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The Chimpanzee Haven
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. 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. |
Chimp Eden Lodge is situated in the heart of the
Mpumalanga Lowveld, set in the 1000 hectare Umhloti Nature Reserve with a
breathtaking view of the picturesque de Kaap Valley Mountains only 14 km
from Nelspruit.
Dedicated to personal service, excellent food
and the best of South African wines and traditional cuisine. Join us at
Umhloti for that truly unforgettable experience. Enjoy the serenity of the
reserve, the luxury comfort the lodge offers or the excitement for the
adventure seeker.
The lodge offers affordable 5
star accommodation. Each of our exclusively decorated 13 en-suite rooms have
been individually designed to reflect its own African heritage, with first
world comforts. Comfortable double rooms and spacious twin rooms, under one
thatched roof creating of cool, elegant comfort in colonial style. The
unique African ambience is reflected throughout the lodge. Buffet breakfast
and candlelit dinners are served in the restaurant or on the deck
overlooking the reserve.
Set on a
1000 hectare game reserve, JGI 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 1st 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.
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