Guest reviews on The Private Tour at Tenikwa wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre in Plettenberg Bay
We loved our experience at Tenikwa. We took the short 1-hour tour and were guided by Ash who is clearly very knowledgeable and super friendly. His relaxed way made it fun to be so close to a cheetah and other wild cats! The leopard was especially beautiful and the cheetah purred loudly. Highly recommended!
Date of Experience: October 2019
We have been on many safaris (Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa) and we really enjoyed our experience at the Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Center. Our guide Las was amazing, we learned a lot from him about the life of the animals in general and especially at Tenikwa. We came so close to the lions, leopard and cheetahs and all the other animals. We booked the 3,5 hour photo tour and it was totally worth it. We were alone with our guide and Las was so patient and we had so much time for taking great pictures. We can truly recommend a visit, its so worth it. Thank you to everyone at Tenikwa‘s for making this a special day for us!
Date of Experience: October 2019
Our guide the amazing Lars really gave us value for entry. Knowledgeable, friendly and good at interacting with the various animals we met, some very close. Nothing clapping, but really close to their enclosures. However, this did not apply to leopards, lions and cheetahs. However, Lars went in to the cheetah and fed it because adults are not on their menu. Educational and interesting.
Date of Experience: November 2019
We were fortunate enough to have a private tour with a very friendly and witty guide. The visit of the leopard and the servals was our highlight. The animals have attractively large enclosures and make both externally and psychologically a very good impression. For all those who would like to do something good with their visit.
Date of Experience: October 2019
We only had two days on the Garden Route between Port Elizabeth and Knysna and this was definitely a highlight.
Aware that so many “sanctuaries” are not true rescues or sanctuaries, we were wary going in. I am delighted to review that Tenikwa is truly legitimate and one of the most amazing animal sanctuaries I’ve ever been to. The sanctuary has two primary missions. The first is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release back into the wild wildlife ranging from birds and sea mammals to turtles, warthogs, meerkats, and wild cats. Human interaction is forbidden with these animals so that they can be released back into the wild. This part of the centre is not visible by visitors and I respect that immensely. One thing we’ve learned is that wildlife that is exposed to humans cannot be successfully released back into the wild so I was excited and encouraged that places like this truly exist.
The 2nd mission is to educate the public on threatened, endangered, and at-risk wildlife by exposing visitors to a wide-range of animals that permanently live at the centre and therefore exposure to humans does not put them at risk.
We chose the private guide for a more intimate tour. Our guide was Mthobisi and he was fantastic! The tour lasted about 2 hours and included a light lunch at the end. The tour started with meerkats and warthogs and progressed to African penguins and several large bird species before moving on to the cats, which are the highlight. It was a cool and cloudy day so we almost had the place to ourselves and because of the cool, cloudy weather, the animals were active and very visible, except for the African Cat, it was a bit more elusive a lot like a house cat. The caracals and servals were very active (about 6 each) and we actually entered the enclosure to the servals for a more up-close encounter (again, I must stress that touching is prohibited, which is actually a very good thing).
Up next was a leopard and he was stunning. The white lion and lioness were perched on the top of a knob, at first sleeping, and then attentive to our presence. Finally, the cheetah came running to the fence line, pacing and purring so loud it could be heard up to 25 feet away. She was within inches of us and an absolute gorgeous creature (again no touching!).
The centre is a true sanctuary that rescues and releases hundreds of wildlife each year back to the wild or permanently houses. Be aware that some “sanctuaries” are actually breeding centers for sale to private hunters so do your research whenever booking these. Also, touching encounters are generally bad and should not be supported but there are exceptions – again do your research to ensure support of ethical centers.
Tenikwa staff is very friendly and the guides are amazingly informed. Oh! and the pet cat in the reception is quite special and adorable. If you are looking for an intimate experience with African wildlife within an ethical and responsible rescue, then this is the place for you!
Absolutely recommend this place and I promise you will not be disappointed. Please support their awesome mission.
Date Experienced: May 2019
Our hotel hostess insisted we should visit this rehab centre which we first thought wouldn’t be interesting since we had stays in Addo (3 days) and montain Zebra (2 days) national parks ahead. We were so wrong and truly happy to have visited this centre. Las, our tour guide was very informative and we learnt so much about the wild cats’ life and the centre’s rescue efforts in just a couple of hours. We got inside some cages and watched the wild cats from so close. It was unbelievable! The rescued animals live in good conditions and it seems they are well cared of. If we come to Knysna again, we will definitely book longer tours in Tenikwa.
Date of Experience: April 2019
We really enjoyed our private tour at Tenikwa. We were assigned Mthobisi as our guide, and not only was he knowledgable and friendly, but most importantly displayed a sincere love for the parks’ animals. This park seems to take conservation very seriously and are don’t exploit the animals to turn a buck. Definitely recommended if you’re in the area.
Date of Experience: November 2018
We have just returned from an action packed 17 days in South Africa and were both fortunate and privileged to visit Tenikwa. We were given an extremely informative and exciting tour of the centre by Mthobisi, who was clearly very committed to the preservation of the African wildlife and gave us the opportunity to go in with Servals and a Cheetah – indescribable feeling getting so close to these beautiful animals. I would urge everyone to visit the centre which not only provides important employment for dedicated local people, but offers animal protection and importantly education to preserve these creatures for future generations. Please go and see them, they need all the help we can give them and you will leave on an amazing high!
Date of Experience: November 2018
A key highlight of our visit on the Garden Route was Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness centre. A wonderful half day spending time with an array of wild cats including Cheetahs,Lions and Caracals. The key to bringing the whole experience alive was the very much informed and exemplary services of our guide Mthobisi who shows a deep love for the animals at the centre,with his articulate and expansive answers to our many questions. A great place for a family visit and highly recommend to travellers to the area.
Date Experienced: December 2018
In a world where we are losing a lot of our wild animals. It’s good to know places like Tenikwa exist. Animal rehabilitation, community involvement, conservation & advice. It’s all here. It’s a 15-20 drive out of Plettenberg on the N2.
There is something for everyone here. You can get up close to some very big & beautiful wild animals here, (if they cooperate?) Big cats, little cats, warthogs, big birds, little birds & cheeky meerkats to name but a few.
This place can & is such an eye opener. The staff are very informative & knowledgeable without feeling lectured. Our guide ‘Mthobisi’ was & is very accommodating & doesn’t rush you through. You can take your time. You can spend as much or as little as you like. Tours can be just over an hours or you can spend all day, up to you. We found the 2 hour tour OK.
Afterwards there is a cafe, even a small playground or the little ones if traveling with a family. I would recommend you stop by & take a look yourself. We need places like this for the next generation to see such beautiful animals like these at Tenikwa.
Thank you to everyone for a very interesting afternoon.
Date of Experience: 19 February 2019