The geocache is located at the parking area next to one of the breathtaking view points off the Moloto Drive road in the Pilanesberg National Park. This treasure is an easy park and grab hide. Please replace the cache exactly as you found it.
Please adhere to all the rules and safety guidelines of the Park as set out on the entrance permit.
The Pilanesberg National Park was established in 1979 (formally opened in 1981) and is located in the Bojanala Region, within the North West Province, approximately 2 hours’ drive from Johannesburg. It is the fourth largest national park in South Africa, spanning an area of 57200 hectares (572 km2). The park is located in the crater of a long extinct volcano - a fascinating alkaline complex produced by volcanic eruptions some 1300 million years ago. The volcanic complex is one of the largest of its kind in the world and the rare rock types and structure make it a unique geological feature. The area is fringed by three concentric ridges or rings of hills. This geological structure is called the "Pilanesberg National Park Alkaline Ring Complex".
The establishment of the park required the relocation of local inhabitants and the demolition of buildings in the area that became the park. Some of these buildings were retained and now forms the visitors centre in the heart of the park. The population of the park with wildlife was implemented through Operation Genesis, which was undertaken in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It involved the installation of more than 110 km of game fence, the creation of roads in the park and the relocation of indigenous animals back into the area. Today the park has more than 200 km of roads and is home to more than 10 000 animals. An ambitious expansion plan aimed at the creation of a corridor from the north of the park to the Madikwe Game Reserve was touted a few years ago, but recent indications are that this plan may not have the required support from mining interests and local farmers in the area.
Since 1993 lion have been re-introduced to the park. Today the park is a very popular destination, not only because of its unique geological and pre-historic attractions, but also because it is a beautiful location where the Big 5 (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros and elephant) can be seen in their natural habitat in a non-malaria area within relative short driving distance from Johannesburg.
The park also boasts a very large variety of birdlife with more than 360 bird species having been recorded in the park. Some of the indigenous birds include fish eagles, kingfishers and cormorants. A number of bird and game observation hides are located throughout the park, making this destination a favourite among bird watchers and photographers alike.
Please take note of the following when planning to visit the geocaches in the Pilanesberg National Park:
- Park fees are payable at any entrance gate to the Pilanesberg National Park. The charges are per person and for your vehicle.
- You may not leave your vehicle except at designated spots. The cache is placed at one of these designated viewing spots.
- You participate in Geocaching at your own risk and neither the Pilanesberg National Park nor the Cache Owner has any responsibility or liability for any injury or damage suffered while you attempt to find this geocache.
- The conditions of the roads in the park include tarred road, cement paved road, good unpaved road in places and also some badly eroded gravel roads in other places. Please drive with care.
- An All-Terrain Vehicle is not required to visit the park.
- Adhere to the speed limit within the park at all times.
- The dry season in the area is in the winter months (April to September), and the wet season is in the summer months (October to March).
Enjoy your time in this wonderful gem of nature and Happy Geocaching!!