Ivory Tree Game Lodge Sun City Hotels & Pilanesberg

Health & Beauty Spa at the Ivory Tree Game Lodge, Pilanesberg - The Amani Spa

The exclusive Amani Spa at the five star Ivory Tree Game Lodge, Pilanesberg, is a timeless place of peace and tranquility.  Surrounded by nature, this spa is the ultimate escape for pure self indulgence.  Guests are invited to discover a little magic from Mother Nature blending ancient wisdom and treasures of the rich African soil with modern technology.

The lodge provides a unique spa product brand, Africology, which is made from the purest of ingredients, free from artificial preservatives, colouring and fragrances.  Guests may enjoy the pampering and relaxing of the Holistic Body, Skin & Beauty Rituals, designed to bring balance and harmony to the body.

The main activity at the Ivory Tree Game Lodge are the thrilling open vehicle safaris which provide guests with a truly exciting and rare bushveld experience. 

Unlike most national park game drives, the game drives available at the Ivory Tree Game Lodge are conducted in custom built 10 seater vehicles. Guests are allocated a dedicated ranger for the duration of their stay, ensuring that they enjoy a full game viewing opportunity, the emphasis being on big game.  This enables rangers to better understand particular interests. Game drive times are determined by optimal animal activity periods and would be adjusted seasonally, for example, during the summer months the game drives take place early in the morning (before breakfast) and late in the afternoon.  During the winter months, game drives depart later in the morning (after breakfast) and earlier in the afternoon.

The game drives in open vehicles at the Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa provide an unforgettable experience.  The Ivory Tree Game Lodges utilizes custom built 10 seater open game viewers which permit maximum all around visibility. The Pilanesberg National Park is home to a wide variety of general game including the 'Big 5', in addition both species of rhino occur, namely the black and the white rhino, as well as cheetah and wild dog.

Pilanesberg National Park falls within what is referred to as a cross over or transition zone and this is where bushveld meets the edge of the Kalahari. For this reason the diversity of wildlife is greater than most other areas as animals endemic to both regions overlap at this point.
 
Animals which are home in the Pilanesberg National Park and which can be observed from close encounters on the game drives are: Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Cheetah, Elephant, Giraffe, White rhino, Zebra, Black Rhino, Blue Wildebeest, Bushbuck, Gemsbok, Grey Duiker, Impala, Klipspringer, Kudu, Mountain Reedbuck, Nyala, Red Hartebeest, Sable, Springbok, Steenbok, Wild Dog, Aarvark, Aardwolf, African Wild Cat, Baboon, Bat Eared Fox, Cape Fox, Caracal, Civet Cat, Jackal, Mongoose, Porcupine, Scrub Hare, Serval, Tree Squirrel, Vervet Monkey, Warthog.

Guests are taken on an escorted route which passes through a community before proceeding through the neighbouring village. From here the quad bike track rises into the rolling hills that surround the Pilanesberg before returning to the lodge by way of a service gate ensuring that resident guests are not disturbed.

The bird life diversity in the Pilanesberg National Park is extraordinary. Whilst some birds are migrants, many are permanent inhabitants. Their food sources vary with some eating carrion or live prey, while others eat seeds, fruit or tiny water organisms.

The Pilanesberg National Park is one of the best places for birding in South Africa. Over 350 species have been recorded in this national park located in the North West province and a birder could record up to 100 species in winter and plenty more in summer including both migrant and permanent species.

The transition zone between the dry Kalahari and the wetter lowveld region in this region of South Africa brings with it a unique mix of birds with Red-eyed Bulbus co-habiting with Black-eyed Bulbuls . Many other such fascinating habitations are visible throughout the game reserve but it isn't limited to only bird species but also to other animals and plants.

Elephant Back Safari: An Age Old Concept - An unforgettable Adventure

Pick up from the Gametrackers Outdoor Adventures desk located at the Welcome Centre. Transfer to "The Elephant Wallow" will be approximately 20 minutes through the Letsatsing Game Reserve giving guests an opportunity to view game along the way.

On arrival, welcome drinks are served and guests are given an introductory talk and introduced to the elephants and their handlers. The elephants are then saddled and the safari commences.

After approximately an hour on elephant back guests return to "The Elephant Wallow" for light snacks. Guests are returned to the Welcome Centre, Sun City.

• Duration: approximately 2-3 hours
• Maximum 10 people – children under 5 years can unfortunately not participate
• Pick up and drop off is the Welcome Centre at the Sun City Resort

Sunrise Elephant Back Safari

Pick Up: 06.00 AM summer 1 Sept – 30 April
Pick Up: 08.00 AM winter 1 May – 31 August

Mid Morning Elephant Back Safari

Pick Up: 08.00 AM summer 1 Sept – 30 April
Pick Up: 10.00 AM winter 1 May – 31 August

Sunset Elephant Back Safari

Pick Up: 15.30 summer 1 Sept – 30 April
Pick Up: 15.30 winter 1 May – 31 August

Hot Air Balloon Safaris in the Pilanesberg National Park

The Hot Air Balloon Safaris are offered every morning, depending on the weather and number of passengers.  Guest are collected at their hotel or game lodge and are taken into the park to meet with the balloon crew.

The flight is approximately an hour in duration and on landing sparkling wine is served.  A leisurely game drive is then taken through the park to a game lodge where breakfast is served, after which guest are returned to back to the Ivory Tree Game Lodge. 

• Duration: 1hr flight, +/- 4 hrs in total
• Booking is essential
• a minimum number of guests are required to conduct a flight

Flights are early in the morning and you will need to allow some 4 hours for the full activity which includes the following:

• Early morning collection from your hotel by safari vehicle
• Launch of the balloon from the centre of Pilanesberg National Park
• An hour drifting serenely over the Park
• A sparkling wine celebration on landing, a time-honoured tradition in ballooning
• A Full English breakfast at a Game Lodge
• A First Flight certificate signed by your Pilot
• Return transfer to Ivory Tree Game Lodge

Terms and Conditions: Hot Air Balloon Safaris

• 1 hour flight: Minimum 8 passengers / Maximum 60 pax (1 hour flight)
• 30 minute flight: Minimum 20 / Maximum 120 pax (½ hour flight)
• Children under the age of 12 can unfortunately not participate
• Subject to availability of balloons
• Full prepayment is required before the flight takes place ( payment by either bank transfer or credit card )

The popular Sun City Resort is only a short drive away from the Ivory Tree Game Lodge, Pilanesberg.  The Sun City Resort, Casino & Entertainment Centre offers many activities and attractions.

Sun City attractions:

• Sun City Casino & Entertainment Centre
• The Palace of the Lost City Hotel
• Cascades Hotel
• Sun City Hotel
• Cabanas Hotel
• Valley of Waves: water park
• Health & Beauty Spa
• Gary Player Golf Course
• Lost City Golf Course
• Bird Aviary
• Farmyard animals
• Kamp Kwena

The Ivory Tree Game Lodge provides a lovely outdoor swimming pool to which guests have access to.