Natal Park — Attraction in Mkhambathini Local Municipality

Shocked 😲 this is the only way I can describe what I experienced. Upon arrival at the park we where advised that there where several young lions in the park and that if they where mischievous and wanted to climb on the car we should slowly drive off. The impression I got was of a wide open area with playful young lions..... What I was greeted with, after driving to the enclosure gate, was a fenced off area smaller than one rugby field. In this tiny area there where over 20 lions. They where skinny and looked extremely unkept. We had been to Hluhluwe a few months prior and the wild lions that sleep in the bush with no human intervention looked as if they got daily baths compared to these lions.

There where two elephants that where also forced to stay in one place so that the people can drive up to them and see them. Every time they wanted to move off the 'guards'/minders would shout and wave their sticks to keep them in that same spot for the whole day.

So sad to have see something like this in today's day and age where we should all be focused on the rights of everyone including those that don't have a voice...

Very disappointed, you basically drive to a single enclosure where there's about 16 lions all sitting and sleeping under a tree. You get close to them and they are used to visitors so that's cool, and at least you can take some close up pictures. Then you drive up through the Bush to see a guy with 1 Elephant. We didn't see the big African Elephant, it was the small Asian one. That's it! The drive was nothing exciting at all, it's on a very bumpy dirt road surrounded by Bush, and you can't see anything further than the Bush surrounding you, so very claustrophobic. There were no other animals at all, so that's R200 for just some sleeping lions and a small Elephant. We then went to the Zoo just next door and that was much better, though another R210 for 2...

Amazing experience to see so many big cats. I would recommend this place to everyone. It doesn't matter how young or old you are it's always fascinating to see such large cats standing before you. The park also has alot of other animals which deserves some spotlight as well. There are no tour guides so you basically walk to each animal and along the way there are information boards which helps you learn more about the animals. It would be great for more people to go and promote this place as I feel it slowly has become forgotten. There are areas for picnics which can also be used as a party spot. There are some spots that need taking care of, other than that, it truly was one...