There’s something soul-stirring about the South African bush in winter. The early morning chill, the golden grasslands and the crisp, clean air lend a quiet majesty to the wilderness. Without the summer haze and thick foliage, winter unveils the heartbeat of the bush.

Recently, I had the opportunity to explore the Pilanesberg National Park in the dry season – a prime time for wildlife sightings, and a wonderful family retreat where elephants stole the show. Time seemed to stretch just long enough to help me breathe a little deeper.

A Big Five safari – with a twist

Set just 15 minutes drive from the glitz of Sun City, the resort of Bakubung – “People of the Hippo” – offers a bush experience that’s authentic, accessible and full of surprises. The landscape is starkly beautiful in winter, and the open terrain makes spotting wildlife easy.

On our first game drive, we ticked off most of the Big Five. We saw herds of buffalo, watched rhinos grazing near the water’s edge and held our breath as giraffes slowly passed majestically next to our vehicle. Sadly, the lions remained elusive, but that didn’t dampen the thrill.

The real stars of the trip were the elephants. Almost every day, we encountered herds of elephants, often with calves in tow. Our guide said many of the female elephants were in heat, and we observed some tense, dramatic interactions between the bulls, each one vying for dominance in their own grand, trumpeting way.