Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary

Description

The Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary is a 7 hectare, privately owned, non-subsidised sanctuary in the Magaliesberg Mountains near Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West province. Bush Babies is one of only 8 free-release primate sanctuaries in the world and forms part of a group of sanctuaries, including the neighbouring Elephant Sanctuary, that cares for orphaned and abused animals. Bush Babies provides a safe place where monkeys can roam freely in a natural environment and where previously owned “pet monkeys" can enjoy a safe place to acclimatise to the wild.

Visitors to the park can enjoy 1 hour guided tours to see once-captured primates such as squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, black-handed spider monkeys, ringtail lemurs, black and white ruffed lemurs, and more. Along with monkeys, visitors can also expect an abundance of bird and wildlife, including green pigeons, thrush species, barbet, and shrike, as well as duikers and bush babies.

The sanctuary believes that “knowledge builds strength" and offers excellent tours to educate people (especially children) about wildlife. Each year, the sanctuary takes about 2000 school children (free of charge or a reduced rate) on educational programmes to learn about the monkeys, their habits, and behaviour. Well-trained guides conduct these tours that travel along elevated walkways through the indigenous forest, past waterfalls and mountain springs.

Bush Babies has a kiosk where visitors can enjoy refreshments or purchase curios (proceeds go towards the monkeys).