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Panthera Africa NPC

Panthera Africa NPC

Experience ethical tourism with educational tours and sunset walks, while supporting big cat conservation in a peaceful, sustainable sanctuary.

OUR EXPERIENCES
Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary offers a range of ethical tourist experiences, including Educational, Sunset, Conscious Walk and Enrichment Visits, where visitors can observe big cats in a peaceful environment with no interaction. As a non-profit, we also provide volunteering opportunities, allowing our paid volunteers to contribute directly to the care and well-being of the animals. Panthera Africa prioritizes animal welfare and has a no breeding, trading or interaction policy with the highest standards of care, ensuring that all our rescued big cats live in a safe and ethical sanctuary.

ABOUT US
Panthera Africa, founded by Lizaene Cornwall and Cathrine Cornwall-Nyquist, is a non-profit sanctuary dedicated to the conservation and welfare of big cats. As an ethical, environmentally-friendly haven, Panthera Africa provides a permanent home for captive-bred lions, leopards, jaguars, and tigers, with a strict policy against breeding, trading, and hands-on interaction. The sanctuary serves as an educational platform, raising awareness about big cat welfare and advocating for sustainable animal care practices. Located on a 40-hectare property in South Africa, the sanctuary aims to be the nation’s first fully solar-powered big cat refuge. Panthera Africa embodies the philosophy of “In unity there is strength,” fostering harmony between humans and wildlife to secure a prosperous future for these magnificent animals.

OUR IMPACT
Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary provides a safe, ethical haven for rescued big cats with a strict policy against breeding, trading, and public interaction. By offering educational programs and tours, Panthera raises awareness about the unethical big cat trade, promoting responsible tourism and conservation. Their work not only informs the public but also gives local and international volunteers hands-on conservation experience, fostering compassion and knowledge about big cat welfare. Recognized for sustainability, Panthera holds the 2024 Sustainable Tourism Innovation Biosphere Accreditation and has received several awards, including Skål International’s Sustainable Tourism Awards and TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best in 2023. As part of the Lion Coalition and affiliated with the Born Free Foundation, Panthera is a respected voice in wildlife conservation. Committed to inclusivity, the sanctuary provides discounts to South African residents and accessible educational opportunities, ensuring broad engagement in their mission to protect big cats and promote animal welfare.

DETAILS
To learn more, contact: marketing@pantheraafrica.com

What are your minimum and maximum group sizes?
4-30

Do you require visitors to pre-book?
Yes

Do you have group rates?
Yes

Do you pay commissions to travel advisors?
Yes

What languages do you offer your services in?
English

When are you open?
OPEN: Every day except Tuesday. Oct – Mar 9am and/or 4pm | April – Sept 10am and/or 3pm

What accommodations do you make for people living with disabilities?
At Panthera Africa, we strive to be as inclusive as possible, offering accessible facilities for visitors living with disabilities. Our pathways are designed to accommodate wheelchair access, and we offer personalized guided tours to ensure that all visitors, regardless of mobility or other impairments, can fully engage in the educational experience. We also ensure that staff are trained to assist guests with specific needs, ensuring a safe and enjoyable visit for everyone.