Wilro Tours

SPECIAL NOTES: 
* Transfers to and from the Cheetah Centre are on a private basis, but on arrival visitors join a public tour commencing at either 8:00am, 8:30am or 1:30pm
* Children under 6 years are not permitted on these tours                                    
The De Wildt Cheetah Centre was established by Ann Van Dyk and brother Godfrey in 1971 with the aim of breeding endangered species. Since that time the Centre's efforts have resulted in the major achievement of breeding what was once a threatened species, the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). Over the years, over 750 cheetah cubs have been born at De Wildt - a dramatic contrast to the days when the cheetah population of South Africa was estimated at a mere 700.
While the cheetah project was the base from which the Centre launched its conservation ethic, it soon widened to include other rare and endangered animals such as the wild dog, brown hyaena, serval, suni antelope, blue and red duiker, bontebok, riverine rabbit and vultures - including the very rare Egyptian vulture. Many of these have been successfully bred for later reintroduction into the wild, thus helping to repopulate areas where such species have disappeared or are no longer abundant.

During 2000, as a reaction to the declining numbers of cheetah in the wild, De Wildt spearheaded the formation of the National Cheetah Management Forum which developed a national strategy for the protection of free-roaming cheetah. One action to come from the group, was the realization of the need for a national census of free-roaming cheetah. This census was begun in 2003 and continued for three years.

The country of South Africa has awakened to the success of the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust. In 2002, its founder and director, Ann van Dyk, received the gold medal from the Wildlife and Environment Society; and that was followed, in 2003, by Ann being awarded the Chancellors Award from the University of Pretoria.

Nestled in the foothills of the Magaliesberg in North West Province, the Centre is situated about one hour from Johannesburg and forty-five minutes from Pretoria. It is close to the Hartbeespoort Dam, a popular destination for day excursions from Pretoria and Johannesburg. During 2009 the centre was renamed the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre. This is an exceptionally interesting tour, providing the visitor with a unique opportunity to learn more about South Africa's fascinating wildlife - and the efforts to preserve it for future generations.

TOUR WDWC-1
AVAILABILITY: Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, daily in the afternoon
PICK-UP TIME: 07:00 or 12:00

TOUR WDWC-2
AVAILABILITY: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings
PICK-UP TIME: 06:30
SPECIAL NOTES: This option is the same as tour WDWC-1 above, except that the cheetah run is added and the tour commences half an hour earlier.

In the early 1900's, the Magaliesberg were rich in wildlife and home to abundant elephants. As a result of pressure by man, this sensitive animal disappeared from the landscape. One hundred years later the elephants have returned to this area, to a special place in the heart of the beautiful African bushveld. Nestled in the Magaliesberg Mountains only one hour from Johannesburg and Pretoria, the Elephant Sanctuary lies in a malaria-free area - the greater part within the Magaliesberg Nature Reserve. It is surrounded by natural indigenous bush and is home to impala, klipspringer, baboons, porcupine, caracal, leopard, a host of other small mammals, 350 bird species and of course, six magnificent African Elephants. Your visit will bring you close to these magnificent animals, an experience to cherish and remember forever!

Guests are guided in small groups on foot through The Elephant Sanctuary. The guide will provide in-depth information and insight into African elephants. You will be introduced to the elephants in the mountain area, uphill walk approximately 200m, and here you will be able to touch and interact with the elephants. You will see the special relationship that the elephant handlers share with their elephants and become a part of it. Short walk with the elephants trunk-in-hand. See where the elephant sleep at night in their stables. Feed the elephants. On some hot days you may even see the elephants swimming.

MORNING TOUR only (WELS-1)…………After the tour, enjoy lunch on the main deck overlooking the elephants.

SPECIAL NOTES:
* This tour is recommended for families with young children
* Game viewing is conducted in the Wilro Tours vehicle.

The Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve is a privately owned, unsubsidised game reserve situated on the north western outskirts of the Johannesburg metropolitan area. Founded in 1985 and opened to the public in 1990, the reserve covers some 1 600 hectares on typical Highveld ground. The reserve now boasts 600 head of game representing 25 different species, including rhino, wildebeest, hippo and a variety of antelope, such as gemsbok, eland and springbok. The reserve falls within the Sterkfontein Valley World Heritage Site, which is world renowned in archaeological circles as the "Cradle of Humankind".

The tour includes access to the Lion and Predator Camp - where cheetah, lion and the endangered wild dog may be seen - as well as the crocodile enclosure. The unique Animal Creche has animals available to touch and have a photograph taken with (optional extra). These include Lion and Tiger cubs & Zebra foals, subject to availability at the time of your visit.

"The Volcano that gave birth to a game reserve"

The Pilanesberg National Park lies 160 km (100 miles) from Johannesburg in the Bojanala Region of North West - the "Platinum province" - and is the fourth largest National Park in South Africa, covering an area of some 57 000 hectares. The crater of a long extinct volcano is the setting of Pilanesberg National Park - a fascinating alkaline complex produced by volcanic eruptions some 1300 million years ago. Pilanesberg is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world and has survived ages of erosion and stands high above the surrounding bushveld plains.

The early presence of man can be seen in the numerous Stone and Iron Age sites that are scattered throughout the park. Its rare rock types and structure make it a unique geological feature and the topography makes the area a feast for the eye. Here are syenite koppies, thickly forested ravines, typical bushveld and also rolling grasslands and lightly wooded areas. Off the centre of the park is Thabayadiotso, "the Proud Mountain". The beauty of Pilanesberg is reflected in a large central lake, the Mankwe Dam.

The Park was established in 1979 and game was reintroduced thanks to Operation Genesis, which at the time was the largest game translocation ever undertaken anywhere. The Park offers the visitor a wide diversity of 35 animal species, including the "Big Five", 350 bird species and 65 reptile species - all in a malaria free area.

We enter the Park at Manyane Gate in the east and make our way westwards, eventually reaching our lunch stop at Bakubung - 'people of the hippo'. The afternoon is spent in search of more game as we make our way back to Manyane Gate, stopping off at one of the game viewing hides en route. We return to Johanneburg in the late afternoon.