READER FAVOURITE
Belinda Joubert, Hartbeespoort
“The Pilanesberg is my happy place. At night, the veld comes alive with croaks, chirps and whistles. The stars are bright and if you’re lucky you’ll hear a lion roar.
“We visit the reserve throughout the year. Every season has its charm. In winter you get golden grassland and dramatic clouds. In autumn, the trees change colour and insects are more noticeable – dung beetles, rhino beetles, longhorn beetles, butterflies and dragonflies.
“I’ve seen most, if not all, of the species in the reserve – even a secretary – bird. You soon learn that a southern tree agama is just as special as a lion.”
Follow Belinda on Instagram: @bj.inspire
PILANESBERG GAME RESERVE
Trade the elephant sculptures of nearby Sun City for the real thing in this Big Five reserve. It’s in the crater of an extinct volcano and therefore surrounded by a ring of hills. There are animals galore and 300 recorded bird species, and you can explore in your own car or on a guided game drive, as well as on foot (walking safari) or even in a hot air balloon! (See 🖰 mankwegametrackers.co.za)
Pilanesberg has six bird hides. Mankwe on the edge of Mankwe Dam is the
