Felidae Centre

Felidae Centre Felidae Centre started in 2010 when we saved our first two animals, the cheetah, Thato and the caracal, Lilo. All lions are saved from canned hunting.
(268)

The centre has only blossomed since and we have saved and released big and small species. We now provide a safe home for more than 60 animals. We are a rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary who takes pride in saving all animals that are indigenous to South Africa but our main focus are predators. We provide these species with a safe home and when needed a forever home. At Felidae Centre we do normal

and adventure tours to educate the public about our animals and show what we do to save and conserve them. Here you will get amazing photo opportunities of our different species. Further we explain about canned hunting and why we are completely against it. NORMAL TOUR
Our educational tours are run by well-trained guides filled with information and eager to share it to the public and guests. A tour usually takes about an hour, depending on the size of the group. Here you will meet all our animals and receive the information of why they are at the project, what their future plans are and more information about the different species. WEEKENDS
Adults: R150
Children (under 12): R100
Saturday 11:00am: Watch the lion feeding and a guided tour around the project

WEEKDAYS
R250 per person for a guided tour around the project Bookings are essential as well as a minimum of 3 people participating in the tour. ADVENTURE TOUR
Our adventure tour includes a normal tour and an open vehicle drive inside our 180 ha enclosure with free roaming lions. A perfect opportunity to see these majestic animals as close as half a meter away in their natural habitat and get the chance to take amazing photos. R500 per person for an individual of 16 years or older Bookings are essential as well as a minimum of 2 people participating in the drive. You can book a game drive for yourself only – Full price will be charged. OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Be part of helping all our stunning creatures where you work up and close with our animals and get a chance to learn the characteristic behavior of each different specie. We are a family project and take the needs of our animals very seriously. To provide the best possible life in captivity for our animals, we need your help to assist us! Daily tasks include providing a clean and stress-free environment as well as safe and healthy food to eat for our animals.

20/06/2026

There are sunsets… and then there are moments that take your breath away.

Last night on our Sunset Adventure Tour, we had one of those moments. Jabu, our magnificent male lion, walked calmly past our open vehicle on his way to the waterhole, with the African sun setting behind him. His silhouette against the golden sky reminded us just how special it is to spend time observing these incredible animals in a respectful and educational environment.

At Felidae, every tour is about more than just seeing wildlife. It is about learning. Our educational tours give visitors and volunteers the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of lion behaviour, conservation challenges, captive wildlife management, and the responsibility that comes with caring for rescued animals.

Watching a lion like Jabu move naturally through his environment teaches far more than any textbook can. From body language and social behaviour to habitat use and enrichment, every moment becomes a lesson.

Our volunteers are an important part of this journey. They help with daily animal care, learn about conservation firsthand, and create memories that will stay with them for a lifetime. Experiences like these are a reminder of why education is one of the most powerful tools we have to inspire future conservationists.

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing lions up close while learning about their world, our educational tours and volunteer programme offer a truly unforgettable experience.

📍Felidae Centre for Wildlife Education & Conservation
🌅 Sunset Adventure Tours
🦁 Educational Experiences
🌍 Volunteer Opportunities Available

There is something truly magical about watching a lion at sunset.As the sun slowly dipped below the horizon during one o...
18/06/2026

There is something truly magical about watching a lion at sunset.

As the sun slowly dipped below the horizon during one of our Sunset Adventure Tours, Valentino stood proudly on the ridge. In the first photo, he appears as a dark silhouette against the fiery African sky, a reminder of how lions have ruled these landscapes for thousands of years. In the second, the golden sunlight catches his face perfectly, showing every detail of this magnificent predator.

Many people don’t realize that lions are most active during the cooler hours of the day. Early mornings and late afternoons are often when they begin moving, socialising, scent-marking, and preparing for the night’s activities. This is why sunset is one of the best times to observe natural lion behaviour.

At Felidae, our Sunset Adventure Tour offers guests the opportunity to experience these incredible moments from the safety of our open vehicle while learning about lion conservation, behaviour, and the challenges these animals face in the modern world.

No photograph can truly capture the feeling of hearing a lion’s deep call echo across the veld as the sun disappears behind the horizon, but moments like these come close.

Valentino certainly knows how to pose for the camera, but behind that handsome face is an important ambassador helping us educate visitors about the future of Africa’s wildlife.

Come and experience the magic of an African sunset with our lions and create memories that will last a lifetime.

