Let the monkey-venture begin at Monkeyland!
The newly-opened monkey sanctuary gives you the opportunity to not only learn about different monkeys, but to also watch them in their natural, cage-free environment.
If you’re a monkey lover or just plain curious about these fascinating creatures, then Monkeyland is the place for you.
An area of natural forest on the Glendale Road, inland of Shakaskraal, has become home to troops of about 107 monkeys.
But they’re not the local vervet monkeys – all are exotic animals seldom seen in this country, from South American Capuchin monkeys to ring-tailed lemurs from Madagascar.
The newly-opened monkey sanctuary gives you the opportunity to not only learn about different monkeys, but to also watch them in their natural, cage-free environment, according to marketing manager Paula Hallam.
“We are not a zoo and we do not believe in cages.
“Our monkeys are free-roaming in the forest and they are all exotic monkeys that have been donated to us from zoos with surplus animals or were rescued from the pet trade.
“We then rehabilitate them and teach them to be monkeys again. We do not buy, sell or trade with animals in any way, ever,” said Hallam.
While the entry fee of R300 for adults and R150 for children might sound quite steep, these educational tours include everything from a documentary at their on-site cinema, a safari ride to the forest and of course the once-in-a-lifetime guided walk.
“During the tour, you will experience the joy of watching monkeys be monkeys in the forest, while being educated about why they need to be free in nature and should never be kept as pets. You will learn why they belong in trees with their king.”
You will have the chance to encounter monkeys you would never usually see such as the comical buffed-cheeked gibbons, squirrel and howler monkeys.
For those monkey lovers who cannot get enough, there are annual memberships which gives you unlimited visits for one year and family tickets which allows two adults and two children to enter for R630.
The sanctuary is open daily from 8am to 5pm. Keep an eye on their Facebook page – MonkeylandKZN or contact them at 082 979 5683 for more information.
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