There is nothing like driving your own safari. This self-drive lion and safari experience lets you get up close to predators in the enclosures, then add an extended game drive for antelope and other wildlife around the Magaliesberg mountains.

I especially like the freedom here, you set your own pace through the lion, wild dog, and cheetah areas. And you also get a clear moment to plan around, lion feeding at 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM on weekends and public holidays. One drawback to consider: there is no guide included, so you are responsible for driving calmly, staying alert, and following whatever rules the park has in place.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Self-drive through predator enclosures at your own speed, with no guide provided
• Lion feeding times are set for weekends and public holidays, at 12:00 and 3:00
• You can target lions, wild dogs, and cheetahs during your drive through the park
• An extended game drive helps you look for antelope and other species beyond the enclosures
• Ticket collection is on arrival at the park ticket office

A Quick Reality Check on Location and Getting There

Lion and Safari Park is in Gauteng, close to Johannesburg, and not far from Lanseria Airport (about 13 km away). If you are visiting from Joburg, you can plan on roughly 40 minutes to get there, depending on traffic.

That matters because a self-drive safari works best when you do not start the day stressed. You want enough time to find the ticket office, settle in your car, and actually enjoy the slow, patient rhythm that wildlife viewing demands. Since you are driving yourself, any time you save on getting there is time you can spend looking out at the fences, roads, and viewing areas.

Also, the park sits in the Magaliesberg mountain range and is within the Cradle of Humankind, which is a UNESCO World Heritage area. That is a nice bonus, because it means your safari stop is not just about animals in a vacuum. You are also in a place with deep geological and human history in the broader region.

What You Really Get From a Self-Drive Safari (No Guide)

This is a true self-drive setup. You drive your own vehicle through the park, and you do it on your own schedule. No guide meets you, no group herds you forward, and no one is translating animal behavior for you mid-drive.

For many people, that is the whole point. You can stop when you see movement. You can linger when a cat is active. You can turn the car around or pause for photos without feeling like you are slowing down a convoy.

For you, the tradeoff is obvious: you have to handle the navigation and the pacing. You are also the one paying attention to how other visitors and vehicles move in the park. If you are the type who prefers a structured explanation, you might find the lack of a guide leaves you wanting a little more context. Still, if you enjoy freedom and want to travel in your own bubble, the self-drive format is hard to beat.

One more practical point: the tour includes the self-drive through the park, but it does not include your vehicle. So your car is part of the experience, not just transportation.

Predator Enclosures: Lions, Wild Dogs, and Cheetahs

The heart of this tour is the chance to drive through the lion, wild dog, and cheetah enclosures. This is where you get that close-up safari feeling, because you are not just looking from far away. You are positioned on the park roads while these animals are in their designated areas.

What makes this especially valuable is choice of attention. Since you are in control of your stops, you can focus on whatever you care about most:

• If lions are your main draw, you can spend more time around the enclosure areas and wait for any visible activity.
• If wild dogs and cheetahs are on your list, you can shift your attention without being rushed elsewhere.

And because you are driving yourself, you can also handle the emotional swings of a predator encounter in a way that feels natural. Sometimes animals are active and you get the moment you pictured. Sometimes they are quiet and you get patience instead. Either way, you decide how long you stay with the situation.

Making Lion Feeding Work for Your Schedule

There is one timing hook that makes planning easier: lion feeding happens at 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM on weekends and public holidays.

That means you can build your day around a predictable event rather than hoping for luck. If you want your safari to include a bigger “show-like” moment, aim your arrival and drive so you can be in the right general area when feeding occurs. If feeding times are not your thing, you can still enjoy the drive, but this is a real differentiator for people who want a clear highlight.

A good way to think about it: the feeding time helps compress your uncertainty. Wildlife viewing has wild timing. Feeding creates a fixed anchor, and anchors make planning feel calmer.

Also, note that feeding only applies on weekends and public holidays. If you are going on a weekday, you should not plan your day around it.

The Extended Game Drive for Antelope and More Wildlife

Beyond the predator enclosures, you also get an extended game drive. The goal here is to see antelope and other species across a wider stretch of the park.

Why I like this add-on: it keeps your day from becoming a single-theme loop. Predator enclosures are intense, but they can also be very focused. The extended drive broadens what you might spot, and it gives you the chance to enjoy the safari logic of scanning for movement, watching how animals react to vehicles, and learning how a park road changes your odds.

In practical terms, this is the part where you might see more “varied” wildlife rather than only the big cats and enclosure highlights. If you came to the park hoping to see several different animal types, the extended drive is the piece that usually turns a good outing into a full day memory.

