New Walking with Lions Project for Mossel Bay | Attraction

Western Cape Attractions | Garden Route Attractions | Mossel Bay Attractions

A new tourism product which allows people to walk with a family of African Lions has been opened on the Zorgfontein Eco And Wildlife Reserve at Great Brak River, outside Mossel Bay.

“Our three, six-month old cubs come from different litters, and were saved from potential canned-lion hunting programmes,” said the reserve’s owner, Mariné Neethling, who raised the animals by hand. “They were captive-bred, and their mothers were raised in captivity, so it was felt that they could not be released into the wild because they have the instinct but not the skills for survival.”

The strictly controlled walks, during which petting of the animals is not allowed, take place twice a day and are open to people who are taller than 1.5 metres and older than ten years of age. “It’s quite a comfortable walk, and you walk slowly so that you can see how the animals interact and play,” said Ms. Neethling. The walks take between one and one and a half hours to complete – depending on how fast the lions are prepared to amble – and a maximum of eight guests can be hosted on each excursion.

Zorgfontein (which is still under development) is also home to a number of plains animals such as red and black impala, giraffe, kudu, eland, waterbuck, zebra, blue wildebeest and bontebok – many of which can be seen during the lion walks. “We’re presently building a reception boma, a riding school, and a bird hide with an underground entrance tunnel, and we plan on putting in camping sites and ablution facilities for overnight guests,” said Ms. Neethling. “When the riding school is complete, quests will be able to take conventional riding lessons, or enjoy outrides to see the animals on the reserve.”

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