LionsRock Big Cat Sanctuary
A sanctuary dedicated to rescuing and caring for big cats, offering educational tours and a haven for wildlife.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
See animals active
LionsRock Big Cat Sanctuary
Best Time
See animals active
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A sanctuary dedicated to rescuing and caring for big cats, offering educational tours and a haven for wildlife.
"A very special place with people who love and care about animals and the environment."
🎯 Book Guided Tours
Tours are highly recommended for an educational and enjoyable experience. Guides are knowledgeable and patient.
🚗 Be Ready for Dirt Road
The 13km dirt road to the sanctuary can be rough. Plan your transport accordingly.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.5 · 445 reviews
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Meet Rescued Big Cats
Enclosures
Witness lions, tigers, and leopards in spacious enclosures, knowing they've been rescued and are receiving the best care.
Educational Guided Tours
Throughout the sanctuary
Learn about animal welfare and the sanctuary's mission from knowledgeable guides on foot or electric vehicles.
Free-Roaming Wildlife
Open areas
Observe horses, antelopes, gnus, and zebras roaming freely across the vast sanctuary grounds.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Visit in Advance
Prepare for the Journey
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Guided Tours
Tours are highly recommended for an educational and enjoyable experience. Guides are knowledgeable and patient. +1
🚗 Be Ready for Dirt Road
The 13km dirt road to the sanctuary can be rough. Plan your transport accordingly.
🍽️ Vegan-Friendly Food
The restaurant offers delicious vegan options, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
🛏️ Overnight Stays
Consider an overnight stay to fully immerse yourself in the sanctuary experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Guided Tours
Tours are highly recommended for an educational and enjoyable experience. Guides are knowledgeable and patient. +1
🚗 Be Ready for Dirt Road
The 13km dirt road to the sanctuary can be rough. Plan your transport accordingly.
🍽️ Vegan-Friendly Food
The restaurant offers delicious vegan options, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
🛏️ Overnight Stays
Consider an overnight stay to fully immerse yourself in the sanctuary experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary for its dedication to animal welfare and the exceptional care provided to rescued big cats and other wildlife. The knowledgeable guides, friendly staff, and delicious food, especially vegan options, are frequently highlighted as major positives. While the journey on the dirt road can be challenging, the overall experience is described as deeply rewarding and educational. +2
"I have just returned from a 7-day stay at LIONSROCK and I am still glowing with the experience. From the moment I arrived I knew that I was in a very special place with people who love and care about animals and the environment as much as I do. All animals living at LIONSROCK receive the best care and there are not just the lions, tigers, leopards, the hyena and cheetah in their huge enclosures, but outside are rescued horses as well as wild animals such as antelope, gnus, zebras and they can roam freely the entire sanctuary. The daily tours with an electric off-road vehicle or on foot were so interesting, enjoyable as well as educational as the guides were so knowledgeable, accommodating and patiently answering any questions. At the lodge everybody was very friendly and happily catered to my needs as a vegan. The food was great and plenty of it as well, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables deliciously prepared. My room was charming with a lovely view and sometimes the horses or antelopes walked past my window. All the staff provided any assistance I needed and organised the transport from and back to JNB airport. I cannot find any fault on anything, even the weather was perfect albeit a bit cooler than I had expected."
Beate Baker
"Overall, this was such a pleasant experience. We slept overnight as a group of about 40 and took part in a number of activities. Ntate Max and his team made the booking process such a breeze with the logistics of booking for 40 adults. Communication was so seamless from the onset and that translated when we checked in, the staff was patient with us and made the experience lovely.
We went team building and ntate Mofokeng his assistant kept to the briefing and went above our expectations.
We then went on a game drive; the guides were so patient and knowledgeable. The whole experience was such a breath of fresh air. All the animals were obviously well taken care of. The premises was also well taken care of. The staff is clearly attentive to the needs of the animals.
The food?! My goodness! Everyone was raving about the chef. She really outdid herself. Chef's kiss👌🏾
Some members of our group were in cabin 3 and there was only one shower which doesn't seem practical; but again ntate Max was willing to assist with that.
The showers can also be updated.
