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One of the experiences we were looking forward to on our recent trip to Johannesburg in South Africa was a chance to see animals up close and personal in their natural habitat. That of course meant a safari! Due to a lack of time, we were not able to do a really long one, as in 3 days. We opted for a day safari at Pilanesberg National Park, located in the North West Province of South Africa, close to Pretoria, about a two hour drive from Johannesburg.
Big Game Hunting in Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa
A friend of ours, Nadine had recently visited South Africa, used a small tour company called Felleng Tours and had nothing but positive things to say about the experience. I had previously been researching another company until l remembered her post. I quickly abandoned the big company l had been contemplating, not just because they were slow to respond, but they had so many trips, they couldn’t even figure out which one l was talking about or explain the bait and switch pricing on their website. Moved a few things around, and we were able to arrange our safari with Agnes, who runs Felleng Tours with her husband, Rudie.
The advantage of going with Felleng Tours included :
- Getting picked up directly from our hotel as opposed to a central hotel with other companies. This meant we were able to sleep some more and save a trip to a pickup place.
- Breakfast sandwiches and snacks provision
- Water. You do get mighty thirsty
- Comfortable ride. We were picked up in a sturdy 4 wheel drive SUV. None of that open top crap for me. Any big game that wants a piece of me is going to have to work for it! 😉 .
- Coziness. It was just the three of us, so no awkward conversation. We had a great time with a local
Agnes picked us up promptly from the hotel at 6.30 and we were on our way. Luckily there was little traffic, and before you know it we were on our hunt for the Big 5!
Pilanesberg National Park History:
Prior to becoming designated a game reserve in 1979, the grounds were inhabited by the Tswane tribes. Their ruler’s name was Pilane (hence the park name). They were a farming tribe and were relocated and all traces of farming removed. The Pilanesberg town was destroyed and over 6,000 animals were relocated to the 552 square kilometer area. The park is nestled in the crater of an extinct volcano and is close to the Kalahari desert. Artifacts have been found to confirm that human beings were in the area as far back as 200,000 years back in the Stone Age.
It was quite a contrast to what one is used to seeing on television like in National Geographic where the forest is lushly green and there are watering holes aplenty. Unfortunately, we saw dusty, orange caked landscape. It hadn’t rained in forever and all the watering holes had dried up. Literally dried up, save for some where we saw the rhinoceros.
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The African Safari Big 5 Game:
- Lion
- Leopard
- Rhinoceros
- Elephant
- Buffalo
Big 5 Safari: Our success
Lion:
Success!!! We found them! I absolutely didn’t think we’d see any, so l didn’t get my hopes up. It ended up being the first of the Big 5 that we saw. Agnes, as she drove would slow down to chat with other drivers and because she knew her way around the park drove us to the exact spot where someone had spotted some. It was quite thrilling to see them just laying about. Being a Leo, l was proud as a peacock to see them.
Buffalo:
No luck there, go figure. That was the one animal l thought we’d see plenty of. I wasn’t disappointed though, we saw plenty of them in India. Maybe next time. There are not sighted often according to the park.
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Big 5 animals: Leopard:
Another fail! As you might know, leopards are nocturnal animals, so l had absolutely no hopes of seeing one. I also couldn’t be bothered to come to the park in darkness just to spot them. We will have to save that for the big time safari.
Rhinoceros:
Success!!!! We saw quite a few, all White Rhinos. The Black ones are very rare to spot. Another advantage of being a small group was the fact that Agnes could quickly manouver the vehicle to get us a good vantage point. She also had the most amazing eagle eye too. She spotted every animal way before we did, even with me and binoculars 🙂 . She was always spot on and would drive quickly towards wherever they were heading because she knew the park like the back of her hand. At various times, we spotted a herd, but this mother/baby duo was our favorite. They were so happy go lucky grazing.
