Discover Cape Town’s Top Animal Sanctuaries

Cape Town is known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Visitors to the region can experience some of the best animal sanctuaries in the world, which provide a safe haven for animals that have been rescued or rehabilitated. We will be exploring some of the top animal sanctuaries to visit in Cape Town.

Butterfly World in Stellenbosch 🦋

Butterfly World is located in the town of Stellenbosch, approximately 40 minutes from Cape Town. The sanctuary provides a safe haven for a variety of butterflies and other insects, as well as birds, reptiles, and small mammals.

Visitors to Butterfly World can take a self-guided tour through the various exhibits, which showcase the beauty and diversity of these amazing creatures. Some of the highlights of the sanctuary include the following:

• Butterfly Garden: This exhibit is home to over 30 different species of butterflies, including the Common Blue and the African Monarch. Visitors can watch the butterflies feeding on nectar from the flowers, or observe the chrysalises as they transform into adult butterflies.
  
• Insect City: Insect City is an indoor exhibit that showcases a variety of insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, and praying mantises. Visitors can learn about the different species and their habitats, as well as the important role that insects play in the ecosystem.
  
• Reptile Garden: The Reptile Garden is home to a variety of snakes, lizards, and turtles, including the African Rock Python and the Nile Crocodile. Visitors can learn about these fascinating creatures and their behaviours, as well as their importance in the ecosystem.
  
• Bird Aviary: The Bird Aviary is home to a variety of birds, including parrots, macaws, and cockatiels. Visitors can watch the birds as they play and interact with each other, or listen to their beautiful songs.
  
• Small Mammals Exhibit: The Small Mammals Exhibit is home to a variety of rodents, rabbits, and other small animals. Visitors can learn about the different species and their habitats, as well as their importance in the ecosystem.

Butterfly World is a great place to learn about and appreciate the diversity of the insect and animal world. The sanctuary is open every day of the year, and guided tours are available upon request.

Website: https://exoticanimalworld.co.za/
Address: R44, Stellenbosch, 7600
Phone Number: 060 646 1048

Monkeyland in Natures Valley 🐒

Monkeyland is located in the town of Natures Valley, approximately 5 hours from Cape Town. The sanctuary provides a safe haven for a variety of monkeys and apes that have been rescued from the pet trade, the entertainment industry, and other exploitative situations.

Visitors to Monkeyland can take a guided tour through the forest, where they will have the opportunity to observe the monkeys and apes in their natural habitat. Some of the highlights of the sanctuary include the following:

• Lemur Island: Lemur Island is home to a variety of lemurs, including the Ring-Tailed Lemur and the Black and White Ruffed Lemur. Visitors can observe the lemurs as they play and interact with each other, or watch as they leap from tree to tree.
  
• Monkey Jungle: Monkey Jungle is home to a variety of monkeys, including the Squirrel Monkey and the Howler Monkey. Visitors can observe the monkeys as they swing through the trees, or watch as they forage for food on the forest floor.
  
• Ape Island: Ape Island is home to a variety of apes, including the Orangutan and the Gibbon. Visitors can observe the apes as they climb and swing through the trees, or watch as they interact with each other.
  
• Bird Sanctuary: The Bird Sanctuary is home to a variety of bird species, including the Knysna Turaco and the Crowned Eagle. Visitors can observe the birds as they fly overhead or perch in the trees, and learn about their behaviours and habitats.
  
• Education Centre: The Education Centre at Monkeyland provides visitors with information about the sanctuary’s mission and the importance of primate conservation. Visitors can learn about the threats facing primates in the wild and what they can do to help.

Monkeyland is a great place to learn about and appreciate the beauty and intelligence of primates. The sanctuary is open every day of the year, and guided tours are available in several languages.

Website: https://www.monkeyland.co.za/
Address: Portion 11 & 12 of Kirbywood Farm The Crags, 6602
Phone Number: 044 534 8906

SANCCOB in Cape Town 🌍

SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) is located in Cape Town and is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of seabirds that have been affected by oil spills, fishing line entanglements, and other threats.

Visitors to SANCCOB can take a guided tour of the facility and learn about the work being done to protect South Africa’s coastal birds. Some of the highlights of the sanctuary include the following:

• Penguin Rehabilitation Centre: The Penguin Rehabilitation Centre at SANCCOB is home to a variety of penguin species, including the African Penguin and the Jackass Penguin. Visitors can observe the penguins as they are fed and cared for by the staff, and learn about the threats facing these iconic birds.
  
