Testimonials:

We booked a whole day Cats in Conservation at Tenikwa and had a great day. All staff was so friendly and cared a lot of ourselves. We learned so much about the animals, the work at Tenikwa and it was so exciting to be so near to the cats and other animals.
With Mfundo we hat a very gentle an competent guide who explained and showed us very much about all the cats. In Addition the experience in the ‘Hospital’ was so great. Tenikwa does very important work for wildlife animals in South Africa and gives them a good life.
The kitchen- and service staff also did a very good Job, to look after us with soft-Drinks and good meals.
Thanks to all the Tenikwa-Team and especially Mfundo!

Date of experience: March 2019

10 years ago, my husband (then boyfriend) and I did a cheetah walk with Tenikwa. This was a time before we realised that hands-on interactions with wildlife was not in the best interest of the animals themselves. We had a life-changing experience with the cheetahs then, that started a deep love for all wildlife.

When we were looking at our first holiday with our daughter in May, we knew we wanted her to experience the wildcats, but we were by this stage much more aware on the harm of hands on interactions. We were so happy to hear that Tenikwa had also moved with the times and is focusing more and more on learning and engaging with the animals in a more responsible way. While they still allow close up interactions with the animals, they do have a hands-off policy and people are not allowed to actually touch the animals themselves.

We did the Eco Kids Challenge with our daughter. It is designed for older children (between 6 and 12 years old), but our smarty pants 4 year old loved it. She really enjoyed the fun facts about the animals, their habitats and how to care for the environment. She was very proud to get her certificate at the end after answering the questions on what she learned.

We also enjoyed a delicious lunch at the cafe before heading out again.

Hubby and I really enjoyed revisiting. We loved that the guides remembered the cheetahs we had met years ago and it was very special to see how the resident leopard has grown since we first visited.

A very special experience for everybody

Date of experience: May 2018

We did the EcoKidz tour with our two little ones. The guide was Msizi and he did a great job of pitching it at the right level for them. They loved the cats but also the penguins and birds. The proof of how good it was came when my eldest had her quiz about what she had learnt during the tour. She remembered bits we had forgotten.

As adults we liked the fact that this was not one of those places that allow you to pat and stroke the animals before sending them off to a private reserve to be shot by some lame hunter.

Well done Tenikwa and Msizi.

Date of experience: October 2018

A definite must do when in Plettenberg Bay. Sizwe is a great guide. Very knowledgeable and experienced. Made my boys feel at ease and even got hubby to venture into the leopard enclosure with him. The important work being done here to raise awareness about these beautiful animals and to educate visitors is all thanks to the amazing people that make the Tenikwa experience so special. There’s also a restaurant which is a great place to quench a thirst and get a bite to eat. They even have vegetarian options. Highly recommend a visit here.

Date of Experience: 10 December 2018

We did the kids’ eco tour, and were the only people on it. Our guide, Sheldon, was knowledgeable, amusing and very good with our kids, who were kept engaged for the whole duration. We all learned a lot and really enjoyed it.

Date of experience: October 2018

“The best Big Wild Cats Sanctuary in South Africa”

I am an avid wildlife photographer and I have visited Tenikwa many times to join the photographic tour. Tenikwa is in a class of its own. Great care is taken to ensure that the animals there are kept in enclosures which give them privacy, companionship and ample vegetation to create the feeling of “nature surrounding”. The first introduction to your tour is a short but entertaining video to give you some insight and history of the animals there. The photographic tour is wonderful. In some instances you are allowed into the enclosures (excluding the leopard and the lions) to take some more close-up shots. The guides are always good. They can tell you anything and everything about each different “big cat” you meet on your tour, be it about the species or one or two of the animals themselves. These animals are definitely not circus animals and are semi-wild. They are treated with great respect and visitors are expected to do so as well. There are also other tours such as walking with the cheetahs etc. For refreshment there is a coffee shop and for the shopper a curio shop with some wonderful items. The love and respect for the inhabitants of Tenikwa are well reflected in the manner in which they are treated, respected and revered. Many are rescue animals and all are ambassadors for their species. Wildlife awareness is emphasized and taught. Yet when leaving there one has the distinct feeling that you have really seen, and have lived an experience with the Big Cats of South Africa. I personally love Tenikwa!!!!