Get into the swing of things and experience one of the most heart-warming family-friendly attractions on the Dolphin Coast at The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary. As the sister project of Monkeyland in Plettenberg Bay — the world’s first free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary — this breathtaking KwaZulu-Natal destination offers an ethical, unforgettable wildlife experience.
Spanning 23 hectares, The Hidden Forest is Africa’s largest free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary, giving visitors the chance to see rescued primates living naturally in a protected indigenous forest. It forms part of the award-winning South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA), alongside top wildlife attractions such as Birds of Eden and Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary.
Located near Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal, The Hidden Forest is fast becoming one of the most popular Dolphin Coast activities and a must-see stop for travellers seeking ethical wildlife tourism and meaningful conservation experiences.
Beyond offering an unforgettable guided forest tour, The Hidden Forest has a mission at its core: to educate visitors about primate conservation, rescue work, and the threats these animals face. Your visit supports primate rehabilitation, long-term forest protection, and ethical care.
For those wanting to make a lasting impact, you can go even further by protecting a square metre of forest. This direct contribution strengthens sanctuary expansion, habitat conservation, and primate rescue efforts.
👉 Protect forests today — and be part of conserving Africa’s largest free-roaming primate forest. Click here to help us, without your help we cannot continue this fight for wildlife habitat.
At Monkeyland–KZN, you can enjoy tours of the hidden forest on a monkey safari which allow you to spot the various species of primates that call the sanctuary their home, such as capuchin monkeys, ringtail and black-and-white ruffed lemurs, buff-cheeked gibbons, squirrel monkeys and black howler monkeys.
During a walking tour of the forest, you can encounter beautiful natural wonders that photographers and Instagrammers will love. Make sure you buy some souvenirs of your visit from the gift shop in the reception area after your visit – we have pretty colled keepsakes in stock.
When you start to feel a bit peckish you can make a stop at the pizza restaurant and enjoy a light meal with the whole family. There is also an outdoor children’s play area at Monkeyland-KZN and environmental cinema to keep the kids entertained at all times during their visit.
Our eco-attraction is 100% family-friendly and can be visited no matter what the weather may bring. Visitors are advised to wear comfortable, closed shoes during their visit and to apply a decent layer of mosquito repellent as well.
1. You can see a variety of species of primates roaming freely in their forest home.
2. As you walk through the forest you will get to enjoy incredible natural surroundings.
3. The tours are educational and cater for families and children of all ages.
4. Monkeyland-KZN has its own restaurant where you can sit together as a family and enjoy a delicious pizza meal.
5. There are plenty of areas for the kids to play and have fun during your visit.
6. We are open everyday of the year, we are family friendly (toddler-friendly too) and we are an all weather facility.
7. You vote with your wallet, and it is better to support sanctuaries that practice responsible wildlife tourism than those who do not do so. Please dont support places that encourage wildlife interaction or places that make animals preform for your entertainment. – wild animals are #NotEntertainers.
8. Your visit will help us care for the #Monkeyland-KZN primates.
To find out more about Monkeyland-KZN, give us a call on 032 004 0178/066 479 6138 or email info@monkeylandkzn.co.za. Visit our website at www.monkeylandkzn.co.za. Find them on WAZA or Google Maps
Please note: We have a strict no-touch policy at our primate sanctuary. Look, photograph, video, but please don’t touch.
SAASA – South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance, strives to improve the lives of caged primates, birds and other wildlife. The Square Meter for Monkeys Campaign is only the FIRST real Real Estate deal between humans and animals. Making history one square at a time
Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa is the worlds first free roaming multi-specie primate sanctuary and aims to create awareness about the plight of primates and foster a greater understanding of our primate cousins.