Elephant:
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Success!!! I was really happy we saw some. The first go round, Agnes spotted a herd of them but they were so faraway, l was disappointed, even though l was still going to count it as a win. Just after lunch as we resumed the safari, she stopped short and boom! less than 200 feet away from us was a rogue elephant. It was not in a good mood.
Yeah.. I was terrified and told Agnes to hightail it out of there 🙂 . She was quite calm, kept the car running, ready to move if we had to. It was on one side of the street and looking pretty pissed. We waited for him to cross. It took him about half an hour 🙂 . He trumpeted, gave himself a sand bath and finally lumbered across the road. I kept thinking it was going to turn towards us and charge, but it never did, thank goodness. I’ve seen pictures of elephants sitting on the cars of idiots who get too close.
How successful was our search for the Big 5 on this safari?
Our total score was 3 out of 5! I call that a successful safari. In addition to these beasts, we saw plenty of other animals. The Pilanesberg National Park is home to over 300 species of birds and 65 species of reptiles (thank god we didn’t see any of those!) as well as the bigger animals. We saw quite a few other animals throughout the day, including Bush Pig, Warthogs and even dung beetles.
We also encountered Wildebeest:
So many Zebras
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We absolutely loved our safari day with Felleng Tours. Very highly recommended. The price was just about $160 per person and it was well worth it for the convenience and personal touch. It has left us wanting more safari adventures. Not just in S. Africa, but in Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania. You name it! 🙂 . I hope we get to revisit this lovely place soon. After the somewhat emotional day at the museum, this was a nice way to end our trip.
Big 5 Africa Safari:
Things to remember on a safari: African Safari Tips
- Don’t be a schmuck! Give the animals wide berth, you are in their territory.
- Don’t leave your vehicle except for designated areas
- Keep to the speed limit.
- No littering
- Take plenty of water
- Wear a hat and sunscreen if it’s hot
- Keep noise to a minimum
Pin it for later:
Have you ever been on a safari? If yes, did you enjoy it as much as we did. If not, is it something that you would like to do at some point?
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I am so glad that you had a great experience! Thank you for referencing me and my blog! 🙂 I love your pictures! I was unforgettable to see the animals up lose in their natural habitat. I didn’t see any leopards or buffalo either. I loved the giraffes. so elegant! I look forward to doing an overnight safari in the future.
Thanks for the referral. It was spot on 🙂 ! I knew the leopards were going to be a no show. You’re right the giraffes really are elegant. It seemed like they were posing for the camera. Thanks for the compliment. We too really want to do an overnight or even longer safari 🙂 .
Great fun, I’ve been on a few African safaris. Was it one of those open back trucks that they often use on safaris? Good that you found something cheaper, there are some very expensive outfits/camps out there…
When I lived in Zambia as a kid we also did a few self drive safaris. One of them was to Matopos National park in Zimbabwe. We had arrived very early in the morning and right behind the entrance gate waiting for us were a pair of white rhinos. Unlike the black rhino, they can be quite sociable and the warden had told us that they would come to see the guards by the gate in the morning. So we ended up about 15 feet from 2 large rhinos which was a highlight.
Leopards very rare to spot. I saw one once but he was up in a tree sleeping. hardly visible.
We’re planning on being back in South Africa sometime later in the year and will look up Felleng Tours. Sounds like they did a good job.
Frank (bbqboy)
They really did a wonderful job. I couldn’t believe how sharp her eyes were, even while driving! We were close to quite a few. One thing l wanted to make sure of was that the vehicle was going to be closed. Like l said, any animal that wants me is going to have to work had for this meat! :-), so nope..it wasn’t open. I’ve heard of Matopos and l want to do that as well as one in Namibia which l’ve heard is just gorgeous. You can do a self drive in Pilanesberg too, but we saw a lot of lost souls even with the maps, so l think it’s better left to the experts. It must have been cool to see the white rhinos. First we saw a herd about 200 feet away, but the mother and child were really close and even crossed the street in front of us. Just the elephant scared me to be that close for some reason 😉 . It’s okay to see the leopard on the tree, maybe if you can see it, you’re already meat 😉 .
