The Drakenstein Lion Park is a dedicated big cat sanctuary located on Old Paarl Road in the Cape Winelands near Paarl. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in March 2026, noting the continued 16:00 feeding schedules for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays that draw the largest visitor crowds.
Quick facts
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | 09:30–17:00 daily |
| Ticket prices | Standard adults R160, Standard children R80. SA Resident adults R100, SA Resident children R50. |
| Address | Old Paarl Road, Paarl, 7625, South Africa |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Free on-site parking; no direct public transport |
| Typical time needed | 1 to 2 hours |
Drakenstein Lion Park opening hours
The Drakenstein Lion Park opening hours run from 09:30 to 17:00 every day of the week, including Sundays and most public holidays. The only exception to these standard operating hours is Christmas Day (25 December), when the sanctuary is entirely closed to the public.
There are no seasonal variations to the gate times, though scheduled lion feeding takes place specifically at 16:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
5 great Cape Town experiences to book
- ⛰️ Combine the region’s natural highlights on a Table Mountain, Boulders Penguins and Cape Point day tour.
- 🚌 Take the genuinely useful hop-on, hop-off city tour, with an optional harbour cruise.
- 🏛️ Go on a hassle-free Robben Island tour, with pre-booked tickets and transfers.
- 🦁 See the Big Five at the Aquila Game Reserve on a day trip including lunch.
- 🧗 Go ziplining at the foot of Table Mountain.
Drakenstein Lion Park ticket prices
Standard admission for the Drakenstein Lion Park costs R160 for adults and R80 for children. South African residents presenting a valid ID or driver’s licence pay a discounted rate of R100 for adults and R50 for children. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
The sanctuary is included in the City Pass Cape Town, along with other regional attractions such as the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and Groot Constantia.
Why book the Cape Town City Pass?
- 🚠 Table Mountain Cableway: Enjoy included access to Cape Town’s most famous landmark, providing breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, the Atlantic, and the Twelve Apostles.
- 🚌 Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: Navigate the city effortlessly with a City Sightseeing bus ticket, connecting you to major sites like Camps Bay, the V&A Waterfront, and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
- 🍷 Wine & Wildlife Experiences: Choose from a variety of unique activities, including wine tastings at Groot Constantia, sunset harbor cruises, or visits to the Two Oceans Aquarium.
- 💰 Huge Savings: Save significantly on total admission costs compared to purchasing individual tickets at the gate for each attraction.
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How to get to the Drakenstein Lion Park
You can reach the Drakenstein Lion Park by driving along the N1 highway from Cape Town and taking the R44 exit towards Stellenbosch, before turning onto Old Paarl Road.
There is no direct public transport connecting central Cape Town to the sanctuary. Visitors without a rental vehicle will need to book a guided tour, hire a private taxi, or use a ride-share service for the 40-minute journey from the city centre.
Parking at the Drakenstein Lion Park
Parking at the Drakenstein Lion Park is available directly on-site at no additional cost. The unpaved parking area is situated adjacent to the main reception and ticketing office, providing immediate access to the start of the sanctuary’s walking paths.
How long to spend at the Drakenstein Lion Park
Visitors typically spend between one and two hours at the Drakenstein Lion Park. This provides enough time to walk the perimeter of the enclosures, read the informational boards detailing each animal’s rescue history, and visit the smaller Chimp Haven facility.
Accessibility at the Drakenstein Lion Park
Accessibility at the Drakenstein Lion Park is generally practical, as the primary visitor routes around the 50-acre property are flat. However, the pathways are mostly compacted dirt and gravel rather than paved concrete, which may require extra effort to navigate in a manual wheelchair.
What to see at the Drakenstein Lion Park
The Drakenstein Lion Park is a strict, ethical sanctuary that provides a lifetime home for rescued big cats. It does not breed lions, trade animals, or permit direct physical interaction between visitors and the wildlife.
The sanctuary spans 50 acres of purpose-built habitat in the Cape Winelands. Visitors walk along a self-guided outdoor route lined with large, fenced enclosures designed to mimic the natural environment.
The park is home to a sizable population of rescued lions, including several rare white lions, as well as a small number of tigers. Each enclosure features an informational board explaining the specific background and rescue story of the resident animals, many of which were saved from abusive captivity or closed zoos.
In addition to the big cats, the property includes a separate section known as Chimp Haven. This facility was constructed to house chimpanzees displaced following the closure of the Tygerberg Zoo.
Practical visitor tips
| Category | Tip |
| Timing | Visit at 16:00 on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday to watch the animals during their scheduled feeding times. |
| Crowds | The park rarely experiences severe overcrowding due to its large footprint, making it a viable option for weekends. |
| Layout | The walking routes are entirely outdoors and exposed, so sun protection and comfortable walking shoes are necessary. |
| Entry process | Tickets can be purchased directly at the main gate upon arrival without the need for advance booking. |
| On-site logistics | You can support the sanctuary’s upkeep by adopting a lion virtually at the reception desk. |
Frequently asked questions about the Drakenstein Lion Park
| Query | Answer |
| Is the Drakenstein Lion Park suitable for children? | Yes, the sanctuary offers a safe viewing experience, though children must not climb on the enclosure fences. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Drakenstein Lion Park? | Advance booking is not required for daily entry; tickets are purchased on arrival. |
| Is the Drakenstein Lion Park open on Sundays? | Yes, the sanctuary operates seven days a week, closing only on 25 December. |
| Are bags allowed at Drakenstein Lion Park? | Standard day bags and backpacks are permitted on the walking trails. |
Things to do near Drakenstein Lion Park
- Fairview Wine and Cheese: A popular wine estate offering cheese tasting and a famous goat tower, located a short drive away.
- Spice Route Destination: A collection of artisanal food, chocolate, and craft beer tasting rooms in Paarl.
- Afrikaans Language Monument: A large architectural monument situated on a hill overlooking the Paarl valley.
- Exotic Animal World: An indoor tropical garden housing butterflies, reptiles, and small mammals near Klapmuts.
- Babylonstoren: A historic Cape Dutch farm featuring extensive botanical gardens, restaurants, and a farm shop.
More Cape Town travel
Other Cape Town travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to Cape Town’s museums, including the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, the Iziko South African Museum, the Iziko Slave Lodge and the Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum.
- Guides to Cape Town’s Waterfront attractions, including the Two Oceans Aquarium and the Waterfront Duck.
- Guide to riding the Flying Dutchman Funicular and visiting Dias Beach at Cape Point.
- What to expect at World of Birds in Cape Town.
- Practical visitor guide to the Camps Bay Tidal Pool in Cape Town.
