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African Lion Safari: A Seriously Exotic Day Trip to Hamilton

If you have yet to experience “Canada’s Original Safari Adventure”, make this the year for this unforgettable day trip to Hamilton.

African Lion Safari’s expansive drive through reserve lets families get closer than they ever imagined to some of the world’s most exotic species. Located just an hour’s drive from Toronto and around an hour and a half from Buffalo and Niagara Falls, it’s easy to get to one of Ontario’s most popular tourist attractions.

Family-owned and uniquely Canadian, African Lion Safari was founded by Colonel Gorden Debenham Dailley, who in 1968, set off to create a new attraction in Canada: a drive-through wildlife park. It started with just 40 lions. There’s now over 1000 animals, 100 different species and 750 acres of parkland.

Walk, drive, cruise, and journey along the railway through different areas of the park to discover the wide range of attractions here.

Game Reserves

In African Lion Safari’s unique Game Reserves , the tables are turned. Visitors are “caged” in their car while animals get to roam throughout the reserves. Get your cameras ready as you settle in your own vehicle and embark on a nine-km drive through seven distinct, large reserves including Nairobi Sanctuary, Simba Lion Country, Timbavati Lion Country, Wankie Bushland Trail, Rocky Ridge Veldt, Australasia and The Americas. You can view over 1000 exotic birds and animals, many of which are classified as endangered or threatened. (You can hop on a safari tour bus instead for an extra fee.)

Other Attractions

On a sunny day, pack your swimsuit and hit the wet zone at Misumu Bay Wet Play Area (open between May 19 and September 3). This adventure area features sprinklers, slides, jets, and more!

Daily Presentations

At various times throughout the day, visitors can catch one of four presentations to learn about the animals that call African Lion Safari home. In Parrot Paradise , visitors can watch in awe of their intelligence; see hawks, eagles, owls, vultures and falcons in the Birds of Prey Flying Demo ; and learn about various reptiles in Little Ray’s Nature Centre.

Wake Up The Wild: An Experience to Roar About

Have you ever wanted to come within a metre of a rhino, zebra or ostrich, or hand-feed Canada’s largest herd of giraffe? What about witness a pride of lions at their most active time of day? Designated an Ontario Signature Experience by Destination Ontario in 2015, Wake Up The Wild is African Lion Safari’s exclusive VIP experience available on select days throughout the season, ideal for families, couples, or a fun gift! During the adventure, a Game Warden takes you on an off-road, private guided tour to spot wildlife in an open air truck.

International Excellence in Conservation

Visitor information.

• Open daily May 6 to September 4 and select dates from September 5 to October 8. Misumu Bay Wetplay is open daily from May 20 to September 4.
• Parking is included in the park admission.
• Dining options and snacks are available throughout the park.
• African Lion Safari is located at 1386 Cooper Road in Hamilton, Ontario.

Born and raised in Hamilton, Amanda shares her favourite places and experiences to inspire others to explore! Follow her on Twitter @amandastancati .

African Lion Safari in Ontario

African Lion Safari

Unlike the traditional zoo where visitors freely roam the grounds observing animals in cages, the African Lion Safari near Toronto , Ontario, is set up to allow visitors to drive at their own pace around multi-acre reserves in which the animals roam freely.

Open daily between May and October, the African Lion Safari also stages animal shows and workshops and has a splash pad and playground.

Though the African Lion Safari is more acceptable in terms of animal welfare than zoos and amusement parks like the atrocious Marineland in Niagara Falls , which has been criticized for its animal cruelty, the elephant shows and rides at the African Lion Safari do seem archaic and humiliating to the animals while offering no educational value for viewers.

