Can't fault it at all. The Big Cat Sanctuary (Smarden) - 2021 All You Need to Know Before You Go (with Photos) - Smarden, England | Tripadvisor The Big Cat Sanctuary 984 Reviews #1 of 7 things to do in Smarden thank you, No they don’t open daily ... just experiences, and an open day each year. Oh we also saw Maya, the black jaguar and Willow, the cheetah from the TV series both now fully grown and very content in their surroundings. Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. The site is large with a collection of big and small cats. Episode 3. Brian Clements. We are considering an overnight stay, as we loved our first visit for the Jaguar conservation talk. The Big Cat Sanctuary Registered charity number 1104420. It’s situated in the north of Shamwari Private Game Reserve. The Big Cat Sanctuary is a 34 acre peaceful conservation site whose primary objective is conservation and offering sanctuary to homeless or rescued cats. After afternoon tea with a lion sat literally a foot away (behind glass obviously! Favourite bit? Lovely food, excellent tour with Dan and Emily both days - very knowledgeable and very friendly. Can you book a stay in a lodge all year round,i want to go in December. Picture: The Big Cat Sanctuary. At WHF, The Big Cat Sanctuary we have developed a vision statement, a mission statement and a set of Points of Culture to help our staff and visitors understand what we would like to achieve. The Big Cat Sanctuary The Big Cat Sanctuary is a conservation charity, home to over 50 big and small cats across 16 different species. Athena had arrived at a sanctuary at the age of 8 and is now 18 years. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. Thank you, Gemma, for looking after us so professionally. 411 talking about this. a gorgeous puma, white lions, white tigers, serval, caracal and many others. The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, near Ashford, revealed it had been forced to put down Kafara the lion and Martin the cheetah last Friday, following battles with health conditions. All the animals were amazing. 338 talking about this. The tour itself lasted a couple of hours and we both felt we learned a lot from the very knowledgeable staff who showed us round. The Big Cat Sanctuary easily scooped a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. Small Steps for Big Cats. Treelife, based in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, provide all aspects of arboriculture and woodland management. BCS relies on donations and specialised experiences; Ranger for the Day, Feed the Big Cat, Photographic workshops, two-day luxury African Lodge experience, bespoke events, weddings, conferences and of course Big Cat adoptions. Safety is paramount and although you get close everything is very safe. ), we had a lovely tour and met some of the cats. O yes, woken by the lions roaring. You can ‘hand feed’ two animals with a chicken drumstick. Giles Clark, director of cats and conservation at The Big Cat Sanctuary, with Willow the Cheetah. What an amazing day we had at the Big Cat Sanctuary last Friday! I think that the lodges are booked to coincide with particular but very regular visits, but I would contact the sanctuary direct and ask them. View Website . Enjoy your visit. Visited using an ‘Experience’ Voucher. You can find all the details of these experiences on our website. The Big Cat Sanctuary is located in the heart of the Kent countryside in Smarden, Kent and is set in 32 acres of grass land. The Big Cat Sanctuary is part of the International Breeding Programme, which is a global body that ensures the safe breeding of captive animals. An experience that can only be equalled by going again!! Documentary series following life at Giles Clark's Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent. Our Cats Experiences. The Big Cat Sanctuary Patron, Trustees, Fundraising Board and Ambassadors Partners Conservation & Ethics Fundraising Jobs & Internships Education Volunteering, Research & Work Experience Our Cats. Please come again next time you are in the area. Social. Treelife Tree Surgeons in Hertfordshire. The Big Cat Sanctuary, Smarden. Regards Jim, How well sign posted is it from the main road? We are not open to the general public on a “turn up at the gate and pay” basis, however, you are able to book an experience in advance with us, such as one of our Big Cat Experiences, Photography Workshops or a lodge stay. The Big Cat Sanctuary is a wild cat centre in Kent UK promoting welfare,breeding,conservation & education for the planet’s cats. TV personality and conservationist Giles Clark has joined the team at the Big Cat Sanctuary, as Managing Director. The Big Cat Sanctuary… “Protection is our Passion” Providing a future for some of the most beautiful and endangered cats in the world... Home