Exploring The Worlds First Free-Roaming Primate Sanctuary – Monkeyland

Monkeyland

Have you ever wanted to walk around a forest with free-roaming monkeys without a stress in the world?

Getting to experience them in their natural habitat without the use of cages and the usual Zoo type features was somewhat of a blessing.

Monkeyland offers just that, in the worlds first free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary.

Fond Memories

Growing up in the Kruger, we knew the mischief monkeys caused. Fridges would be locked and I remember so strongly the time we were packing the car and a monkey grabbed the loaf of bread from the back seat.

So going on this visit was going to be entertaining to say the least.

The Crags

A short drive from Plettenberg Bay lies a well known area called “The Crags”.

Offering a variety of different activities (which we will discuss later), the award winning Monkeyland gives you a greater understanding into primates and their natural habitat.

Types Of Monkeys

From our understanding they currently house 11 species of free roaming primate, and 7 which are in cages or situated in The Birds Of Eden due to a variety of reasons, including rehabilitation purposes.

Some of the monkey species currently living in the Forests are:

• Lemur
• Langur
• Howler
• Gibbon
• Capuchin
• Spider
• Squirrel

Alongside these there are various species, and you must be on your best lookout to spot them in the trees.

The Guides

Arriving at the facility, you are introduced to your guide who will be taking you around the forests.

They are full of insightful information and continue to to entertain and teach you on your journey.

Walk In The Forest

The walk itself isn’t a long one but once everyone is there, you set off walking into the Forest looking high above the trees for Monkeys.

Ironically though they are often closer than you think with many on the floor searching for nuts and various other forms of food.

Combo Deal

Alongside Monkeyland, there is also the Birds of Eden and Jukani. Developed under the same organisation as Monkeyland you can purchase a combo deal offering all three for a bargain price.

This comes highly recommended… More on the other two soon.

What To Wear

Clothing wise they recommend longs for example trousers and a jumper, but in the heat of Southern Africa, this is not always ideal.

Therefore we recommend shorts on a hot day.

Just be warned… There are plenty of mosquitoes especially due to you being by water and the forests. Therefore make sure you spray with some type of repellent before hand.

Also Flip Flops are ok but you will get annoyed with the sticks so shoes are advisable.

An Experience To Remember

It truly is an unreal experience. For myself the highlight was zooming in to take a picture of a monkey and the lemur jumping towards me to a branch centimetres away. Due to being zoomed in I thought he was going to land on me which made me jump back in fright.

This alone shows how close you will get to them, and be warned if you have food from the restaurant the monkeys will try and steal it from your table.

To Conclude

Overall Monkeyland is something everyone should experience. It offers a great close encounter to a very similar environment to where they would be found in the wild.

You will learn plenty as all of the guides are fully trained, and offer an entertainment value.

Make sure you sign up for the combo deal!