Driving Tips and Vehicle Considerations That Matter

This tour is very dependent on your vehicle choice. The big rule you must know is clear: soft-top or convertible vehicles are not allowed.

That matters more than it sounds. In a safari setting, parks often limit vehicle types to control safety and animal-handling concerns. If you are renting, double-check before you commit. If you already have your own car, double-check before you show up.

Because you are driving yourself, the rest is about comfort and visibility. You want to be able to see clearly while you drive slowly and stop often. If your car has poor visibility to the sides, you might miss the “just stepped into view” moments that make safari drives feel magical.

Also, since you are not bringing a guide, you will rely more on your own observation skills. That can be a fun challenge. It can also mean you should set expectations. This is not a guided lecture. It is a self-driven wildlife circuit.

Planning Your 510 Minutes Like a Pro

The tour duration is listed as 510 minutes, which is about 8.5 hours. That is a full half-day to near full-day outing, depending on how often you pause and how long you linger around different areas.

Here is how to use the time well:

• Plan to spend extra time around the enclosures. If you rush them, you will feel like you missed the point.
• Leave room for the extended game drive. Many people focus on the enclosures first, then realize too late that they want more time for antelope and other species.

If you are also exploring the broader area, remember you are close to Johannesburg and Lanseria. That makes it a realistic day trip. But an 8.5-hour park block means you should not schedule another major activity right after. Build in buffer time for the drive back, meals, and any traffic.

If you are thinking about food, some visitors talk about a restaurant on site. The park clearly has enough infrastructure for a long day, so you should not feel stuck, but you still will want to plan meals based on your own preferences.

Value and Pricing: Why $24 Can Make Sense

The price is listed as $24 per person. That sounds budget-friendly compared with many guided safaris, and the reason is simple: your cost covers the self-drive experience through the park, not your vehicle and not a paid guide.

So the value equation changes based on what you already have:

• If you already have access to a car and it fits the vehicle rules, this can be a very practical way to add big-cat and predator viewing to your trip without paying for a full guided safari package.
• If you still need a vehicle rental, the overall value depends on rental prices and whether your rental counts as an allowed vehicle type. The soft-top restriction is the kind of detail that can quietly change your budget.

For me, the best “value” angle is what you control. You are not tied to a guide’s timing. You can spend more time with what you care about most, which often matters more than people expect.

And if you are traveling with family or friends, self-drive often feels like a win because you can travel together without splitting up into groups. You also get to move at a pace that works for different comfort levels.

One last practical note: you pick up tickets at the park ticket office upon arrival. So plan a smooth start to your drive day.

The Balanced Bottom Line: Who This Self-Drive Tour Fits

I think this tour fits best if you want:

• Freedom over structure, you prefer driving yourself rather than following a guide
• A chance to see major predators in dedicated enclosure areas
• A safari day that includes an extended wildlife drive, not just one tight loop

It is less ideal if you strongly want a guide to explain behavior, ecology, and what you are seeing in real time. Because there is no guide provided, you will rely on your own observation.

It also matters whether you have an allowed vehicle. If you are traveling with a rental that is a soft-top or convertible, you would need a different plan before you arrive.

If you are flexible on timing, keep in mind lion feeding at 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM on weekends and public holidays. Planning around that can turn a normal drive into a more memorable highlight.

Should You Book It?

Yes, I would book it if you have a vehicle that is allowed and you like the idea of driving your own safari route. For $24 per person, the mix of predator enclosure time plus an extended game drive is the right combo for people who want variety without paying for a full guided package.

Skip it or rethink it if you need a guide for interpretation, or if your transport choice is a soft-top or convertible, since those are not allowed. Also, if your schedule is tight, remember the listed duration is 510 minutes, which is a long enough chunk of time that it deserves a real slot in your day.

If you want a practical, close-to-the-action safari experience near Johannesburg, this self-drive setup is one of the easier ways to make that happen.

FAQ

How long is the Hartbeespoort self-drive safari tour?

The duration is listed as 510 minutes. Starting times can vary, so you should check availability for the time that works best for you.

Is a vehicle included in the tour price?

No. The tour includes the self-drive through the park, but it does not include your vehicle.

Is there a guide provided for the self-drive portion?

No guide is provided. You drive with your family and friends through the park in your own time.

Where do I collect my tickets?

Please collect your tickets at the ticket office upon arrival at the park.

When does lion feeding happen?

Lion feeding is scheduled for 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM on weekends and public holidays.

Are soft-top or convertible vehicles allowed?

No. Soft-top/convertible vehicles are not allowed.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.