• Seabird Rehabilitation Centre: The Seabird Rehabilitation Centre at SANCCOB is home to a variety of seabird species, including gulls, terns, and cormorants. Visitors can observe the seabirds as they are treated for injuries and illnesses, and learn about the threats facing these important coastal species.
  
• Education Centre: The Education Centre at SANCCOB provides visitors with information about the threats facing South Africa’s coastal birds and what they can do to help. Visitors can learn about the impact of plastic pollution, overfishing, and other threats on these important species.
  
• Volunteer Opportunities: SANCCOB offers a range of volunteer opportunities for those interested in getting involved with the conservation of coastal birds. Volunteers can help with feeding and caring for the birds, as well as other tasks around the facility.

SANCCOB is a great place to learn about the importance of coastal bird conservation and the work being done to protect these important species. The facility is open to visitors seven days a week, and guided tours are available upon request.

Website: https://sanccob.co.za/
Address: 22 Pentz Dr, Table View, Cape Town, 7441
Phone Number: 021 557 6155

Cheetah Outreach in Somerset West 🐆

Cheetah Outreach is located in Somerset West, approximately 45 minutes from Cape Town. The sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation of cheetahs, one of the most endangered big cat species in the world.

Visitors to Cheetah Outreach can take a guided tour of the facility and learn about the work being done to protect cheetahs in the wild. Some of the highlights of the sanctuary include the following:

• Cheetah Enclosures: Cheetah Outreach is home to several cheetah enclosures, where visitors can observe these majestic cats up close. Visitors can learn about the behaviour and habitat of cheetahs, as well as the threats facing them in the wild.
  
• Cheetah Run: Cheetah Outreach offers a unique opportunity for visitors to watch cheetahs in action as they run at high speeds. Visitors can observe the cheetahs as they chase after a lure, and learn about the incredible speed and agility of these amazing cats.
  
• Education Centre: The Education Centre at Cheetah Outreach provides visitors with information about the threats facing cheetahs in the wild and what they can do to help. Visitors can learn about the impact of habitat loss, poaching, and other threats on cheetah populations, and the conservation efforts being undertaken to protect these animals.
  
• Volunteer Opportunities: Cheetah Outreach offers a range of volunteer opportunities for those interested in getting involved with cheetah conservation. Volunteers can assist with animal care, education and outreach programs, and other tasks around the facility.

Cheetah Outreach is a great place to learn about and appreciate the beauty and importance of cheetahs. The sanctuary is open to visitors seven days a week, and guided tours are available throughout the day.

Website: http://www.cheetah.co.za/
Address: De Beers Ave, Firgrove, Cape Town, 7110
Phone Number: 082 872 4007

Penguin Sanctuary in Simon’s Town 🐧

Located just outside of Cape Town in Simon’s Town, the Penguin Sanctuary is home to a colony of endangered African penguins. The sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation and protection of these unique and charismatic birds, which are threatened by habitat loss, overfishing, and other human activities.

Visitors to the Penguin Sanctuary can observe the penguins as they swim, play, and interact with each other in their natural habitat. The sanctuary also offers educational programs and guided tours, which provide visitors with information about the threats facing African penguins and the conservation efforts being undertaken to protect them.

Some of the highlights of the Penguin Sanctuary include the following:

• Penguin Colony: The Penguin Sanctuary is home to a colony of African penguins, which can be observed in their natural habitat. Visitors can watch as the penguins swim and play, and learn about their unique behaviours and adaptations.
  
• Education Centre: The Education Centre at the Penguin Sanctuary provides visitors with information about the threats facing African penguins and what they can do to help. Visitors can learn about the importance of conserving the penguins’ habitat, reducing plastic waste, and other actions they can take to protect these endangered birds.
  
• Guided Tours: The Penguin Sanctuary offers guided tours, which provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the penguins and their conservation. The tours are led by knowledgeable guides, who provide information about the sanctuary’s conservation efforts and the importance of protecting African penguins.

Website: https://www.sanparks.org/
Address: 4 Boulders Place, Secluse Ave, Simon’s Town, Cape Town, 7995
Phone Number: 021 786 2329

Hout Bay Seal Sanctuary 🦦

The Hout Bay Seal Sanctuary is located in the coastal town of Hout Bay, just a short drive from Cape Town. The sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation and protection of Cape fur seals, which are native to the waters off the coast of South Africa.

Visitors to the Hout Bay Seal Sanctuary can observe the seals as they swim and play in their natural habitat. The sanctuary also offers educational programs and guided tours, which provide visitors with information about the threats facing Cape fur seals and the conservation efforts being undertaken to protect them.

