The crater of a long extinct volcano is the setting of Pilanesberg National Park. It's one the the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world and a number of rare minerals occur in the park, rating Pilanesberg amongst the world's outstanding geological phenomena.

Several Stone and Iron Age sites are scattered throughout the park.

As the Marakele National Park, Pilanesberg is located in the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and the wetter Lowveld vegetation.

The colourful hues, varied habitats and panoramas make from Pilanesberg a feast for the eyes, mixing hills, forested ravines, typical bushveld and rolling grasslands through the 55.000 Ha of the park.

Besides the Big Five, Pilanesberg accommodates virtually every mammal of southern Africa.