Berluda Meerkat Encounter
One of the highlights when visiting Berluda Farmhouse & Cottages in the scenic Schoemanshoek valley of the Little Karoo is the introduction of their Meerkat family!
Join us on an early morning drive down to their burrows. Your guide will introduce you to the daily lives of these cute creatures. Wait patiently with a cup of coffee/tea in the hand, as they start to appear in the early morning to start their day.
An enjoyable, child-friendly activitiy near Oudtshoorn and a once in a lifetime experience.
Cheetah Experience
If you ever wanted to see wild big cats up close, then visit our Cheetah Experience in Bela Bela, previously based in Bloemfontein, and go on a once-in-a-lifetime educational tour to learn about our precious animals, see them up close, take some amazing photos and learn how you can join us in the fight to protect these precious species.
Our registered and recognized, non-profit endangered species breeding centre is home to a number of endangered and threatened species, including not only cheetahs but also leopards, male non-breeding lions, servals, caracals, African wildcats, wolves, meerkats and a Siberian tiger. Our project takes in rescued animals from the local area, so we also have various animals from time to time, such as a goat and chickens.
Our animals always come first, and everything we do is for their wellbeing. Our mission is to raise awareness of the vulnerability of South African species and other endangered species through educational experiences, as well as ethically breeding cheetahs in captivity and releasing them into a protected wild yet self-sustaining natural habitat where they are still monitored by researchers and medical experts but live free. Understanding their needs, behaviour and instincts plays a key role in saving animals from extinction.
Our current focus is to ensure that our breeding project aids in the conservation of the cheetah, by using the DNA samples taken from our cheetahs to maintain genetic diversity. We work along-side other ethical and responsible projects to help secure the cheetahs future survival. The global cheetah population is now confined to 9% of their historical distributional range.
We also offer a wide range of working holidays, volunteer and internship programs, which have seen over 1000 hard-working, dedicated, likeminded people from 33 countries come and be a special part of the Cheetah Experience Global Volunteer Family, who contributes to conservation in South Africa. This is your once in a lifetime opportunity to work closely with many African animal species.
Emdoneni Lodge
Situated on a small game farm, the intimate and comfortable accommodation at Emdoneni Lodge in Hluhluwe comes in the form of chalets and rondavels, on a dinner / bed and breakfast basis or bed & breakfast only, allowing you to sample the delights of true South African hospitality and cuisine. Join us for drinks around the fire, at the boma or on the sundowner deck.
Conservation Project
It is impossible to run out of things to do in this little slice of wilderness heaven. Some of the activities at our Emdoneni Lodge include visiting the Zululand Cat Conservation Project. Join us for an up close and personal, educational tour and learn more about South Africa’s endangered wild cat species such as the caracal (lynx), serval or cheetah. There will be also plenty of photographic opportunities. If you require someone to look after the kids whilst you enjoy the activities, then we offer a children’s program too.
Weddings
If you have ever dreamt of a true African wedding, walking down a grassy aisle with African wildlife grazing in the background and organized by a highly experienced and knowledgable wedding co-ordinator, then Emdoneni Lodge is the place to tie the knot. For added convenience, it is just a short walk from the aisle at the ceremony to your reception and to our comfortable accommodation options. We can advise or facilitate the appointment and management of many services, ranging from priests, music, flowers, decor, printing and many others, along with leisure activities for your guests.
Our ethnic, intimate African Boma venue is perfect for the bridal couple seeking something a little less western and can seat up to 70 guests.
Grand Kruger Lodge and Spa
Decorated in an African style, our Grand Kruger Lodge and Spa is your luxury safari lodge in Marloth Park, nestled in a wildlife sanctuary which shares the Crocodile river as a natural border with the Kruger Park. We provide an ideal setting for relaxation in the African bush veld as well as a unique holiday destination with giraffes, wildebeest, kudus, zebras, impalas, warthogs and other small game roaming freely through our property and the whole of Marloth Park. This gives you an opportunity to see the game up close and personal while relaxing on the deck, by the pool or in our Boma.
Our Safari Accommodation
Relax in the African bushveld where perfect tranquillity is the name of our game. Our affordable, beautifully decorated guest units offer breathtaking views of the bush. Choose between African-styled suites and chalets, each equipped with modern amenities and designed with luxury in mind to create a comfortable atmosphere of elegance for you, whilst enjoying the exclusivity of the African wilderness.
Enjoy a memorable experience and be spoiled with our 4-star accommodation, exquisite cuisine and ample activities to choose from. We also host conferences as well as small and large weddings. So, let our exclusive wedding planner help you organise your al fresco dream safari wedding in the African bush or in our on-site wedding chapel.
