Welcome to Bush baby and Monkey Sanctuary in Hartbeespoort Dam
The bush babies sanctuary is one of several sanctuaries in a group of sanctuaries, including the elephant sanctuary that provides for orphaned and abused animals.
Situated west of Hartbeesport Dam alongside the Elephant sanctuary it provides an environment where monkeys (primates) can be given their freedom in a natural environment. The sanctuary situated in one of the many Kloofs (Gorges) of the Magaliesberg mountain range provides the perfect environment for Monkeys from around the world.
The Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary is a privately owned, non-subsidised sanctuary, covering approximately 7 ha, situated alongside the elephant sanctuary in one of the many kloofs of the Magaliesberg mountain range.
Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary in Hartbeespoort, North West Province is one of only eight free-release primate sanctuaries globally. Our primates are received on the basis of public donations and supported by funding generated by our guided tours and sales of our curios.
Primates, such as our squirrel, spider and capuchin monkeys, are given a new lease on life at Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary. Previously raised as household pets, or bred for the pet trade, our monkeys are introduced to a wild world laden with waterfalls, lush vegetation, natural mountain springs and the chance to reside in as natural and environment as possible. Our goal is to give them the opportunity to live as they would in the wild.
Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary recognizes the importance of community education. Not only are our tours highly informative, but we strive to create awareness toward the benefit of releasing primates into sanctuaries such as our own. Guests leave our tours with the understanding that monkeys do not make good pets, and that they are better suited to a natural, free-living environment.
We look forward to guiding you through our Sanctuary, and trust that you will enjoy the splendour of our natural environment to the fullest.
Conservation in Southern Africa is rapidly becoming unsustainable without the active involvement of the community, especially the younger, more active generation. The Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary and The Elephant Sanctuary group strongly believe that we have to get the younger members of communities involved to instill a passion for the environment and wildlife in them through education.
I'll introduce you to Joyce, for example. A young female capuchin, she was rather pampered with child-like paraphernalia; a dress and a small hat around her head. Cute, indeed. She had been with her "foster" family since only two months old, bought straight from a breeder. The couple who owned her did not have children, and so decided to substitute the missing link with a primate, albeit a bit smaller...and with sharper teeth.
