Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust

The Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust has been established to provide a medium through which contributions can be made to further conservation and social upliftment.

The Challenge:

Given the challenges surrounding the government funding for conservation areas, the Board established the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust to fund raise and support conservation projects in and around the Park. One of the focus areas is to develop projects that have the potential to generate funds for the Trust in order to make it more sustainable.

Trust Management:

Representatives of the trust comprise of members from Park Management, North West Parks and Tourism Board, Community leaders, South African businesses and committed members of the public.

Key Trust Objectives:

Conservation of the beauty and the bio diversity of the Pilanesberg National Park.

To provide education and skills development in surrounding communities through scholarships and bursaries for environmental conservation and eco-tourism studies.

To support social and economic upliftment in the related fields of nature conservation and tourism within the surrounding communities.

The Pilanesberg National Park:

The Pilanesberg National Park, situated 50km north of Rustenburg in the North West Province, is managed by the North West Parks & Tourism Board.

Visitors are offered many opportunities to experience the wonders of Pilanesberg. There are nearly 200 kilometres of excellent quality roads for either self-drives or guided drives, and professional guides operate within the park. Numerous hides and scenic picnic sites enable the tourist to experience "out-of-car" experiences as well.

Over the past 30 years the Pilanesberg National Park has become internationally renowned for its progressive conservation efforts as well as for its natural beauty, diverse landscape and eco-system making it a special destination for visitors.

The Pilanesberg is, however, more than just a wildlife sanctuary to which tourists flock? it has also spurred economic development in the region that in turn has provided social upliftment in this once largely disadvantaged rural community.

Gate Times:

March & April: 06h00 - 18h30

May - September: 06h30 - 18h00

September & October: 06h00 - 18h30

November - February: 05h30 - 19h00