South Africa is a playground for Mother Nature's magnificent creatures, with everything from elephants to giraffes roaming the vast plains of this beautiful country. But who says you have to embark on a multi-day safari to see these beasts in all their glory? Lion and Safari Park trips from Johannesburg offer the thrill of seeing these incredible animals up close in convenient family-friendly way.
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South Africa is a playground for Mother Nature's magnificent creatures, with everything from elephants to giraffes roaming the vast plains of this beautiful country.
But who says you have to embark on a multi-day safari to see these beasts in all their glory? Lion and Safari Park trips from Johannesburg offer the thrill of seeing these incredible animals up close in convenient family-friendly way.
Here's all you need to know about visiting the Lion and Safari Park, one of the most exciting destinations for day trips from Johannesburg.
Lion and Safari Park is located about a 40-minute commute from Johannesburg. It's on farmland near the small town of Broederstroom and sits just shy of the resort town of Hartbeespoort.
The drive from Johannesburg is relatively simple, with major highways connecting the two locations. To reach the nature reserve, drive north for about 60 kilometers toward Hartbeespoort.
Unfortunately, there is no direct connection between Johannesburg and the Lion and Safari Park. However, you can take the North/South Line train to Pretoria and then taxi the rest of the way.
A guided tour is the most hassle-free Lion and Safari Park day trip option. Many tour companies offer excursions that include transportation, entrance fees, lunch and guided walkthroughs of the park's various attractions.
Entrance to the Lion Park is free. You need to pay for the activities offered inside, like the self-drives, guided tours, night feeding, quad experience or horseback safari. Most activities are free for children under 12 when accompanying an adult.
A day trip to the Lion and Safari Park from Johannesburg typically starts with convenient pickup from your accommodation in the city. After meeting your driver, you are whisked off in an air-conditioned vehicle to the nature reserve, where you will spend several hours exploring the park's various attractions.
Some of the highlights include self-guided safaris in open-air vehicles, guided walks with expert naturalists, quad bike tours through rugged terrain, horseback safaris along scenic trails and giraffe feeding opportunities.
On the safari you can expect to see lions, hyenas, cheetahs, wildebeest, leopards, and other fascinating animals roaming the grounds in their natural habitats, with great wildlife photo opportunities along the way.
You can also stop for a bite to eat at one of the park's many restaurants or enjoy some rest and relaxation at its world-class spa. After a full day of adventure and exploration, you will be dropped off back in Johannesburg to round out your unforgettable trip.
Depending on your day trip of choice, you may also visit other nearby attractions in the North-West Province such as the Wonder Cave or the Cradle of Humankind.
You have several options when it comes to planning a day trip to the Lion and Safari Park from Johannesburg. Some of the most popular tours include:
Starting with convenient hotel pickup in Johannesburg, this style of tour includes expert commentary about all that you encounter in the park, from the wildlife to the history of the region.
If you want to have a more personalized experience, a private tour is the perfect option. You can choose your own itinerary, ensuring that all of your interests are catered to. You can book private transport to and from the park, a private tour of the grounds, or both.
The Bothongo Wonder Cave is South Africa's third-largest cave chamber and dates back between close to 10 million years. This tour combines it with a visit to the Lion and Safari Park, making for a truly memorable day of exploration.
This Johannesburg day tour combines visits to the Lion and Safari Park with a stop at the world-famous Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Site. This attraction features limestone caves spread across 53,000 hectares — collectively holding the world's largest concentration of human ancestral remains.
The park sits on the fringe of some of South Africa's most spectacular attractions. If you have more time on your hands, consider a multi-day tour that allows you to explore other gems in the region. This can include visits to the Wonder Cave, the Cradle of Humankind, Pretoria, Soweto and the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve.
The price of a Lion and Safari Park from Johannesburg varies between US$70 and tour will depend on a number of factors, including the type of day trip you choose, the length of your excursion and any other extra activities. Specific prices are as follows:
Once you arrive at the Lion and Safari Park, you will be immersed in a world of incredible wildlife. You can choose between a dozen different activities, depending on your appetite for adventure.
If you want to admire the wildlife and have a relaxing time, the guided tours, self-driving safaris, and walking safaris are all excellent options. You can get up close to lions, zebras, giraffes, and other majestic animals in their natural habitats. These guided tours also include informative commentary from your expert guides, helping you to learn more about the park and its inhabitants.
If you want to take things a little further, consider booking one of the park's many adrenaline-pumping activities. These include white water rafting, quad biking across rugged terrain, horse riding excursions, mountain biking trails and more.
Finally, be sure to take advantage of the many other attractions that the Lion and Safari Park has on offer, such as its spa, myriad restaurants, 5 Dome Shopping Experience and Bush Boma bonfire.
The Lion and Safari Park is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM during the week and 8 AM to 6 PM on the weekends.
The best time to visit South Africa for general purposes is between May and October. The weather conditions are perfect during this timespan and allow for excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
From November until February, there is a greater chance of rain but also more opportunity to go birding.
Yes, there are tours departing from other cities in South Africa: