Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary image

Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary

Tourist attraction Wildlife refuge

One of the Best Places To Visits in Overstrand Local Municipality


Address

GGVJ+WQ, Stanford, South Africa

Website

www.pantheraafrica.com

Contact

+27 71 182 8368

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (436 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 9 to 10:45 am, 4 to 5:45 pm
  • Thursday: 9 to 10:45 am, 4 to 5:45 pm
  • Friday: 9 to 10:45 am, 4 to 5:45 pm
  • Saturday: 9 to 10:45 am, 4 to 5:45 pm
  • Sunday: 9 to 10:45 am, 4 to 5:45 pm
  • Monday: (Christmas Day), 9 to 10:45 am, 4 to 5:45 pm, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: (Boxing Day), Closed, Hours might differ

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: cats (29) experience (19) animals (17) Panthera (13) visit (11) amazing (11) sanctuary (11) educational (10) guide (9) wonderful (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Veronica H. 5 months ago on Google
    A gentle, kind place with close-up encounters with these beautiful wild animals - always with the animals coming first. Heart-warming to discover Panthera's vision of protecting animals that have been abused by unkind or unthinking contact with humans. We spent a wonderful couple of hours on the tour and chatting to the very knowledgable guide. A great place to take kids and great for adults too.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Caro J. 1 year ago on Google
    Please visit and support Panthera! It's absolutely amazing what the volunteers and owners are doing here. The educational work is a real eye opener. We were guided through the area by 2 volunteers in a small group. We learned a lot and all questions were answered. The big cats looked very well, have large enclosures and feel very comfortable. We adopted 2 lionesses right away because we want to support this great work. Thank you Panthera for this amazing experience
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kelly R. 7 months ago on Google
    Such a deep respect for this sanctuary. They have structured their tour to accomodate the needs of the Big Cats in their care. Overall a fantastic and educational experience
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Yenziwe Tracy M. 10 months ago on Google
    A true sanctuary. Loved every second of the tour. It was very informative and beautiful to hear the history and stories behind the place. Really made me look at the places that keep animals differently. You can tell Panthera is all about the cats and the cats also look well taken care of. And Tynika, our guide was fantastic 👌🏾
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lukas M. 2 years ago on Google
    We had a lovely, educational, and informative experience with Megan. Panthera is doing such amazing work, providing sanctuary for these big cats that otherwise get bred for sinister reasons. We thoroughly enjoyed learning about the sanctuary, cats, and Panthera's mission! Definitely a must-see!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Helen E. 11 months ago on Google
    Highly recommend visiting Panthera! We went as a a group of two families with kids age 7-13 years. We all learnt so much and were thoroughly engaged in the tour and the information given by Brenton, our guide. We all now know that not all big cat sanctuaries are what they seem and for this reason, it’s so worth visiting and supporting Panthera to learn more and see some truly beautiful big cats.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Inis C. 5 months ago on Google
    I fell inlove with this place. 😍 Love at first sight. I will definitely go back. My kids adore the animals and I love the surroundings, the picnic area and the playground was the best for my kids. The restrooms are top class. Must go back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lesley M. 3 months ago on Google New
    What an amazing experience. Joe was incredibly knowledgeable and you could tell everyone involved in Panthera are passionate about caring for the big cats and ensuring they get the outcome and life they deserve. Highly recommend
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Briony W. 1 year ago on Google
    I had the privilege of visiting Panthera several months ago. They are 1000% committed to these big cats, many of whom come from abusive situations. It's 1 of the true big cat sanctuaries out there. Educational, informative and beautiful!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nadine S. 1 year ago on Google
    It was absolutely beautiful to see that the people take such good care off big cats. They live on a big property and look healthy. The guide we had was absolutely lovely, she was only doing tours like this for 2 weeks and knew so much about these beautiful animals! Would definitely recommend this place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Pez C. 1 year ago on Google
    Wonderful experience learning about the cats, their history and the sanctuary itself.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Belinda de K. 1 year ago on Google
    Please support this awesome sanctury. The owners and volunteers are doing awesome work to make this a wonderful "retirement village". What a wonderful experience
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lorna R. 1 year ago on Google
    It is a humbling experience and a grateful one that there are still people in the world who cares and respects animals. Our host was Betty and she departs a host of information about the species and the background of each animal we visited. It was most enjoyable.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Deon H. 1 year ago on Google
    Everything about this visit was incredible! The rangers were knowledgable and super friendly and could answer any questions the group asked, the park was immaculately maintained, and every staff member was clearly there because they believe in what they are doing! A must-visit for anyone going to the area!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Richard M. 2 years ago on Google
    A wonderful charity with staff who obviously care deeply about the cats they are looking after. That said, as an experience for kids it can be a little hit and miss, and on the day that we were there (pretty warm) the cats themselves were very very scarce, and we didn't get to see much at all. I totally understand that this is 100% their approach, but I wouldn't choose to go back without checking that the conditions are right to actually see a bit more of the animals.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rachele L. 1 year ago on Google
    Wonderful experience! The staff was very nice and explained each animal’s story. And of course the “Big Cats” were absolutely magnificent!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sven R. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is a MUST VISIT if you are in the area. You will be much smarter after the visit and able to see the world from a cat's perspective. To understand how badly humans are treating these precious animals is what you will experience at Panthera. It is about educating people about cats rather than showing cats to people for people's pleasure. So actually it is the best and should be the only way to see these animals in captivity. The people who are working there should get as much support as possible to improve the cat's situation in SA and beyond. So please got there and support them. They have a playground for kids offer shorter tours for children as well as family tickets. Make sure to visit their website and make an appointment in advance.

