Johannesburg Lion & Safari Park Tour with Game Drive Pickup

Summary

Game drive adventure from Johannesburg see lions up close and spot giraffes

You’ll ride out from Johannesburg or Pretoria with hotel pickup straight into lion country for a real game drive led by a local guide. Watch white lions and cheetahs up close, then unwind at the park’s center where you can see playful cubs or browse local crafts before heading home with wild stories still buzzing in your head.

What’s the experience like?

We were barely out of Johannesburg when the city noise faded and the air started to smell like dry grass and dust — that kind of warm, earthy scent you get just outside the city. Our guide, Sipho, had this way of pointing things out without making it feel like a lecture. He’d nudge us: “Look left — see those antelope?” I almost missed them, blending into the yellow bush. The drive was only about 40 minutes but it felt like we’d landed somewhere totally different by the time we rolled through the Lion & Safari Park gates.

The safety talk was quick (and honestly, a little nerve-wracking — Sipho grinned when he saw my face). Then we climbed into this open safari truck. The wind was cool on my arms even though the sun was strong. As soon as we entered the predator enclosure, everything got quiet except for birds and our tires crunching over gravel. There’s something about seeing a white lion stretched out in real life — not behind glass or on TV — that makes you forget to breathe for a second. I tried to snap a photo but my hands were shaking a bit, not sure why.

After two hours weaving around enclosures, spotting cheetahs lounging under acacias and hyenas pacing in the shade (they really do have that weird laugh), we headed back to the main center. The cubs were tumbling over each other in this dusty patch — one kept pawing at its sibling’s ear until it gave up and flopped down. I grabbed a coke at Wetlands Restaurant (the smell of grilled meat drifted over but I wasn’t hungry yet) and watched some kids chase each other around the playground while their parents shopped for crafts inside these domed shops. It felt relaxed in that way places do when nobody’s rushing you out.

I still think about how close those lions looked — like if you reached out you could touch their fur (don’t worry, you can’t). On the drive back to Pretoria, Sipho told us how his uncle used to work with wild dogs here years ago. The afternoon light made everything look gold through the van window. Not sure I’ll ever see lions like that again, honestly.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lion & Safari Park half-day tour

• Pick up from accommodation
• Drive to Lion & Safari Park
• Attend safety talk
• Take 2-hour game drive
• Watch young lion cubs and animals
• Visit Wetlands Restaurant (optional)
• Kids play in supervised playground
• Shop at 5 Dome Shopping Experience
• Return to accommodation

Top questions

How far is Lion & Safari Park from Johannesburg?

The park is about 30-45 minutes’ drive north of Johannesburg.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Johannesburg or Pretoria accommodations.

How long is the game drive at Lion & Safari Park?

The guided game drive lasts approximately two hours inside the predator enclosure.

What animals can you see at Lion & Safari Park?

You can see lions (including white lions), cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, antelope species, and tame giraffes.

Is lunch included in this tour?

No, lunch is not included but food and drinks are available for purchase at Wetlands Restaurant inside the park.

Are children allowed on this safari tour?

Yes, children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult during all activities.

Can I use public transport to reach Lion & Safari Park?

Public transportation options are available nearby but this tour includes private transfers with pickup and drop-off.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers?

This tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers due to vehicle movement during the game drive.

What’s included

Your day includes entry fees to Lion & Safari Park, round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off from Johannesburg or Pretoria, all transport in an air-conditioned minivan plus a two-hour guided game drive in a specialized safari vehicle with a local ranger leading every step.