Silke von Eynern, the founder and major benefactor of the facility, originally immigrated to South Africa from Germany in 1990, with her late husband. After his death in 1997 she decided to dedicate her life and savings towards the care and conservation of South African Wildlife and so Bambelela (which means “to hold on” in Zulu) came into being in December 2003.

The original objective was to reintroduce game into the Groot Nylsoog area of the Waterberg. She purchased five Blue Wildebeest, but upon their arrival quickly determined that the animals were only a couple of days old. One died that first night; however, with the advice and assistance of Brian Jones from Moholoholo (“The Very Great One”) Rehab in Hoedspruit, she managed to pull the other four through.

 

Tours

Bambelela offers one and a half hour guided tours offering in-depth knowledge and first-hand experiences about hand-raising wild animals and primates. Some of the animals can be touched and there are great photo opportunities.

Orphaned and injured African animals are cared for with the aim of rehabilitating them back into the wild.

 

Volunteering & Internships

Bambelela is a great opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts to get involved in true wildlife conservation, rehabilitation and release. 

Volunteers work directly alongside the experienced wildlife staff and will be trained in all aspects of primate care, including acting as “surrogate parents” to orphaned baby monkeys, introducing juvenile monkeys to existing troops at the sanctuary, and preparing established troops for release.  Long-term volunteers may even get to experience living at the release site and monitoring the progress of the newly released troop.

Bambelela has four (4) openings for an internship as a Primate Caretaker and Animal Medic per year.

  • Monkey hand-raising and introduction in troop/rehabilitation
  • Caring, cleaning, and feeding (including formula preparation) of orphaned or injured Vervet monkeys in the wildlife care
  • General husbandry
  • Preparation of food and feeding of sub-adult and adult animal
  • Assistance with treatment and transport of sick animals
  • Data collection on wild, released, and caged animals possible
  • Game Ranch Management / minor farm maintenance
  • Assistance with awareness and educational tours
  • Helping with rescue-rehabilitation and releases
  • Irregular working hours guaranteed