Animals & Farms in Cape Town

A sanctuary providing lifetime care to lions and other rescued big cats from abusive captive situations. Families view the animals without touching or performances; the sanctuary does not breed, trade or allow visitor-animal interaction. Read more

Setting

Outdoor big-cat rescue sanctuary

A genuine sanctuary visit: observation only, with no cub petting, breeding, performances or direct interaction.

Hours

Mon–Sun 9:30–5pm · closed 25 Dec

A working farm with 300+ alpacas, a petting zoo (llamas, dromedaries, donkeys, angora goats), a weaving studio, a jungle gym and a coffee shop with Table Mountain views.

Setting

Indoor & outdoor farm visit

Hours

Mon–Sun 9:30–5:30pm · closed 25 Dec

Free-to-visit sanctuary for rescued farm animals where families can wander the property, pick up a food tray to connect with the animals, see artworks by Pigcasso and Baanksy, and stop at the plant-based café or wine tasting.

The official site currently gives both 9–4pm and 9–5pm closing times; confirm before a late-afternoon visit.

Cape Town's world-class aquarium, home to over 8,000 animals — penguins, sharks, turtles and the famous kelp forest — with touch pools and daily feedings the kids love, plus a playroom and puppet shows. Read more

Setting

Indoor aquarium

Farm-animal sanctuary with animal feeding and petting, a kids' play area, pony rides, putt-putt and a small coffee shop.

Setting

Outdoor farm sanctuary

Food

Yes · Small coffee shop · outside food surcharge R50 pp

Wildlife-awareness centre between Klapmuts and Stellenbosch where kids meet giraffes and other African animals. Feeding sessions happen on weekends. Children (2–15) R60, adults R90.

Setting

Outdoor wildlife centre

Hours

Mon–Sun 9–5pm · closed 25 Dec

Africa's largest bird park — walk-through aviaries and a monkey jungle where the squirrel-monkey feeding is a highlight. Adults R145, children 3–18 R60, under-3s free — ask about memberships.

Setting

Outdoor aviaries

Hours

Mon–Sun 9–5pm · last entry 4pm

The former Butterfly World, now an exotic-animal sanctuary — monkeys, meerkats, birds and reptiles. Children under 3 free, 3+ R49, adults R88.

Setting

Indoor & outdoor sanctuary

The official website still labels these as 2024 day rates; confirm before travelling if price is important.

Hours

Mon–Sun 9–5pm · last entry 4:30pm · closed 25 Dec

Reptile park with guided crocodile-pond tours, an indoor snake exhibit, a weekend snake show at 12:10pm, catch-and-release fishing, rowboats, a children's play area and wood-fired pizza — plus crocodile cage diving for the brave. Activities are ticketed separately.

Setting

Indoor & outdoor reptile park

Hours

Mon–Sun 9–5pm · closed 25 Dec

Working family farm with a coffee shop, deli and farm shop, ceramic painting and other craft activities, pony rides and free-roaming farm animals including donkeys, alpacas, horses and bunnies.

Setting

Indoor & outdoor farm visit

Hours

Tue–Sun 8–3:30pm

Imhoff Farm has a collection of family activities, shops and places to eat on a working Kommetjie farm. Higgeldy Piggeldy Farmyard is a shaded area where children can feed and touch ponies, cows, sheep, goats, pigs, emus, rabbits and birds.

Setting

Outdoor farm

Hours

Farmyard: Mon–Sun 9–4pm · other operator hours vary

A behind-the-scenes look at a working seabird rescue and rehabilitation centre rather than a conventional animal attraction. Read more

Setting

Indoor and outdoor seabird rehabilitation centre

This is an active rehabilitation facility, so access and what families see depend on the birds receiving care that day.

Hours

Mon–Sun 9–3pm · hourly tours · home-pen feeds 11am & 3pm