Wellness & Activities
Receive all the pampering and care you can dream of at our relaxing spa, a luxurious haven of calm in the African bush, including wellness treatments and an outdoor relaxation area. Alternatively, experience all sought after sights and activities in the Kruger Park area. Join us for a sunset drive and observe how African big game come to drink at the river banks. We also offer tour and safari packages for your convenience.
Restaurant
Our tastefully furnished, fully licensed bar lounge and 80-seater restaurant are equipped to cater to every gastronomic need. We serve a delicious buffet breakfast as well as a scrumptious dinner or buffet, and offer a menu that never fails to impress, often featuring unusual dishes. Alongside the restaurant is a partially covered pool-deck where you can enjoy refreshing cocktails. In the evening indulge in African cuisine al-fresco, around a bush fire in our Boma while listening to the nocturnal sounds of the wildlife around you.
Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary
Where rescued big cats feel at home - Conveniently situated on the N2 in the Crags, 12 km northeast of Plettenberg Bay, visit our Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary which offers a home to wild big cats - such as lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars, carnivores and other wild animals, like raccoons, honey badgers, caracals, some zebras and springboks, and predators e.g. the spotted hyena and wild dogs.
Many places offer the opportunity for wildlife selfies and wildlife interaction. Wild animals don't like noisy or chaotic environments, and they most definitely don't like to be harassed and passed on from tourist to tourist. At The South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA) we chose not to be part of this ugly picture. We don’t condone wildlife interaction at any of our sanctuaries, and we actively fight for animal rights in tourism by educating our visitors about the plight of animals, the harmful pet-play-and-pay practices you should stay clear of, and we encourage you to support the "hands off our wildlife initiative" - together we CAN make a difference."
Our mission is to maintain and manage a sustainable wildlife sanctuary, with the focus on creating widespread awareness about the plight of large predators in captivity, in South Africa and all over the world. These animals have been rescued or re-homed from facilities that could no longer care for them. They can now explore their large natural habitat, designed and built around each individual animal’s needs. They are free of exploitation and the stress caused by human interaction.
At Jukani you can appreciate and photograph them in all their magnificence without disturbing them. Our wheelchair-accessible wildlife sanctuary is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Our Safaris
We are open on all public holidays and in all weather conditions. Our 1.5 hour tours depart from the reception area and as our clients arrive. The tours are currently self-guided, but guides are always on duty and happy to answer questions and to assist. After the day tour, you are welcome to join another tour and as many tours during that day as you like.
Our latest edition (September 2023) is The Boma at Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary - Enjoy a dinner at our African Boma (kraal-like enclosure and meeting place) before you join our night safari. Bookings are essential!
Also a new feature at Jukani is the farm yard experience where we interact with and teach about farm animals. This is ideal for teaching young kids valuable vocabulary as well as social skills, giving them important information about cultures and our world.
Facilities
Our curio shop is well stocked with mementos of your visit, and the nearby Puzzle Park Café serves cold drinks, coffee and tea, yummy cakes, light lunches as well as snacks.
Moholoholo Forest Camp
Nestled beneath the majestic northern Drakensberg mountains lies our Moholoholo Forest Camp amongst the huge African Quinine trees of the Klaserie which is home to a variety of bird and animal species.
Our intimate 20-bed lodge as well as the world renowned Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre are set on the same property of roughly 420 hectares. An all inclusive visit to the centre is an experience of a life time. Our team focuses on personal attention and flexibility, and provides you with a unique opportunity to experience both forest and savannah wildlife as well as the abundant birdlife on game drives and bush walks.
Our Accommodation
The peaceful tranquillity of the lodge will appeal to those who wish to escape the city noise and soak up the true African bush. The regular visits from vervet monkeys, baboons and the rare samango monkey will keep the whole family entertained, and nightly sightings of our bush pig family, bush babys and owls will give you a true taste of our nightlife.
Our child-friendly lodge consists of 10 luxury en-suite chalets overlooking the Quinine forest. Your stay will include full-board catering - three delicious and hearty meals, as well as a game drive on the reserve, a beautiful morning bush walk where our experienced guide will introduce you to the wonderful world of the African bush, including signs, animal tracks and smells, and to top it all, a visit to our world renowned Moholoholo wildlife rehabilitation centre. The two hour tour at the centre will not only leave you with a better understanding of the conservation issues facing South Africa but also with lasting memories of all the resident creatures which you will see up close.
