Safari but not Krugar?

Ok, if I am saving Krugar for my February trip but the best time to go on a safari is in November, is there an alternative, shorter , maybe closer to Joburg safari that I could do ? I know that many have suggested that I stay in Joburg and Pretoria, and I do plan on spending time seeing the sights there, but I am really hoping for a nice excursion, maybe even in Gauteng or Pretoria, but somewhere where i can get away from the city for the night and get closer to nature and the animals.

I am defintely going to check out the Cheetah reserve... I guess I should get on making a reservation. what about the elephant sanctuary is that worth visiting, it seemed to packaged to me.. the cheetah one is well, but I am a die hard cat fan. So I cant get away from that.

The De Wildt Cheetah centre is a must if you are interested in cats. You will have the bonus of seeing King Cheetahs which you will never see in the wild (unless you are extremely fortunate) and also Wild Dogs, which are also seldom seen. They do tours on certain days only (I think Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays but please check that out) mornings and afternoons. These tours are very popular and as they can only take relatively small numbers and tour groups often fill the vehicles, it is necessary to make a reservation well in advance.
The Elephant sanctuary is not my cup of tea. It is, as you say, "packaged" andf I would not bother, especially as it is expensive. You will have other opportunities of seeing plenty of elephants.
A great game reserve for a day trip or at which to spend a few days, is Pilanesberg. It is a two-hour drive north-west of Johannesburg, not far from Rustenberg. It is a Big 5 reserve of 50000 hectares with a great variety of animals and birds. It is one of my personal favourite places and my wife and I will be spending 4 days there in a couple of weeks time. If you do a day trip from Johannesburg, get there as early as you can and leave as late as you can as the animals are more active during the cooler hours and you are likely to see more then.
An alternative - and many people find it very 'tacky" - is the Lion Park just outside of Johannesburg. It has a large number of lions in large enclosures and you may also have the opportunity to hold a cub, if any are available. I have been there with quite a number of foreign visitors and most of them have thoroughly enjoyed their visit. Leave that until just before you go home and then, if you have not yet seen lions, or if you want to see more of them (including white lions) go and spend an afternoon there.
Another animal alternative is the Rhino and Lion Park, where you can also see lions, cheetah and various other animals kept in large enclosures.
I am sending you a PM (private message).
Cheers,
Rudi

Close to pilansberg is a place called Magalies mountain sanctuary.
Game is a bit rare but the hike up to the grotto and back down in the west pools is worth a visit if you love a relaxing very quiet walk through some of the most beautifully nature scenes.

Its cheap, and about 1 and half hours drive from Pretoria and joburg...

THanks for the Advice... I never got your PM R... I am waiting I think I will spend a night at Pilanesberg, do one day Safari and the n go to Magalies? Any recommendation on where to stay, backpacker hostel type... Getting excited for my trip... I will definetly do one of the lion places..

I worked at cat and monkey sanctuary in BOlivia... I am very intrested in seeing the enclousers in Africa... although for whatever reason, African sancuaries are able to find so much more money then Bolivian...
Tara

Spent 2 nights at DeWildt in September - great place, and their cheetahs are absolutely amazing. Saw them running (Friday mornings), and went on a tour of the facility, got up and close with Byron - their ambassador cheetah. Great place, would highly recommend it for any cat lover (big and small!!) www.dewildt.org.za<BR>