Pilanesberg - Current Conditions

[Mel]

25/08/2011

Hi there,

I'm wondering if someone could tell me what the current conditions are like in Pilansberg?

We used to visit the park very often but have not been for the last 4 years. The last time we visited, it was a very disappointing trip to say the least. The khaki bos was growing window height around Mankwe and the game was very scarce, particularly on the Mankwe plains where we always used to find tons grazing. Even the "common" things were so few and far between that we could count the sightings on the fingers of one hand.

We spoke to one of the rangers and he told us that the park was being extensively hunted and that they had to remove a pack of wild dogs because there was not enough to sustain them. We decided to have lunch in the restaurant and the menu was unbelievable! There were all sort of game on the menu, sable, waterbuck, elephant, buffalo, warthog, crocodile. My husband complemented the manager and asked where all the meat came from. He said that the hunters are only interested in the trophies and that the meat gets sold in the restaurant. That completely put me off from visiting, I would rather see the animals alive than on the menu.

Can someone tell me if there has been a change in their hunting policy and if it is worthwhile to visit again?

Thank you,
Ann

[Flutterby]

Hi Ann,

I don't know about their hunting policy, but we have noticed a big change over the last couple of years. Our last visit was in June, and we were also very disappointed. General game was very scarce, not to mention any predators. We have maintained for a long time that the park is very understocked.

[Mel]

I remember someone telling me recently that there was only 1 lonely Cheetah left there and they didn't have plans to reintroduce any more.

[harrys]

Thats not very good news, looks like another parks's management only interested in making money

[Mel]

26/08/2011

This is not good news at all.

I fondly remember the days when Pilansberg was so well stocked, it was better than Kruger. There were herds and herds of game. We once found a whole herd of Sable on the hillslopes near Manyane gate, one right next to the road. Our best sightings ever of leopard and cheetah was in Pilansberg.

Emotionally I have everything against hunting in a protected area, logically I can understand the (supposed) need for it providing it's done in a responsible and sustainable way. I'm just very happy to read Sanparks position about hunting in reserves is not the same as North West Parks.

To a once beautiful park.

[cheetah]

27/08/2011

Yes, unfortunately it is a fact - only 1 cheetah in Pilansberg There was a female and a male at one stage, but whatever the reason, didn't have babies

A long time ago (about 12 years ago) we had three cheetah eating a Gnu right next to the road! It was on the windy road up to Bakubung after you out the gate! Which meant we could watch for ages without worrying about time 8-)

[BunnyHugger]

07/09/2011

This is a "fred" I will be watching with some interest. It seems Hunny's new found enthusiasm for nature has her thinking of spending some time at Pilanesberg in the not too distant future.

To be honest, I'm not entirely convinced about them having a high agenda for money.

Some months ago, I was planning on going camping there over the long weekend in Aug. Sent them several e-mails requesting availability and tariffs and never got one single response.

Not exactly a way to make money. Last time I was there was about 11 years ago.

[Flutterby]

BH, we go quite regularly - just for the day - and are more disappointed every time we go!

[JoeKing]

08/09/2011

OK let me get to this.

I have heard that lions get hunted.

But due to the fact that there are no spotties there, leopards are very limited, the population gets out of hand.

Its actually more of a cull, but then the R 250 000 that they make off a lion hunt goes straight back into the park.

I have also joked with the managers at the resturants about where their kudu meat game, asking if it was in the camp as we saw kudus earlier.

Answer was no they are are sourced from a butcher.

Regarding the wild dogs, the one pack was removed, as the original pack had split into 2 packs and the threat of inbreeding was very high, i did however hear that that pack was replaced with a outside pack.

i was there in april and may this year and sightings were awesome, plenty impala, springboks, 3 diss males lions, also plenty other general game, including kori bustard and secretary bird.

Rhinos, elephants all there.

But the brownies have been eluding me.

Best time is september/october after the grass burning.

[Mel]

09/09/2011

Thank you joekin.
That sounds positive! I might visit soon again and I'll post an update if I do.

Pilansberg was a special park a few years ago. The only thing I did not like was seeing houses on the outside when you drive through the park but that is something that cannot be avoided. Otherwise it was great.