Located right outside Sun City, the entertainment capital of South Africa, Pilanesberg National Park, is a geological wonder, a haven for rich flora and fauna and home to an overflowing number of lodges. Driving to the reserve from Sun City is literally like being in two different worlds within an extremely short span of time considering how one is a luxurious man-made wonder and the other is the raw, unembellished face of nature. While the park is replete with African buffaloes, black and white rhinoceros, lions, cheetahs, leopards, zebras and elephants, they apparently like remaining unobtrusive for most of the day.

My most vivid memory of Pilanesberg, which now happens to be the most popular public game reserve in South Africa, was more terrifying than anything else. While I was safely nestled inside a semi-open jeep that was swerving on the unsurfaced track, a mighty elephant suddenly decided to block our way. My guide tried every tactic in the book to get the animal to move away from us but he seemed more obstinate than we had imagined and gradually started advancing towards the vehicle. I was preparing to get crushed by the giant when another jeep came from the opposite direction and together, we were able to confuse the beast and drive away, the maddening adrenaline continually pumping through our veins. I haven’t been very fond of elephants ever since.

Best place to stay:
The Palace of the Lost City, Sun City