Cornellskop Animal Encounters

Cornellskop Animal Encounters was founded in 2005 by Luke Cornell, an animal trainer with more than 35 years of experience working with animals.

The project eventually grew into a property of around 118 hectares in the Van der Stel Pass Valley.

Cheetahs, caracals, zebras, ostriches and other animals live here. The group includes rescued animals as well as animals that have been professionally trained or handled.

The visiting format is important to understand before going.

This is not a reserve where you drive around independently looking for wildlife. Visits take place only as a guided encounter, with a member of staff controlling the route and interaction.

The operator describes its approach as long-term care with a no-breeding and no-trading policy.

Even so, Cornellskop remains a privately managed animal facility offering close encounters, not a natural reserve where wildlife exists within a large self-sustaining ecosystem.

That distinction is more useful than simply applying the word sanctuary.

In short: 🐆 Cheetahs · 🐈 Caracals · 🦓 Zebras · 🐦 Ostriches · 👣 Guided encounters only · ⚠️ Managed private facility, not a natural reserve