Rhino & Lion Park Tour

Rhino & Lion Park Tour comprises:

Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve History

The Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve is a privately owned, non-subsidized game reserve, covering approximately 1 200 ha on the typical Highveld of Gauteng. The reserve is situated in the "Cradle of Humankind", a declared World Heritage Site, about 40 km north-west of Johannesburg and 60km west of Pretoria.

The reserve was founded in 1985 by Ed Hern, a well known stockbroker, with the aim of preserving this beautiful area for private leisure. Prior to this the farm was utilised as a dairy and agricultural produce farm. From a modest beginning of two white rhinos, "Ouvrou" and "Bulle", imported from a zoo in Germany, and some antelope species, the reserve now boasts 600 head of game representing 25 different species. Public demand to visit the reserve became overwhelming and this was met in 1990, coinciding with a name change from "Kiepersol" to "Rhino Park".

Emphasis was also placed on breeding and the success of this project is best illustrated by the fact that no less than 18 white rhino calves have been born at the reserve to date. Increasing the number of species is always hampered by external factors such as climate, habitat, grazing, availability, etc. but the reserve has always strived to reach this goal in order to enhance the entertainment and educational value to the public - many of whom would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience wildlife in this manner due to cost and distance constraints.

For obvious reasons, the rare and dangerous species have a greater attraction value, and this led to the introduction of lions, cheetah and later, the highly endangered Cape wild dog. The latter have formed part of a very successful breeding programme which has, in turn, led to breeding programmes for Bengal tigers, Siberian Tigers and the extremely rare White Lion (one of which was born at the reserve in 1999). These activities have seen the staff complement at the reserve grow from 5 to 39 people employed on a full time basis.

Once again the name was changed to "Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve" in order to reflect the new attractions and to differentiate between the reserve and its competitors.

The management of the reserve were still not satisfied and hence the re-introduction of warthog, after a long absence from the Gauteng Highveld, was successfully implemented. A natural development was the establishment of a vulture restaurant which caters for the groups of these magnificent birds which live in the nearby Magaliesberg. Through the generosity of the general public and farmers, who donate carcasses to the reserve on a regular basis, this venture has proven highly successful. Often one can view as many as 200 birds feasting at the reserve.

Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve Animal Crèche

Animals available to touch and take a photograph with are Lion & Tiger Cubs, Cheetah cubs etc. (Subject to availability) 5 minutes allowed per person.

Please take note of the following VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The following diseases can be spread due to the touching and/or stroking or interacting with the lion & tiger cubs (animals). Please wash your hands and other parts of your body that touched the animals properly with soap and water. Please contact your local Veterinarian or doctor with any of the symptoms related to the possible infection possible diseases: PARVO Virus, Feline AIDS, Snuffles, Ringworm, Feline Leukemia and Toxoplasmosis. Please search the web for links on these diseases or mail to: hippo@global.co.za. Please wash the parts of your body that touched the animals at the basin with soap provided at the EXIT gate of the Animal Crèche!

Collection Points (between 8:30 and 09:15am):

• The Palazzo Hotel - Montecasino

• The Michelangelo Hotel - Sandton

• The Hyatt Regency Hotel - JHB

If you require collection from a different location please contact us regarding times and prices. Please note there is no extra cost to be collected from any hotel in the Sandton area.