to over 50 cats including African Lions, Sumatran Tigers, Jaguars, Amur Leopards and Snow Leopards to name just a few, we are located in … Breeding success so far includes the Amur leopard programme which is the world’s most endangered big cat, estimated between 70-80 remaining in the wild globally, also to the Sumatran tigers, Amur tigers and Pallas cats. PROJECT JAGUAR is raising funds for jaguar welfare and a new jaguar enclosure and breeding unit at The Big Cat Sanctuary. BigCatHabitat I, Front Office Manager at Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary, responded to this review Responded June 8, 2019. View Details . We would recommend following our social media pages or signing up to our newsletter to find out more about other events taking place throughout the year. Covid measures were very good. Fed a tiger, jaguar and lion. Truly unforgettable experience. The guide aids and instructs you to ensure nothing goes wrong! Had an overnight lodge stay here, absolutely incredible. Yes, you can book a lodge stay all year round (Overnight Big Cat Safari). It was very evident the animals are all well-cared for and their lives enriched by the team who look after them. All of which need to be pre-booked in advance of a visit. Big Cat Sanctuary operates by way of personal big cat experiences including big cat tours, individual and group photography days, overnight big cat safari nights and adoptions. Big Cat Sanctuary is focused on education and awareness of the current problems facing our earth's large carnivores. If you can book standard entry do you have to do this in advance or can you turn up on the day?? Wildlife Heritage Foundation (WHF) is a registered charity (No.1104420) and the home of The Big Cat Sanctuary (BCS), based near Smarden, in Kent. Many thanks. The Big Cat Sanctuary, Smarden: "What’s the best way to get there with public..." | Check out 6 answers, plus see 984 reviews, articles, and 1,324 photos of The Big Cat Sanctuary, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 7 attractions in Smarden. Hi can you come just for the day ie for a birthday next sunday ? SUPPORT OUR BIG CATS Our guide was Sam who was simply brilliant, very knowledgeable and his passion for the animals and conservation was evident throughout the tour. Thank you for the wonderful five star review we are happy you enjoyed your time at Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. TV personality and conservationist Giles Clark has joined the team at the Big Cat Sanctuary, as Managing Director. Documentary series following life at the Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, run by Giles Clark to support big cat conservation. I was fortunate enough to have the photography experience as a Christmas present. By purchasing this lovely product, you’ll be helping to spread awareness of the plight of these endangered animals as well as directly supporting their care and maintenance to preserve their majesty for all future generations. A great time, thank you one and all and worth every penny. Big Cat Sanctuary is focused on education and awareness of the current problems facing our earth's large carnivores. I actually went on an arranged day trip, there were 40 adults no children plus a few people staying in the safari lodges. We are a centre of excellence whose primary objective is the breeding of some of the most endangered species on the planet as well as offering sanctuary to retired and homeless cats. raised. £0.00. 262 talking about this. If I where to book a photography experience for my husband and son with Jessops, could I and my son's partner come along to see the cats and pay for that separately. Welcome to The Big Cat Sanctuary Reg Charity No. Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary: rescued big cat and other large animals - See 1,365 traveler reviews, 950 candid photos, and great deals for Sarasota, FL, at Tripadvisor. The paths are well maintained and all are level. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We stayed in the beautiful Cheetah Lodge where everything had been thought of, amazing. Every step was taken to make us feel special and COVID measurements were all very well thought of and carried out. We were then shown to our Tiger Lodge by a really helpful lady. Lots of disabled at the event. Well worth it. Big Cat Sanctuary is focused on education and awareness of the current problems facing our earth's large carnivores. Arrived thankfully to lovely sunshine, were taken for a cup of tea whilst workmen finished up in the lodge grounds. I’m sure the excellent parking attendants would be My husband and I had the most incredible experience on our Big Cat Encounter.. £5,784.83. We look forward to welcoming you to The Big Cat Sanctuary in the future. So can you just book a standard entry or does it have to be an experience?? Big Cat Sanctuary is focused on education and awareness of the current problems facing our earth's large carnivores. For any other enquiries please email enquiries@thebigcatsanctuary.org Thank you and stay safe. We will be in touch with you directly if you have already booked with us. We also saw a Snow leopard a Pallas's cat (backside only!) We are happy to confirm that The Big Cat Sanctuary is now open for experiences from 12th April 2021, subject to COVID restrictions. