A cool adventure to find and take pictures of. Got assistance as to where the path to it was from a friendly runner passing by, it’s along the road just next to the Old Zoo Parking. Most of the structures are partially if not fully destroyed, with exception of the Amphitheatre. There are also some fences and planks put in place to make the crumbling viewing area a bit safer. The structures were very cool to look at and take pictures of. We also ran into some other people doing a photoshoot in front of some of the graffiti while there. (A pretty cool idea) Beware when going that the buildings are often occupied by homeless people or others who are hiding out, when we were there it was evident that it was recently cleared out by law enforcement or another protection organisation. For this reason as well as the broken wire fencing and planks I would recommend not bringing children. If you hear noises inside the structures, perhaps don’t venture inside. Of course all of this is at your own risk, I am just offering some safety advice. Happy adventuring!

Found this place while just walking around at the foot of devils peak. To get tonit you need to park at the entrance to Rhodes memorial and then go hiking through the forest. At first i thought that it was some kind of prison. But this place had a strange vibe. Guess i should've entered it during the day instead of the night. I went in and found that this cage was a place for homeless people. So please be careful and don't go alone. I did some research and found that this was a lion's den. Cecil John rhodes loves lions and kept them there. After his passing they turned it into a zoo. There is so much to see if you go looking. The graffiti on the walls are also awesome to see. Definitely something to check out. Just please go in a big group. You don't want to get locked up in that cage with someone you don't know.

Decided to visit this after hearing about it. Was a site to see. Don't go alone as you never know who is in the abandoned buildings. I'll go again with a bigger group to explore the more of the area. Not everyone knows of this hidden gem.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

So much potential...Parks bord security on site...wonderful interaction well done 3 officers ....place needs cleaning urgently...potential for film shoots photo shoot etc etc is waiting !!!!!! Come on COC do something here

Nice and peaceful. Took my family for the day. Was a thrilling adventure walking through what use to be a Zoo, the Amphitheatre is the only building still well preserved most of other holding are all in ruines.

Amazing experience. Don’t go alone, might be homeless people. Loved the stairs and the lion enclosure pit. Amazing views, overgrown plants and flowers.

Found this place accidentally when walking down from Rhodes memorial. These structures are amazing and back to nature.

This place doesn't exist anymore. It is only ruin. The open field still exist today and is located in UCT upper campus

It's awesome. There are ruins.

It was a great sanctuary.

History