  • 5/5 colette l. 2 years ago on Google
    Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary is a wonderful experience. Megan is an amazing guide and is very knowledgeable and passionate. Keep up the magnificent work Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary team.

  • 5/5 Tori w. 2 years ago on Google
    Visiting this sanctuary was one of the best experiences I have ever had. It was so educational and very informative. I would recommend it for anybody as it is also very interesting and kid friendly. I would 100% do it again!

  • 5/5 Ruth C. 2 years ago on Google
    A wonderful experience. Relaxed tour where you can see and hear the big cats The tour guide happily answerd all our group's questions about anything regarding big cats. Well worth a visit

  • 5/5 Christo A. 2 years ago on Google
    What a wonderful place. Steph did a wonderful job explaining what it was all about and the stories these cats have

  • 5/5 Sophie S. 9 months ago on Google
    Definitely worth a visit! It's a true sanctuary. The keepers are so passionate and you can feel how the cats trust them. The cats really living their best life. We've also got a lot of very interesting information, so it's really educational. Can definitely recommend going there!

  • 5/5 Gustavo C. 3 years ago on Google
    An incredibly passionate team of volunteers dedicate themselves to the noble task of rehabilitating and caring for several big cats that from predators have turned into victims of human greed. Well worth the visit, which will definitely give the viewer a new perspective about the problems of wild animal breeding, lion/tiger bone trade and canned hunting.

  • 5/5 Michael T. 2 years ago on Google
    Well worth the visit. We really enjoyed the educational guided tour, even though the animals had sad life stories. Great initiative ro help these big cats!

  • 5/5 Alena A. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is AMAZING! The cats are living their best place and are allowed to live out their days in peace and dignity! But what’s even more amazing is the fantastic guide, the educational content and the stories behind these wild cats! Thank you for this truly great experience!

  • 5/5 Rachelle H. 1 year ago on Google
    The cats are gorgeous and happy, love the education on species and back stories of their rescue and personality , it is truly enriching to learn the vicious circle of wild cat trade and all its aspects. Danny is lovely and inspiring, would definitely recommend a visit to this sanctuary that TRULY care about the well-being of these creatures. Thank you for an eye opening experience ❤️

  • 5/5 Jane A. 1 year ago on Google
    If anyone is in this area, or even if they’re not, visiting this big cat sanctuary is a must! The work they are achieving here in rescuing big cats is phenomenal. The respect that is shown to these amazing animals can’t be questioned at all, and the talk as you’re shown around the sanctuary is educational & very thought provoking. Please visit, you will definitely not regret it!

  • 5/5 Ronin B. 1 year ago on Google
    Had an incredible time volunteering alongside some amazing people with the friendly staff that taught us many things about conservation and caring for the big cats. Educational and fun.

  • 5/5 Nifty S. 1 year ago on Google
    What an eye opening experience! Brittany was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. If you're expecting a zoo then skip this one. Here the animals come first and your insta photos take a back seat. Deserves 10 stars!

  • 5/5 Delilah Y. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely amazing experience that was so eye-opening and educational, as well as a fantastic guide, Steph! Incredibly heartwarming seeing how Panthera takes such special and loving care of their animals. Definitely a must do experience when visiting the Overberg!

  • 5/5 Isabel L. 1 year ago on Google
    An amazing sanctuary and the tour was so educational thanks to Steph. It’s incredible what they are doing and how they care for these animals, they really have every big cats best interests at heart. Panthera is doing so much hard work to try and stop canned breeding and the trading of big cats. Truly inspiring!

  • 5/5 Michael Llewellen P. 1 year ago on Google
    This was an amazing experience. We saw all the big cats. The animals were cared for very well and in large enclosures and in a natural way as possible. A place committed to the care of these animals which have been rescued from 'petting places' so not able to live in the wild. They provide excellent education on animal welfare and the wild animal industry. Our guide Steff was first class. I highly recommend this place for all ages.

  • 1/5 Theunis V. 1 year ago on Google
    Disappointed, did not see any where online you have to make appointment 😕,only seen it on the roadsign 2km from the park. And it said its open till 5pm, but there is only 2 visit times.

  • 5/5 Leon van der M. 1 year ago on Google
    An awestruck, informative, professional experience!! Tiger in the Overberg!! Wow.


Call +27 71 182 8368 Open on Google Maps

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