Lion and Safari Park 4x4 Experience - Complete Guide

[Bogaards]

I have been visiting the Lion and Safari Park very often lately. The trail is really developing in a great trail. In the beginning it was a bit rough. It has now been developed in such a way that any Standard 4x4 vehicle can drive it without the risk of damage. I have worked with Terence and we have developed as system where you can scan a QR Code that will take you to a short YouTube video that shows you how to drive the obstacle.

I will use this Thread to consolidate al the video I have made of the Park.

I will ad them from the Oldest to the Newest.

[Bogaards]

This is the first video I made and my first outing on the trail. Most obstacles were still very rough (some of these can be avoided). There are also now much less sharp rocks and a lot of them can be avoided.

[Bogaards]

The following video I made was to show that it can be driven with a Standard 4x4 vehicle. As luck would have it there were some standard Fords in the group.

[Bogaards]

The Lion and Safari Park also had it's first Night Drive. This was something very unique. After setting up camp they picked us up with the Game Viewing vehicle and took us for a drive through the predator enclosures and also fed some of the Lions. After that we went out for a Night Drive in the 4x4 Paradise. The following morning some of the newer and more technical obstacles were driven (most of these can be bypassed).

[Bogaards]

In this video we covered some of the newer parts of the trail and I also have a discussion with Terence. He also explains here nicely the difference between Independent and a solid beam axle. We also had a quick recovery to do.

[Bogaards]

In the following video I show how the QR Code system work. I you are planning on driving the trail feel free to send me a DM and I can forward the QR Codes to you (the park should have them ready on a pamphlet soon I believe).

[BruceHun]

Nice Henk. Would a 4x2 with difflock and traction control be able to navigate the course avoiding the real 4x4 stuff using the escape routes if available?

[Bogaards]

Nice Henk. Would a 4x2 with difflock and traction control be able to navigate the course avoiding the real 4x4 stuff using the escape routes if available?

Good day Bruce. For the main 4x4 Trail I will advise against it. I would rather suggest to drive the old 4x4 trail. This can easily be done with a 4x2 and you should be able to drive it without having to sign up for the main 4x4 trail.

[Oom Walter]

I went to the lion and safari park yesterday.
Took a couple friends along to show them the ropes with my everest.

The everest is completely stock other than having a tougher bash plate and some rock sliders.

The quarry was good fun for them all, as well as 4x4 paradise.
They did however taste their balls in their throats while I drove the rest of the trail, and rightfully so.

Although I really enjoyed the challenge, I think most people would be quite hesitant to drive the first chunk of the new route with stock 4x4s.
I would actually not recommend it.

LT rated all terrains (my AT5s) and some sort of increased suspension along with rock sliders as a minimum.

Perhaps provide an option to only do the quarry and 4x4 paradise for stock vehicles and then the rest to vehicles that comply to the other requirements.

From the scenic drive it becomes less stressful with the razor sharp rocks out of the way, replaced with narrow paths with cross axles and sharp turns. Really a fun experience and according to me & significantly more challenging than de wildt or hennops.

[Bogaards]

I went to the lion and safari park yesterday.
Took a couple friends along to show them the ropes with my everest.

The everest is completely stock other than having a tougher bash plate and some rock sliders.

The quarry was good fun for them all, as well as 4x4 paradise.
They did however taste their balls in their throats while I drove the rest of the trail, and rightfully so.

Although I really enjoyed the challenge, I think most people would be quite hesitant to drive the first chunk of the new route with stock 4x4s.
I would actually not recommend it.

LT rated all terrains (my AT5s) and some sort of increased suspension along with rock sliders as a minimum.

Perhaps provide an option to only do the quarry and 4x4 paradise for stock vehicles and then the rest to vehicles that comply to the other requirements.

From the scenic drive it becomes less stressful with the razor sharp rocks out of the way, replaced with narrow paths with cross axles and sharp turns. Really a fun experience and according to me & significantly more challenging than de wildt or hennops.

Good points.

I assume you are referring to the part where you enter the trail and the Hyena enclosures? This is a bit rocky. We have done this part with some standard vehicles.
I will ask Terence to do a part where you only drive the following:
4x4 Quarry
4x4 Paradise
Slippery when wet at the River

Regards,

[Oom Walter]

Just because you manage to get a few standards vehicles through without damage doesn't mean everyone else will. I would rather have that then be an obstacle that you can choose to take on instead of having to do it. So that you can walk that section and decide for yourself.

If people go whacking their sumps on rocks within the first 200m of a trail I think it won't stay open too long.

That said, I really, really enjoyed the rest of it and think Terence is creating an awesome space to tedt your vehicle

[Oom Walter]

Good points.

I assume you are referring to the part where you enter the trail and the Hyena enclosures? This is a bit rocky. We have done this part with some standard vehicles.
I will ask Terence to do a part where you only drive the following:
4x4 Quarry
4x4 Paradise
Slippery when wet at the River

Regards,

This would be a perfect introductory route.

[Bogaards]

Herewith a link to a article I have written about the Lion and Safari Park that was published on the Adventure Afrika Platform.

https://4x4afrika.com/2024/07/03/lio...fri-4x4-trail/