Private Tour
Kruger Lion Expedition with the Little Lionman Steve Kelly
Overview
Available languages
120 hours
Mobile ticket
Your guide, Steven Kelly, makes this a truly unique and once in a lifetime experience.
Steven has over 8 years experience working hands on with Africa's apex predators including Lions, Leopards, Cheetah, Hyena and Wild Dogs.
It was only after Steven met his childhood hero Mad Mike who turned Steven's passion for captive animals into educating people on the importance of WILD LIFE!
Steven gave up his career in the captive industry as a big cat handler to take you out to go and witness Lions do what they do best - rule the open Savannah and all that inhabit it.
He will keep you entertained with his stories and also has the luck of the Irish when it comes to spotting Lions, and was the only tour operator in Pilanesberg to have 100% success rate in locating lions in 2018.
Steven has hosted some of South Africa biggest celebrities on tour due to his reputation as the little lion man - a nick name given to him by South Africas Biggest Rock Band - the Parlotones.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
What To Expect
The Journey Begins - Johannesburg to Kruger National Park
Accommodations
Skukuza Rest camp - 2 sleeper Chalets
Food and Drinks
DINNER
Dinner
LUNCH
Lunch
Kruger National Park
Steven will collect you from any hotel or airport in Johannesburg or Pretoria at 05.30 am to begin the 587 km transfer to our first camp site ' the world famous Skukuza rest camp , During the drive we will drive through the Panorama route where we will drive through the beautiful mountain ranges through to Blyde River canyon before completing the drive through to Skukuza Rest Camp where we will check in , have a quick swim before heading through to the restraunt for a eagerly awaited dinner
Signs and sounds - The Adventure Begins
Accommodations
Lower Sabie Rest Camp - Lions , Lions , Lions
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Traditional South African Braai '' BBQ '' Prepared by Steve 3 Meats , Rolls, Corn on the cob, Salad
Skukuza
The journey begins , After a well earn't rest Steve will wake up the guests at 5.30 am with some coffee and rusks to prepare you for one of the highlights of the tour , We set off to the walking concession to go and search for the Lions of Skukuza , An area known for its high population of Lions, Leopards and the rest of the Big 5 With 2 qualified armed rangers escorting us we begin our 4 hour walk through the worlds most famous wildlife sanctuary learning about the flora and fauna that makes the Kruger such a diverse and special place, while Steve and the other guides teach you how to look for predator activity in the area .You will also learn from Steve and his fellow guides how so safely approach Big 5 on foot , all while respecting the animals boundary ( please note we have had over 3000 hours walking without incident, Steve and his guides know how to understand the wildlife we encounter, allowing you to get close safely to the majestic wildlife that call the Kruger home )
Sabie
After our walk where we hopefully had our first sightings of lion on foot , we head back for breakfast before packing up and heading on a slow 4 hour drive to our next camp, The best part in the park to see big cat, Lower Sabie - Known for it huge number of lion and hyeana , Once we arrive we settle into camp and relax for a few hours and have an early dinner before heading on our 1st night drive of the tour to go and find the Lions while they are most active, After a 2 hour night drive we head back to have drinks around a warm fire and listen to Steve's background on his work with Captive Lions and how he started the company with the World famous Mad Mike Penman from animal planets hit Tv show Mad Mike and Mark who was renowned for his work and filming of Wild Lions in Botswana
Lower Sabie - Crocodile Bridge
Accommodations
Crocodile Bridge Rest camp
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Kruger National Park
We Wake up bright and early and have a Full English breakfast before heading on a 3 hour game drive through to our next camp , Crocodile Bridge , known for its Large pride of Lions known as the Vuremi Pride which consists of 22 females and 9 male lions Also a White male lion has been spotted moving along with the pride recently
Crocodile Bridge to Berg en dal
Accommodations
Berg en Dal Rest Camp - Home of the Leopards
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Braai - 3 new meats , Potato and Noodle salad , Rolls, Corn on the cob , Desert
Kruger National Park
We wake up at 6 am and have a light breakfast before packing up and heading back into the Park towards our final camp of the tour known more for its leopards than its lions but also have a large number of lions and buffaloes , Berg en Dal which is probably the one of the best camps for viewing big 5 from, After a long 6 hour drive through to camp, we head to the pool for a swim before having another hosted braai by Steve to celebrate our final evening in the Park, After Dinner we go on our final night drive of the tour to try and watch the Lions and Leopards take advantage of the African night to stalk the abundance of antelope that hide at night
The Journey Ends
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Johannesburg
This is the Sad part of the tour- The ending - We wake up early to have a quick 2 hour game drive from 6 am to 8 am to hopefully get one last photo of the Lions and Leopards of Berg region . Before heading back for a Full English Breakfast. At 9 am we load up the vehicle and begin the six hour transfer back to your hotel or airport
What‘s Included
2 x Two Hour Night Drives - Lower Sabie and Berg en Dal
The Kruger Park Big Cat Experience with the Lion Man of Southern Africa - Wild World Tours
Light snacks and beverages
Transfer
Air-conditioned vehicle
Guide Fee
All Fees and Taxes
WiFi on board
Binoculers
Accommodation - 4 Nights at 4 Different Camps
Big 5 Bush Walk to Track Lions
Alcoholic Beverages
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Kruger Lion Expedition with the Little Lionman Steve Kelly
Pickup included
Reviews
7 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
WE WERE IN THE LION KING MOVIE
