INFO ABOUT THE
PRIDELANDS CONSERVANCY
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ABOUT PRIDELANDS CONSERVANCY
There is a place where wildlife roams free in Africa, a place where Greater Kruger reaches out towards the Drakensburg escarpment, this is Pridelands. Pridelands is home to the Big 5, cheetah and wild dogs as it is part of the Greater Kruger National Park.
The sun sets over the rugged mountains in the west and rises over one of the largest areas of biodiversity in Africa. The landscape is made up of tall knobthorn woodlands, bushwillows and open areas punctuated with waterholes where herds of elephant drink and swim. The well-being of wildlife is priority at Pridelands so animals feel secure here. Leopards, lions, cheetah and hyena have had cubs on Pridelands recently and wild dogs have denned on Pridelands in the past.
Pridelands is a place of peace, a place of adventure and a place of romance under African skies.
Conservation
This land was incorporated into the Greater Kruger National Park to allow for an expansion of wildlife rangelands. Wildlife conservation is achieved through sustainable ecotourism economies, when guests enjoy safaris they in turn allow for education of people from all over the world and employment and training of staff.
Pridelands Conservancy
To carry our conservation mission, Pridelands hosts EcoTraining who deliver various wildlife training courses and we spread awareness for conservation through media through WildEarth and Painted dog TV who reach a global audience.
Game Drives
Pridelands offers guided game drives (max 10 people per vehicle). Enjoy early morning or evening game drives in our open safari vehicles, while our qualified nature guides share their knowledge and show you the Big Five (Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard) as well as other game.
THE LOCATION
Situated in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, north of the Hoedspruit Airforce base, Pridelands Conservancy, a former hunting farm, presents a magnificent example of intact vegetation of Combretum woodland.
In September 2017, the fences between Pridelands and the Greater Kruger National Park (GKNP) have been dropped making Pridelands part of the GKNP (KNP) with an additional 2000 ha of land which extends the habitat for animals. Animals found in Pridelands Conservancy: Since the fences have been dropped, a variety of wildlife from members of the big five to wild dogs and hyenas have been seen on the Conservancy.
GAME DRIVE
Pridelands is open to the Greater Kruger National Park and offers abundant game viewing, including the Big 5, wild dog and cheetah. Elephants are the most frequently seen big game animals and are often seen swimming completely submerged in the waterholes.
Our game drives last about three hours with a coffee break at a quiet place in the bush. We are very respectful towards the animals and the environment as well as our guests’ interests. Our guides will focus on your enjoyment and safety during your safaris at Pridelands. We celebrate biodiversity at Pridelands and we welcome people with particular interests who would like a tailormade safari.
ACCOMMODATION & CAMP
EcoTraining is the leading nature guide training company in Africa. There are various short, medium or longer courses offered by EcoTraining on Pridelands., contact us for more information.
Experience nature like never before! EcoTraining’s Pridelands camp is situated on Pridelands, next to Ndlovu Dam, where herds of elephant and buffalo enjoy swimming and playing in the mud every afternoon. You can expect close encounters with some of the animals who enjoy grazing through the camp, making great photo opportunities!
The camp consists of 10 simple dome tents, each with two single beds. There are shared bathroom facilities and a central communal area with braai facilities, where you will enjoy the evening chatting around the camp fire before heading off to bed.
Average summer maximum temperature (October-March): 35°C
Average minimum winter temperature (April-September): 6°C
SAFARI VEHICLE
You’ll be logging in fair amount of road time, so having a comfortable and reliable 4x4 vehicle is crucial to a safe and enjoyable journey. Our specifically designed and remodeled safari vehicle is always professionally maintained, undergoing rigorous pre and post-trip inspection, giving us confidence, each journey will be a safe and pleasurable ride.
With access to a fleet of game-viewing quality CAR NAME, we never have issues accommodating our group’s various overland needs as well as providing unique, with windows particularly designed for, photographing opportunities during your safari or on the transfers within.
WHAT TO BRING
A list of the recommended material to bring for a land safari: Please note, early hours experience low temperatures.
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Proper neutral coloured clothing and comfortable shoes (in case of walking safari)
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Warm jacket and jersey
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Gloves, beanie and scarf as it gets chilly in the mornings and evenings during winter
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Hat for protecting both the head and neck
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Binoculars
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Camera and extra batteries
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Flashlight
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Cash (South African Rands, US Dollar)
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South African adaptors (can be purchased in Kruger) to charge batteries
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Mosquito prophylaxis, Insect repellent
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Sun Block (cream, sunglasses, hats..)
POSSIBLE SIGHTINGS
Since the fences have been dropped, a variety of wildlife from members of the big five to wild dogs and hyenas have been seen on the Conservancy. During the rainy season the dam in front of camp forms a waterhole teeming with wildlife including elephants and buffalo.
ACTIVITIES
Pridelands is open to the Greater Kruger National Park and offers abundant game viewing, including the Big 5, wild dog and cheetah. Elephants are the most frequently seen big game animals and are often seen swimming completely submerged in the waterholes.
Our game drives last about three hours with a coffee break at a quiet place in the bush. We are very respectful towards the animals and the environment as well as our guests’ interests. Our guides will focus on your enjoyment and safety during your safaris at Pridelands. We celebrate biodiversity at Pridelands and we welcome people with particular interests who would like a tailormade safari.
|| Bush Walks
It is a wonderful experience to explore the wilderness on foot. Take your body, mind and soul on a sensory adventure into the wild ancient landscape. Revisit our natural companions on natural terms. Let our professional trails guides lead you safely as you track and encounter wild animals, view wonderful birds and immerse yourself in nature.
Walks are focused on the interests of the guests while investigating detailed relationships found in nature. While we may encounter big game, safety and enjoyment is always our focus.
|| Bird Watching
Pridelands has a biodiverse ecosystem. The ecology is comprised of broadleaf woodland, knobthorn woodland, open savannah, koppies, seasonal rivers, pans and permanent waterholes. This habitat is home to prolific birdlife. There are several white backed vulture nests to be found in the knobthorn canopy. We wake up to the dawn chorus of doves, francolins and guineafowls and are serenaded by a choir of owls at night.
Although Pridelands is in the Lowveld, we are only about 30km "as the crow flies" from the escarpment and less than 20km from the permanent Olifants river so we enjoy a multitude of feathered friends. Birding can be conducted by vehicle, walking or by waiting at a waterhole.
Following the initiative of a previous group, we encourage each of you to reserve 1kg of your luggage for donation material (clothes, books, school supplies, sports equipment, medicines). It's not mandatory! But it is very satisfying to go to a local village one day and donate it to the people.
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