Pilanesberg National Park
Tlou Drive, Pilanesberg National Park
The Tlou Drive is a 12.5 km gravel road in Pilanesberg National Park about 6.6 km from Bakgatla Gate. It connects to Kgabo, Kukama, Moloto Drive, Nare Link and Ntshwe. Here's what lives along it, where to stop, and when it's most active.
Tlou Drive is a 12.5 km gravel road through the quieter western and central parts of Pilanesberg, and one of the best-connected roads in the park: Kgabo, Moloto Drive, Sefara Drive, Nare Link and several shorter roads all join it. Ruighoek Dam has a bird hide and a viewpoint just off the road, and the hide gets its best light in the afternoon. Tlou Dam, on a small floodplain, is also close by. With so many junctions, Tlou Drive is the easy way to string together a western loop from Bakgatla Gate.
Where the Tlou Drive runs
Recent activity on the Tlou Drive
Sightings already logged on the Tlou Drive
See exactly where, which way they're moving, and get alerts here. Works with no signal.
Open in opspoorMost reported on the Tlou Drive
Habitat along the Tlou Drive
Open grassland: Open plains with few trees. Grazers gather here and predators hunt across it.
Habitat mapped by opspoor. Data sources
Best time to drive the Tlou Drive
Park-local time of day for every confirmed sighting logged on this road, most often morning (8–11am).
Hour-by-hour patterns per species are in the opspoor app.
Waterholes and stops on the Tlou Drive
- Ruighoek Dam ViewpointViewpointRuighoek Dam Viewpoint overlooks the western side of Ruighoek Dam, offering an open view across the water and the surrounding combination of grassland, woodland and rocky hills. The quieter western…200 m off the road
- Ruighoek Dam Bird HideBird HideRuighoek Dam is a quieter water-based wildlife stop in Pilanesberg, offering a peaceful setting for birdwatching and photography. Its hide overlooks the water and is particularly well suited to…200 m off the road
- Ruighoek DamWaterholeRuighoek Dam is a quieter wildlife and birdwatching spot in Pilanesberg, located away from some of the park’s busier viewing areas. The nearby hide overlooks the water and makes it a rewarding place…250 m off the road
- Lenong View ViewpointViewpointLenong View is one of the highest viewpoints in the central Pilanesberg, offering a sweeping perspective across the ancient volcanic ring complex. From the lookout, Mankwe Dam and Makorwane Dam can…500 m off the road
- Tlou DamWaterholeTlou Dam is a productive wildlife-viewing spot in Pilanesberg, where animals are often drawn to the water and surrounding floodplain. It can be particularly rewarding for watching elephants, along…750 m off the road
See every waterhole, hide and viewpoint on the map, and navigate to them, in the opspoor app.
Tlou Drive questions
Where is the Tlou Drive in Pilanesberg National Park?
The Tlou Drive is a 12.5 km gravel road in Pilanesberg National Park about 6.6 km from Bakgatla Gate. It connects to Kgabo, Kukama, Moloto Drive, Nare Link and Ntshwe.
What animals can you see on the Tlou Drive?
The species most often reported on the Tlou Drive by opspoor users are chacma baboon.
Are there waterholes or hides on the Tlou Drive?
Yes. Along the Tlou Drive you'll find Ruighoek Dam Viewpoint, Ruighoek Dam Bird Hide, Ruighoek Dam, Lenong View Viewpoint and Tlou Dam.
Can I use opspoor on the Tlou Drive without signal?
Yes. Signal in Pilanesberg National Park can be patchy, and opspoor works fully offline: you can see sightings you've already loaded and log your own, which sync when you're back in range.
Roads connecting to the Tlou Drive
Driving the Tlou Drive soon? See recent sightings on this road, alerts when something's spotted nearby, and a map that works with no signal.