Tips for Visiting

Dennis Jarvis / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

• Driving your own vehicle around the animal reserves is at your own risk. Baboons have been known to jump on and scratch cars, pull at antennas or remove windshield wipers. Take the Safari Bus if you are concerned about your car being damaged.
• If you decide to drive your own vehicle, you have the option of a monkey-free route; monkeys tend to be the biggest car hazard.
• The park is less busy and not so hot if you arrive for the 10 am opening.
• As with most theme parks, food is generally unhealthy and overpriced. Pack a picnic lunch or at the least bring a snack and a water bottle.
• July and August can be very hot; be prepared with water, sunscreen, hats, and bring bathing suits for the kids to take advantage of the splash pad.
• Slightly rainy days are good days to visit, with fewer visitors and animals that are more active than on very hot, humid days.
• If you want to see some of the shows (Birds of Prey, Parrot, Elephants), find out their start times before you do anything else, and plan your activities around these times.

See the Animals

Derek Hatfield / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 

Animals wandering the African Lion Safari reserves include giraffes, zebras, rhinoceroses, ostriches, lions, cheetahs, baboons, and more.

Birds of prey, including eagles, hawks, owls, vultures, and falcons as well as parrots can be seen during demonstration and shows.

Gentle animals, such as baby goats, can be handled and pet at the Pets' Corner.

How Much Time to Spend at the Safari

African Lion Safari 

Visitors should plan on spending at least three hours at the African Lion Safari. The drive through the animal reserves takes between an hour and two hours, but the other amenities will keep you at the park for longer. Many people arrive for the 10 am opening and stay the whole day.

Getting There

Google Maps

Located in a rural part of Cambridge, Ontario, the African Lion Safari is about an hour from Toronto and 1.5 hours from Niagara Falls. Note that depending on your source, the location may be given as - not Cambridge - but Hamilton or Flamborough.

The route is marked clearly with blue Ontario attraction signage.

While You're in the Area

Little Louie's Burger Joint & Soupery

• Where to eat:  Enjoy delicious Mexican food in a casual atmosphere at Latinoamerica Unida. Slightly more sophisticated than a food truck, Little Louie's Burger Joint & Soupery serves up delish fast food.
• Where to stay: Several hotels are in the vicinity of the African Lion Safari - mostly mid-range. Homewood Suites by Hilton is particularly convenient for families as each guest room has at least one bedroom plus full kitchen and double sofa sleeper. If you're looking for something a little swankier, Langdon Hall is a Relais & Chateaux property in the area.
• Other attractions: A lot of green space, farmland, and conservation areas surround the African Lion Safari. Some charming towns within 20-minutes travel include Elora and Fergus - famous for 19th-century architecture and a preserved mill - and St. Jacobs Country - popular with tourists because of the hiking trails, strong Mennonite presence, and artistic offerings.
• The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada is a less touristy, quieter way to observe animals roaming freely, namely, donkeys who have been rescued from abuse and/or neglect.

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African Lion Safari

For a unique family-friendly adventure, embark on a driving tour through wild game reserves at African Lion Safari. Travel through habitats with seven different wildlife themes, featuring animals from across the African continent, the Australian Outback and the high plains of North America.

Weave through different ecosystems and explore over 300 hectares with animals roaming free, including some threatened or endangered species. Spot lions, zebras, giraffes, kangaroos, bison and more. After your “safari,” learn more about the park’s conservation efforts, breeding programs and research teams.

Visit the African Lion Safari website

African Lion Safari | Waterloo Region

How to get to African Lion Safari

Location: 1386 Cooper Road, Cambridge

By car: Access the African Lion Safari via Highway 401 and Highway 8. If you’re coming from Niagara Falls or the U.S., take the Queen Elizabeth Way. Free parking is included with admission.

By transit: GO Transit provides regular train and bus service to Kitchener and bus service from Kitchener to Cambridge. From there, take a local taxi to the African Lion Safari.

Know before you go

Purchase timed tickets in advance online . You must select two times: one for entry into the park and one for the drive through Game Reserves.

Your vehicle will receive a safety inspection before entering the Game Reserves. Check the vehicle restrictions page before your trip. If you’d rather not drive, opt for the Safari Tour Bus .

Wheelchairs and wagons are available for rent at the Safari Bazaar Gift Shop.

Things to do at African Lion Safari

Discover more activities and experiences.

See over 1,000 animals and birds

Observe thousands of animals in the African Lion Safari’s seven Game Reserves , containing nine kilometres of trail through open grasslands, shaded forests and expansive marshy wetlands.

