The obvious attraction of seeing most of the big five, in natural surroundings and not too far out of the city, is one of the main reasons for the increasing popularity of the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, just north of Johannesburg.

Labelling itself 'the nearest faraway place', this nature reserve come-wildlife theme park features white rhino, lion, buffalo, cheetah, wild dog, hippo and crocodile to name a few, while there are white lions, Bengal tigers, pumas and more in its unique breeding facility.

Apart from its natural beauty, the other beauty of the reserve, which is situated in the famed Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, is that those pressed for time, such as business executives and tourists on fleeting stopovers to Johannesburg, don't have to venture all the way out to one of the bigger game reserves, and spend a frustrating day working out whether that distant rock is actually something important. In today's fast-food world, this is safari, McDonald's style.

Purists will of course disagree, saying this is not the real thing, and half the beauty of going to a game reserve is to get far away from it all, while the rewards for the endless gazing out into the distance are what make the experience special.

But this is a winning formula, and the people who want to see these magnificent animals in a non-zoo context, are hardly complaining. The long queue at the gate, of both Joburgers out on a Sunday drive, mostly giving their shiny 4x4s a taste of gravel for the first time, or the tour groups armed with zoom lenses and cut-off trousers, bears testament to this.

In many ways, it's rather like a big farm, with huge paddocks containing different livestock, but much care has been taken to make the 1600 hectare reserve as open and natural as possible. Given that over 600 head of game roam this vast space, it's often quite easy to forget this is not one of the country's big game parks.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the reserve is its breeding centre. In collaboration with many similar centres worldwide, it aims to build up breeding stock of various endangered species in the hope of gradually increasing numbers and thereby ensuring these species' survival. Taking them out of a zoo-like cage also increases the chances of successful breeding.

Although it does seem a bit odd to see a magnificent South American jaguar, or Bengal tiger in South Africa, they also breed the rare white lion, and the chance of seeing all these wonderful creatures in the flesh (a first for me) is an unforgettable experience.

Another quite unforgettable (and in many cases, regrettable) experience is the animal crèche, where visitors are allowed into enclosures with some rather boisterous lion and tiger cubs. Playing with these exceedingly cute overgrown kittens is not as harmless as it seems — their claws and teeth are razor sharp, but there is a watchful minder, and most people only come out with a few scratches and perhaps tears on their trousers.

The reserve also has a fascinating reptile enclosure, with a wide array of scary snakes, as well as a crocodile pub overlooking a crocodile enclosure, while raptor displays, lion, cheetah and wild dog feeds and a picnic and braai area make this a popular and enthralling family day out.

Wonder Cave
Also situated in the reserve is the 2.2 billion-year-old Wonder Cave, which features the third-largest cavern in the country. This spectacular cave is one of few in the area that was not badly damaged by lime mining, and features formations up to 15 metres high, with an impressive array of stalactites and stalagmites, cave pearls, and rim stone pools. It is reached by steep steps and a lift, and is evocatively lit to reveal the true beauty beneath the surface.

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    » Cheetah Tours offers fully guided tours to the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, including Wonder Caves and lunch, as well as accommodation and other day trips. Contact Albert on 082 693 1745.