Timeline
10:00
Walk through the gates at 10AM. The park is designed with natural boundaries rather than cages, so the animals are active and visible in their habitats from the start. Go straight to the Lion Encounter area if you have tickets, as it is limited to 20 people per day and requires participants to be above 1.4 metres in height.
11:00
Explore the wider sanctuary. This is the quietest time to see the endangered animals from around the world before the midday rush arrives. Keep an eye on the clock, as the last entrance is at 4:30PM.
12:00
Finish your visit. If you need food or drink, you will need to check the route to the nearest options, as there are no food or drink shops listed within the park context.
Local tip
Arrive at 10AM sharp. The park opens at 10AM and the last entrance is at 4:30PM. This ensures you have the full day and catch the animals during their most active morning period.
Check before you go
- Opening hours are Daily 10AM-5PM.
- Last entrance is at 4:30PM.
- The Lion Encounter has limited tickets (20 per day) and a height restriction (above 1.4 metres).
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Christchurch (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).