While lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and water buffaloes may be the stars of the show at Pilanesberg National Park, the stage they perform on is equally captivating.
We were lucky enough to visit this world renowned park on our recent trip to South Africa.
Situated in one of the world's most expansive and impeccably preserved alkaline ring dike complexes, Pilanesberg unveils a rare circular marvel created from the deep-seated plumbing of an ancient volcano.
Pilanesberg stands tall as one of the most substantial volcanic complexes of its kind worldwide, with only two other alkaline volcanoes, located in Russia and Greenland, keeping it company.
None of these volcanic companions can boast a definition as clear as Pilanesberg National Park.
The park, nestled in the South African province known as North West, proudly exhibits different rings of rock that paint a near-perfect circle, with structures soaring 100 to 500 metres above the surrounding scenery.
The crowning glory, Matlhorwe Peak, reaches a staggering 1,560 metres above sea level. ⛰️
Now, here's where it gets truly exciting for us mineral and gemstone enthusiasts: Pilanesberg is an alkaline complex where you can stumble upon Aegirine, a common constituent of alkali rocks.
You can also find fluorapatite appearing as massive lumps intertwined with vibrant purple fluorite.
What's more, the western part of Pilanesberg houses an intriguing natural phenomenon: 'Herringbone' fluorite.
These unique formations exhibit peculiar feather-like habits, intergrown with other minerals, adding another layer of charm to this already fascinating locale.
The park was one of the highlights of our trip.