Ride the tour bus

Leave your car in the parking lot and hop on the Safari Tour Bus . Educational tours are 60 to 90-minutes long and offer great opportunities to take pictures of the animals.

Take a self-guided tour

Listen to an audio tour by expert guides while going through the park. Learn about all the animals you see, how to identify them, what they like to eat and how they behave.

Play in the water park

Grab the sunscreen and let the kids cool off in Misumu Bay Wetplay , the African Lion Safari’s water park. Enjoy waterslides, splash pads and the ever-popular fish-tipping buckets.

Eat in the park

Grab a bite to eat with the safari’s onsite dining . Choose from gourmet barbecued hamburgers, sweet soft-serve ice cream, the signature Elephant Tail fry on a stick and more.

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Interesting facts about African Lion Safari

The African Lion Safari was established in 1969 by the late Colonel G.D. Dailley, who opened it in the name of conservation. The park contained 40 lions in three reserves; today, the park houses over 1,000 animals and more than 100 species.

Over 100 hectares of bush, grasslands and forest allow mixed species of animals to roam and interact as they would in the wild.

African Lion Safari leads numerous conservation initiatives , supporting research and breeding programs to protect endangered animals and their habitats.

Accessibility features

Accessible entrances/exits, accessible parking, accessible restaurant, accessible seating, accessible washroom, service animals welcome, support persons welcome, wheelchair and/or mobility devices available.

Last updated:  April 26, 2024

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African Lion Safari

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Where to Experience Lion Country Safaris

Author: Devryn Panaino - 19 December 2023

Last Update: 10 May 2024

Part of the African Safari Collection

An African lion safari is the perfect experience to bask in nature and see stunning wildlife in their most natural habitat. While many people love the Lion Country Safari at the Palm Beach County Lion Zoo in Florida, travelers increasingly seek ethical alternatives to interact with one of nature’s fiercest predators.

But what are your options for ethical wildlife experiences beyond this lion safari park? Read more to find the 10 best authentic lion encounters as you traverse Africa!

1. Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia

The Lower Zambezi National Park offers a unique landscape where lions are often observed hunting along the riverbanks. The park’s geography, with its mix of riverside and rugged terrain, influences the lions’ behavior and hunting strategies, making for compelling viewing, especially in the dry season.

The tranquility and unspoiled nature of the area make it ideal for those seeking an authentic wildlife experience, where the focus is on observing lions’ behavior and interactions in a peaceful setting, away from the bustling crowds.

2. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti is a world-renowned ecosystem, hosting one of the densest populations of lions in Africa. The lions here are particularly known for their large prides and strategic hunting tactics during the Great Migration . This annual event sees over a million wildebeest and zebras traverse the plains, providing a feast for the lions.

The open savannas of the Serengeti offer spectacular views of these lions in action, showcasing their social structure and cooperative hunting strategies.

3. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

In Kenya’s Masai Mara, the lion prides are celebrated for their strength and size. Masai Mara National Reserve becomes a hotspot for lion activity during the annual migration, where they actively hunt the migrating herds. This period, typically from July to October, offers exceptional opportunities to observe lions in their natural hunting grounds.

Masai Mara’s vast plains and scattered acacia trees provide a picturesque backdrop for watching these magnificent predators in action.

4. Etosha National Park, Namibia

Etosha National Park in Namibia presents a unique environment for lion watching. Adapted to the semi-arid climate, the lions here are often found near waterholes, providing spectacular wildlife viewing. The dry season, from May to October, is the ideal time to observe these majestic predators as they hunt and interact with other species.

The park’s open terrain and sparse vegetation offer clear visibility, making it a favorite for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.

5. Kruger National Park, South Africa

South Africa’s Kruger National Park is a treasure trove of biodiversity, hosting a significant lion population. The park’s diverse landscapes, ranging from dense bushveld to riverine forests, support a rich variety of prey for the lions. This diversity allows for a unique insight into the adaptability and hunting techniques of Kruger’s lions.

