dl021 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11433 posts, RR: 81 Posted (9 months 3 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 1691 times:
Quick question...going to have a day to kill in Joburg next week and wondering what to do. I'd like to take the wife to a game preserve near there, but don't know which ones are close enough and decent enough to make it worthwhile.
I'd appreciate any input, or alternative suggestions. Will be leaving early Thursday for trip to Drakensburg mtns so Wednesday is basically my acclimitization day.
dl021 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11433 posts, RR: 81 Reply 2, posted (9 months 3 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 1673 times:
Smart ass. Just looking for a place to take Debbie to see lions and tigers and bears since we don't have time to go to Kruger or someplace else. Just a daytrip.
signol From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2007, 2950 posts, RR: 7 Reply 3, posted (9 months 3 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 1651 times:
I don't think there are many big game parks near Joburg, Pilanesberg is possibly the closest. It's still a couple of hours away though.
There are other sights in the province though.
Jasondn From South Africa, joined Nov 2007, 190 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (9 months 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 1563 times:
Yes, I have been and its worth the visit. If I remember correctly, they have a petting zoo with lion cubs.
You won't see many Tigers and Bears as we dont get them here in Africa, but if you want to see the other cats, Leopard, cheetah, etc. Johannesburg zoo would be an alternative. As zoos go, it is huge and probably the best in Africa.
dl021 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11433 posts, RR: 81 Reply 7, posted (9 months 3 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1501 times:
Thanks Jason...I was sort of kidding with David about the tigers and bears, oh my! but I think we're going to go to the lion and rhino park right there and get the ranger guided trip.
sw733 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 6072 posts, RR: 10 Reply 8, posted (9 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 1477 times:
Quoting dl021 (Reply 2): Just looking for a place to take Debbie to see lions and tigers and bears since we don't have time to go to Kruger or someplace else.
Contrary to popular belief, game animals don't just roam around all of southern Africa
I have not been to this Lion Park, but I have been to the Joburg Zoo and enjoyed it.
GEEZER From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 1432 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (9 months 3 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 1419 times:
While we're on the topic of "things to see" in South Africa...............(this is probably too far south for your present trip) but I was just looking through a book I have today, and I saw something that really surprised me...........mainly because I had never heard about it before..........Table Mountain, overlooking Cape Town. I can't believe I've never heard about it before; one great, huge mountain, perfectly flat on top...........with a big mountain on either side, both "conical" like most mountains are.
It says there's a lot of wild life living on it, but unfortunately all of the lions and leopards are long gone.
Charley
Stupidity: Doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting a different result; Albert Einstein
Jasondn From South Africa, joined Nov 2007, 190 posts, RR: 1 Reply 11, posted (9 months 3 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1396 times:
Quoting GEEZER (Reply 10): While we're on the topic of "things to see" in South Africa...............(this is probably too far south for your present trip) but I was just looking through a book I have today, and I saw something that really surprised me...........mainly because I had never heard about it before..........Table Mountain, overlooking Cape Town. I can't believe I've never heard about it before; one great, huge mountain, perfectly flat on top...........with a big mountain on either side, both "conical" like most mountains are.
It says there's a lot of wild life living on it, but unfortunately all of the lions and leopards are long gone.
Charley
It's what I look at every day of my life....my office is at the base of the mountain.
dl021 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11433 posts, RR: 81 Reply 12, posted (9 months 3 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 1356 times:
Guys...I appreciate it...there's an old line from a song or movie that goes "lions and tigers and bears, oh my!" and that' swhta I was referring to. I understand that there aren't any tigers in southern Africa outside of zoos and preserves, and I was actually hoping more to see some animals native to the area.
The lion and rhino preserve in guateng sounds pretty nice. I do wonder if there's an available baboon hunting expedition....I understand that irritates certain categories of people....who've never met a baboon.
Jasondn From South Africa, joined Nov 2007, 190 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (9 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 1254 times:
Quoting dl021 (Reply 12): I do wonder if there's an available baboon hunting expedition....I understand that irritates certain categories of people....who've never met a baboon.
You seriously want to hunt a baboon? Why? If you come down to the Western Cape, they are all over the mountains etc.. They will come right up to you. No need to go and hunt them......they are very common. Granted, they are quite ugly and can be vicious, but we live with them.
GEEZER From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 1432 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (9 months 3 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 1227 times:
Quoting Jasondn (Reply 11): It's what I look at every day of my life....my office is at the base of the mountain.
Jasondn..........
Your tourist bureau ( or who ever is responsible for getting the word out to the world that you have fantastic things to look at ), are dropping the ball !
I've seen ten million photos of Ayres Rock in Australia for years and years ! From the looks of the photo of Table Mountain in this book I have, it looks every bit as "awesome" as Ayres Rock ! I can't believe there are no photos of it floating around.
Have you ever been on it ? How about the difficulty of climbing it ? I think maybe d1021 is missing a great opportunity if he doesn't come to Cape Town and see this thing.
Charley
Stupidity: Doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting a different result; Albert Einstein
dl021 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11433 posts, RR: 81 Reply 15, posted (9 months 1 week 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 947 times:
Guys...I'm back and the trip was outstanding. I'll make it to the Western Cape next time, as I do want to climb Table Mountain.
Lesotho is a beautiful place and the people very friendly, and the Land Rover Experience people in Joburg are excellent.
I strongly recommend the Irene County Lodge in Centurion, and Oranje Gastplaats near Fouriesburg. Katse Dam Lodge and Sani Pass Lodge are decent for their locations and staff.
The Lion and Rhino park in Guateng is very good and a worthwhile day trip.
The best way to travel in country is with a Land Rover Defender you can rent through the Land Rover Experience folks.
Go to the Drakensburg mountains at least once in your life.
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From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11433 posts, 
Just looking for a place to take Debbie to see lions and tigers and bears since we don't have time to go to Kruger or someplace else. Just a daytrip.
From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2007, 2950 posts, 
From South Africa, joined Nov 2007, 190 posts, 
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