| Wildlife up close | | | | park offers fantastic up close views and |
| | | | interactions with a variety of predators and |
| Would you like to cuddle a lion cub? Or | | | | large herbivores indigenous to South Africa. |
| perhaps you'd love to stare into the eyes of | | | | Of course, the beautiful lions are the |
| massive Nile crocodile? | | | | highlight of the park, which has over 80 of |
| | | | these impressive cats, including rare white |
| South Africa's diverse and amazing wildlife | | | | lions. There are also cheetah, wild dog, |
| is one of the main reasons to visit the | | | | hyena and blacked backed jackal as well as a |
| country, and you don't only have to only see | | | | wide variety of antelope. You can climb the |
| these beautiful animals from behind a car | | | | park's giraffe feeding platform which puts |
| window on a game drive: animal experiences | | | | you at eye level with the resident tame |
| across the country allow you to see a variety | | | | giraffe. Or for a really special animal |
| of fascinating creatures up close. There are | | | | experience, you can cuddle an adorable lion |
| unique opportunities to have a close | | | | cub. |
| encounter with animals all over the country | | | | |
| and these range from ostrich rides to lion | | | | Animals in Ostrich Country |
| parks. | | | | |
| | | | Commercial ostrich farming started during the |
| These experiences allow visitors to meet the | | | | late 1880's in South Africa and this was also |
| animals while holding them, interacting with | | | | the start of the ostrich industry worldwide. |
| them or even feeding them. In depth talks and | | | | The fashion demand in Europe for ostrich |
| information sessions are often held on the | | | | feathers inspired the growth of the industry, |
| behaviour, habitat and conservation of these | | | | with the Oudtshoorn district quickly being |
| incredible animals. | | | | established as the Ostrich capital of the |
| | | | world. Ostriches are still farmed in great |
| If you want to go a step beyond merely | | | | numbers in Outshoorn and the surrounding |
| interacting with these animals, many of these | | | | areas, and there are many farms where you can |
| facilities are also conservation and breeding | | | | interact with this large, flightless bird. |
| projects that are always in need of support. | | | | |
| Adopting an endangered animal is one of the | | | | Ostrich farms provide comprehensive |
| best ways to ensure your legacy is left | | | | information about ostriches and the ostrich |
| behind at the end of your trip. | | | | industry, and also include opportunities to |
| | | | feed the big peculiar-looking birds, sit on |
| Animal Encounters around Johannesburg | | | | them, or even ride them, if you dare. One |
| | | | farm will even let you hug and kiss their |
| Johannesburg is the urban centre of South | | | | friendly female ostrich - which gives a new |
| African business and industry: a large, busy | | | | meaning to 'a peck on the cheek'! Ostriches |
| metropolis. But surprisingly, there are | | | | are truly fascinating birds, and riding an |
| several locations in and around the city | | | | ostrich is an experience that you definitely |
| where you can experience wonderful animal | | | | won't forget. |
| life at close range. | | | | |
| | | | The Oudtshoorn district also offers brilliant |
| You wouldn't necessarily expect a bird garden | | | | animal encounters apart from the ostriches. |
| inside an opulent casino and entertainment | | | | If you'd like to meet a cheetah and assist in |
| complex, but the Montecasino Bird Gardens is | | | | the fight against the extinction of |
| a hidden gem of Johannesburg. The gardens are | | | | endangered species, head to the Cango |
| home to a collection of over 142 species of | | | | Wildlife Ranch. It's the biggest cheetah |
| birds, as well as the largest and most | | | | contact centre worldwide and offers visitors |
| diverse private collection of African cycads | | | | the rare opportunity of interacting with the |
| in the world. Visitors can experience the | | | | ranch's hand-reared cheetahs, and playing |
| colourful, exotic and unusual birds in | | | | with Bengal tiger cubs. The really daring can |
| unrestrained flight during a spectacular and | | | | even wrap themselves in a python or go |
| educational presentation. | | | | cage-diving with Nile crocodiles. |
| | | | |
| For another amazing experience of the | | | | For an unparalleled animal experience, visit |
| ornithological variety, visit the South | | | | the Meerkat Magic Conservation Project in |
| African National Bird of Prey Centre, which | | | | Oudtshoorn, where you can walk with meerkats |
| is a registered non profit organisation | | | | in the wild. These shy little creatures are |
| dedicated to the conservation of raptors from | | | | normally very difficult to spot and study, |
| all over the world. The centre emphasises the | | | | but the Meerkat Man, a nature conservationist |
| crucial role that birds of prey play in the | | | | who has been studying meerkats for more than |
| food chain, and visitors can learn about | | | | 10 years, will lead you to their desert |
| these significant birds, while helping with | | | | burrows, where you can closely observe these |
| the conservation of the threatened species. | | | | appealing animals. You will also be assisting |
| Flying displays are held, in which various | | | | to fund wild meerkat habitat conservation. |
| birds, ranging from tiny owls to massive | | | | |
| eagles, are flown so that visitors can | | | | Whether you're hugging an ostrich, or quietly |
| understand more about their habits and unique | | | | observing a meerkat, you'll definitely be |
| characteristics. | | | | touched by an encounter with South Africa's |
| | | | animals. These special animal experiences |
| To get personal with the king of the jungle, | | | | will leave you in awe of the country's |
| head to the Lion Park near Fourways, within | | | | magnificent wildlife. |
| easy reach of Johannesburg and Pretoria. The | | | | |