Visitors can enjoy sightings throughout the year, with the dry winter months being particularly rewarding for lion encounters.

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6. Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with its famous crater, offers an unparalleled safari experience. The crater’s high walls create a natural enclosure, providing a sanctuary for a dense population of wildlife, including lions. This unique ecosystem allows for close-up observations of lions in a relatively confined space.

The lions in Ngorongoro are accustomed to vehicles, allowing for intimate wildlife encounters and exceptional photographic opportunities.

7. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park is known for its robust lion population. The park’s diverse landscapes, from teak forests to open savannas, offer varied habitats for lions. The dry season, from July to October, is particularly rewarding for lion sightings as they congregate near water sources.

The park’s commitment to conservation ensures that visitors can enjoy ethical and sustainable wildlife encounters.

8. Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Okavango Delta in Botswana is a unique wetland ecosystem, home to a variety of wildlife, including a healthy population of lions. These lions have adapted to the delta’s seasonal flooding, displaying unique behaviors such as swimming and hunting in shallow waters.

The delta’s intricate network of waterways and islands provides a stunning backdrop for observing these majestic predators in a truly unique setting.

9. Chobe National Park, Botswana

Botswana’s Chobe National Park is renowned for its high concentration of wildlife, including a large population of lions. The park’s diverse environments, from the lush Chobe Riverfront to the dry Savuti area , offer varied contexts for observing lion behavior.

The dry season, from April to October, is particularly rewarding as animals gather around the remaining water sources, providing excellent opportunities for lion sightings.

10. Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania

Selous Game Reserve is an expansive, untouched wilderness ideal for observing lions. Its diverse landscapes of riverine forests, grassy plains, and thickets provide a habitat-rich environment for lions, showcasing their natural behaviors from hunting to nurturing young.

Selous Game Reserve’s isolation ensures exclusive, intimate wildlife experiences and emphasizes conservation and sustainable tourism, offering visitors authentic, ethical encounters with these magnificent predators in their natural habitat.

Embark on a Lion Country Safari With Discover Africa

From the stunning sights of Zambia to the remote wilderness of Botswana, there’s always something to discover on a lion safari. With Discover Africa, luxury, adventure, and conservation await in a safe safari experience.

Contact Discover Africa today for more information about our ethical wildlife experiences and to book your authentic safari!

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A member of the “Big 5” and perhaps Africa’s most iconic species, the African Lion is a highly sought after sighting while out on safari.

Common Name – African Lion

Scientific Name – Panthera Leo

Current IUCN Red List Status – VU 

Estimated no. of mature individuals – 23,000 -39,000

Lions are capable of living in a wide variety of habitats and are found across parts of sub-Saharan Africa (mostly Southern and Eastern Africa). Lions generally stick to areas such as grasslands, shrubs and open woodland – however a small number have adapted over generations to thrive in the harsh Namib Desert in Namibia.

The only cats that live in groups – known as prides – lion prides can comprise up to 40 individuals. Though rare to see prides of this size, it is possible. More often than not, prides sizes vary between 8-25 individuals. Most of the hunting is done by female lions working as a team, and who will hunt anything from small antelope to buffalo. Some lion prides have been known to specialise in hunting even larger prey including elephant and giraffe. Males will often only help at the last moment or to bring down large prey – sometimes they run in only when the hunt is over taking the biggest share!

Lion viewing Safaris

Most lion viewing across Africa is done by vehicle on morning and afternoon game drives. It’s a thrilling experience coming face-to-face with a lion in the wild and many guests find a lion encounter to be a major highlight of an African safari. The cats may even use the vehicle as spot for shade, and guides can often find their vehicle surrounded by a handful of lions hiding from the sun.

Lions are fascinating to watch, particularly the dynamic within the pride and many safari-goers will happily watch for hours as the lions hunt or play. Playful cubs interact with one another under the watchful eye of their mothers and sometimes, the cheeky cubs might antagonise a big grumpy male.

