What to do
Respect. Protect.
Activities
Guided Game Drives
- Experience the adrenaline rush as you encounter the ultimate predator in open game viewers, guided by our experienced and knowledgeable rangers.
- Game drives can be arranged to suit your preferences—whether during daylight hours or, for nocturnal enthusiasts, an exhilarating night drive that will keep your pulse racing.
- Please note: Game drives are not included in the entrance fee.
Self Drive
- The Reserve is a self-drive facility featuring regularly maintained dirt roads suitable for most passenger vehicles (though we do not recommend attempting a self-drive in a supercar).
- Explore the reserve at your own pace from the comfort of your vehicle.
- Please note: Certain roads are only accessible with a 4×4 vehicle.
- Road conditions may be affected by heavy rainfall’
- Self-drive access is included in the entrance fee.
The Bothongo Wondercave
- The Bothongo WonderCave was discovered by Italian miners in 1898. They mined out approximately 15% from the formation and brought them to the surface.
- This is the 3rd largest chamber is South Africa, the largest being Cango Caves and second largest Sudwala Caves.
- The entrance to the cave is down a flight of stairs with 87 steps at a 45 degrees angle dropping 22 meters below the surface. From there an elevator takes visitors a further 18 meters into the cave.
- Excluded from the entrance fee.
Braai & Picnic
- Enjoy excellent braai facilities (grids available for rent at the Kiosk).
- Ablution facilities are provided for your convenience.
- The Kiosk offers a selection of snacks, drinks, food, and firewood.
- A swimming pool is available to help you stay cool, and a jungle gym keeps the kids entertained.
- Feel free to bring your own picnic basket and make use of our dedicated Picnic & Braai areas.
- Access to these facilities is included in the entrance fee.
Restaurants
- The Reserve offers three conveniently located restaurants: the Neck & Deck Café, the Boma Restaurant, and the Thatch Café.
- Enjoy a variety of à la carte menus across the venues, featuring breakfasts, steaks, burgers, fish, waffles, pizzas, meat baskets, and more.
- Dining access is included in the entrance fee (meals charged separately).
- Visit our Restaurants page for more details and menu options.
Hippo Walkway
- We invite guests to explore the incredible Hippo Walkway, located directly across from the Neck & Deck Restaurant.
- A short walk across the road will lead you to our hippos and other fascinating species in their natural habitat.
Predator Feeding
- Self-drive visitors can enjoy predator feeding, one of our most popular activities. To secure a spot, it is advisable to arrive early, especially on weekends and public holidays.
- The brown and white lion prides are housed separately and fed on alternating days according to a carefully planned schedule.
- The endangered African wild dogs and cheetahs are fed on the same days as the brown and white lions.
- Guided game drives, including predator feeding, can be booked for an additional fee.
- Predator feeding is included in the entrance fee.
13H00 @ Predator Camp
Wednesdays, weekends & Public Holidays
Lion & Predator Camp
- Take a self-drive through the Predator Enclosure and spot lions in both the brown and white lion enclosures.
- Visit our pack of endangered African wild dogs and witness one of Africa’s most elusive and fascinating predators—an experience few get to enjoy in the wild.
- Access to the Predator Enclosure is included in the entrance fee.
Snake & Reptile Park
- The Snake & Reptile Park, located near the Wildlife Centre, offers an exciting opportunity to see anacondas, black mambas, cobras, crocodiles, and even a giant bullfrog up close.
- Each species is accompanied by informative displays detailing their natural habitat, distribution, and preferred prey.
- Keep in mind that snakes typically avoid human interaction and will retreat when given the chance.
- Entry to the Snake & Reptile Park is included in the entrance fee.
Bothongo African Garden
- The Bothongo African Garden showcases a variety of South African plants, along with small antelope and bird species.
- The garden features numerous cycads, aloes, and other indigenous African flora, thoughtfully integrated into the natural dolomite rock formations unique to the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
- Access to the African Garden is included in the entrance fee.
Waterfowl Park
- Discover a variety of beautiful waterfowl species from around the world in enclosures along a tranquil freshwater stream.
- Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the walkway—some of our birds, like the trumpeter swans, are especially vocal and enjoy greeting visitors!
- Access the viewing deck overlooking a freshwater dam teeming with birdlife via the Chobe Café.
- This experience is included in the entrance fee.
Snake Shows
- Enjoy an educational snake show presented by our resident snake handler, Winnie Dlomo, who has made several TV appearances.
- Learn about the vital role snakes play in conservation and why it’s important to protect rather than harm them.
- Access to the snake show is included in the entrance fee.
14H30 outside the monkey enclosure
Tuesday - Thursday, weekends & Public Holidays
4x4 Self Drive Route
- For 4×4 owners seeking a more thrilling challenge than simply mounting pavements, our dedicated 4×4 route offers the perfect opportunity to test your off-road skills.
- Follow the clearly marked trails and explore areas of the reserve that are inaccessible to 2×4 vehicles.
- Download a map of the reserve to plan your route in advance.
- Access to the 4×4 route is included in the entrance fee.
Hippo Pools
- Witness Africa’s most dangerous mammal— the hippo— in its natural habitat.
- Please note: the hippos are located in a separate section of the reserve, opposite the main entrance.
- Visitors must park inside the reserve and walk across the road to reach the hippo area.
- A fenced walkway leads to viewing platforms that provide excellent vantage points for observing the hippos safely.
- Access to the Hippo Walkway is included in the entrance fee.
Cradle Bike Park
- A great experience for the whole family with a variety of tracks to suit all cyclist skills and abilities.
- The bike park includes facilities for renting equipment on site to enjoy the different tracks.
- Also available are ablution facilities, a kiosk for snacks and the Thatch cafe with professional baristas.
- Excluded from the entrance fee.
- A fun and active experience for the whole family, with a variety of cycling tracks to suit all skill levels and abilities.
- The bike park offers on-site equipment rentals, allowing visitors to enjoy the different tracks without needing to bring their own gear.
- Facilities include ablutions, a kiosk with snacks, and the Thatch Café featuring professional baristas.
- Please note: Access to the bike park is excluded from the entrance fee.
Swimming Pool
- The small splash pool is open to all visitors for cooling down and is a great spot for children to enjoy—strictly under adult supervision.
- A designated shallow area of the pool is suitable for toddlers, also under adult supervision only.
- Access to the splash pool is included in the entrance fee.