African Lion Refuge

Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa

The Lion Sanctuary has been caring for rescued and mistreated lions for nearly 20 years. It is one of only 7 official lion ‘sanctuaries’ in South Africa that are true sanctuaries and do not allow breeding. They operate under strict conditions in which the animals’ best interests are at heart.

The award-winning sanctuary is the largest lion sanctuary in the Western Cape province and provides a ‘forever home’ for over 30 rescued lions. As the lions can never be released into the wild, the sanctuary provides the animals with a safe, comfortable home where they are treated with care and respect.

The sanctuary is a not-for-profit organisation. The organisation relies on volunteer fees, animal adoptions and donations to meet the costs of caring for the lions and to enable the rescue of other lions in need. The lions and their accommodations require daily care and attention. Volunteers help to ensure that the lions are well cared for and contribute to their overall wellbeing and quality of life.

Volunteers are involved in the direct care of over 30 lions. Daily activities include preparing food for the lions, cleaning lion camps, cleaning and maintaining the sanctuary grounds and facilities and monitoring sanctuary visitors. In summer, volunteers may be required to contribute to fire prevention and firefighting activities.

Volunteers must be fluent in English, be willing to work and must be able to take direction from staff. Volunteers should also have a moderate level of fitness and a genuine respect and compassion for the lions.

Summers in South Africa can get quite hot and may take some adjusting to. Some of the maintenance activities that volunteer participate in are physically demanding, however breaks are scheduled throughout the day.

Mondays, all year.

Minimum 1 week.

5 days per week.

Dorm style, male/female segregated units with a communal kitchen.

Volunteers must supply and prepare their own meals. Volunteers will be taken on a scheduled shopping trip to obtain supplies.

From AUD $90 a day

Duration Cost (AUD)
1 week $625
2 weeks $865
3 weeks $1110
4 weeks $1350
5 weeks $1590
6 weeks $1885
Each additional week $625

What’s included:​

  • Pre departure support
  • Project Information Pack
  • Accommodation
  • On the job training
  • O2E T-shirt (if travelling from Australia)
  • 24 hour in country support
  • 24 hour O2E emergency phone
  • Certificate of participation, if requested
*Please note some items are not included in the project fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country tours and return airport transfer (unless mentioned above). Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the O2E Volunteers Terms and Conditions.
Oceans-2-Earth-Volunteers_Rescued-Lion_Refuge 7

Charlene M.

United Kingdom

"There are over 250 'conservation' animal petting
type zoos in Africa alone. Only seven are certified
sanctuaries that have strict non breeding and
welfare laws etc and African Lion Refuge is one
of those seven. Your money is what keeps bad
practice alive. Choose wisely.  "

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