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. All of these help to raise much needed funds for BCS including, in-situ and ex-situ conservation projects. No upcoming broadcasts. Excellent experience. Not the cheapest thing we've ever done but worth every penny as the memories will stay forever, especially tong feeding the incredible Kassanga. The breeding centre is proud to be part of the EEP (European Endangered Species Breeding Programme). She was born in Croatia and had spent some time at Paradise Wildlife Park. Giles brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the centre which is dedicated to the captive breeding of endangered cats, as well as raising awareness of the centre’s work and plight of cats all over the world. Looking at coming in from Headcorn A274, Not very well signposted, the signs are easier to see from one direction than the other as there is a sign a little up the road telling you it is how ever many yards further on so you are looking for the entry, How many visitors are allowed in on an open day?..how busy is it likely to get? If the worst situation happens and all cheetahs are lost from the wild, we will have a healthy and diverse captive population of cheetahs to reintroduce to the wild. Close encounters with the cats, lions the other side of the glass during breakfast, staff so knowledgeable, food and service brilliant. The centre takes pride in delivering fully immersive, personal and amazing experiences that will leave any big cat lover with memories to treasure forever. I attended a members day event at the big cat sanctuary and it was very nice as we had talk then a teddy bears picnic here everyone brought a sun bear or others to respresent what Giles Clark had achieved by his good actions in bringing about a proper home for the sun bears who were been hunted for there bile skin and other parts for medicine which all false information that some people had had for years and who had treated there sun bears by bringing unspeakable pain and sorrow to them. It is also going towards Jaguar conservation in Costa Rica. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was fantastic and the staff took amazing care of us giving us warm drinks on a cold day and talking us through how things would work. Good to know Please be aware that this break is not suitable for children under the age of 14 (14 to 16-year-olds can stay in four-person lodge only, assessment for the child’s participation in activities will be made on an individual basis on the day). On TV. Out of interest, having done a hand feed at the sister park, Paradise Wildlife Park, I was wondering how many pieces of meat you get to hand feed here, as those that won or paid for it at the conservation talk only had 1 or 2 pieces.. We had a lovely sunny morning and many of the beautiful cats were out and enjoying lounging in the sun. ££ - £££ • Indian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options, ££ - £££ • Cafe • British • Vegetarian Friendly, ££ - £££ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Vegan Options, Military Museums • Natural History Museums, Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks, Best experience ever. The Sanctuary is not open to the general public so there is plenty of space. Episode 2. BCS is committed to being recognised and respected as the best breeding centre for endangered Big Cats, within the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme through their vision statement: Conservation, Protection, liberation – The Big Cat Sanctuary in the United Kingdom has shared the images of a Jaguar named Athena to celebrate her 18th birthday. I believe more are allowed on open days but to be sure why don't you ring the BCS they are very obliging! Project Jaguar. The foundation is the home of some 50 plus cats both large and small. 272,504 likes. And throughout our tour Gemma gave a wonderful narrative of the excellent work the Sanctuary carries out, in conservation and in homing cats from less than caring previous owners. We also run a series of annual summer open days each year, however, these are already sold out for 2019 I’m afraid. 