What an amazing experience! I’m usually at the extremes when it comes to safaris: one day I might think it’s a complete waste of time and not worth it, one day I believe that it would be the most amazing thing ever. Looking at your photos and thinking how surreal it would feel to be close to these great animals in their natural habitat as opposed to zoos, I do believe that it’s an unforgettable experience… although I would’ve probably begged and paid extra just to get away from the angry elephant, hahaha.
I tell you C. he was just a little too close for comfort and if it hadn’t been 2 against 1, l would have been out of there even though he never charged in our direction. The herd had moved on without him and were way out fron, including a little baby, but they were moving so fast we couldn’t get pictures except for their backs. He was behind and mad and still on the other side of the road and we couldn’t pass because the guide was like.. “not a good idea”..so we waited, and waited. I get the feeling that he follows the herd, but not too closely. It really was unlike going to the zoo, it’s like you’re in their “house”. The lions were in their living room etc.. very cool and can’t wait to do it again.
Thank you so much for you this excellent story of you experience in Pilanesberg. It was so nice to take you on a day tour and if you ever visit Johannesburg again please let us know. Namibia is an amazing place to visit and will keep you updated with what you can do. Stay well and all the best.
It was really fun hanging with you for the safari. We had a really good time and look forward to visiting the country again. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Namibia is a dream bucket list item that we hope to cross of soon 🙂
Dear Nadeen Thank you so much for referring Kemkem to us. We appreciate it so much and please stay in touch.
Hopefully we’ll get a chance to meet you next time, and we thank Nadeen as well 🙂
Great pictures and it looks like you guys had a wonderful day. A safari is high on our bucket list and we can’t wait to get to Africa. And hey – reptiles aren’t so bad.
Haha! You can keep the reptiles :-). We really did have a great time and it has wet our appetite. It’s back on our list now :-).. again!
Wow, what an adventure, up close and personal. Educational, yet entertaining! I didn’t have a safari or a trip to Africa on my list, adding for sure!
http://www.robincharmgne.com/blog
It’s worthy of the list for sure. It was quite the adventure, one that we hope we can repeat as we really enjoyed it 🙂
“None of that open top crap for me”! I hollered! haha I agree. However, I’m oddly TERRIFIED of hippos (completely irrational, I know) and rhinos aren’t far behind. I would probably be calmer with the lions! lol Were those deer like animals impalas? I’m curious. And seeing the wildebeest made me sad for Mufasa of Lion King.
I love this experience you shared though and if I get to go to South Africa, I will definitely check them out!
Yeah.. I am not openly going to be fresh meat for them 🙂 . It was a bit scary but thrilling to be so close to the rhinos. The elephants, especially the rogue one scared me the most. It was just huge and in a pissy mood…. The lions were a little farther so l wasn’t too scared. I have to watch Lion King again because l don’t remember. You’re absolutely right, those are Impalas with the M on their rump. Thanks a lot for that. I tried so hard to remember them. 🙂 :-).
Seeing the animals in the wild really is an amazing experience. We also missed out on the leopards as well as buffalo during our visit of the Etosha National Park in Namibia, I guess that you cannot have the whole cake all the time. 🙂
It really was amazing. I wonder why the buffalo is so hard. I assumed they would be plentiful and maybe the only one everyone would see. Did you write about your experience in Namibia? I would love to check it out because we would really love to do Etosha. Nope! we certainly can’t have the whole cake all the time 🙂 . Thanks for the comment :-).
I am completely jealous of your safari park adventure. I want to visit one. Maybe 2017 will be my year. I was watching a documentary recently that shed light on how much the poaching industry has affected the elephant population. These are beautiful animals. I’d hate to see them become extinct.
