Lory Park
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:30 AM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:30 AM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 AM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 AM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 AM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 AM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 AM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:30 AM
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18 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
182 reviews
Excellent
98
Very good
63
Average
15
Poor
4
Terrible
2
DT02
Johannesburg, South Africa145 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
Lory Park Zoo is well kept, the facility is clean and secure. Easy access from Johannesburg or Pretoria, the staff are very friendly, the kids enjoyed the day out. Highly Reccomended.
Written October 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather H
Washington, District of Columbia, United States4 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
This “sanctuary” felt more like a traditional zoo, much to my disappointment. While the animals seemed cared for, a few things were concerning to me, as a visitor (granted, with limited knowledge of the inner workings). First were the “encounters” with the animals, which visitors could interact directly with certain animals for a set fee, while supervised. For those I witnessed, the animals seemed nervous and even acted out a bit—rightfully so, as people were encroaching on their territory.
The second thing was smoking is allowed, near the animal cages! This floored me and the second hand smoke has to be extremely harmful for the caged animals, who have nowhere to retreat.
And finally, I was shocked that people were allowed to grill out near the animals. The smell of grilling meats, like the smoke, wafted into the animals’ dens. While obviously not harmful, it does seem odd (and a bit mean!) to have a steady stream of cooked food within sniffing distance of the big cats.
So, to be clear, certainly no overt neglect of these animals but this “sanctuary” needs to be smarter about protecting their animals over the enjoyment (smoking, grilling) of its patrons.
The second thing was smoking is allowed, near the animal cages! This floored me and the second hand smoke has to be extremely harmful for the caged animals, who have nowhere to retreat.
And finally, I was shocked that people were allowed to grill out near the animals. The smell of grilling meats, like the smoke, wafted into the animals’ dens. While obviously not harmful, it does seem odd (and a bit mean!) to have a steady stream of cooked food within sniffing distance of the big cats.
So, to be clear, certainly no overt neglect of these animals but this “sanctuary” needs to be smarter about protecting their animals over the enjoyment (smoking, grilling) of its patrons.
Written August 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin Hood
Johannesburg, South Africa38 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
Whilst having visitors from KZN, I decided to take the entire family for a Lory Park outing. The venue is now totally unaffordable for a normal family whilst nothing much has changed there. Same old same old. That was my last visit to Lory Park.
Written March 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carj61
Rouse Hill, Australia8 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
Just a question, how did you acquire the cubs and what happens to them when they are too big to be “cute” and used for petting?
Written March 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good day,
Lory Park Zoo is a top hand rearing facility is South Africa. Our aim is to provide ambassador animals that will continue species through out the world to other accredited facilities such as ourselves. Some of our cubs and kittens are born at the zoo while others are from different facilities of a variety of reasons. Lory Park Zoo does not breed with any of the big cats species. Encounters are not the main purpose for these animals and therefore there is simply no "cute" factor at our facility. Any animal that is hand reared is done so to be an ambassador animal, therefore public interaction is essential for their training. These animals are destined for other zoological facilities throughout the world. Animals reared in zoos will always remain in zoos and therefore these animals do much better if they are comfortable around humans, as they will spend the rest of their lives with us.
Written April 16, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mtn_Walker456
47 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
I've been to the Lory Park Zoo many times. The zoo itself is very small, but the main reason to visit this place is to interact with the various animals they have available. However, what once was a great place to interact with animals, has now become too restrictive. It's not worth your time going there anymore. I've noticed that it's been getting progressively worse with each visit. After my last trip, I've finally realized that it has gotten to the point of no return. If you enjoy interacting with animals, there are much better places in the Johannesburg area to do so.
Written September 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lurendag
Roodepoort, South Africa40 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
The Lory Park is a must see it is clean neat and you see more animals here as at JHB Zoo. The animals are well cared for and you have personal interaction with some of the animals. A lot of photo opportunity and the kids love it.
Written May 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ElmarieTshwane
Pretoria, South Africa49 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Such a nice and clean park, friendly staff, animals seem to be happy and well-cared for. Fun to see Daniel the white lion safely from a few meters' distance, meet Joshua the Gibbon who was born and raised in the park and to see a Fish Eagle close-up. Wonderful for family outing, not too much walking.
