Visit the Drakenstein Lion Park in the scenic Cape Winelands and support the rescue of big cats from abusive circumstances. See the rescued big cats and learn about the sanctuary's mission to provide them with a safe haven.

The park is situated on 60 sprawling acres of fit-for-purpose lion habitat. It is funded by visitors' contributions and receives no governmental or grant funding.

Established in 1998, the park is the longest-operating South African-owned big cat sanctuary. It is built, owned, and run by the Hart family with their decades of hands-on experience in the rescue and provision of world-class care to previously abused and mistreated captive big cats.

The park is acclaimed for creating an ethical, non-intrusive, and non-exploitative environment in which rescued big cats can be viewed by visitors without negative impact. Each rescue is treated as a sentient individual with care tailored to their unique psychological and physiological well-being.

The park is one of a small handful of genuine lion sanctuaries in South Africa. Beware of facilities making false and misleading claims. Many claim to ‘rescue’ lions, undertake ‘research’ and ‘rehabilitate’ lions, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Genuine lion sanctuaries are not involved in captive breeding and provide lifetime care to their resident animals.