Bothongo Rhino
and Lion Nature Reserve
Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve is jampacked with activities for the whole family. Whether you’re in the mood for a relaxing bush escape or a day full of adventure, you’ll find something here that's just right for you. The Reserve boasts more than 100 species of mammals, reptiles, and birds. See four of the big five as well as African wild dogs, cheetahs, tigers, zebras, roan antelope, sable antelope and many more.
We had a lovely drive. Got to see wild dogs and white lions up close in nice big camps. We were a li... - Patricia Pienaar .
Patricia Pienaar
We had a lovely drive. Got to see wild dogs and white lions up close in nice big camps. We were a little upset and sorry for the exotic cats. Their enclosures are so small and they looked so bored. The cheetah were pacing in circles. Not nice. We left after seeing that. It felt like a zoo. The staff were very friendly and helpful.
Patricia Pienaar experienced the Self-Drive
Moshen muzah
It was my first time in the park but I think you guys need more animals. We couldnt spot the Brown Lions and any Rhino. But overrally a refreshing drive.
Moshen muzah experienced the Self-Drive
Caroline Berry
We all had a wonderful day. The game drive did not disappoint. Syke the giraffe was too wonderful. The food was excellent. We will certainly return.
Caroline Berry experienced the Game Drive (min. 2 pax)
Craig Galbraith
This was a first-time Safari experience for my wife, her sister and their mother, and it did not disappoint for the first-timers. From the moment we entered the Park we were greeted by the animals, and I literally mean less than 100m from the gate there was Warthog, Blesbok, Zebra and Hartebees standing 20m from the road. We got to the Park quite early in the morning (a little after 9am) as we didn't want to be driving in the mid-day sun, and headed straight to the predator enclosure. We saw the White Lions, the Cheetahs and the many Vultures on that side, but the highlight was the Wild Dogs that came right up to and sniffed around the car to investigate what and who we were. Leaving from there we made our way to the picnic area, the Wildlife centre and snake and reptile park. On the way we saw a lot more Blesbok, Zebra, Hartebees, Warthog, Gemsbok, Impala, Springbuck, Buffalo, Eland, Wildebeest (Black and Blue) and White Rhinos, with my sister-in-law nearly giving herself whiplash trying to take as many pictures as she could from all sides of the car. At the picnic area, after our mid-morning breakfast, we walked around the exotic cats enclosure, walked through to the tortoise and ground birds area and the crane and small mammal enclosures and saw most everything that is available to see there. One thing I would like to note is the Jaguars looked a little stressed, pacing up and down their smallish enclosure and I believe it is because they don't have a wading pool like the Tigers have, it was quite hot even at 11am. One suggestion I have, and I know the park is under renovation, would be to enlarge their enclosure and include a pool for them to swim in, Jaguars like water. We then made our way to the snakes and pigmy Hippos, before we stopped again for a lunchtime snack and walked around the picnic area taking photos of the Squirrels and Mongoose. On our way out, we stopped at the curio shop for some memories, made our way to the main gate to see the waterfowl and walked across to the Hippo pools and walkway, where they treated us to coming out of the water to feed. I would like to think we managed to see most of the park animals and facilities there, we just didn't get to go the the Caves or the Neck and Deck for the Giraffes as it was past 5pm by the time we were done at the Hippos. I can truly say this is a great way to introduce first-timers to a Safari experience, as an experienced Safari goer myself, having done the Kruger, Timbavati, Mabula game parks and Zimbabwe Safaris, I was quite impressed with the variety of fauna available. We will definitely go back, as there is quite a lot to do in one day. I know the first-times thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Craig Galbraith experienced the Self-Drive