Written April 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shamanjustin
Boksburg, South Africa109 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
On a recent outing to Lory Park with my family and friends. I was pleasantly surprised to a nice and entertaining day out for both adults and kids.
The Park has nice clean enclosures for the animals and the animals are well looked after. The best part for me was how the Park is so interactive with visitors and the animals, with the option to touch or see certain animals up close was great and the kids loved the experience.
It is a must go place for kids and any animal lovers. The Park is also the right size to enjoy without tiring out younger kids.
The Park has nice clean enclosures for the animals and the animals are well looked after. The best part for me was how the Park is so interactive with visitors and the animals, with the option to touch or see certain animals up close was great and the kids loved the experience.
It is a must go place for kids and any animal lovers. The Park is also the right size to enjoy without tiring out younger kids.
Written April 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth B
Johannesburg, South Africa1,670 contributions
Aug 2015 • Business
We went to Lory Park with our Grade 0's on an outing as we do every year. It is safe, the animals look good and the guides are very informative. Some children are taken on a tour around the zoo while the others attend a lecture where they are also allowed to touch some of the animals. There are tables and benches where the children can eat their snacks, a café and shop where items may be bought. Parking is plentiful and free and there is a bring-and-braai area where you can braai your own meat and have a picnic. Everything is enclosed and clean. There are ablutions but only 3 toilets on the girls side.
Written August 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth B
Johannesburg, South Africa1,670 contributions
Sep 2014 • Business
We visited the Zoo during one of our outings last year. It was fantastic! The guides were friendly, had the knowledge and spoke to our Grade 0 learners in a lovely manner. Clean zoo, clean restrooms and an attractive place to have mid-morning snack. I would take my grandchildren there when they visit me from the UK.
Written January 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it possible to interact with the birds?
Dhanashree Pillay
Johannesburg, South Africa37 contributions
yes it is but at a fee
Casey27tcmBotha
Johannesburg, South Africa
can I bring in own food in and picnic ? and what is the cost of playing with the cubs ?
Dhanashree Pillay
Johannesburg, South Africa37 contributions
Yes you can take you own food and drinks. people were braaing as there is space for that....they also had kids parties near the Cubs. Sorry I didnt check the price of playing with the Cubs as I was with a 2 year old.
Hey how would I book an animal encounter here ?
Online, call them or at the gate
And what animals are there you can get up close and personal with
Vanessa F
14 contributions
You book it with them at the gate or at the tuck shop. Last time I was there, there were baby Cheetahs, lion's and vultures.
darululoom h
Johannesburg, South Africa1 contribution
what is the entrance fee?
Andrew M
Gurugram (Gurgaon), India185 contributions
Adults are R100 and kids over 2 are R70. There are also animal encounters which you can pay extra for. They take credit cards.
What is there to see?
SheenaBz
Johannesburg53 contributions
You can see most 'zoo' animals but several smaller types of the cat genus. However, this is the place to be if you want to get closer than any zoo and game park. Not all the animals will be "touch mode" so you can't demand but there will definitely be a couple that you can experience up close and personal creating a lifetime memory.
AninaBijl
Pretoria, South Africa49 contributions
Hi
My daughter turns 11. Very much into conservation and loves animals. She wants to come to Lory Park for her Birthday. Can you do an educational/conservation tour on a Saturday morning for about 10 people? They would also like to have the cub encounter.
Vossie59
Midrand, South Africa10 contributions
I only wrote the review. I suggest you contact Lory Park Zoo directly.
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Claim your listingLory Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Lory Park
- Lory Park is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:30 AM
- Hotels near Lory Park:
- (0.12 mi) Bella Khaya
- (0.47 mi) Bleuville Ecological Village
- (0.47 mi) Bleuville ecological village guest house x2 villas 2bedrooms per Villa
- (6.11 mi) Rivonia Premier Lodge
- (6.21 mi) Dunton Guest House
- Restaurants near Lory Park:
- (0.49 mi) The Trea Garden
- (4.90 mi) Ristorante La Trinita
- (2.93 mi) Kream Restaurant Mall of Africa
- (2.91 mi) Casa Bella Mall of Africa
- (7.65 mi) Signature Restaurant
Lory Park Information
Excellent Reviews | 98 |
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Very Good Reviews | 63 |
Lory Park Photos | 125 |