JOHANNESBURG

South Africa – Johannesburg & an Unforgettable Lion Walk 🦁🇿🇦

We visited South Africa as part of our Africa trip, flying in from Walvis Bay, Namibia.

Originally, Johannesburg was only supposed to be a short layover between Namibia and Zambia, but while researching things to do during our connection, I discovered a lion walking experience, and it was so unique that we extended our stay to two nights!

It ended up being one of the most memorable experiences of the trip. 🥰

Entry Requirements

For many nationalities no visa is required for South Africa.

We received our entry permit free of charge upon arrival.

As always, it’s worth checking the latest entry requirements before traveling.

Internet

We used a global eSIM purchased through Trip.com.

Overall, it worked well, although we experienced a few brief connection interruptions during our stay.

Where We Stayed

Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre OR Tambo Airport

We booked the hotel through Agoda.

The hotel is conveniently located near OR Tambo International Airport and offers a complimentary airport shuttle service every hour.

I recommend contacting the hotel before arrival to reserve a spot on the shuttle.

Rooftop Restaurant

One pleasant surprise was the hotel’s rooftop restaurant:

Level Seven Restaurant & Sky Bar

The food was excellent. 😋🤤

The rooftop views and atmosphere made it a great place to relax after a day of sightseeing.

Walking with Lions 🦁🔥

The main reason we extended our stay!

The lion experience takes place approximately two hours from Johannesburg.

There are several tour options available, including packages with overnight stays.

Lion walk website

For transportation, I contacted the company through the email address listed on their website.

They arranged a driver who was excellent.

He arrived on time, was friendly and professional, waited for us during the activity, and drove us back to our hotel afterward.

The Experience

We booked the package that included lunch.

We arrived around 1:00 PM and enjoyed lunch by the property’s swimming pool before the tour began at 2:00 PM.

The experience was divided into three different sections.

Part One – Big Cats Up Close 🐅

The first section introduced us to the facility’s big cats.

We met a tiger and even had the opportunity to take photos with it.

One particularly funny moment was when the tiger lick my hand. 😅

The staff provided interesting information about the animals and their care throughout the visit.

Coffee Break ☕

Between activities, there was a short break with coffee and cookies.

Part Two – Larger Predators

The next section introduced us to larger cats, including additional tigers and lions.

The guides shared information about the animals, conservation efforts, and the work being done at the facility.

Part Three – Walking with Lions 🦁🤩

The highlight of the day.

Walking alongside lions was an absolutely incredible experience.

Being so close to these magnificent animals while learning about them from experienced guides was both exciting and unforgettable.

It felt surreal.

Definitely one of the most unique wildlife experiences I’ve ever had. 🥰🔥

Final Thoughts

What was originally supposed to be a simple layover turned into one of the most memorable stops of our Africa adventure.

The combination of comfortable accommodation, excellent food, and the extraordinary opportunity to walk with lions made Johannesburg far more than just a transit city for us.

It was a special experience and one I’ll never forget. 👌🏻

Enjoy! 😁

– Keren

For photos, locations, and travel inspiration, feel free to follow along on Instagram. 📸✨

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