The Explorium: Where The Story of Cango Wildlife Comes Alive

A cinematic retreat within the facility
In its first phase, The Explorium has been created as an intimate, art deco inspired mini cinema. Charcoal grey walls, dark wooden benches, a warm thatch ceiling and striking black and white portraits of some of our unique animals create a calm, almost timeless atmosphere. The space echoes the feeling of early cinema and intimate art installations, offering a quiet contrast to the energy of the facility outside.

Here, visitors can step out of the Klein Karoo heat, take a seat, and allow the story of Cango Wildlife to unfold on screen.

At the heart of the space is a five minute mini documentary that introduces our journey. It traces our evolution from Africa’s first crocodile show farm in 1977, through the purchase of the facility by Andrew and Glenn Eriksen in 1986, to the conservation focused institution we are today. It is a story shaped by ambition, learning, challenge and resilience, guided by a long held belief that wildlife deserves more than survival. It deserves care, understanding and advocacy.

Surrounding this central film are rotating short pieces drawn from our in house archive. These include moments of humour and wonder, behind the scenes glimpses, significant conservation milestones, and honest reflections on difficult periods, including the devastating floods of 2024. Together, they present a fuller and more human picture of conservation as it truly is.

A living space, not a static display
Our intentions with The Explorium going forward, is that this space has the potential to shift naturally between cinema, classroom and conversation.

Our team will soon be hosting pop up talks and interactive presentations where visitors can see and handle real animal artefacts, explore skulls and specimens, learn about enrichment and animal behaviour, and ask questions about the work that often happens beyond public view. These sessions also open conversations around our non profit, the Cheetah Preservation Foundation, our volunteer and student programmes, and the realities of modern conservation.

This is not a traditional museum room defined by glass cases and labels. It is a living space, shaped by people, dialogue and shared stories.

More than an exhibit, a foundation
While Phase 1 introduces The Explorium as a cinematic and interpretive retreat, it represents only the beginning.

Phase 2, planned for launch next year, will see the space develop into a fully realised micro museum. This next chapter will explore our history in greater depth, unpack conservation frameworks, examine the role of ethical animal ambassador programmes, and highlight research, archaeology, innovation and education initiatives connected to Cango Wildlife.

Together, these phases form a single vision. A space that complements our guided tours without repeating them, deepens understanding without overwhelming, and ensures that every visitor, whether on a tour or exploring independently, leaves with a clearer sense of who we are and why this work matters.

A place to pause, learn and be inspired
At its core, The Explorium exists to slow things down.

To offer a moment of calm amid excitement.
To turn connections into understanding.
To transform curiosity into care.

We invite you to step inside, take a seat, and spend a few quiet minutes with the story of the Cango Wildlife facility, past, present and future.

The story continues. Now, it has a room of its own.