Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre (Private, Photography & Kids Tours) 2024

Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre is a wildlife sanctuary in the Western Cape, South Africa. The center works to conserve the surrounding natural forest and is home to several African wild cats, as well as other animal species. The wild animals are cared for but kept in as natural of an environment as possible.

Some of the native animals you’ll find at the center include:

• Lions
• Leopards
• Cheetahs
• Caravals
• Servals
• Meerkats
• Penguins

Tours to the center raise money to keep the conservation efforts going. The staff members are all skilled and knowledgeable. Tenikwa provides the ultimate spot, along the Garden Route, for all ages to visit and view some of the magnificent animals.

The center works around responsible tourism. It does not allow touching of the animals, and photographers have strict rules to adhere to. No selfies with the cats are allowed, and the cats are not disturbed or forced to pose for photos.

Tour & Ticket Prices 2021

A day tour through Tenikwa Wildlife Centre will cost between R250 ($17 USD) and R1800 ($120 USD), depending on the type of tour you choose to do. See the different tour options and ticket prices below.

Plettenberg Bay: Wild Cat Conservation Center Tour

Take part in an inspirational full-day program that will help you gain a better understanding of conservation work. Tour the facilities dedicated to the rehabilitation of indigenous wild cats and learn more about cats, big and small.

$15.95

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Plettenberg Bay: Wildlife Center Tour and Kids Challenge

Visit a wildlife awareness and rehabilitation center and keep kids engaged with exciting challenges. Get to know the Indigenous Eco Cats on this fun and educational tour.

$15.95

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Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation Photography Adventure

Geared towards the photography enthusiast, this private program offers maximum opportunity to photograph the cats, other local wildlife and the Cape Floral Fynbos in their natural setting.

$22.45

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Plettenberg Bay: Tenikwa Wildlife Center Tour with Picnic

Enjoy a bush picnic while watching cheetahs in their natural habitat of fynbos and beautiful forest. See a variety of other indigenous wild cats at the Tenikwa Wildlife Center as you learn about these incredible creatures.

$22.92

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Sunset - Photographic Adventure

Get an opportunity to amazing wildlife photos on this sunset tour. Learn about the facility's cheetahs through guided commentary while snapping photos that will make great take-home souvenirs. After the tour, relax with snacks and refreshments. You'll be with an ultra-small group of just four...

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Wild Cat Experience Tour

Learn about the lives of South Africa's wild cats on a 1-hour guided 'experience' tour of Tenikwa Wildife Centre, along the country's Garden Route. Enter the habitats of various cats such as cheetah and caracal and get up close with lions and leopards while your guide provides details on each...

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Sunrise - Cats in Conservation

Enjoy personalized attention and a flexible itinerary on this private tour of the Tenikwa conservation center. Animal lovers will relish the time learning about the conservation efforts and daily activities at the center. You'll see a variety of wild cats and learn about their biology and...

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Times

Tenikwa is open every day of the week, and tours can be booked Monday – Friday. If you’d like to book a sunset or sunrise tour, you’ll need to book privately.

Monday – Sunday: 9am – 4:30pm

Best Time to Go

Tenikwa is located along the Garden Route and receives moderate rain and sun throughout the year. The best time to visit the center would be on a clear day that isn’t too hot. Autumn or winter will give you some of the clearest, mildest days of the year.

Tenikwa Tour Options

Tenikwa offers various tour options for its visitors. You can easily fit in a quick hour-long guided tour through the sanctuary, or opt for a longer tour with a picnic lunch included. Pick the option that best suits your budget, along with how much time you have.

Wild Cat Experience Tour

This short, 1-hour tour through Tenikwa center is ideal for those stopping in on their way down the Garden Route. A tour guide will show you through various habitats, where you’ll get the chance to view wildlife such as meerkats, marabou storks, and of course, a variety of indigenous South African wild cats.

Enjoy a stroll through the center’s grounds as your guide provides you with facts and information about each animal you see. Take along a camera and get spectacular close-ups of majestic lions, cheetahs, and even Caracals.

Half-Day Photographic Tour

Anyone looking to test their photography skills in the wild will love the photographic adventure at Tenikwa.

This tour usually lasts around 3.5 hours and is scheduled around the natural active period of the cheetahs. This allows for ample photo opportunities, without disturbing the cheetahs. The center has strict policies, which prohibited any touching of the animals, as well as rules about photography within the enclosures.

No flash may be used, selfies are not allowed, and guests are required to take their own photos with as little interference to the animals as possible.

This tour is available at both sunrise (7:15 am) and sunset (2 pm). The tour includes plenty of walking and allows you to get up close and personal with these magnificent wild cats.

It’s important to note that children under the age of 12 are not permitted on this tour. Guests are advised to wear comfy clothing and to keep carried items to a minimum.

Half-day Private Wild Ways Tour

Enjoy a 2-hour private tour through Tenikwa to meet lions, cheetahs, leopards, and other wild cats. You’ll also be taken through the Cape Fynbos growing in the wild. Halfway through your tour, settle down for a bush picnic in the midst of the wildlife.

A light picnic meal is included, where you can rest and soak in the natural setting. The Tsitsikamma Forest offers a tranquil setting, enhanced by the presence of the many wild cats and other wildlife species.

Full Day Experience

Delve deeper into the world of wildlife conservation with this 8-hour experience at Tenikwa. Spend your day interacting with the center’s staff, meeting the wild cats, and enjoying life as a conservationist.

Do more than just stare at the cats from a distance. This tour allows you to spend the entire day at the center. View the animals, learn more about the center and the work it does, and even get your hands dirty helping out!

Wild Cat Kids Eco Tour

While most of Tenikwa’s tours do not allow children, this Eco challenge tour is just for the little ones! Kids aged 7 to 12 can enjoy a private tour of the center and gain newfound knowledge about the big cats and their habitats.

Children are taught all about conserving nature, recycling and reducing waste, and being a friend to wildlife animals.

They’ll meet some of the cats, and enjoy an interactive experience. At the end of the tour, kids will be encouraged to sign a pledge to become a Tenikwa Eco Kid, and they’ll receive a certificate to take home.