The Pilanesberg National Park is situated in a Malaria-free area and therefore it is very popular. The park is about 580 square kilometers in size and located in an old volcano, estimated to be more than 100 million years old. The Pilanesberg National Park is very close to the very popular Sun City.
During Operation Genesis, one of the world's biggest animal relocation projects, about 6000 animals were moved to the park. These include the so-called "Big Five". (Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Rhino and Buffalo). An impressive variety of buck and plains animals (like zebra's and giraffe's) graze on the open grasslands and in the gorges.
There is a huge variety if bird-life and lots of hides, some situated close to the watering holes, may be utilised.There is a fenced-off area where visitors may hike alone, without a guide. One of the Pilanesberg National Park's main attractions is the flight in a hot air balloon. Visitors are collected from their camps and driven to a central area from where the balloon trip starts. The flight is about four hours in duration and at the end of the flight certificates are awarded.Seeing the wildlife from the air in a silent floating balloon is an unforgettable experience.
Another attraction is the Pilanesberg National Park's wild dog program. The Dogs are housed in a boma and at feeding time you can see how they get fed.