Information
Landmark: Lion ParkCity: Johannesburg
Country: South Africa
Continent: Africa
Lion Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa
Overview
Lion & Safari Park, just outside Johannesburg, draws crowds for good reason-it’s where you can watch lions stretch in the sun, spot cheetahs pacing the grass, and see wild dogs, giraffes, zebras, and more African wildlife just a few steps away.Just an hour’s drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria, the park offers a rich safari experience-lion calls in the distance-without the long trek to far-off reserves like Kruger National Park.One.Lion & Safari Park sits in Broederstroom, North West Province, just a short drive from the Cradle of Humankind-a UNESCO World Heritage Site where red dust clings to your shoes.Size: Spans about 600 hectares of untouched bushveld, where dry grass rustles under the wind.The park began life as Lion Park in 1966, a modest spot with a few big cats prowling behind fences.Over time, it grew and transformed into the Lion & Safari Park, offering visitors everything from giraffes nibbling acacia leaves to open-air safari drives.You’ll get a mix of self-drive safaris, guided game drives, close-up animal encounters, and on-foot explorations where you can hear the crunch of dry grass under your boots.Number two stood alone, sharp as a pencil mark on a blank page.The Lion & Safari Park is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, from prowling cheetahs to its famous pride of lions, including the rare white lions whose pale coats almost glow in the sun.Visitors can watch cheetahs-sleek, lightning-fast hunters-pace and stretch in their specially designed enclosures.Leopards may be harder to spot, but they’re still among the park’s main draws-sometimes you catch a flash of golden fur slipping through the tall grass.Caracals are sleek, powerful wild cats, smaller than a leopard, with tall black tufts sprouting from their ears.Other Wildlife: African wild dogs, with their mottled coats that look like splashes of paint, are a critically endangered species.Hyenas-often mistaken for nothing more than scavengers-live in tight-knit clans and can crush bone with one snap of their powerful jaws.Giraffes-come close enough to hand them a sprig of leaves and feel their rough tongues as they take it.Zebras, wildebeests, and antelopes wander the park, joined by impalas, kudus, and agile springboks kicking up little puffs of dust.Three.At the Lion & Safari Park, visitors can pick from a range of adventures, from guided safaris to hands‑on activities like feeding a giraffe.On a self-drive safari, visitors steer their own cars past prowling lions and across the park’s wide, wind-swept plains.Guests can drive themselves through the park, spotting lions lounging in the grass, sleek cheetahs on the prowl, and other wildlife whenever they’re ready to stop and look.You can pull up a digital map from the park to help find your way, right down to the nearest picnic table.B. If you’d rather have an expert lead the way, you can choose from several guided game drives, like the Mini Safari-a quick, one-hour trip where you might spot lions lazing in the sun, cheetahs on the move, and hyenas watching from the grass.The 1.5-hour safari takes you farther into the reserve, where you might spot antelopes grazing, wild dogs loping across the grass, and herds of zebras flicking their tails.3-Hour Safari – Dive deeper into the wild, pausing to snap photos of grazing antelope and watch animals move through their natural habitat.The letter C curved across the page like a small, open hook.safeRangers share how the animals stalk their prey, like the silent crouch before a leap, and explain the work being done to protect them.The letter D sat on the page like a small, curved door left half open.Walking Experiences and Animal Encounters: step onto the platform and hold out a few crisp lettuce leaves-watch a giraffe’s long, dark tongue curl around them as you feed it by hand.Cheetah Walk – Stroll beside a cheetah as it pads softly over the grass, a guided experience that brings you eye to eye with this magnificent cat.Hyena Interaction – Here’s your rare chance to get up close, safely, with one of Africa’s fiercest predators, its amber eyes watching every move.Just the letter E, neat and sharp like fresh chalk on a blackboard.The Night Safari runs after sunset for anyone eager to spot owls, bats, and other creatures that come alive in the dark.At night, lions prowl and hyenas howl in the dark, turning a safari into something entirely different.Number four.Facilities and attractions, from shaded picnic tables to the old wooden pier, await you.The Wetlands Restaurant serves up authentic South African dishes while you take in sweeping views of the park, from golden grasslands to the glint of distant water.Picnic Areas – Bring your own food and relax at one of the shaded tables set aside for picnics.B. Shopping and Souvenirs The park’s large curio shop brims with hand-carved masks, colorful beadwork, and wildlife-themed clothing you can take home as a keepsake.C. The park has plenty for kids to enjoy, from safe rides to a colorful play area with bright swings and slides.Five.The Lion & Safari Park works to protect African predators and backs wildlife conservation efforts, while also teaching visitors why saving these animals matters-like showing how a lion’s roar can carry for miles across the grasslands.Unlike the older lion parks, the new facility has stopped offering cub petting-once a tourist draw but now seen as harmful to conservation, like pulling a wild flower just to watch it wilt.The park takes an active role in stopping poachers, teaming up with groups to protect endangered animals like rhinos and sea turtles.Number six.Getting there’s easy-it’s about a 45‑minute drive from Johannesburg, or just 30 minutes from Pretoria, with roadside jacarandas brightening the way in spring.Getting around?Most people just drive themselves, often with the windows down and the radio on.Shuttle buses run from major hotels in Johannesburg and Sandton, ready to pick you up right outside the lobby.Tour operators run full-day trips that pair the park with nearby sights, such as the fossil-rich Cradle of Humankind.Seven.The best time for a morning safari is between 8 and 11 a.m., when you might spot deer grazing in the cool light and hear birds calling through the trees.Evening safaris, from 5 to 8, are the best chance to spot lions pacing through the grass while they’re most active.Summer, from October to March, brings warm days and hills so green they almost glow.Winter (May–August): With the air crisp and the grass thinned to pale stalks, animals are easier to spot in the dry season.Eight.Ticket prices change with the safari package you choose, whether it’s a quick morning drive or a full-day trek through the dusty grasslands.Families, groups, and anyone booking online can often snag a lower rate-like seeing the total drop the moment you click “confirm.”You can book your visit on the park’s official website or arrange it through local tour operators, like the small desk by the harbor.The number nine.If you’re heading to the Lion & Safari Park, make time to explore the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where ancient human fossils rest in cool, echoing caves.Hartbeespoort Dam offers a scenic escape, with boat rides across shimmering water, lively markets full of fresh fruit, and plenty of adventure sports to get your heart racing.The Magaliesberg Mountains are perfect for a hike, whether you’re following a dusty trail or stopping to breathe in the scent of wild grass.Ten.In short, if you’re in Johannesburg and want to see wildlife without driving far, the Lion & Safari Park is a must-think roaring lions just a short trip from the city.Whether you’re chasing the thrill of a safari, hoping to feed a giraffe by hand, or eager to learn about conservation, the park gives you a safe, ethical way to meet Africa’s most iconic wildlife.Families, couples, photographers, and anyone who loves the outdoors will all find something to treasure here, whether it’s a quiet sunset over the water or a trail lined with wildflowers.
