mytravelfootprints: Caught with Wildebeests on a Volcanic crater! Elsie Gabriel

Caught with Wildebeests on a Volcanic crater!

Elsie Gabriel

Here right now, am standing on a Volcanic crater. I had always dreamed of visiting a volcanic site. Hush….I keep wondering when it will erupt, extinct or not, am super excited!!

Shut up Elsie, I tell myself this 50 000 hectares of vast circular geological feature is ancient even by geological standards as it is the crater of a long extinct volcano and the result of eruptions some 1,200 million years ago.

It will simply not erupt again for sure...................................................................................................... But this isn’t a simple volcanic crater, it is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its type in the world, the rare rock types and formations make it a one of its kind geological feature. A number of rare minerals occur here. This is the Pilanesberg Game Reserve am talking about, am standing on one of the world's most outstanding geological phenomena. All pics copyright@elsiegabriel.

So I have to keep pinching myself and reminding myself that I did agree to visit a volcanic site but I didn’t ever dream of a safari and game reserve inside the very same crater, tracking down Wildebeests.

The blue wildebeest also called the common wildebeest, white-bearded wildebeest or bridled gnu, is a large antelope.. This broad-shouldered antelope has a muscular, front-heavy appearance, with a distinctive robust mouth. Young blue wildebeest are born tawny brown, and begin to take on their adult colouration at the age of two months. The rear coat and flanks are slightly lighter in hue than the ventral hide and under parts. Dark brown vertical stripes mark the area between the neck and the back of the ribcage.

Scattered throughout the Pilanesberg Game Reserve are various sites that originate from the Iron age and stone age they say. With unspoiled flora and fauna, the Pilanesberg Game Reserve offers a viable alternative to the other large game parks in the country. Buffalo, elephant, giraffe,deer,leopard, white rhino and lion also reside here.

Fascinating alkaline complex produced by volcanic eruptions some 1200 million years ago, filled with huge hills of shrub forestland Pilanesberg is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world.

The area is fringed by three concentric ridges of hills, formations arise from the surrounding plains, rising and falling smoothly. Ancient, even by geological time scales, this extinct volcano is the most perfect example of an alkaline ring complex. Pilanesberg has survived ages of erosion. Over time, wind and water have carved a spectacular landscape and natural habitat for these wild animals.

The vegetation is filled with wide open grasslands, steep hill slopes, rocky outcrops, wooded valleys, shrub land and thickly wooded valleys. There are over 132 species of trees and at least 68 species of grasses.

The colourful hues, varied habitats, topography and panoramas are a delight. The Park covers an area of 55 000 hectare and ranks among the larger of the parks in South Africa. The beauty of Pilanesberg is reflected in a large central lake, the Mankwe Dam.

A major advantage of the Pilanesberg is that it is ‘Malaria Free’. Hushhhh…..

…….I can see more Wildebeests coming in herds, step back, watch them closely…..

While the species status is considered secure as a whole, there is concern for smaller herds in the southern Africa habitats which have already become marginalized.

Wonderful rare creatures living on a volcanic crater, imagine…….