Happiness63562171252,,Aug 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ok so i had to think long and hard to try and find the words to express the experience we had as i'm not certain there is a word to describe how amazing my tour with the Lion man known as Steve Kelly . Our flight arrived at 4.20 am and i had asked steven if it would be possible to do a collection at that time . Steve's response . NO Problem my brother . Just send me a pic of your face and i will find you there . With a giggle i thought ok , This guy must have some policing back ground . only to find out he has just become a qualified bodyguard on his Facebook page . My curiosity was peaked and at exactly 4.50 and once through customs i get a tap on the shoulder with my wife and 2 kids looking out for the lion man , You ready to rock and roll i hear and off we went on an amazing 5 hour private transfer with Steve to our 1st camp in Setara . By the time we arrived we already felt that we had made friends and past the Customer / Guest relationship . This guys knowledge of lions in particular is scary . We were now ready to explore the plains of Kruger with our Lion Fanatic Irish African tour guide . After exactly 49 min steve pumped the breaks. I could see by the look on his face the news was good. Guys Welcome to South Africa. If you take a look about 40 m off the road in the Big tree you will see a magnificent Male leopard sleeping in the afternoon sun . Steve then drove away curiously only to turn around and reposition the vehicle were all my family could see the Big Cat. we admired the leopard by ourselves for 30 min before another Ranger drove up to Steve . After a 3 min chat in another language known as Shangaan . Steve turns to us and says guys. This leopard will be here for another 40 to 60 min before he leaves. Thanks to my mate I've just been told there is audio of lion near orpen camp . Steve sets off and about 25 km down the road we saw a leopard . Steve stops again and scans the area his friend had told him the audio of the lions came from. Steven looks for about 5 min and as he's about to start the car and drive off , he shouts did you guys here that ??? Myself and my family said we heard some barking but don't know what made the sound. With another grin on his face . He says guys see those 9 impala standing 60 m from our vehicle . They were the sounds you heard but they are alarm calling for a reason . HE tells us to follow the direction the impala are looking and about 30 m away from the impala lying under a tree were 2 massive male lions with 4 lioness and 2 cubs we could see. WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER steve says in a great Nelson Mandela voice that cracks my kids up instantly . WELL after finding the 2 big cats of South Africa in 1 hr and 40 min of driving . Steve says time for Dinner and off we set. Now after driving from JHB to Kruger , Checking in and then heading straight out i was expecting steve to take us off to the restaurant for a light dinner , What we received was a feast fit for a king which had 3 south african dishes prepared and cook by the same guy who drove us for the last 10 hours. I started to feel bad and asked if this is only for tonight . HE smiled back and said i prefer to cook for my guests as my food is better. I did not argue as the Prawn starter , Babotie and Milk Tart was worthy of a michelin star . Over the next 4 nights steve took us to 4 different camps each home to different wildlife and fauna and flora and myself and my family feel we learnt more in 5 days with Steve than the 1000s of hours watching National Geographic . We saw the Big 5 on 3 of our 6 drives and saw Wild dog and A python . My youngest child who is 8 was in tears at the airport as he didnt want to leave the Lionman of South Africa . I Made a promise we will be back next year to explore the northern part of Kruger as Steve assured me it is just as beautiful as the South. Mr Kelly - You are an amazing Guide and human being and i thank you for exceeding my expectations. If you are ever in Australia before we are back here you better come show us how you will outbox our kangaroos otherwise you will see us next year Regards Mark & Ellaine and the kids
Lionman experience
Alaluria,,Jun 13, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I’ve known Steve for more than 15 year. I finally went to see Lions and Steve showed professionalism
Unforgettable experience with elephants
MustLove444,,Jun 13, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a magical experience, Steve isn't only the lion man he is also a elephant wisperer! I now love elephants, Steve took me on a unbelievable journey with these beautiful creatures. He is friendly and passionate about everything he does, you really cannot get a better game ranger! A truly unforgettable experience, one I wont be forgetting in a long time.
Safari
lionab2022,,Jun 4, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Steven is a great host. He is very knowledgeable with the wild animals and knows a lot about them. He's also a very good cook! I had a good Safari. We even had a leopard in front of the jeep posing for us. A wonderful experience. I will definitely be back. Thank you Steven and Tyler for their socializing.
Private 5 day Southern Kruger Safari
alkibiadez,,Apr 2, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a dream experience for us. Trip of a lifetime. Steve handled everything and was an exceptional host and guide. The specifics: He picked us up on time from Skukuza and drove us back to Joberg at the end. He prepared and cooked every single meal; we never wanted for anything and the food was incredibly good. (Steve has actual culinary training btw) He arranged for the best guides to supplement his guiding. He and his guides know the park, know their animals and know where to go to spot them. He has a sincere passion for the wildlife of Africa and its contagious! Highest recommendation. Just an overall fun group of guys to spend your days with. We saw all of the Big 5, and 6 of the magnificent 7. missed sighting cheetahs, but there's a reason to come back!
Amazing wild tour with more amazing wild tour operator - Steve Kelly
Alaluria,,Mar 27, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I contracted the Kruger Lion expedition and Steve arranged everything for me and my family. We only needed to go Johannesburg and from there, everything was set up for us. I cannot describe in words what I have lived at Kruger Park. YOU must see by yourself and think that life is not only what we're used living in our cities. Nature is big and the big cats made as all to learn about life. Steve was really caring about us and to make sure we enjoy the trip. I need to say that thanks to Steve my kids are more nature respectful. Completely safe and breathtaking images that we will never forget. I really recommend to make a safari with Steve, the little Lionman. Thank
Great 5 day Kruger tour with epic Steve!
Joonas777,,Jan 30, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Just came back from our 5 day tour from Kruger with Steve. The trip was unforgettable in terms of sightings and the company. Kruger was delivering amazing encounters and Steve was passionate professional, but also the most laid back guide I've seen so far in my safaris. We went to four different lodges and managed to get good mixture of landscape and animals during the journey. Everything wen't beyond expectations and highly recommend the Wild World Tours! Cheers little Lionman! -Joosan-
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