9 Wildlife Parks and Sanctuaries in Johannesburg to Build a Day Around

1.Half Day Lion Park tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 274 reviews · from $100Our pick

Spend about five hours visiting Lion & Safari Park north of Johannesburg. Your guide handles hotel pickup, transport, admission, and a two-hour game drive in an open safari vehicle. You may see white lions, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, wild dogs, and cubs, then have time for lunch or African crafts.

“This is the best safari park that we have ever been to. So many animals and so much space for them. We had the best guide - Dusty, she was so much fun and extremely knowledgeable. We were so lucky to have gone at feeding time which only happens every 5 days or so. We saw so many lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, wildebeest, impalas, spotted and striped hyenas and wild dogs. Feeding time with the lions was an absolute honour. A male lion lay right next to our van whilst eating- unbelievable.”

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2.Cradle of Humankind, Caves or Maropeng, Rhino and Lion Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · from $97

Join Shane Gouldie on a private Johannesburg day trip combining the Sterkfontein Caves and the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve. You’ll explore major hominid fossil sites, then search for lions, rhinos, cheetahs, wild dogs, and other animals from an air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi. The group is limited to six, and entrance fees are extra.

“Excellent trip! Highly customizable, and the animal reserve was a real highlight. The animals are quite close by to the car! All around would recommend if you’re looking for a day outside of Joburg. The guide made great conversation too!”

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3.Captivating Safari Lion Park Experience (Half Day Guided Tour)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 62 reviews · from $94

Solly’s half-day Johannesburg tour takes you by air-conditioned vehicle to Lion and Safari Park, where a park guide leads a two-hour game drive. Expect lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, zebra, antelopes, and possible close views from a caged safari vehicle. Pickup, water, park fees, and return transport are included.

“Solly was great to talk to on the way to/from the lion park. Our guide at the park was friendly and knowledgeable.”

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4.Private Rhino and Lion Park, Cradle Caves or Maropeng Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 25 reviews · 6 hours · from $87Best value

Shane collects you in Johannesburg or Pretoria for a six-hour private outing to Rhino and Lion Park, followed by Maropeng Museum or Sterkfontein Caves. Expect close wildlife viewing, Little Foot and Mrs Ples fossils, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a guide with strong knowledge of South African nature and culture.

“Shane was an excellent tour guide. Easy to communicate with and shared his knowledge freely. We can recommend him any time. Martie van Jaarsveld”

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5.Lion Park Safari and Cultural Village Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 12 reviews · 1 day · from $219

Leave Johannesburg at 8am for a 4x4 safari at the 600-hectare Lion and Safari Park, then visit Lesedi Cultural Village to learn about Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho, and Ndebele traditions. Transportation, entry fees, bottled water, and a guide are included. Pascal is one guide praised for his warmth and strong knowledge of South Africa.

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6.Lesedi Cultural Village & Lion Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 7 days · from $152

Leave Johannesburg, Pretoria, or the West Rand with a private English or French-speaking guide such as Yves Albert. Spend time at Lesedi Cultural Village with music, dance, languages, and an African lunch, then visit Lion and Safari Park for lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, and more. Hotel pickup, park entry, and lunch are included.

“Primeiro visitamos o Lion Park onde pudemos ver muitos animais que se encontram em uma pequena reserva, como um zoológico com mais espaço, onde animais são cuidados pela empresa que administra o parque. Foi interessante visualizar os leões brancos, leopardos, hienas, zebras, elefantes, e principalmente as girafas, que pudemos tirar muitas fotos ao lado delas. Já a visita à Vila Cultural de Lesedi foi muito interessante, pois aprendemos muito sobre a cultura dos povos originários da região, sendo no final do passeio realizado uma excelente apresentação cultural de danças e músicas típicas com muita energia. Nosso passeio também incluiu um almoço especial no restaurante na vila, onde tivemos o...”

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7.Lion park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5 reviews · 6 - 8 hours · from $183

You’ll explore a 1,000-hectare wilderness reserve by safari vehicle, passing through lion, cheetah, and wild dog enclosures with an English or French-speaking guide. Hotel pickup is available from Johannesburg, Pretoria, Sandton, Midrand, or East Rand. The day also includes time in Hartbeespoort for photos, shopping, and a walk.

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8.Cheetah Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 5 hours · from $202

Travel by hotel pickup to the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre near Hartebeespoortdam. An English-speaking guide leads a two-hour open-vehicle visit with cheetahs, wild dogs, servals, and lappet-faced vultures. The group is limited to 13, drinks are provided, and the cheetah run requires advance booking.

“servizio eccellente sotto tutti i punti di vista. Prezzo elevato ma giustificato dalla qualità dell'escursione.”

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9.Elephant and Monkey Sanctuary Half Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 6 hours · from $235

Travel from Johannesburg to Hartbeespoort in an air-conditioned Toyota Fortuner for a two-hour elephant session covering behavior, communication, feeding, and photos. Then visit the neighboring monkey sanctuary for feeding and a gentle forest walk over two rope bridges. Pickup is at 8:30 a.m. from Sandton, nearby locations, or OR Tambo Airport.

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