Lion Park Resort

Lion Park Resort, Botswana - Complete Travel Guide

Lion Park Resort is a premier wildlife destination located in the heart of Botswana's pristine wilderness, offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to experience Africa's magnificent big cats and diverse wildlife in their natural habitat. This exclusive resort combines luxury accommodation with exceptional game viewing, featuring one of the largest concentrations of lions in Botswana along with leopards, cheetahs, and other iconic African species. The resort sits within a vast private concession that borders several national parks, providing guests with access to some of the most untouched and wildlife-rich areas in southern Africa. Beyond its famous lion populations, Lion Park Resort serves as a gateway to Botswana's incredible biodiversity, including elephants, Buffalo, giraffes, and over 400 bird species. The resort's commitment to conservation and community involvement makes it not just a luxury destination, but also a meaningful contribution to wildlife preservation efforts. With its combination of world-class amenities, expert guides, and impressive landscapes, Lion Park Resort offers an authentic African safari experience that caters to both adventure seekers and those looking for a more refined wilderness encounter.

Top Lion Park Resort

Big Cat Game Drives

Experience thrilling morning and evening game drives specifically focused on tracking lions, leopards, and cheetahs with expert guides who know the territories intimately. These specialized drives offer the best opportunities to witness hunting behavior, social interactions, and the raw power of Africa's apex predators in their natural environment.

Booking Tip: Book through the resort for $150-200 per person per drive, with early morning (6 AM) and late afternoon (4 PM) drives offering the best wildlife activity. Look for operators with certified guides and vehicles equipped with radio communication for safety and better animal tracking.

Walking Safaris

start guided walking safaris that provide an intimate ground-level perspective of the African bush, allowing you to track animals on foot while learning about smaller wildlife, plant life, and traditional tracking techniques. These walks offer a more immersive and educational experience compared to vehicle-based game viewing.

Booking Tip: Reserve walking safaris for $80-120 per person through certified guides with at least 5 years experience. Early morning walks (6-9 AM) are ideal for cooler temperatures and active wildlife. Ensure your guide carries appropriate safety equipment and communication devices.

Night Game Drives

Discover the nocturnal side of the African wilderness on specialized night drives using spotlights to observe elusive creatures like leopards, hyenas, and various nocturnal species that are rarely seen during daylight hours. These drives reveal an entirely different ecosystem and offer unique photographic opportunities.

Booking Tip: Night drives cost $180-250 per person and should be booked in advance as they're limited by park regulations. Choose operators with powerful spotlights and thermal imaging equipment. The best time is 2-3 hours after sunset when nocturnal animals are most active.

Cultural Village Visits

Visit nearby traditional villages to experience authentic Botswana culture, including traditional crafts, local cuisine, and storytelling sessions with community elders. These visits provide insight into how local communities coexist with wildlife and maintain their cultural traditions in modern times.

Booking Tip: Cultural visits range from $60-100 per person and should be arranged through community-based tourism operators to ensure fair compensation to villages. Half-day visits work best, and bringing small gifts like school supplies is appreciated but not required.

Photography Workshops

Join professional wildlife photographers for specialized workshops that teach techniques for capturing impressive images of big cats and other wildlife in natural lighting conditions. These sessions combine technical instruction with prime positioning for exceptional shots of lions and other predators.

Booking Tip: Photography workshops cost $200-350 per person for full-day sessions and should be booked with photographers who have published work and local wildlife knowledge. Bring your own equipment or inquire about high-end camera rentals. Early morning and late afternoon sessions offer the best lighting.

Getting There

Lion Park Resort is typically accessed via Maun Airport, which serves as Botswana's safari capital and receives regular flights from Johannesburg, South Africa, and other regional hubs. From Maun, the resort is approximately a 45-minute charter flight or a 3-4 hour drive through varying road conditions. Most guests opt for charter flights arranged by the resort, which provide scenic aerial views of the Okavango Delta region. International visitors usually connect through Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, with South African Airways, Air Botswana, and other regional carriers offering regular service to Maun.

Getting Around

Transportation within Lion Park Resort and the surrounding concession is provided exclusively by the resort using specially modified 4x4 safari vehicles designed for optimal game viewing and guest comfort. These open-sided vehicles accommodate 6-8 guests and are driven by experienced guides who also serve as trackers and interpreters. Walking within the resort grounds is possible in designated safe areas, but all game viewing activities require vehicle transport due to the presence of dangerous wildlife. The resort also operates charter flights for guests wanting to explore other areas of Botswana or transfer to additional safari destinations.

Where to Stay

Lion Park Resort Main Lodge

Luxury Tented Camp

Family Safari Suites

Private Villa Concession

Riverside Camp

Bush Pavilion Accommodation

Food & Dining

Dining at Lion Park Resort focuses on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients combined with international cuisine standards, featuring traditional Botswana dishes alongside continental and South African specialties. The main lodge restaurant offers buffet-style breakfast and lunch, while dinners are typically served as multi-course plated meals around a central boma (fire pit) under the stars. Bush breakfasts and sundowner cocktails are regularly arranged at scenic locations during game drives, and the resort can accommodate special dietary requirements with advance notice. Local specialties include game meats like kudu and impala, traditional pap (maize porridge), and locally-brewed beverages, all served with an emphasis on creating memorable dining experiences that complement the safari atmosphere.

When to Visit

The optimal time to visit Lion Park Resort is during Botswana's dry season from May to October, when wildlife concentrates around water sources and vegetation is less dense, making animal spotting significantly easier. Peak season runs from July to September, offering the best game viewing conditions but also the highest prices and largest crowds. The shoulder seasons of May-June and September-October provide excellent wildlife viewing with more moderate temperatures and fewer tourists. While the wet season (November-April) brings lush landscapes and newborn animals, heavy rains can make roads impassable and wildlife more dispersed, though this period offers lower rates and dramatic storm photography opportunities.

Insider Tips

Book game drives for early morning and late afternoon when big cats are most active, and always bring layers as temperatures can vary dramatically between dawn and midday

Request a room or tent facing east for spectacular sunrise views over the savanna, and consider upgrading to accommodation with private decks for wildlife viewing from your room

Pack neutral-colored clothing (khaki, brown, olive) to blend with the environment and avoid bright colors or white that can spook wildlife or attract insects