Monkey Sanctuary, Hartbeespoort in South Africa — Attraction in Madibeng Local Municipality

Dear Sanctuary Manager,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with my recent visit to the Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary on 29th December 2023. My expectations for a unique and interactive experience with the monkeys were unfortunately not met.

We arrived at the sanctuary at 13:10, as shown on our attached payment slip. We were informed that tours were conducted hourly, promising an engaging experience with the monkeys. However, our tour, starting at 13:20, was rushed and lacked the promised interaction. Our guide hurried us along the walking path, urging us not to stop. This greatly diminished our experience.

A particular disappointment was the limited interaction with the monkeys. We only saw the Capuchins and caught a mere glimpse of the Spider monkey. When inquiring about the lemurs, we were told that they were in cages, although we observed them from a distance upon entering. The lack of opportunity to see and interact with a variety of monkeys was a significant letdown.

Moreover, an individual assigned to the food bowl monopolized the Spider monkey's attention, depriving others of any meaningful interaction. This was a stark contrast to the experience advertised.

Additionally, we were only informed towards the end of the tour about the closure of part of the walkway due to construction. This not only shortened our tour to less than an hour but also prevented us from enjoying the full experience.

The knowledge and demeanour of the tour guide also did not meet expectations, further impacting our overall...

What a wonderful experience! This place really surprised me in the best way. You get proper hands-on interaction with Asian monkeys, which is amazing if you love being up close with animals. But I’ll be honest—if the thought of monkeys jumping on you or sitting on your shoulder makes you nervous, then this might not be for you.

Most of the monkeys here are rescues, many of them used to be pets, so they are very comfortable around people. A lot of them will come right up to you. They are not aggressive, but they are curious and quick—so my biggest advice: put all your belongings in the lockers at the entrance. Don’t risk carrying a bag, backpack, or even loose things in your pockets. These little guys will happily grab whatever they can—your sunglasses, purse, or even car keys—and run off.

Our guide, Sam, was fantastic. He was very informative and gave us the chance to feed the monkeys, which was definitely a highlight. The walk through the sanctuary itself is also beautiful. You wander along paths, cross a few rope bridges, and climb over some rocky spots—so wear comfortable shoes.

What I loved most was how well the monkeys are looked after. The sanctuary is huge, with plenty of space for them to climb, play, and explore. It doesn’t feel cramped or staged—it feels like a proper safe haven.

Overall, it’s an unforgettable experience. Thumbs up to our guide Sam for making it extra special. I’ll definitely be back—next time,...

Very nice place to see monkeys and elephants. There are a lot of monkeys (mainly Kapuziner and lemurs I think) and 4 elephants in the 2 sections. The monkey tour is about 1 hour long, the elephant tour about 1.5h and you have enough time to ask any questions and take pictures. Even if you don't ask any questions the guides will tell you a lot about the animals which is very nice. Careful with the monkeys, the will try to search your pockets and backpacks so have an eye on them when they're climbing into you (what will most likely happen unless you tell them strictly not to do it, but it is also funny). In the elephant tour there are 3 parts, feeding an elephant, walking with elephants and touching elephants / taking pictures with elephants. Also in larger groups everyone will have a chance to perform the activities which is very nice. All in all I can only recommend going there. If you go with kids plan some time (maybe for a picnic) between the tours as especially the elephant tour also involves some stops where kids (especially when they don't speak English) might feel bored. There is a playground right outside with a picnic table where families can spend some time...