Hartbeespoort is one of the top family-friendly getaway destinations. There are a ton of fun activities to do and many awesome sights to see. We recently discovered the Bushbaby and Monkey Sanctuary which is located at the foothills of the Magaliesberg mountain range. This sanctuary is one of only eight free-release primate sanctuaries globally, making it incredibly special and well worth a visit. If you've ever visited the Elephant Sanctuary in Hartbeespoort, you've most likely passed by the Bushbaby and Monkey reserve. So, the next time you're in Harties add it to your list of must-sees. Here are some of the attractions at the sanctuary:
Conservation Projects
The Bushbaby and Monkey Sanctuary is a privately-owned sanctuary situated alongside the Elephant Sanctuary in Hartbeespoort. It sanctuary covers approximately 7 hectares of land and is home to a variety of primate species. These include squirrel, spider, and capuchin monkeys, bushbabies, and lemurs. Most of these primates were raised as household pets or bred for trade. The sanctuary provides them with a new lease on life and the chance to live in their natural habitats.
The sanctuary's main initiative is conservation through education. They firmly believe that the key to conservation is to educate young people about the benefits of allowing primates to live in the wild rather than as pets. The sanctuary hopes to create awareness and understanding about these creatures by allowing visitors to see and experience the monkeys in their natural environment. Currently the Bushbaby and Monkey Sanctuary in collaboration with the Elephant Sanctuary offer approximately 2000 school children free educational tours. They also provide safety and security for a number of orphaned or abused animals.
Rates & Tours
The Bushbaby and Monkey Sanctuary offers guided tours for children and adults at reasonable rates. Tours are roughly an hour long and take place over a leisurely 3km walk through the sanctuary. You do not need to pre-book unless you are accompanied by a group of 15 or more explorers. Tours take place from 9:00 - 16:00, so there really is no excuse for missing out. These are the current tour rates:
- R395 per adult
- R285 per pensioner
- R220 per child (4 – 14 years)
- Under 4 - FREE
The sanctuary also gives school tours at discounted rates. You can find out more about school tours here.
For More Information
Visit www.monkeysanctuary.co.za for more information.
Contact details: (Tel) +27 (0)12 258 9904 | Email: [email protected] | Address: R104 Old Rustenburg Road, Zandfontein, Hartebeespoort Dam, NorthWest.