Moholoholo Mountain View Camp
Ideal for a bush breakaway - Our Moholoholo Mountain View Camp is located in a Lowveld Acasia Woodland, approximately 60 km from the Kruger National Park’s Orpen Gate. Situated in the Klaserie close to Hoedspruit, our reserve has become a preferred destination for nature enthusiasts and wildlife interest groups and is home to a wide variety of birds as well as wild animals like, buffalos, rhinos, hippos and leopards, to name a few.
Our Accommodation
Our lodge offers basic but neat and comfortable accommodation for up to 28 guests in well appointed thatched chalets which have all the standard amenities and en-suite bathrooms consisting of a shower, toilet and wash basin. There are no kitchens but each holiday house has its own small fridge, a kettle, cutlery and an outside barbecue area. We gladly arrange side dishes for your barbecue.
Our lodge also offers bed and breakfast or full board on request. There is cell phone reception at the camp but unfortunately no Wi-Fi.
Our Activities
A visit to the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and guided game drives by day and night or bush walks as well as a game tracking course, a visit to the Blyde River Canyon and a delicious breakfast or lunch at the Moholoholo Ya Mati tea garden on the banks of the Blyde River complement your stay at our lovely Moholoholo Mountain View bush lodge perfectly.
Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre
Our unique Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is home to many of South Africa’s abandoned, injured and poisoned wildlife, and is located within the Klaserie in the shadow of the majestic Mariepskop which forms part of the mighty northern Drakensberg mountains.
At Moholoholo we are often faced with the difficult decision of what to do with an injured or poisoned animal which cannot be released back into the wild. As a result, we have a number of “permanent residents” at the centre and at our own cost we use them as “ambassadors” for their respective species. Members of the public are therefore able to get an up close and personal experience of these incredible creatures and with our hands on approach we have the ability to demonstrate to you the threats and problems our wildlife is facing today.
We have a long standing and successful serval breeding project and could successfully reintroduce more than 160 animals to areas where they have become extinct. We are also actively involved in research on the movement and behaviour of leopards as well as a number of vulture species that we monitor daily at our “vulture restaurant”. A visit to our centre is an experience of a lifetime and will leave you with lasting memories.
Make it a whole relaxing weekend and stay either at our comfortable Moholoholo Mountain View Camp, located in a Lowveld acasia woodland, at our luxury Moholoholo Forest Camp, nestled beneath the majestic northern Drakensberg mountains and amongst the huge African Quinine trees of the Klaserie which is home to a variety of bird and African game species, or at our resort-style Moholoholo Ya Mati.
Volunteer/ Student Program
Since 1998 the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre has been accepting volunteer students. These students travel from all over the world for a unique African experience. They are involved in all day-to-day activities and have become a pivotal part of the animal care and treatment at the centre. A large part of the student’s duties is to care for these animals, and this involves everything from feeding, cleaning and providing stimulation for our more intelligent residents (such as the honey badgers). Whilst working here you will also be involved in any call-outs, drop-offs or hand-raising of baby animals brought to us.
To date we have captured a number of leopards for research purposes, with astounding results. During your stay at Moholoholo you may be lucky enough to be involved in the capture or release of a leopard. There is no typical day at our Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, anything can happen! Working with wild animals can delay meals and rob you of your sleep, so be prepared for the unexpected. However, everything adds to making your experience more memorable.
Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary
We are the worlds first free roaming multi-specie primate sanctuary and aims to create awareness about the plight of primates and foster a greater understanding of our primate cousins. Over the course of our tours – which we call “monkey safaris” – you’ll be able to see over 550 primates of various species – Capuchin Monkeys, Ring-tailed and Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs, Gibbons and Howler Monkeys, to name a few.
The 128-metre suspension bridge, which runs through the forest canopy, gives you the chance to see these primates from another perspective – and not only literally. In addition to the tour itself, Monkeyland has a restaurant, a souvenir store and a viewing deck.
Many of our tour guides are multi-lingual and as such can accommodate speakers of English, Afrikaans, German, French and Spanish.
A Little History
Monkeyland was founded by Tony Blignaut, who dreamed of and saw the need for a forest sanctuary that could restore the freedom of ex-captive primates. In his research he found that many of South Africa’s captive primates lived in terrible conditions in people’s homes. The owners of these animals are often overwhelmed by and unprepared for the difficulties of keeping intelligent, wild animals as pets and, before Monkeyland, there was nowhere they could turn to find a more appropriate home.
As well as these ex- pets and zoo animals being provided with a more suitable home in a semi-free-roaming forest, the Monkeyland primates are able to find their own companions and mates and form family groups. In doing so they gain the potential to breed and strengthen collective bonds, which facilitates the ability to form genuine familial and inter-family structures.
