Visit The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary near Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal, the sister sanctuary to Plettenberg Bay’s Monkeyland – the world’s first free roaming multi-specie primate sanctuaries
Award-winning Sanctuaries
The South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA) consisting of Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and The Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary are winners of the Lilizela Service Excellence Awards – Best Visitor Experience ‘Wildlife Encounters’; Skål International Sustainable Tourism Award – Best Major Attraction; winner of the ‘Best Animal Welfare Initiative’ and overall winner of the World Responsible Tourism Awards.
Visit The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary near Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal, the sister sanctuary to Plettenberg Bay’s Monkeyland – the world’s first free roaming multi-specie primate sanctuary.
These Award-Winning Sanctuaries are associated with The South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA) consisting of Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and The Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary are winners of the Lilizela Service Excellence Awards – Best Visitor Experience ‘Wildlife Encounters’; Skål International Sustainable Tourism Award – Best Major Attraction; winner of the ‘Best Animal Welfare Initiative’ and overall winner of the World Responsible Tourism Awards.
Book your adventure now!
• Adult ticket: R350
• Children (aged 3 to 12): R175
• Children under 3: Free of charge
• Family ticket (up to 2 adults & 2 children): R840
Frequently Asked Questions
For additional information, or groups larger than 10 people please contact us on 032 004 0178.
Where is The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary situated?
The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the Glendale Road, Shakaskraal, in the Dolphin Coast region of KwaZulu-Natal, just 20kms from Ballito. The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary is also just 38kms north of King Shaka International Airport.
How do you get there?
To find us, simply put The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary into Google Maps or Waze. The simplest route is to take Exit 222 from the N2 (Tinley Manor Beach / Shakaskraal) and head inland towards Shakaskraal. After 6kms, you will reach the junction with the R102. Cross straight over the R102, heading towards Glendale. The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary is 10kms further down this road on the left hand side.
What species of primates live there?
Capuchin Monkeys, Black and White-Ruffed Lemurs, Ringtailed Lemurs, Buff-Cheeked Gibbon, Squirrel Monkeys, Spider Monkeys and Black Howler Monkeys.
Do you breed with the primates who live there?
No, we do not breed at all. All the male primates are sterilised before being released into the The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary forest..
Can I hold, touch or feed the primates at The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary?
No you cannot. As with all of the SAASA sanctuaries, we have a strict hands-off policy. Touching and petting monkeys is a form of harrasment. Follow the hashtag #HandsOffOurWildlife
What else is there to do at The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary?
Other than the guided forest tours we have a gift shop, a children’s jungle gym and a licensed pizza restaurant, serving delicious wood-fired pizza.
How much does a guided forest tour cost?
Day tickets are R350 per adult, R175 per child aged 3 to 12 (under 3s are free of charge) and R840 for a Family Ticket (up to 2 adults and 2 children).
Do you offer memberships or discounts?
Yes, we also have membership tickets which are R700 per adult, R350 per child and R1,680 for a family of up to 2 adults and 2 children. Members can visit as often as they wish during the 12 months of their membership. Contact us for rates for school groups and follow us on social media for special offers.
Contact The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary, KwaZulu-Natal
- Phone: +27 (0)32 004 0178
- Mobile: +27 (0)66 479 6138
- P.O. Box 496, Shakaskraal, 4430
- info@hiddenforest.co.za
GUIDED TOUR
Please make sure to book your guided tour in advance, slots available from 9am to 3:30pm.
Rates for The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary are:
* Single visit: Adult R350, children (aged 3-12 yrs) R175
– tickets are valid the whole day
* Children under the age of 3 years old have free entry.
* Family ticket (up to 2 adults and 2 children): R840
* Annual Membership (unlimited visits for 12 months):
Adult R700, children (aged 3-12 yrs) R350.
Family (up to 2 adults and 2 children) R1680
VOLUNTEERING AT THE HIDDEN FOREST
The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary, the most recent addition to the South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA) family of ethical, hands-off animal sanctuaries, opened to the public in April 2019. We have lots of exciting volunteering opportunities.
We welcome applications from volunteers who can understand and speak English, are hard-working, fast-learning, enthusiastic and prepared to cheerfully fulfil all tasks. We have lots of different volunteering options depending on your skills, experience and interests and how long you wish to volunteer with us.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age; there is no maximum age limit to volunteer with us.
Payment: We do not charge volunteers to come and work with us, the only cost is for your food, transport and accommodation which is in a privately-owned Volunteer House about 10-15 minutes drive from our sanctuary. More information about what’s included can be found on the Volunteer Accommodation page.
Contact information: If you have any questions about our volunteer programme or want to check availability for your planned dates before applying, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.
Or simply downloand and complete the application form below and email it to our Volunteer Coordinator, along with your current CV.
Associated Files
All amounts donated will be issued with a Tax Exemption Certificate. Select the square you would like to purchase: Please note: a donation to purchase a Square meter of the forest will ultimately allow the monkeys to own the land through SAASA. The donor is making a donation and will not personally own the square meter. His/her donation will allow the monkeys to own the property.
There are 2000 amount of square meters on each map, the total amount of square meters is 200023
A rough outline of the Monkeyland property boundaries. Each block represent about 4500 square meters.