1104420 We would recommend that you book as far in advance of your preferred date as possible as we do get very booked up. We then met our guides for the tour and off we went. Hilditch & Key are proud to support The Big Cat Sanctuary by donating 20% of the retail purchase price of this garment to their charity. Hi we parked virtually near the entrance. You are best to contact the big cat sanctuary and discuss this. All of it. Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary: A Circus - See 1,363 traveler reviews, 950 candid photos, and great deals for Sarasota, FL, at Tripadvisor. is there anything special you can do for a birthday treat are there any age limits and what is the cost for a day trip ? Hi. Amazing! Upon arrival all the staff were very welcoming. Every once in a while a facility that proclaims themselves to be a sanctuary will attack Big Cat Rescue and tell their fans to post fake, one star reviews, or make accusatory posts on our social sites, to try and convince others that sanctuaries are not open to the public. When we arrived we were greeted with a choice of hot drinks while we read some H&S information. Thankyou. The pictures of the beautiful cat have gone viral on social media and netizens took to the comments section to express … Our vision is a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary: Great place for a family visit - See 1,363 traveler reviews, 950 candid photos, and great deals for Sarasota, FL, at Tripadvisor. an animal sanctuary in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States, which rescues and houses exotic cats, and rehabilitates injured or orphaned native wild cats. target. The Jean Byrd Education Centre and Sanctuary opened its doors on the 5th of November 2006, and provides educational facilities for schools whilst also providing further enclosures for more rescued big cats. Later I then went onto to see the big cats there who are living in beautiful surroundings and I intend to go back soon as lockdown ends as what’s there I see as unique as all sorts of information can be obtained on these cats from there keepers who attend all events and are there when cats been fed by members of the public. My partner and I went on a Big Cat Experience which involved a tour of the sanctuary with our personal one to one keeper/guide, Gemma. Report response as inappropriate. Sunday morning walkabout with Brittany and the cats of Big Cat Rescue! We had a 1:1 photography workshop with Alma, who made this day even more special for us. The Big Cat Sanctuary. The Big Cat Sanctuary Headcorn Road Smarden Ashford Kent TN27 8PJ Telephone: 01233771915. It was fantastic to offer chicken legs to these wonderful animals and see how they reacted to their treats, all differently. Can't wait to go back. We think you should have all the facts and make up your own mind. Lionsrock is a big cat sanctuary established by FOUR PAWS, the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Thanks Some you see from outside and others we viewed from inside within the inner enclosure. It’s an incredible experience to have a tiger rear up and take the food from your hand. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. We are proud to have the most diverse collection in the UK, from the largest, to the smallest, to the most endangered in the world, hidden away in the Kent countryside. more, The Big Cat Sanctuary, Smarden: Hours, Address, The Big Cat Sanctuary Reviews: 5/5. helpful. BCS is not open to the general public except for annual Open Days. Is this accessible just as a day trip? They are all over so helpful. My husband and I are thinking of booking the overnight lodge stay for our anniversary and wondered if these are only available on certain nights or whether they are available every night of the year? 3 / 3 Maya is ten weeks old and is starting to push the family to their limits. 261 talking about this. On iPlayer. Big Cat Sanctuary – near Hermanus The Hermanus / Overberg region, is a heavenly place, so it is with much fanfare and celebration that a brand new wildlife sanctuary project has just opened, which has been started by two Big Cat lover enthusiasts, South African born Lizaene and Norwegian born Cathrine. Giles brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the centre which is dedicated to the captive breeding of endangered cats, as well as raising awareness of the centre’s work and plight of cats all over the world. 265 talking about this. Hotels near Kent's Native Architecture Hall Houses, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Smarden. It is home to a variety of different wild cat species from the smallest in the world to the most endangered and everything in between. I would add that full Covid 19 precautions were in place throughout our visit but it took nothing away from the experience. Not available. They do a truly wonderful job in their care of these magnificent animals. 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