15/06/2026

Those ears! 👂🦊

Our bat-eared foxes are always a favourite among visitors, and recently they decided to enjoy their meal right in front of the camera, giving us the perfect opportunity to admire one of nature’s most fascinating designs.

Bat-eared foxes are named after their enormous ears, which can grow up to 13 cm long. While they may look adorable, those ears serve an important purpose. They help the foxes detect the tiny sounds made by insects moving underground, allowing them to locate food with incredible accuracy. Their ears also act as natural cooling systems, helping them release excess body heat during hot African days.

Unlike many other fox species, bat-eared foxes feed mainly on insects, especially termites, making them an important part of the ecosystem by helping to control insect populations naturally.

At Felidae, our rescued bat-eared foxes have become wonderful ambassadors for their species. During selected educational tours, guests may even have the opportunity to hand-feed these remarkable little animals while learning more about their behaviour, adaptations, and conservation.

It’s moments like these that remind us how incredible even the smallest creatures can be. ❤️🦊

Come and meet our bat-eared foxes and discover why their giant ears are one of nature’s most amazing survival tools!

14/06/2026

There is something special about a lion on a lazy Sunday afternoon. ☀️🦁

Today, Brutis spent his afternoon stretched out in the warm winter sun, completely relaxed and soaking up every bit of warmth. Every now and then, a huge yawn would remind us just how impressive these magnificent predators really are. Even at rest, there is no denying the power and presence of a lion.

Many people don’t realize that lions spend between 16 and 20 hours a day resting or sleeping. Conserving energy is an important part of their lifestyle, allowing them to save strength for the moments when they need it most. Those giant yawns are also more than just a sign of being sleepy, they help increase oxygen intake, stretch facial muscles, and can even be a form of communication within a pride.

Brutis may look peaceful and gentle while enjoying the afternoon sunshine, but he is still every bit the powerful lion we know and love. Moments like these remind us that wildlife conservation is not only about protecting animals in their most dramatic moments, but also appreciating the quiet, peaceful ones.

Who else wishes they could spend their Sunday as relaxed as Brutis? ❤️🦁

There is nothing quite like a Saturday at Felidae. 🦁❤️Our lion feeding and educational tours give visitors the opportuni...
13/06/2026

There is nothing quite like a Saturday at Felidae. 🦁❤️

Our lion feeding and educational tours give visitors the opportunity to witness these incredible predators up close while learning about their individual stories, natural behaviors, and the challenges lions face in today’s world.

Today’s photos captured some special moments, not only during feeding time but also later in the day when some of our magnificent male lions returned to enjoy the leftovers from their earlier meal. In the wild, lions will often return to a carcass multiple times until very little remains, and our lions display many of these same natural feeding behaviors.

Watching these powerful males relax, chew on a favorite piece, and interact with one another reminds us that every lion here has been given a second chance. Many came from difficult backgrounds, but today they can live out their lives in safety, receiving the care and respect they deserve.

A visit to Felidae is more than just seeing lions, it is an opportunity to connect with wildlife, learn about conservation, and become part of the journey that helps us provide lifelong care for these incredible animals.

Thank you to everyone who joined us today and helped make another Saturday feeding experience so special. We look forward to welcoming many more visitors and volunteers to the Felidae family.

📍 Join us for a feeding tour, volunteer experience, or adventure tour and experience the magic of Felidae for yourself.

11/06/2026

A quiet moment of grooming from Kai 🦁

Watching Kai carefully clean the scar beneath his eye is a reminder of just how resilient lions are. Like all cats, lions spend a lot of time grooming themselves, using their rough tongues and paws to keep their fur, eyes, and faces clean. Kai first moistens his paw with his tongue before gently wiping around his eye and scar.

The scar itself tells a story. Scars are often badges of survival, earned during disagreements between pride members or while interacting with dangerous animals. It is even possible that Kai’s injury came from an encounter with a porcupine. Lions are known to hunt porcupines, particularly at night, but those sharp quills can cause serious injuries to the face and paws when a hunt does not go according to plan.

Fortunately, Kai’s scar has healed well, and today it serves as a reminder that even in captivity, lions can pick up the occasional battle mark from normal pride interactions or encounters with other animals. Despite the marks they carry, lions are incredibly tough and often recover remarkably well from injuries.

At Felidae, we love sharing these small, natural moments that reveal the true character of our animals. Not every story is told through a mighty roar, sometimes it’s found in the quiet moments of a lion simply taking care of himself. ❤️

RescueAnimals AfricanLion FelidaeFamily WildlifePhotography SecondChance

10/06/2026

Meet Fluffy, one of the most unique little residents at Felidae! 🦊❤️

Watching him gently take pieces of boiled chicken from our hands is something that never gets old. But Fluffy’s journey to this moment wasn’t an easy one.

