Bambelela Vervet Monkey Rehab Centre

The Bambelela Wildlife Care and Vervet Monkey Rehabilitation Facility is located 20km out of Bela Bela in Limpopo, South Africa. Silke von Eynern, the founder and major benefactor of the facility, originally immigrated to South Africa from Germany in 1990, with her late husband. After his death in 1997 she decided to dedicate her life and savings towards the care and conservation of South African Wildlife and so Bambelela (which means “to hold on” in Zulu) came into being in December 2003.

The original objective was to reintroduce game into the Groot Nylsoog area of the Waterberg. She purchased five Blue Wildebeest, but upon their arrival quickly determined that the animals were only a couple of days old. One died that first night; however, with the advice and assistance of Brian Jones from Moholoholo (“The Very Great One”) Rehab in Hoedspruit, she managed to pull the other four through.

WHAT WE DO …

Bambelela rescues, rehabilitates and releases members of three of our five South African Primate families;

• The Lesser Bush Baby
• Chacma Baboon
• Vervet Monkey

Silke and her incredible team of staff and volunteers concentrate mainly on Vervet monkey rehabilitation, taking in injured and orphaned monkeys, forming troops and finding monkey-friendly game farms to release a rehabilitated troop. To date they have successfully given 15 troops (over 300 monkeys), a second chance to live free again. As a persecuted species, these monkeys had lost their freedom due to habitat destruction, illegal shootings by farmers, snares, electrocutions, pet or Muti trade (Muti is the term for traditional medicine in Southern Africa).

The next generation needs to get involved in Nature Conservation through education, understanding where, why and when the problem began. They need to find better solutions than killing. People need to learn about primates’ social behaviour patterns in order to gain an understanding of these magnificent creatures and thus find solutions that benefit man AND MONKEY.

COME ON A DAY VISIT

Sue Holme, aided by Qualified Field Guides and volunteers, runs the education programme for our day visitors.The tour is suitable for all ages but, as the ground is rather uneven in parts, it may be difficult for wheelchair users, for which we apologise. Sturdy footwear is recommended; a hat and sun cream are a ‘must’ in good weather. Our lovely new on-site Curio Shop and Kiosk now sells monkey product donations…

ACCOMMODATION

We have 3 lovely thatched brick built chalets for you to stay in at Bambelela!  They are situated right down in the valley, near the Groot Nylsoog River, just before you reach our Animal Rehabilitation Area and are in a lovely peaceful spot to relax, unwind, read and sunbathe, each with their own braai (barbecue) facilities and patio. Full DSTV viewing is available at our pool lapa (thatched hut)….

FOR MORE INFO …