Please note this is not in the Johannesburg area....I have added this in for those who travelling towards the Kruger National Park by car or are retruning via the Panaroma Route.

There is all types of lodging close by to the Institute.

Introduction

Set on a 1000 hectare game reserve, Jane Goodall Institute Primate Haven is a home to chimpanzees that have been misplaced from their natural habitat.  The world renowned Jane Goodall Institute has made this tranquil venue their South African sanctuary and has committed itself to the rescue and care take of chimpanzees in need of refuge. 

 Being the 1^st and only chimpanzee sanctuary in South Africa, this venue will be able to bring the world of chimpanzees closer to humanity through education, tourism and modern technology.  Entering the reserve, a mere 15 km from the bustling city of Nelspruit, visitors can expect to be captivated by the beautiful bush surroundings with most of the natural game species roaming the reserve.

The Chimpanzee (Pan Troglodytes) is the closest relative to humans.  In recent years the ‘bush-meat’ trade has grown exponentially as the great wild forests of Africa have become more accessible to humans, largely due to logging which is destroying primate habitats by opening large sections of forest with dirt roads.  It is estimated that Chimpanzees will be extinct within their natural habitats in as little time as 10 years.  Therefore the Jane Goodall Institute is committed to conserving the primates and has created multiple sanctuaries in Africa.

The goal of the Haven is to rescue some of the Chimpanzees that have survived the hunting ordeal but are still misplaced through the lucrative illegal pet trade to zoos, circus performers and medical research facilities.  Besides being provided with a home to live out their lives they are also provided with the necessary attention to recover from the trauma that they have experienced.

Visitors will have a unique opportunity to see Chimpanzees in semi-wild surroundings with normal social interaction and behavioural patterns under group members.  The Chimpanzee groups live within large semi-wild enclosures that are close to their natural habitat.  The enclosures also have viewpoints overlooking the forest and ‘foraging areas’.  The ‘foraging areas’ have small fruits and berries mixed in Eucalyptus Tree leaves.  These ‘foraging areas’ will provide the Chimpanzees with behavioural enrichment and will also provide visitors that arrive after the feeding time with a better chance to view them in the large enclosures.

Chimps like other Great Apes (Gorillas and Orang Utans) are finding an ever growing interest from the public, as they are the closest relatives to Human Kind and they are facing a quick extinction in their natural habitat.

The Experience 

The West African design style of the haven has been selected as this is also the natural habitat region of Chimpanzees.  Tour operators can look forward to having a trained guide escort them through the duration of their itinerary.  The experience will commence as soon as a visitor walks through the giant gates of the sanctuary, towards the education hall.  This will not only enlighten visitors on the plight of the primates but will also provide them with useful knowledge on the behaviour of primates.  For tour groups their trained guide will be able to take visitors to the location of the Chimpanzees whilst individual visitors can await a tour on the hour or pursue the location of the Chimpanzees themselves. 

11:30 am is the feeding time of the Chimpanzees whereby visitors can look forward to comments given by the haven veterinarian and wife, both specialists in Great Apes and on the behaviour of the primates. 

 The both of them are multi-lingual and can answer questions in French, German, and English.  The Chimpanzees themselves are the true centre point of attraction and will provide visitors with unique insight into the primate world.  30 Minutes prior to the feeding time the Chimpanzees will start to move out of the forest and towards the holding facility.  The Holding facility has a viewpoint roof and a bridge crossing the forest between the first two enclosures. 

This provides visitors with the unique opportunity to view the primates as they approach the Holding facility prior to the feeding time. 

Feedings are at 10am and 2p

 Before and during the feeding time, questions can be raised to the veterinarian or the trained staffs about the behaviour and life of the primates.  As soon as the feeding has been completed the tourist group can move on to the second enclosure to view the feeding of another group of Chimpanzees.  Tourist can also move freely around the enclosures if they were to arrive outside feeding times.

Tour summary:

• Arrival at haven,

• Guided tour for tour groups through Education hall, curios centre, and enclosure walkways,

• 1 hour 30 minutes feeding time special at 10:30 am each day,

• Restaurant Buffet with excellent African cuisine,

Restaurant, bar Café Shop and the ‘Plato’ Deck

The Executive Chef and the attentive personal service caters for the discerning Patron either with either with four course ala carte menus, or with ‘Never ending’ selections of traditional and international Buffet Menus.

An exclusive selection of fine Tea and coffees, with home made cakes and pastries, can be experienced on ‘The Plato Deck’.  Positioned above the Haven forest, it provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountain ranges and Chimpanzee enclosures.  This offers a once in a life time experience for individual travellers to enjoy the perfect African sunset or sunrise.

Education Hall and Curios Centre

The Education hall has multi media and signage illustrations which will take approximately 15 minutes to view.  The material provides information of the factors that are cause the plight of the primates in Africa and also on ways to participate in the conservation of the primates.  The curios centre provides visitors with the opportunity to purchase a diverse selection of Jane Goodall Institute and Jane Goodall Institute Primate Haven merchandise.