I know. I get so mad when l hear about poachers. The park has to utilise helicopters etc to make sure that the animals don’t get killed. It’s so sad. The numbers are diminishing. I really wish men would find other ways of keeping their peckers up than grinding rhino horns and such. We had a great time and l also hope that 2017 will be your year 🙂
This looks like such an amazing experience! I know I’d be kind of scared, but I’d love to do one of these.
I was a bit apprehensive, especially in the beginning when l saw people had their windows down, but the confidence of Agnes and Federico rubbed off on me. It truly was amazing.
This post was so enjoyable! I loved your little safari. The elephant and his sand bath photo was great! I didn’t think this was something I’d ever want to do. You added another thing to my list.—Terri
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂 . Nothing gives me greater pleasure than knowing that your list grows each time you read of our little escapades. This one was really good. It has only made me thirstier for me 🙂 .
What a gorgeous site all those animals are, I would like to go on a safari but like you preferably in a closed, sturdy vehicle accompanied by experts. It’s one thing to see animals in the zoo but quite another to see them in their natural habitat. I know which is better for them:-/
Your travel has been so enlightening and if I do travel to SA I will choose the safari company you used, they sound right up my street.
I
Yep! I’m like you. Leave it to the experts. The animals may look cute, but they can turn on a dime. Better to be with someone who can tell the moods, know when to stay and when to flee. We really were in good hands 🙂 . I am so sure you would enjoy seeing the animals. I am still amazed at how sharp her eyes were. She was able to spot a dung beetle rolling its elephant dung across the road and stopped :-). I hope you make it to S.A, totally sure you’ll like it.
This is amazing! I would love to take my wife on a trip like this! How do you find stuff like this.
It sure was amazing! Your wife would love it. I find the deals by stalking the travel sites..haha! 🙂
Awesome! So glad you had a great time! Each week I overspend on silly stuff, then I come here and think, why am I not saving for an amazing vacation!
Haha! That’s funny. Especially because l think the opposite way.. I underspend on everything else just so l can find some good travel deals and vacations :-)!
Fantastic lady! You guys have the best trips. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures.
Thank you for reading! I always try to look for interesting things.. I guess l’m succeeding 🙂
Wonderful pictures. I would LOVE LOVE to go on a safari. It’s definitely on my bucket list. The lions and the zebras are my favorite, they are so beautiful.
The zebras were definitely my favorite. They are so solid. I think l also loved the giraffes. They look so graceful. I definitely want to do more safari. We had an amazing time 🙂
Fabulous place, I would absolutely love to do a safari and see these amazing animals in their natural habitat. Sounds like you had a tailor made experience that suited you perfectly and you got to see a lot. Loved your pictures, do you use a DSLR? I am looking to buy a new camera, but I want a more portable travel camera that has a good zoom, but is easy to carry around. Any recommendations?
It really was a wonderful place, and very nice to see them in their own habitat for sure. The experience was perfect and l still marvel at the sight of that woman.. 🙂 . Thanks for the compliment. Yes, we do use a DSLR. If you look at our camera gear page, you’ll see the camera (Nikon) and lenses that we use. I would totally recommend the one l carry :-).
Wow what an amazing experience I love the photos you shared in your post.
Thanks a lot! We did have a great time. Worth every penny 🙂
Loved this, I want to go on a Safari in Africa so bad. I called my daughter in to look at the pictures, she wanted to know if the Deer like animals were Antelope. I imagined a Wildebeest to look a bit different.
Thanks. It was a dream fufilled. Those are Impala, the deer like animals. They are so cute aren’t they? I know the name Wildebeest conjures up something totally terrifying..haha. I definitely want to do more safari. We had fun spotting things, even the dung beetle :-).
