What happens
after lights out
The question most parents ask last, and mean most.
Lights out is at 22:00. Counsellors are on night duty nearby, awake and checking in on the cabins through the night. The never-alone rule does not switch off when the lights do: if a child needs to leave the cabin for any reason, at least two others go with them, one of whom is their cabin counsellor.
Children are placed in cabins by age and gender, and each cabin has its own en-suite bathroom. Phones and valuables are locked away on arrival, so there is nothing under the pillow to lose and no screen keeping anyone up.
The evening before that is full on purpose: Campfire Tales & Ballads at the boma, the fire show at 20:00, then Carnival Night of Wonders in the Long House. Bunks are a welcome sight by 22:00.
A home away
from home
Cabins sit under Pilanesberg's native trees, with covered verandas. Each has its own en-suite bathroom, and counsellors on duty close by through the night.
Cabins are named, not numbered - each has its animal painted on the wall - and children are placed by age and gender.