Some of the highlights of the Hout Bay Seal Sanctuary include the following:

• Seal Colony: The Hout Bay Seal Sanctuary is home to a colony of Cape fur seals, which can be observed in their natural habitat. Visitors can watch as the seals swim and play, and learn about their unique behaviours and adaptations.
  
• Education Centre: The Education Centre at the Hout Bay Seal Sanctuary provides visitors with information about the threats facing Cape fur seals and what they can do to help. Visitors can learn about the importance of conserving the seals’ habitat, reducing plastic waste, and other actions they can take to protect these marine mammals.
  
• Boat Tours: The Hout Bay Seal Sanctuary offers boat tours, which provide visitors with a unique perspective on the seals and their habitat. The tours are led by knowledgeable guides, who provide information about the sanctuary’s conservation efforts and the importance of protecting Cape fur seals.

The Hout Bay Seal Sanctuary is a great place to learn about and appreciate the beauty and importance of Cape fur seals. The sanctuary is open to visitors seven days a week, and guided tours are available throughout the day.

Website: https://hbsrc.org.za/
Address: Lot 25 & 57, Hout Bay Harbour, 7806
Phone Number: 072 988 5193

Knysna Elephant Park 🐘

The Knysna Elephant Park is a sanctuary located near Plettenberg Bay, just a few hours’ drive from Cape Town. The sanctuary is home to a small herd of African elephants rescued from other parts of the country and brought to the park for protection and rehabilitation.

Visitors to the Knysna Elephant Park can observe the elephants as they roam, forage, and interact with each other in their natural habitat. The park also offers educational programs and guided tours, which provide visitors with information about the threats facing African elephants and the conservation efforts being undertaken to protect them.

Some of the highlights of the Knysna Elephant Park include the following:

• Elephant Encounters: The Knysna Elephant Park offers visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with the elephants. Visitors can touch and feed the elephants, and learn about their unique behaviours and adaptations.
  
• Guided Tours: The Knysna Elephant Park offers guided tours, which provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the elephants and their conservation. The tours are led by knowledgeable guides, who provide information about the sanctuary’s conservation efforts and the importance of protecting African elephants.
  
• Education Centre: The Education Centre at the Knysna Elephant Park provides visitors with information about the threats facing African elephants and what they can do to help. Visitors can learn about the importance of conserving the elephants’ habitat, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and other actions they can take to protect these majestic animals.

The Knysna Elephant Park is a great place to learn about and appreciate the beauty and importance of African elephants. The sanctuary is open to visitors seven days a week, and guided tours are available throughout the day.

Website: https://knysnaelephantpark.co.za/
Address: Just off the N2 between Knysna and, Plettenberg Bay, 6600
Phone Number: 044 532 7732

The Giraffe House 🦒

The Giraffe House is an animal sanctuary located in Stellenbosch, just a short drive from Cape Town. The sanctuary is home to a variety of African wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, meerkats, and birds of prey.

Visitors to The Giraffe House can observe the animals as they roam, play, and interact with each other in their natural habitats. The sanctuary also offers educational programs and guided tours, which provide visitors with information about the threats facing African wildlife and the conservation efforts being undertaken to protect them.

Some of the highlights of The Giraffe House include the following:

• Giraffe Feeding: Visitors to The Giraffe House can feed the resident giraffes, which are known for their long necks and unique colouration. This is a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with these majestic animals.
  
• Education Centre: The Education Centre at The Giraffe House provides visitors with information about the threats facing African wildlife and what they can do to help. Visitors can learn about the importance of conserving the animals’ habitats, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and other actions they can take to protect these beautiful creatures.
  
• Guided Tours: The Giraffe House offers guided tours, which provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the animals and their conservation. The tours are led by knowledgeable guides, who provide information about the sanctuary’s conservation efforts and the importance of protecting African wildlife.

The Giraffe House is one of the best animal sanctuaries that teaches appreciation of the beauty and importance of African wildlife. The sanctuary is open to visitors seven days a week, and guided tours are available throughout the day.

Website: http://www.giraffehouse.co.za/
Address: c/o R304 & R101, Muldersvlei, Cape Town, 7600
Phone Number: 073 609 2670

Cape Town is home to several animal sanctuaries that offer visitors the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the beauty and importance of South Africa’s wildlife. Whether you are interested in primates, coastal birds, big cats, or insects, there is a sanctuary in Cape Town that will provide you with a unique and educational experience.