Walking safaris offer the chance to see smaller creatures and learn more about native plants, but on occasion there is a chance to see lions – and from a very different perspective. To walk in Africa is to be a part of Africa, leaving nothing but footprints behind. Zimbabwe’s Hwange and Mana Pools national parks along with Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park are some of the best places in Africa to experience a multi-day walking safari reminiscent of a by-gone era. Both offer a truly unique experience while walking amongst Africa’s big game creates live long memories others can only dream of.

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Timeless deserts & namib wildlife.

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Inspiring Sights of Kenya

This superb safari incorporates the popular Giraffe Manor in Nairobi and 3 luxury camps situated in sensational gameviewing areas throughout Kenya.

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This safari explores three of Zimbabwe's greatest highlights: Hwange National Park, breathtaking Mana Pools National Park and Victoria Falls.

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Take in the best of Botswana on this 12 day exclusive safari, travelling from the Makgadikgadi Pans through the Linyanti into the Okavango Delta.

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This outstanding Kenyan safari incorporates 2 Relais and Châteaux status safari camps with iconic Giraffe Manor.

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Discover some of South Africa's best known attractions on this journey that begins with a big game safari in the world-renowned Sabi Sand and concludes in beautiful Cape Town.

Recommended places to see Lion

Namiri plains.

Situated in a little-visited, remarkably unspoilt corner of the Serengeti, Namiri Plains is where you’ll find some of East Africa’s best big cat sightings, from lion and leopard to cheetah.

Duba Plains Camp

Duba Plains Camp is an extravagant luxury safari camp set in a private concession in the Okavango Delta dubbed "Botswana's Masai Mara" for sheer density of wildlife.

Singita Lebombo Lodge

Perched high above Kruger National Park’s N’Wanetsi River, Singita Lebombo Lodge offers exceptional opportunities for intimate wildlife encounters.

Ruckomechi Camp

Set on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, Ruckomechi Camp has been a favourite with visitors to the breathtaking Mana Pools National Park for many years.

What is a male lion coalition?

Coalitions are normally made up of 2-4 male lions (usually brothers or half-brothers) who hunt and fight off threats as a team. The more males working together, the stronger they are. It’s easier to keep control of a territory or fight an intruder if they work together.

When is the best time to see lions?

Like most other animals, the best time to see these cats is during the early morning and late afternoon when they are most active. During the day, lions will often find a shady spot to avoid the heat and conserve energy.

African Lion Facts:

Sleepy cats A lion can sleep for up to 20 hours in a single day.

Hear me roar Depending on the wind direction, you can hear a lion roar from up to 7 or 8 kilometres away.

Big appetites Like other cats, lions may not know when their next meal might come from, meaning that they will consume food at an extraordinarily fast rate. This also helps to explain why they need to sleep for so long, to enable digestion.

Night vision A lion’s night vision is up to 6 times more sensitive to light than humans.

Weight Male lions are much larger than females and can weigh as much as 190 kilograms (420 pounds)Desert-adapted Lions – Also known as ‘desert lions’ these lions can live without water for extended periods. To cover long distances over the hot desert sand their legs tend to be slightly longer than ‘regular lions’, whilst their coats are slightly thicker to combat the cold temperatures at night. The best place to see these lions is in Northern Namibia.

Find out more about our tailor made African safaris. Get in touch with one of our Destination Specialists.

Subscribe below to keep up to date, find out more about our tailor made african safaris, more wildlife.

The Cape buffalo is a member of Africa’s “Big 5” and therefore a must-see for any safari-goer.

Cape Buffalo

The Cheetah is the fastest land animal on the planet and one of Africa’s most well-known and sought-after sightings when on safari

African elephants are the world’s largest land mammal and were once numerous, roaming across the whole African continent.

With their unique and beautiful colouring, giraffes are one of Africa’s most recognised animals.

Grizzly bear or grizzly is the name given to the subspecies of brown bear that inhabits North America.

Grizzly Bear

The largest cat in the Western Hemisphere, jaguars are strongly built, well-muscled predators native to the Americas

King Penguins don’t actually live on the Antarctic ice shelf, instead they prefer the sandy snowless beaches of the Sub-Antarctic islands.