As a tiny baby, he was found alone in the veld during a severe drought. With no mother in sight and little chance of survival on his own, he was rescued and eventually found his forever home here at Felidae.

Fluffy has very specific dietary preferences. His menu consists of boiled chicken and scrambled eggs, nothing else. Thanks to the dedicated care he receives every day, he continues to thrive and show off his cheeky personality to everyone he meets.

One of the highlights for our volunteers is spending quality time with Fluffy during feeding sessions. Hand-feeding him is not only a special experience but also an opportunity to form a bond with one of Africa’s most fascinating small predators. Despite their name, bat-eared foxes don’t survive on bats! In the wild, they mainly feed on insects, especially termites, using their oversized ears to detect movement beneath the ground.

If you’ve ever dreamed of getting up close to wildlife and making a real difference in the lives of rescued animals, this is your chance. Join our volunteer program and help care for incredible animals like Fluffy while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Who wouldn’t want a daily date with this adorable little fox? 🦊✨

07/06/2026

A roar that echoes across the veld is never just noise, it’s a conversation. 🦁

In this moment, Rubicon answers his brother Brutis, whose powerful roar can be heard from behind him. Although lions are known as the kings of the savannah, their roars serve an important purpose beyond showing strength. A lion’s roar can travel up to 8 kilometers, helping pride members communicate, locate one another, and remind neighboring lions that the territory is occupied.

For Rubicon and Brutis, their bond is especially meaningful. These two brothers were rescued from the captive hunting industry, where their future was once uncertain. Today, instead of being used for profit, they spend their days living safely at Felidae, where they can express the natural behaviors they were born to display.

Watching one brother answer the other’s call is a powerful reminder that lions are highly social animals. Their voices carry not only across the landscape but also tell a story of family, survival, and second chances.

Every roar we hear from Rubicon and Brutis is a reminder of why rescue and conservation matter. ❤️🦁

LionBrothers

✨ Every day at Felidae is a new adventure! ✨From unforgettable moments with lions and cheetahs to helping care for rescu...
05/06/2026

✨ Every day at Felidae is a new adventure! ✨

From unforgettable moments with lions and cheetahs to helping care for rescued wildlife, our volunteers become part of something truly special. ❤️🦁

Whether you’re preparing enrichment for animals, helping with daily care, assisting with projects around the centre, or simply enjoying incredible wildlife encounters, every day brings new memories and the opportunity to make a real difference.

At Felidae, our volunteers don’t just observe wildlife, they become part of the journey of giving animals a second chance. The friendships made, lessons learned, and experiences gained create memories that last a lifetime.

If you’ve ever dreamed of working alongside passionate conservationists, experiencing South African wildlife up close, and contributing to the care of rescued animals, we’d love to welcome you to the Felidae family.

📩 Contact us to learn more about our volunteer opportunities and start your own wildlife adventure!

SouthAfricaWildlife BigCats ConservationEducation WildlifeAdventure GiveThemASecondChance

04/06/2026

There is something truly breathtaking about watching Jabu walk towards us at feeding time. With every step, his powerful build and magnificent black mane remind us why lions are known as the kings of the wild.

Today, Jabu reminded us just how tough lions can be. He recently had a thorn in his paw, something that would be painful and uncomfortable for any animal. Yet despite the discomfort, it certainly didn’t stop him from making his way to feeding time. His determination and resilience were on full display as he confidently walked towards us, eager for his meal.

A lion’s mane is much more than just a beautiful feature. In the wild, a dark, full mane can be a sign of strength, maturity, and good health. The mane helps protect a male lion’s neck and throat during territorial disputes and fights.

Jabu’s striking black mane is one of the first things visitors notice about him, but those of us who know him see so much more. We see a lion with his own personality, his own story, and a resilience that shines through even when he’s not feeling his best.

Every feeding time is a privilege, a chance to stand in awe of one of nature’s most iconic predators and appreciate the beauty, strength, and determination of these incredible animals.

🦁 Jabu may have had a thorn in his paw, but nothing was going to stand between him and his dinner!

Address

On The N8 Bloemfontein Road (Petrusburg Route), About 25km Outside Of Kimberley
Kimberley

Opening Hours

10:30 - 11:00

Telephone

+27829000567

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Felidae Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Felidae Centre:

Shortcuts

Share

Category