Lion & Safari Park from Johannesburg: See lions and cheetahs

Lions and cheetahs on the grassy plains, less than an hour from the city.

A wildlife safari tour from Johannesburg to the Lion Park, a 1,000-hectare reserve 45 minutes' drive away where you ride through grassland with a guide to spot lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs and plains game. The tour runs 3 to 4 hours with private transportation, entrance fee and bottled water included. You choose between a private tour or group sharing rate at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lion & Safari Park wildlife

• Drive to Lion & Safari Park
• Explore grassy plains with guide
• Observe lions, cheetahs, and hyenas
• See plains game like zebra and giraffe
• Enjoy African sunshine and wilderness

The experience

The Lion Park sits close enough to Johannesburg that you can leave your hotel in the morning and be on the reserve within 45 minutes. Once you arrive, the guide drives you through the 1,000-hectare grassland in an air-conditioned vehicle: the landscape opens up around you, and the animals move through it on their own terms. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs roam the reserve alongside zebra, giraffe and other plains game. You are not walking. You are watching from the vehicle as the guide navigates the terrain and points out what moves through the grass.

The tour runs between three and four hours total, which means the drive there and back, plus the time on the reserve itself, fits into a morning or an afternoon without eating the whole day. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board, bottled water provided, and the entrance fee to the park already covered. The guide speaks English and knows where the animals tend to move through the reserve at different times. You choose at checkout whether you want a private tour or to share the vehicle with other travelers: the route and the reserve stay the same either way.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• entrance fee to the Lion Park.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide.

Options for this experience

2 options

Group sharing rateGuide in English · 08:00, 10:00 and 13:00Pickup is included

Private Tour RateGuide in English · 08:00, 10:00 and 13:00Lasts 4 hours; includes car pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 10:00 and 13:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Stephenson Adventures

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour rate if you want the vehicle and guide to yourself, or the group sharing rate to split the cost with other travelers: both routes cover the same grassland and the same animals, so the choice depends on whether you prefer to travel alone or share the experience.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

How far is the Lion Park from Johannesburg?

The Lion Park is 45 minutes' drive from Johannesburg. The reserve sits on 1,000 hectares of grassland where lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs and plains game like zebra and giraffe live, so the distance keeps the wildlife experience close to the city without a full-day commitment.

What animals will I see on the safari?

The reserve is home to lions, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs, along with plains game species including zebra and giraffe. The guide drives you through the grassland where these animals move freely, though sightings depend on where the animals are at the time of your visit.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs between 3 and 4 hours total, which includes the drive from Johannesburg to the reserve, the time spent on the grassland with the guide, and the return journey to the city.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation from your hotel, entrance to the Lion Park, bottled water, WiFi on board and an air-conditioned vehicle are all included. You choose between a private tour rate or a group sharing rate when you book.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels since you spend the time in an air-conditioned vehicle rather than walking. It is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.