Commercial Game Parks

Many visitors to South Africa include a visit to a captive wildlife facility as part of their itinerary. However, most are unaware of the significant ethical and conservation concerns associated with these commercially operated “game parks.”

At Ekala Eco Tours, we do not support or promote visits to such facilities. Our position is based on long-standing concerns regarding the treatment of wildlife, particularly large predators, and the lack of genuine conservation value within these operations.

Facilities that keep, breed, or display lions and other predators for commercial gain should be approached with caution. Regardless of how they are marketed, these environments are artificial and primarily structured as profit-driven attractions, often with limited regard for the long-term welfare of the animals or meaningful conservation outcomes. Globally, there is a clear shift away from supporting such models.

Experiences such as cub petting, walking with lions, and close-up interactions have rightly drawn criticism, as they are typically linked to intensive breeding practices and the early removal of cubs from their mothers. However, the absence of these visible activities does not indicate that a facility operates ethically. Many establishments have reduced or removed public interaction, yet continue breeding lions and other predators within the same commercial system. In such cases, the underlying model remains unchanged—animals are still bred without conservation purpose and ultimately feed into wider exploitative industries.

Captive breeding of lions does not contribute to conservation. Lions raised in these environments cannot be successfully reintroduced into the wild, and there is no credible conservation justification for their continued breeding in captivity. Once mature, there is no sustainable role for these animals outside of the hunting and trade sectors.

Behind the scenes, the realities are deeply concerning. A significant number of captive-bred lions are ultimately channelled into the trophy hunting and bone trade markets. Ekala Eco Tours chooses not to be associated with, or contribute in any way to, this industry.

We support ethical and sustainable conservation practices, including responsible wildlife management and, where appropriate, regulated hunting that contributes to ecosystems and local communities. However, the commercial captive predator industry does not align with these principles, and the benefits to conservation and communities are minimal.