Visit the Lions and Chimp Haven at Drakenstein Lion Park, in the scenic Cape Winelands, and learn about the efforts of the sanctuary in improving animals’ quality of life and working against global animal trade.

Drakenstein Lion Park is the only legitimate lion sanctuary in the Western Cape, boasting the largest lion population – including rare white lions. The Park is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming distressed and abused lions that have been held captive and that cannot be rehabilitated back into the wild. Here, the animals can live out their lives in a natural and safe environment without the dangers of commercial breeding and illegal trade. You can also visit their new Chimp Haven, home to displaced chimpanzees.

Highlights:

  • Lion sanctuary for distressed and abused lions that were held captive
  • Rare white lions
  • Largest lion population of a sanctuary
  • Lion feedings
  • Chimp Haven
  • Cape Winelands landscape

Did you know:

  • A lion’s roar can be heard over five miles away
  • The lion population in Africa has declined by 50% since the early 1950s – today, fewer than 21,000 remain in all of Africa
  • Lions are the second largest living feline species – the tiger takes first place
  • Illegally, lion cubs are taken from their mothers at birth, as a result of factory farming, and sold to facilities where people can visit and pet them – this is detrimental to their upbringing and causes irrevocable damage and means they cannot be rehabilitated into the wild in the future. These Lion cubs are often drugged which is why they may seem gentle and friendly
  • Every day a captive lion is killed in a canned hunt
  • Tony & King, two beautiful lion brothers at Drakenstein, were rescued in 2009 from the illegal pet trade in Romania
  • Chimpanzees are our closest living relative sharing 98% of our genetic DNA
  • Chimpanzees can be found in 21 African countries
  • Chimpanzees are omnivorous, meaning they like to eat fruit, insects, eggs and meat

The Experience:

Drakenstein Lion Park is an amazing facility dedicated to looking after lions, including rare African white ones, and raising awareness against illegal animal trade and animal farming. The Park is made up of 50 acres of sprawling lion habitat, in the Cape Winelands area. It offers a safe haven for lions who have been in captivity, working with both other animal welfare organizations to protect the hundreds of thousands of animals still in danger today. To take your contribution even further, after your visit to Drakenstein, you can adopt a lion and help towards giving it a better and safer future.

Should you wish to get up and close with the beautiful lions, don’t miss the feeding times: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 16h00.

Drakenstein Lion Park has recently opened its new Chimp Haven, a purpose-built centre for Chimpanzees displaced by the closure of Tygerberg Zoo. Here, these rambunctious chimps can live out the rest of their lives in the utmost comfort and in their natural habitat. They too are up for adoption, so if you have a favourite, you can choose to donate towards their future life at the park. Your adoption will help care for them, including their food and veterinary needs.

IMPORTANT: This experience is normally R150 but is included in your SMARTPASS, see the prices for all Passes HERE.

see the: full list of attractions included »

Monday 09.30 - 17.00
Tuesday 09.30 - 17.00
Wednesday 09.30 - 17.00
Thursday 09.30 - 17.00
Friday 09.30 - 17.00
Saturday 09.30 - 17.00
Sunday 09.30 - 17.00
Lion Feeding Times
Monday 16.00
Tuesday
Wednesday 16.00
Thursday
Friday 16.00
Saturday
Sunday

Loading Map - Please wait...

Address:

Old Paarl Road R101, Cape Town

Telephone:

+27 21 863 3290