Wildlife sanctuaries on the Garden Route

Posted by Richard Pearce on 1 July 2011

I recently had the privilege of spending a week photographing some of Africa’s most precious wildlife at a host of wildlife sanctuaries in the Garden Route. The Crags, in the Bitou region, has become a haven for endangered wildlife and time spent at the sanctuaries offers the rare and special opportunity to get up close with the wildlife. Which, of course, can only be a photographer’s dream.

The Elephant Sanctuary is an intimately personal experience never to be forgotten, walking with, touching and communicating with Africa’s most majestic beast. It’s very special to see how the handlers are able to demonstrate positive human-elephant interactions. And having the chance to experience that for yourself illustrates to me how much can be achieved through time spent in harmony with our beautiful elephants!

Monkeyland and Birds of Eden are both very unique wildlife experiences. Monkeyland is the world’s first free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. Here, the primates are given 12 hectares of indigenous forest to call their home. Witnessing primate behaviour in a natural environment is special and there is a lot to be learned from spending time with many species that you would perhaps otherwise not have had the fortune to see. And even if you cannot get close to the monkeys, simply hearing their calls and seeing the forest shake from its uppermost reaches is knowledge enough to make one glad that they have a natural home.

Birds of Eden is the world’s largest free-flight bird aviary. The experience is intimately natural, as the walkabout takes you into the heart of the bird kingdom. Surrounded by a myriad of calls and chirps and flashes of brilliant colour all-round, it is only possible to wander around in a state of amazement at the thriving communities of exotic and indigenous birds. And again, spending quiet, peaceful time with them can only enhance your knowledge of their fascinating behaviours.

Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre is for me, a wildlife experience like no other. Getting close to some of Africa’s most majestic cats is deeply touching. Perhaps most special is to walk with the captive-bred cheetahs at dawn, seeing their cheetah instinct shine through as they chase and explore the sights and smells of their rightful environment.

As rare an opportunity as it is to get up close and photograph the wildlife, what was most special to me was the intimate time spent with the animals, respecting their behaviour and their environment and experiencing a touch of harmony with the natural world. So I would urge others to do the same – go and get your dream pictures. But first respect the animals, realise why they are there and give them the chance to act as they would in their natural environments. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn that way!

For all who are visiting the Garden Route in the coming weeks, the Cruise the Crags festival is in its inaugural year and is a great opportunity to go and give these special wildlife sanctuaries a visit.

Cruise the Crags Festival

Tel 044-534-8386
www.cruisethecrags.co.za

The Elephant Sanctuary

Tel 044-534-8145
www.elephantsanctuary.co.za

Monkeyland

Tel 044-534-8906
www.monkeyland.co.za

Birds of Eden

Tel 044-534-8906
www.birdsofeden.co.za

Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre

Tel 044-534-8170
www.tenikwa.co.za