How would you like the opportunity to get a glimpse of the experience of petting sheep in let’s say New Zealand, while remaining in Malaysia? Our family loves animals, but it’s rare to get an opportunity for holding, petting, and feeding them in a ‘natural-like’ environment. You can though, at The Sheep Sanctuary.
We were delighted to find this new space up in Cameron Highlands, a vacation getaway place we have enjoyed over the years.
The Sheep Sanctuary is located amidst the hustle and bustle off the main KEA Farm Market road in Brinchang, Pahang. There’s a huge sign with a cartoon sheep – you can’t miss it. After paying your entrance fee, you walk down a short road to another desk where a worker collects your ticket and gives you a small box of sheep food.
A store, a café and… sheep!
You continue past a small store front selling t-shirts and various other memorabilia and down some steps that lead to a café selling freshly made ice cream sticks (the strawberry ones are made with fresh fruit) and drinks at reasonable prices.
Once you enter The Sheep Sanctuary’s main area, there is a steep hill of green grass where you can find the smaller sheep grazing. Some of the furry white friends are wearing bells, so you can hear the ding-ding as they approach.
It was a pleasant surprise to see how well kept and healthy the sheep are! You’re not going to have to face sick, thin, or weakened looking lambs but ones that are robust and full of strength and life. Please don’t be inhibited or fearful if they are eager to eat the food pebbles right out of your hand. Be brave, hold your hand out flat and experience the nibbles of a lifetime.
My kids (both the smaller ones as well as the big ones) all enjoy The Sheep Sanctuary. If you are lucky, you may even get the chance to cuddle with a baby lamb. I affectionately call it ‘Lamb Therapy’.
Useful info
Visiting early in the morning, while there are good parking spots across the street, is recommended. During peak seasons it can get crowded, so going early in the day, or on weekdays, or even during the month of Ramadan (if you’re able to travel then) are the best times.
The opening hours of The Sheep Sanctuary are 9am – 5.30pm daily. You can buy tickets upon arrival at the front desk at RM8 for adults and RM4 for children aged between 4 – 12 years. You can also buy them online here. More info here on their FB page.
So next time you head up to enjoy the hills and cooler temps of Cameron Highlands, make sure to put a visit to The Sheep Sanctuary on your list of must-visit places!
If you’re looking for other things to do with kids while in Cameron Highlands, have a look at our post here. Looking for a place to stay? Have a look here at our review for the Smokehouse Hotel.
