For anyone who wants to do something a little different, and really be able to tell people back home that they had a close encounter with a lion, check out the new ‘Walk with Lions’ programme that has recently been launched on the Zorgfontein Eco and Wildlife Reserve at Great Brak River, just outside Mossel Bay on the Garden Route.
Up to 8 visitors at a time get the chance to walk with 3 young cubs and their mothers, for about 90 minutes in a strictly controlled environment (which also means no petting of the animals). The walks take place twice a day, and anyone can go on the walks as long as they are older than 10 years and over 1.5 meters tall.
The cubs all come from different litters, and are currently 6 months old. The mothers were rescued from potential hunting programmes, and have been raised by hand by the reserve’s owner, Mariné Neethling.