We just spent 4 days touring Kruger National Park, South Africa and the week prior to that spent a day in Masai Mara, Kenya. We rented a car in Joberg and drove to the park via Dullstroom, a really lovely mountain town full of nice places to eat, drink and relax. Reminded us of some towns in upstate New York. What we loved about Kruger was that we could drive ourselves all over although a number of the dirt roads were too rugged for our Toyota Avanza. That meant we could stay as long as we wanted when viewing animals and could stop or move for better photos. I can’t begin to express how exciting that was. We saw the Big 5 at Kruger but didn’t see any rhino at Masai Mara. The sheer numbers of elephants, Impala, zebra, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, and other animals and birds we saw were really staggering. And many were right by the road! We stayed at Crocodile Bridge Safari Lodge for 3 nights just outside the park and it was fabulous. We stayed 2 nights in the park at Skukuza Rest Camp which was ok but not nearly as nice.
Now we’re in Capetown for 5 days and its just beautiful. I love reading your blog. You are so fortunate to be able to travel the world like you do at your age.
My wife’s travelogue is http://www.bergersadventures4.blogspot.com if you’d like to see some safari pictures which she hopes to post in a few weeks.
Traveling and learning,
Steve
Oh I am so jealous of the Kruger safari that you did! This totally wetted our appetite for more. Kruger is the holy grail from what l hear, and three days sounds like it would be prefect to really get a feel for it. You guys are really brave to go it alone. I really liked this personalized one with a guide and l will not attempt driving on the other side either.. ;-). You saw the elusive leopard. I am looking forward to the pictures of your safari and adventures. I will have to keep that lodge in mind. My uncle was living in Kenya for so many years when l was younger, and l still kick myself for not doing the safaris with my siblings whenever they went. What an idiot l was..always in a hurry to finish school ;-).. Bah!!! Thank you so much for your kind words. Glad you’re having fun :-).
Beautiful pictures. I will have to add Africa to my list.
You should. It’s lovely and there are so many different things to explore.
I really would love to go to Africa in 2017. You did an amazing job with the recap and of course doing an African Safari is a must!
I really hope you do get a chance to visit to visit Africa soon. It is a wonderful place. Thanks a lot for the compliment, and yep..a safari is a must 🙂
‘Love the post kemkem!
Your photographs are outstanding, and the experience exhilarating. And gosh! Those prices today are pretty alright!
Yes, I’ve been on safari in South Africa and in India! I loved them both. In SA, we were on a small group tour of abut 8 people. 4 people per jeep. I was the only person of colour outside of the staff. Sigh! I can’t remember what I saw as it was 12 years ago, and I was slightly over-whelmed by the fact that the animals were just a few feet away from us, and my heart rushed with excitement, fear, and adrenalin!
In India, we were a small group of 8 people (yet again), but it was more difficult to see things, as local Indian tourists spent a lot of time shouting, making a hell of a lot of noise, and being terribly excited!
I was invited by a German girlfriend to go on safari in Botswana, but I didn’t quite make it out there as I ran out of time lol! ‘Would love to one day. 😀
Worth-Every-Penny and I would have paid more for an experience like this! A safari has always been at the top of my Bucket List and I am so excited (and way jealous) that you and Fede were able to do this. You’ve sold me on South Africa – amazing! Anita
Good to hear. It really is a fabulous place, and it was so thrilling and exciting to be able to do this. We had dreamed about it for so long and yep..worth every penny. Agnes was so knowledgeable about the whole park and knew exactly where to go. We really, really enjoyed it and look forward to more safari for sure.
The rhino is one of my favourite animals to look out for and to photograph during an African safari. You took great pictures and had such an adventure.
Thank you so much. We had such an amazing time and it has only wet our appetite for more safari. I will always regret not advantage of my uncle’s many years in Kenya :-).
Tempting pictures! I love the Zebras and a safari for the big 5 is absolutely on our list.
We now have our sights set on a Namibian safari for the big 5 🙂
African safari sounds like so much fun and you had an awesome experience! Loved your stunning pictures!
Thanks Agness. It really was a lot of fun. It also required a patience l didn’t know l possessed :-). It was worth it though.