King Penguin

Lemurs are endemic to the island nation of Madagascar where 107 species can be found. However each individual species is often only found in a

Leopards are graceful cats and still geographically wide-spread across Africa, including isolated parts of Morocco and Egypt.

Meerkats are found in Southern Africa and they are often seen standing on their rear legs, forever gazing out over the sweeping plains.

Orcas, informally referred to as killer whales because of their fearsome reputation, are majestic mammals.

Polar bears are found in the Arctic regions of Canada & Europe. The majority of their population are found in Canada, particularly around the

Impressively large and with horns for a nose, these prehistoric looking creatures are one of the most iconic African animals.

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African Lion Safari

1386 Cooper Road, Ontario N1R5S2 Canada

• Independent
• Outdoor Seating

“different from the traditional zoo”

Our manner of exhibiting animals is completely different from the traditional approach; that is, the visitor is caged in the car, and the animals roam in 2 to 20 hectare (5 to 50 acre) reserves. We first opened the gates to the public in 1969 with 40 lions in 3 reserves; today the park houses in excess of 1,000 animals comprised of over 100 species. After 40 years we have been successful with breeding 30 species that are considered endangered and 20 species that are considered threatened. The original idea of "maintaining self-sustaining populations of species in decline" is still our priority. Our Mission is to provide an entertaining and educational environment in which to display and propagate animals in a safe manner that gives a unique viewing opportunity to all of our visitors. Our Strategy is to enhance the quality of the time spent by our visitors by developing a blend of education, entertainment and other environmental aspects, to improve respect for the land and the life it supports.

Reviewed by Dana Newkirk

• Road Warrior
• 298 Reviews
• 377 Helpful

This place is sketchy. If you are going to visit, don't bring your own car through the driving animal park, because there's a 99.9% chance a baboon is either going to smear his butt all over your windshield, and/or pull all the siding off your car because the glue is apparently delicious. Save your money (and your conscience) and go to the Toronto Zoo instead.

Reviewed by Tara Kelly

My husband and I really enjoyed this Safari drive absolutely worth the trip!

Reviewed by FrankM242

Stopped here on our way to Toronto (only 90 min from Toronto). I have a 10 and 13 year old. They enjoyed it were hoping more animals would be closer to our car. There are daily events were the elephants go for a swim in their large pond, a short boat trip is included, they have a very large splash pad for the little kids and other shows. I think this place is geared towards kids slightly younger than mine. Depending on how crowded the park is the drive through the 'safari takes 50 to 90 minutes, there are also shortcuts you can use to shorten the time it takes if you want to cut it short. You can drive through the safari as many times as you want. We saw people rolling down their windows and feed the animals and this strictly prohibited. I added 10+ pictures .

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AFRICAN LION RANGE MAP

Exploring the African Lion Range Map

Lions are the only species of cat that live in groups, called “prides”. In a single pride, there is often up to 3 males, many females and cubs. The females, or lionesses, typically stay within the pride for their lifetimes, while the males will venture out to find their own prides.

There are 5 sub-species of the lion as outlined in the above African Lion Range Map.

West African Lion:  Originating in Senegal, this sub-species is listed as Critically Endangered. It is estimated there are less than 900 West African Lions remaining in the wild. They can occur in Senegal, Benin, Niger, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso.

Central African Lion:  This species originated in the Belgian Congo. They now occur in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Central African Lion is extinct in Rwanda.

Cape Lion:  The Cape Lion was a sub-species that is now locally extinct. They originated in the Cape of Good Hope.

East African Lion:  The East African Lion originates in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan. They are extinct regionally in Egypt, Eritrea and Djibouti.

Southern African Lion:  The Southern African Lion are typically the largest lions in Africa. They also occur in Angola, northern Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Wondering where are the best places to see African Lions in the wild?

Many countries in Central and South Africa offer safaris that visit the most likely places to observe African Lions in the wild. It’s important to explore the different options for tour operators and find one that fits your needs, as well as your ethical views.

There are a number of safaris out there that visit lion territory. We recommend having a look at our  African Wildlife Safaris page. 

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