Do you dream of getting up-close-and-personal with a lion cub, tracking the anti-social rhino or going on an early morning stroll with African elephants? In South Africa there are various wildlife research centres and sanctuaries where visitors can touch, stroke or feed wild animals in a controlled environment.
Here are a few choice experiences.
Touching Lions 
Kids just love the Lion and Rhino Park near the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng. Not only can you see lions, cheetahs and even a tiger or two, but one can also pat the baby white lion and resident tiger cub.
The Lion and Rhino Park ‘nursery’ allows visitors to spend time, under supervision, with these infant animals. Note that very small toddlers are not allowed to go into the cub petting areas as they may be vulnerable to scratchy claws. Other exhibits include snakes and reptiles.
Not far from the Lion and Rhino Park is the Lanseria Lion Park, which also offers the petting of lion cubs in the controlled environment of their Cub World programme. As popular are night drives to watch the lions being fed.
Elephant Brushdowns
In South Africa there are elephant sanctuaries at Hartebeespoort bordering the Mgaliesberg Mountains and Plettenberg Bay along the Garden Route. Their philosophy is that interaction between humans and animals is essential, and therefore visitors are encouraged to interact with these enormous creatures.
These sanctuaries offer elephant rides and Trunk-in-Hand programmes where visitors get to touch, feed and walk hand-in-trunk with elephants. Each animal has a guide and trainer to assist in these encounters. Another unique opportunity is to take part in the early morning grooming known as Elephant Brushdowns.
Children between the ages of 3 and 12 are more than welcome. Just imagine what they could brag about on the first day back at school!
Animal Projects
Glen Afric Country Lodge near Hartebeespoort Dam is a working farm that is involved with various wildlife breeding and rehabilitation projects. There are a number of orphaned animals here, including elephants and lion cubs.
Rhino Walking Safaris
The Rhino Walking Safaris consist of specially tailored walking trails through a 12 000 hectare private concession in the Kruger National Park. These are a combination of day walks, game drives and accommodation; as well as specialist safaris such as stargazing, birding and tree-spotting.
Expert guides accompany visitors, who sleep under the stars on elevated wooden platforms.
The Cango Wildlife Ranch 
Oudsthoorn in the Klein Karoo is home to the ostrich. At the Cango Ostrich Show Farm visitors learn more about these ungainly birds; as well as touch, feel or even ride them.
Not far from this is the Cango Wildlife Ranch; a research facility renowned as the oldest and largest cheetah contact centre in the world. It has a fantastic Natural Encounters programme where visitors of 16 and older get to have an interactive experience with a king cheetah or tiger cub. Younger visitors can play with reptiles. And for those with adrenaline for brains there is Croc Cage Diving into a pool where a four metre Nile crocodile resides.
Wildlife Savvy
Visitors must note that wild animals are just that, no matter how tame they look. So keep a respectful distance and follow all instructions.
Image of elephant safari courtesy and © of African Time Out CC
Image of pygmy hippopotamus courtesy and © of Cango Wildlife Ranch
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