Ivory Tree Game Lodge Activities

The principle activity at Ivory Tree is the open vehicle safaris.

Unlike most national park game drives, ours are conducted in custom built 10 seater vehicles. Given the emphasis placed on big game viewing we have ensured that guests are allocated a dedicated ranger on arrival for the duration of their stay with us.

This enables your ranger to better understand your particular interests and permits enough time to do his/her best to ensure that Ivory Tree satisfies your requirements. Game drive times are determined by optimal animal activity periods and would be adjusted seasonally, for example, during the summer months the game drives would typically 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.

There are also a numerous activities which occur in and around the Pilanesberg National Park, which include hot air ballooning, elephant back rides and golf at the nearby Sun City complex.

Conservation Safaris

The concept of involving guests in conservation exercises has traditionally been beyond the reach of guests in our private reserves, and even more so in national parks. We are delighted that we have been able to reach agreements with our parks to involve guests in these extremely exciting experiences.

This has been made possible through financial contributions from the guests to off set some of the costs relating to these conservation exercises. In some cases conservation exercises have become possible expressly through these contributions, a situation which can only benefit our wildlife heritage.

The experience typically begins after a short drive to the briefing area, here guests receive a detailed brief on the programme of events and an explanation on the reason why the exercise is about to take place.

The process of enticing the predator's to the bait involves securing a carcass to a tree or similar anchor and then playing a recording of a distressed animal calling, once the subjects are at the carcass, the vet will dart the individual. Generally about 5 to 10 minutes will pass whilst the individual succumbs to the effects of the sedative. The vehicles move in and create a lager around the individual with our guides keeping a watchful eye over other members of the pride, assuming there are any. In this case the lion is loaded onto the back of a vehicle by guests.

The individual is removed from the site and taken a safe distance away to begin the procedures. Procedures could include; branding, placing or removing collars, inserting micro chips etc. Throughout the experience maximum guest participation is encouraged.

Please contact Wayne Pritchard at (011) 706 8781 for any further information on this and other programmes available to guests at Ivory Tree Game Lodge. Costs can be supplied on request.