If you’d asked me a couple of years ago if I’d willingly pay to lock myself in a paddock with a bunch of hungry turkeys, one crazy emu and some miniature horses, I might’ve raised an eyebrow. But fast-forward to these past school holidays, and there I was, cappuccino in hand, giggling as my little girl ran wild (in the best possible way) surrounded by all of the above at the new Farmyard Experience at Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, just outside Plettenberg Bay.
Yes, Jukani – the same place known for lions, leopards, and other predators – now also has alpacas, sheep, and a farmhand who is basically an animal whisperer with animal facts for days.
From big cats to barnyard bliss
Let’s start with the obvious: Jukani is not your average big cat sanctuary. I’m not one for seeing wildlife caged up, especially big cats, but this is not a petting zoo and it’s certainly not a circus sideshow or a breeding facility raising cute cubs that are later sold to hunting farms. Jukani provides lifelong care to animals that can’t be released into the wild – from rescued tigers to aging cheetahs – all living in large, carefully designed enclosures that focus on their well-being. There’s no cub cuddling, no photo ops with a sedated lion – just a deeply respectful experience that helps kids (and grown-ups) understand these animals for what they are: wild and worthy of wonder.
It’s the kind of place where you come for the animals and leave with a slightly bigger heart. And now, with the new Farmyard, you leave with mud on your shoes and straw in your hair too. Bliss.
The new Farmyard
The farmyard experience here is unique in that it is actually guided. Unlike other kiddie farms where you are simply left to run amuck for a but, here you will meet a dedicated farmhand who’s on hand daily to share facts and guide tiny hands while turning the experience into one all ages can actually enjoy. You can purchase a snack bucket to feed the animals with specially designed quantities that ensure a healthy animal diet.
There’s tiny miniature horses, chickens, turkeys, bunnies, alpacas, cows, donkeys, sheep and more all waiting to be fed. And while the kids are busy moo-ing, neigh-ing and bonding with the animals, you can sip a proper coffee from the café. Jukani’s Farmyard might be new, but it taps into something timeless – the joy of animal encounters, the magic of muddy boots, and something special that happens when kids are too busy playing to notice they’re learning.
Don’t miss the wild side
Of course, no visit to Jukani would be complete without walking the meandering sanctuary trail and meeting its famous residents – from leopards, to lions and honey badgers to hyenas. Every animal has a story, and your kids will be entranced. For something extra special (and one for the memory books), consider booking the Night Safari. It’s a rare chance to see the sanctuary come alive after dark – think glowing eyes, haunting calls, and a whole new layer of magic. Cap it all off with a boma dinner under the stars – firelight, toasted marshmallows, and the kind of conversation that only happens when phones are down and stars are up.
Make a day of it – or a weekend!
If your kids still have energy like mine, Monkeyland and Birds of Eden are just around the corner. Together with Jukani, they make up the SAASA trio – three ethical, educational sanctuaries that provide as wild a home as possible for rescued animals. Monkeyland is a free-roaming primate sanctuary with lemurs, capuchins and gibbons swinging above your head while Birds of Eden is the largest free-flight aviary in the world – an Eden of tropical colour, plenty of parrots, and flamingos strutting their stuff like runway models.
So if you’re in the Garden Route area and wondering what to do with your little ones, head over to Jukani and maybe the other SAASA sanctuaries too. Go for the roars, stay for the baas, and leave with a heart full of memories.