Day 8: Sunrise Safari Magic, Conservation Conversations, and an Elephant-Sized Surprise

There aren’t many things in life that will have me excited to wake up at 4:30am, but a game drive in Pilanesberg National Park? That’s definitely one of them.

We gathered in the lodge lobby at 5:00am, bundled up against the early morning chill, and set off once again with our trusted ranger Eugene. Heading into the bush before the sun was even up gave us the gift of witnessing a truly breathtaking African sunrise—soft golden light stretching across the horizon as the landscape slowly came alive.

And just when we thought the scenery couldn’t get better… we saw them: giraffes! Towering and graceful, they moved through the acacia trees like living sculptures. Did you know that giraffes are the tallest land mammals on Earth, with necks that can stretch up to 6 feet long? Despite that height, they have the same number of neck vertebrae as humans—just seven. And a fun fact: they only sleep about 30 minutes a day (not going to lie, I learned that at Disney’s Animal Kingdom)!

Not long after the giraffes, we found a herd of zebras, including several young foals. Watching them nuzzle and play was heartwarming. Zebras might seem flashy in their black and white stripes, but those patterns are actually excellent camouflage. The stripes disrupt their outline in the tall grasses and confuse predators, especially when the herd sticks close together because the predators don’t have the same color receptors as humans.

We also spotted a few hornbills—if you’re picturing Zazu from The Lion King, you’ve got it right. These charismatic birds are just as noisy and full of personality in real life.

About halfway through the drive, we paused for coffee and tea, enjoying the warm drinks and the quiet hush of the bush. The crisp morning air made that stop extra cozy.

Back at the lodge, we dug into another fantastic breakfast buffet before joining Eugene and one of his colleagues for a mid-morning chat about safari life and conservation. It was fascinating to learn what goes on behind the scenes—from lodge logistics and guiding training to the serious work of protecting wildlife.

One of the most urgent conservation efforts in South Africa focuses on rhinos, which face constant threats from poaching. Pilanesberg is deeply committed to anti-poaching patrols, surveillance, and community outreach to reduce demand and support local livelihoods. We also learned about eco-tourism—how places like Kwa Maritane work hard to minimize their footprint while maximizing their impact through responsible travel, solar power use, waste management, and water conservation. As visitors, our support helps fund these programs and protect these incredible ecosystems.

In the afternoon, we took advantage of some free time at the lodge. One of the coolest features at Kwa Maritane is The Hide—a secret tunnel that leads to an underground bunker near a watering hole. From a narrow opening in the bunker, you can quietly watch animals come and go without them ever knowing you're there. It’s the kind of peaceful, up-close moment that makes this place so special.

By 3:00pm, it was time for our second game drive of the day—and I was on a mission. Determined to see elephants, I wore my lucky elephant earrings from Cape Town, and let me just say: they worked.

Instead of heading to the distant park entrance, we used the private gate right on Kwa Maritane’s property, and almost immediately we encountered a surprisingly charming character: a dung beetle! These tiny insects are incredibly strong, capable of rolling dung balls many times their own weight. They use dung for food and breeding, and their work actually helps fertilize the land and control pests. Nature’s clean-up crew!

But then—just around the bend—we saw our first elephant just to the side of the road! A lone male was enjoying his dinner and chilling in the bush. We were so excited to have seen one of the beautiful creatures so close! But then, the truly awesome sight. A little bit further down the road, we came upon a massive herd of over 30 elephants up on the hill, including playful babies and juveniles. We watched them interact, trumpet, and roll in the mud. Elephants are highly social animals with strong family bonds and impressive memories. Seeing them up close—especially the young ones playing—was nothing short of magical.

As we continued on, we got word over the radio that something rare had been spotted. Suddenly, Eugene’s driving took on a sense of urgency, and we all held our breath. Moments later, we pulled up to a clearing—and there he was: a leopard, lounging in a tree. This elusive predator is the most secretive of Africa’s “Big Five,” and we couldn’t believe our luck. We enjoyed watching in awe until he gracefully climbed down and disappeared into the tall grass.

To end the evening, we stopped for another sundowner—this time with huge smiles and a sense of wonder at what we’d just witnessed. Back at the lodge, we enjoyed another hearty dinner and a well-earned glass of South African wine before heading to bed.

Tomorrow brings another early morning… and who knows what other surprises.