima
Cape Dwarf Gecko
Lygodactylus capensis
Cape Terrapin
Pelomedusa galeata
Flap-necked Chameleon
Chamaeleo dilepis
Southern Tree Agama
Acanthocercus atricollis
Black Mamba
Dendroaspis polylepis
Puff Adder
Bitis arietans
Mozambique Spitting Cobra
Naja mossambica
📊 Most Spotted
African Split-skin Toad
Schismaderma carens
Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
Chiromantis xerampelina
Senegal Kassina
Kassina senegalensis
Red-Banded Rubber Frog
Phrynomantis bifasciatus
Common River Frog
Amietia delalandii
Painted Reed Frog
Hyperolius marmoratus
African Clawed Frog
Xenopus laevis
African Common Toad
Sclerophrys gutturalis
Garman's Toad
Sclerophrys garmani
Fenoulhet's Toad
Poyntonophrynus fenoulheti
Recent sightings in Pilanesberg National Park
LIVEiNaturalistAnimal Events
1Peak Grazing and Herbivore Gathering
As the dry season sets in, vast herds of impala and blue wildebeest congregate heavily around shrinking waterholes and open grasslands, drawing opportunistic predators.
2Dry Season Predator Activity
Sparse foliage and dry conditions optimize visibility, allowing expert trackers to spot elusive leopards resting in riverine trees alongside hippopotamus pods crowded in diminishing pools.
3Rains and Amphibian Breeding
The arrival of summer rains transforms the crater floor into lush greenery, triggering explosive choruses and breeding activity from African split-skin toads and grey foam-nest treefrogs.
Sighting Calendar
Average chance of spotting the park's most-spotted species, month by month
- 1Peak Grazing and Herbivore Gathering
- 2Dry Season Predator Activity
- 3Rains and Amphibian Breeding
Sighting Zones
Warmer areas are where all species together are recorded most often.
Essentials
Climate
What visitors saw
Pilanesberg Safari Another white rhinoceros… Pilanesberg Safari And 2 hours into the safari we finally see a giraffe closer to us.
After a short 15-minute drive from the lodge, we entered the park through a nearby gate—and even before we got there, we spotted a herd of impala grazing just off the road.
Our first day was quiet, with only four zebras spotted far off in the long grass.
The next day began in the cold and the dark, but quickly picked up when we spotted a cheetah.
Quick answers
What animals can you see in Pilanesberg National Park?
The most likely sightings are Grey Go-Away-Bird (seen by about 80% of wildlife watchers), Common Bulbul (seen by about 70% of wildlife watchers), Natal Francolin (seen by about 70% of wildlife watchers), Helmeted Guineafowl (seen by about 60% of wildlife watchers), African Bush Elephant (seen by about 60% of wildlife watchers) — among 795 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.
When is the best time to visit Pilanesberg National Park for wildlife?
June has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.
Can you see African Bush Elephant in Pilanesberg National Park?
Yes — about 60% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Pilanesberg National Park, based on 254 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
Can you see White Rhinoceros in Pilanesberg National Park?
Yes — about 50% of wildlife watchers report a White Rhinoceros sighting in Pilanesberg National Park, based on 174 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
Can you see Lion in Pilanesberg National Park?
Yes — about 40% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Pilanesberg National Park, based on 80 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
Where Wildlife Score
How good is this park for seeing wildlife?Biodiversity
GoodHow rich is the wildlife?
Sighting
ExcellentHow likely to see animals?
Experience
Very goodHow easy and pleasant is the visit?
Explore Other Parks
%2C_Swartland%2C_Western_Cape.jpg/330px-Jackal_Buzzard_(adult)%2C_Swartland%2C_Western_Cape.jpg)
📍 396 km 🦌 Black Wildebeest Graze Sandstone Heights Golden Gate Highlands National Park
📍 486 km 🐆 Leopard Prowls Kruger’s Wild Savannah Kruger National Park
.jpg/330px-Hluhluwe_green_hills_..._(47294082242).jpg)
📍 588 km 🐕 Painted Hunting Dog Thrives in Hluhluwe Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
📍 626 km 🐊 Crocodile Encounters at ISimangaliso