Also the 13km dirt road drive is such a drag. Not sure if it's the property's responsibility to fix it, but it would make the drive easier.
But like I said this was overall such a beautiful experience. We also used their conference room and the team was always ready to assist us.
The staff showed such professionalism and tended to all our needs and wants. I genuinely take my hat off to them."
Tshego Mokolobate
"We went for a day trip and went on the full tour of the whole feeding process etc and got to meet the vet and it was amazing. We had a very well informed guide who put up with all the questions we had (Kwazi, thank you very much you were an excellent guide.) It was amazing to see all the animals being fed and hearing about where they came from and how they came to the sanctuary.
The service inside was just as excellent, we were helped by Evelyn and Sam who were so friendly it caught me off guard.
Anyway, highly recommend to go. Amazing service, and views it's lovely there."
Barbara-Anne de Bruin
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
LionsRock Big Cat Sanctuary is accessible via a 13km dirt road. It's recommended to arrange transport in advance, especially if you are not driving yourself. The sanctuary staff can assist with organizing transport from JNB airport. +1
The 13km dirt road can be bumpy and challenging. While some visitors have managed with standard vehicles, a 4x4 or higher clearance vehicle might offer a more comfortable journey.
Many visitors opt for pre-arranged transport or tours that include transfers. If driving yourself, ensure your vehicle is in good condition for unpaved roads.
LionsRock Big Cat Sanctuary is located a few hours' drive from Johannesburg, making it a feasible day trip or overnight destination.
Public transport directly to the sanctuary is limited. It's best to arrange private transfers or join organized tours that include transportation.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Ticket prices can vary, and special offers like Valentine's specials have been available. It's best to check their official website or contact them directly for the most current pricing information.
Yes, it is highly recommended to book your visit, especially for guided tours and overnight stays, to ensure availability and help the sanctuary manage visitor flow.
The sanctuary is typically open during daytime hours for tours. Specific opening and closing times can vary, so it's advisable to confirm them before your visit.
Yes, LionsRock offers guided tours, which can be done on foot or using electric off-road vehicles. They also offer opportunities to learn about the feeding process and meet the vet. +1
Absolutely! Many visitors enjoy a day trip to LionsRock, taking part in the full tour and experiencing the sanctuary's atmosphere.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can see rescued lions, tigers, leopards, hyenas, and cheetahs. The sanctuary also houses rescued horses and free-roaming wildlife like antelopes, gnus, and zebras.
The sanctuary is dedicated to animal welfare, and visitors consistently report that the animals are well looked after in spacious enclosures. +2
Overnight stays offer an immersive experience. Rooms are described as charming with lovely views, and staff are friendly and accommodating.
Yes, LionsRock is equipped to host groups for team-building events, with dedicated staff to manage logistics and activities.
Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as you'll be exploring the sanctuary. Dress in layers as the weather can be unpredictable.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The sanctuary has a restaurant that serves delicious food. They are particularly noted for their excellent vegan options, featuring fresh fruits and vegetables.
Yes, the staff is very accommodating to dietary needs, including veganism. You can expect plenty of fresh and deliciously prepared meals.
Reviews suggest the food is reasonably priced and plentiful, offering good value for the quality and experience.
While not explicitly stated, it's generally best to support the sanctuary's dining facilities. They are known for their accommodating service.
Dining hours typically align with visitor hours. It's advisable to check with the sanctuary for specific meal times, especially if you are staying overnight.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, photography is generally allowed, and many visitors capture stunning photos of the animals and scenery. Be mindful of any specific rules regarding flash photography near the animals.
The spacious enclosures offer great opportunities to photograph the big cats. The free-roaming areas with zebras and antelopes also provide picturesque scenes.
Drone usage is typically restricted at wildlife sanctuaries to avoid disturbing the animals. It's best to confirm this with the sanctuary directly before your visit.
A telephoto lens is useful for capturing clear shots of the big cats from a distance. A wide-angle lens can be great for the expansive landscapes and other wildlife.
While specific photography tours aren't always advertised, the guided tours offer excellent opportunities to learn about the animals and get great shots with the help of knowledgeable guides. +1
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit