The opspoor blog
Field notes from South Africa’s parks
Self-drive guides, park spotlights and what the sighting data shows, for your next trip to Kruger, Pilanesberg and beyond.
Kruger Gate Times & Fees 2026 (New Prices 1 Nov)
Gates open 05:30 to 06:00 and close 17:30 to 18:30, by month. Daily fee from 1 Nov 2026: R140 per SA adult, R692 international. Every gate, every month.
Pilanesberg Day Trip from Johannesburg or Pretoria: A Self-Drive Plan (2026)
A door-to-door plan for a Pilanesberg day trip from Johannesburg or Pretoria: when to leave, the route, which gate to use, 2026 entry fees, a full-day timeline, what to pack and how to get out before the gate closes.
How Many Lions and Leopards Are in Pilanesberg?
Real numbers for Pilanesberg's lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, rhino and wild dogs, with sources, and what they mean for your chances.
Pilanesberg Sightings Today: Live Maps, Apps and WhatsApp Groups Compared
Every way to find out what's been seen in Pilanesberg today: sightings apps, live maps, WhatsApp groups and the people at the gate. Plus how to use a sighting so you arrive while the animal is still there.
Best Time to Visit Kruger National Park: A Month-by-Month Guide
When to visit Kruger: the dry and wet seasons, what every month is like for game viewing, when to see baby animals, elephants and wild dogs, and how to avoid the crowds.
Kruger vs Pilanesberg: Which Self-Drive Safari Should You Choose?
Kruger or Pilanesberg? An honest comparison for self-drivers: distance from Johannesburg, malaria, cost, roads, the Big Five, crowds and signal, plus which park suits which trip.
How to Spot Lions on Safari (Kruger & Pilanesberg Tips)
Where to find lions in Kruger and Pilanesberg: the best time of day and season, the roads to prioritize, and the signs that give a resting pride away.
How to Spot Elephants in Kruger (Safari Tips)
Where to find elephants in Kruger: the rivers and camps to prioritize, the best season and time of day, the signs a herd is close, how to read elephant body language, and how to stay safe.
Pilanesberg Self-Drive Guide (2026): Gates, Fees, Roads, Hides & the Big Five
Everything you need for a self-drive in Pilanesberg National Park: gate times, which gravel roads to take, the best hides and when their light is right, where to look for each of the Big Five, and sample day plans.
A Leopard's Hunt in Pilanesberg: Michael Captures a Rare Wildlife Moment
Witness an extraordinary wildlife encounter in Pilanesberg National Park as Michael captures a leopard successfully hunting an impala. A rare glimpse into the raw reality of life in the African bush.
How to Spot Buffalo on Safari (Kruger Tips)
Cape buffalo are one of the easier Big 5 to find in numbers, but reading the herd right is what separates a distant sighting from a great one.
Cheetahs in Kruger: Where and When to See Them
Cheetahs are rare in Kruger National Park. Learn how to tell them apart from leopards, where they roam, and when you have the best chance of a sighting.
Want to know what's been seen in the parks this week? opspoor puts recent, community-confirmed sightings on a map you can use on your next drive.