shambala preserve

An excellent effort to preserve select exotic animals and provide an educational environment. I would recommend for anyone but particularly sedentary people and children, as most areas are easily accessible.

I visited Shambala about 20 years ago and it was so memorable I was on a private donors tour and got to meet Tippi Hedren and she conducted a personal tour for us she is a beautiful person and what she does for the big cats is a true passion

I've visited Shambala both for the regular afternoon tour & most recently for the sunset tour. Both tours are excellent; but I recommend the sunset tour (it's a little more expensive). Even on a triple digit hot summertime day, the cats were up & about much more at the later time. We even got to stand right next to Zeus's enclosure as he started to do his evening roar! At the end of each tour Tippi talks to everyone about what they do & answers questions. If you're on the afternoon tour you can eat your picnic lunch after the tour & the sunset tour provides a light dinner. The preserve seems to be well run, and all the animals have good sized enclosures with lots of enrichment. I highly recommend any big cat fans come for a visit!

These magnificent animals survive only through the devotion of staff who dedicate all of their efforts to rescue from ill treatment and ignorant handling. What a blessing that this sanctuary exists - but a crying shame that it is needed at all. Website clearly explains the Preserve's mission and opportunities for the public to learn and share.

I had a wonderful visit. It was fantastic to see the big cats in a safe and healthy environment. I attended the afternoon safari. The docents were telling us about an evening safari that is supposed to be even better. Well worth the price and drive.

They say its a safari and you go there looking for one but come back disappointed. All the animals are in cages and its a walking tour of a zoo types. They tell you how they protected each of these animals.They probably show you some 10 Tigers/Lions and not more. It was a lot of hype for nothing I felt. We were driving from San Francisco and after a 7 hour drive we expected something nicer. They are open only during 1 weekend of the month so you have to book way early.

I am amazed at how wonderfully cared for the animals are at Shambala. If you love cats, especially lions and tigers, then you must visit. This sanctuary for rescued wild cats is run by actress Tippi Hedren of Hitchcock fame (and mother of Melanie Griffith). TOURS: Tours are given only 1 weekend per month on both Sat & Sun. They book up in advance, so be sure to reserve early.The day we were there, they divided about 50-60 people into 3 groups of 20 or so visitors, each led by a docent. The docents tell stories of how the individual animals came to live at Shambala as well as interesting facts about big cats.You are required to stand 4 feet away from all enclosures - for the animals' safety.Plan on being there 2-3 hours. The tour lasts about 2 hours, followed by a BYO picnic and engaging talk by the Director. There is a picnic table grove alongside the lake where everyone gathers.BRING: Sunscreen/Hat. Picnic with drinks in a cooler or insulated bag. Camera.TOILETS on site are porta-potties.