The Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee Eden, commonly referenced as Chimp Eden is a 1000ha game reserve and animal sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees, in the Umhloti Nature Reserve, near Barberton, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Opened in 2006 by founder and director Eugene Cussons, in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), its purpose is to provide a permanent and safe home for chimpanzees who are rescued from abusive and unfortunate circumstances from areas where these great apes are being constantly exploited by humans through the bushmeat trade, pet trade and entertainment industries. At the sanctuary, the chimps are rehabilitated with the help of their care takers in being re-introduced back into chimpanzee social skills such as learning how to climb trees and live in a social group with others of their own kind.Chimp Eden is the only sanctuary for chimpanzees within South Africa. Part of the reserve it is home to game animals such as giraffes, zebras etc, which are also managed and conserved by the director of Chimp Eden. Chimp Eden has rescued chimpanzees from Angola, Sudan, Mozambique, Italy and rescued chimpanzees from the Johannesburg Zoo.Chimp Eden is a member of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance.
"We are the only chimpanzee sanctuary in South Africa. We have 33 chimpanzees that have been rescued and is living their best life. We have 3 tours a day - 10am, 12pm and 2pm South African time. Anyone can visit and see the chimps. We do not allow human chimpanzees interaction.Please phone us when you arrive at the gate and we will gladly open it for you when you want to visit us."
