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Pilanesberg National Park has long offered an easy escape from city life. Yet many visitors now leave with mixed feelings. Rising costs, alleged poor roads and slow service have sparked concern about whether one of South Africa’s favourite wildlife destinations can recover.
Set inside an extinct volcanic crater in North West Province, the reserve covers 550 square kilometres. It protects more than 7 000 animals and around 360 bird species across over 200 kilometres of roads.
Its location, just northwest of Johannesburg and next to Sun City, helped make it a favourite for families, day visitors and overseas tourists alike.
WHY DID PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK BECOME SO POPULAR?
The reserve earned its reputation because it made a Big Five safari accessible. Visitors could spot elephants, lions, buffalo, leopards and rhinos without travelling to larger parks. They also enjoyed sightings of giraffe, zebra, kudu and many other antelope species.
Its wide choice of accommodation strengthened its appeal. Lodges such as Tshukudu Bush Lodge, Ivory Tree Game Lodge and Bakubung Bush Lodge attracted travellers with different budgets. Many visitors combined a safari with entertainment at nearby Sun City, so the area became one of the country’s busiest tourism hubs.
That popularity brought economic benefits to the region because tourism supported jobs and local businesses.
However, expectations also increased as visitor numbers grew.
WHY ARE VISITORS NOW RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK?
Many complaints on social media platforms now focus on higher entrance fees and a poorer visitor experience. South African entrance fees doubled from R80 to R160 per person, while vehicle fees increased from R40 to R160.
International visitors now pay R680 per person instead of R110, while bus fees rose from R140 to R400. Cashless payments add further delays when connectivity problems affect card transactions.
CAN THE PARK REVERSE ITS DECLINE?
Most visitors accept paying more if facilities improve. However, frustration grows when service standards appear to move in the opposite direction.
According to complaints, roads now represent the biggest concern because they affect every visitor. Large potholes force motorists to weave across tarred sections, while some roads have broken down into rough gravel and damaged tar.
The North West Parks and Tourism Board has acknowledged the problem. Acting chief executive Jonathan Denga warned in October 2025 that the reserve faced closure without a sustainable funding model.
He estimated repairs to roads, fencing, toilets and tourism facilities could cost between R1.8 billion and R2.2 billion.
The reserve still offers remarkable wildlife and scenery. However, its future now depends on whether promised maintenance becomes visible.
Visitors can forgive rough roads after heavy rains. They rarely forgive neglect that lasts for years, not even in the popular Pilanesberg National Park.
The post What is wrong at Pilanesberg, once the crown prince of reserves? appeared first on SA People.
