Yesterday was a South African holiday and day off of school, so we took advantage of the great weather and headed to the Ukatula Lion Park. We have heard great things about this place but had never been. Our expectations were definitely not disappointed.
First, we stepped in to an enclosed area where the four of us got to pet, hold, and play with lion and tiger cubs. We have pet cubs before, but never have we had so much interaction with them. The girls LOVED this part of the day. The lions were so mild and tame and loved to have their bellies rubbed. The tigers, on the other hand, were a bit frisky and a little too playful for young children. They liked to leap on to the girls and were really strong, so the guides held them off for a while so that we could enjoy the lions.
Next, we went in to the 1-2 year old lion pen to sit and pet the next age up of lions. These lions were definitely not as tame as the cubs and stalked the girls a bit. We had to hold them while petting the lions which was difficult because the lions liked to gnaw on fingers and clothing. So after a little while, I took the girls out of the pen, and Justin stayed in to get some good pictures.
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The cheetah pen was next where we went inside and pet one particular cheetah that was rescued when she was a baby. Our girls were not allowed inside this pen, so Justin and I just took turns. Taelyn was quite disappointed that she couldn't go inside too, but she knew that it wasn't safe.
The day ended with the mature lions. We walked alongside their pens which really stirred them up a bit because they wanted to go after the girls. They jumped at the fencing from time to time and paced back and forth. The girls thought it was a little funny (and scary too) because they knew that the lions wanted to eat them. One of the pens, however, was very calm because a female had just given birth to five cubs seven days prior. Three females and the male were laying down together with the cubs in the middle. They were adorable. They had their eyes open but couldn't see yet and could barely walk without stumbling. Kaelia especially loved these cubs.
First, we stepped in to an enclosed area where the four of us got to pet, hold, and play with lion and tiger cubs. We have pet cubs before, but never have we had so much interaction with them. The girls LOVED this part of the day. The lions were so mild and tame and loved to have their bellies rubbed. The tigers, on the other hand, were a bit frisky and a little too playful for young children. They liked to leap on to the girls and were really strong, so the guides held them off for a while so that we could enjoy the lions.
Next, we went in to the 1-2 year old lion pen to sit and pet the next age up of lions. These lions were definitely not as tame as the cubs and stalked the girls a bit. We had to hold them while petting the lions which was difficult because the lions liked to gnaw on fingers and clothing. So after a little while, I took the girls out of the pen, and Justin stayed in to get some good pictures.
.jpg)
The day ended with the mature lions. We walked alongside their pens which really stirred them up a bit because they wanted to go after the girls. They jumped at the fencing from time to time and paced back and forth. The girls thought it was a little funny (and scary too) because they knew that the lions wanted to eat them. One of the pens, however, was very calm because a female had just given birth to five cubs seven days prior. Three females and the male were laying down together with the cubs in the middle. They were adorable. They had their eyes open but couldn't see yet and could barely walk without stumbling. Kaelia especially loved these cubs.
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