Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Eden Sanctuary
Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Eden Sanctuary
4.5
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1 within 3 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
344 reviews
Excellent
192
Very good
114
Average
25
Poor
4
Terrible
9
buxtonred
Tasmania, Australia120 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
Visited here with friends. Well set-up. There were a number of things closed in the centre due to obvious reasons, but the guide was very informative and he did a wonderful job. The chimpanzees all had a story and were clearly loved by all the staff. Terrible how they were once treated, we are lucky to have rescue organisations such as this.
Written April 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Packmw
Sarasota, FL27 contributions
Dec 2019
Seeing the chimps was really nice - even in the rain but we were very disappointed in the tour. We were combined with a group/tour of about 30+ people. They spoke French and had an interpreter. Not only was the whole tour group WAY too large. We could not hear the Chimp Eden tour guide and had a lot of wasted time waiting for the translation to French.
I looked forward to this for years. Made a special trip to Nelspruit to visit Chimp Eden but sigh ... the logistics of the tour really impacted the day.
I looked forward to this for years. Made a special trip to Nelspruit to visit Chimp Eden but sigh ... the logistics of the tour really impacted the day.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin A
Pretoria, South Africa217 contributions
Nov 2021
Though a bit out of the way (the reason for that being obvious, given this is an animal sanctuary), the visit to Chimp Eden was a wonderful experience. It's of course sad when you learn why the chimps need the sanctuary in the first place, but the tour was informative and the chimps are entertaining. True preservation, with a hands-off, natural approach, Chimp Eden is a good way to spend an informative hour.
Written November 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GeneralShamu
New York City, NY1,174 contributions
Jul 2022
We stopped here on our way driving back from Kruger to Johannesburg. If you are self-driving then add this to the list of places you visit en route to/from Kruger. They have three tours a day that last anywhere from 1hr15min to 1hr45min. Such a lovely experience to see all the rescued chimps, hear the stories behind each of them and learn about how some of them, but not all, will eventually be released back into the wild.
Road is fully paved from the entry point up to the parking lot - 2WD vehicles entirely fine.
Road is fully paved from the entry point up to the parking lot - 2WD vehicles entirely fine.
Written July 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kirsten l
Carmel Valley, CA3 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Amazing sanctuary with true compassion to help these beings live a more natural life free from their ugly human beginnings. Please make this a stop in your itinerary to support these incredible beings. Jane Goodall is a true hero.
Written May 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Megan B
11 contributions
Nov 2022
My husband and I went on the Chimp Eden Tour Nov. 8th 2022. We had the absolute best time! Even though it was raining our tour guides provided us with ponchos. Our tour guides were two women whose names I regretfully forget. (One worked at a lion sanctuary previously and one used to teach). They had so much knowledge about the sanctuary and conservation efforts for chimpanzees. It was obvious that they were passionate about the chimpanzees. Their energy, as well as the chimpanzees energy, was infections!
We both learned so much about chimpanzees social behaviors and community structure. We could have stayed there for a much longer time! The gift shop was small and cute. My only regret is not buying all the chimpanzee key chains!
This is an excellent way to help support the conservation of chimpanzees.
Highly recommend. Would absolutely return.
We both learned so much about chimpanzees social behaviors and community structure. We could have stayed there for a much longer time! The gift shop was small and cute. My only regret is not buying all the chimpanzee key chains!
This is an excellent way to help support the conservation of chimpanzees.
Highly recommend. Would absolutely return.
Written November 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sal_da_Bique
Maputo, Mozambique16 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
Although the "sanctuary" is well constructed and well laid out, it gave us serious mixed feelings about this institution. Although we love to see chimpanzees, the place reminded us of a mental institution. Some very disturbed chimps who had travelled half the planet, at great financial expense, are gathered in this place.
Such a place I would expect in Europe or North America, but not in a country like South Africa where it feels unethical to spend a fortune on giving abused frustrated chimps a 'happy' old day. There are far to many harrowing human needs in Southern Africa to justify such an operation.
In itself it is educational to be in contact with our fellow primates, but don't be surprised if one would bombard you with rocks or excrement.
Such a place I would expect in Europe or North America, but not in a country like South Africa where it feels unethical to spend a fortune on giving abused frustrated chimps a 'happy' old day. There are far to many harrowing human needs in Southern Africa to justify such an operation.
In itself it is educational to be in contact with our fellow primates, but don't be surprised if one would bombard you with rocks or excrement.
Written March 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colleen M
Sedgefield, Western Cape, South Africa616 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
This review is not based on a visit to the venue as the extortionate admission costs prohibited us from going
This must surely be one of the most expensive public attractions in the area.
I understand that the upkeep of these primates must be costly but admission prices have to be kept within the reach of the average SA resident
This must surely be one of the most expensive public attractions in the area.
I understand that the upkeep of these primates must be costly but admission prices have to be kept within the reach of the average SA resident
Written January 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clemens G
Mauth, Germany14 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Booked a tour in advance and arrived in time. 15 minutes after starting the tour, an extra 11 people were added to the already large group. The tourguide repeated almost everything she already told so we had to hear the story twice. After 30 minutes the tourguide said the second part of the tour was cancelled due to unclear reasons. Later we found oyt the maintanance of a gate was delayed. No refund of a part of the pretty expensive tour was offered, only when i asked for this at the manager we were given a partial refund.
When one plans maintanance, be sure a tour is not influenced by that or tell in time that this can happen. Secondly: do not allow a large group merging into a already ongoing tour, this is disrespectful to the people who were in time.
Pity as the goal of this foundation is really good but due to bad customer attitude we left without donating or even adopting a chimp.
When one plans maintanance, be sure a tour is not influenced by that or tell in time that this can happen. Secondly: do not allow a large group merging into a already ongoing tour, this is disrespectful to the people who were in time.
Pity as the goal of this foundation is really good but due to bad customer attitude we left without donating or even adopting a chimp.
Written December 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeccaLouise89
Whitley Bay, UK152 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
When you walk into Chimp Eden you instantly know that this is a true sanctuary. I’m very cautious about visiting any kind of animal attraction but the Chimps here are well cared for and given the opportunity to recover from their traumatic pasts. It’s interesting that the centre provides contraception to the chimps as they are not interested in breeding more animals in captivity (although this would ensure continued tourism). Instead the mission is to rescue animals from tragic and life threatening circumstances. Incredibly moving visit. Excellent and knowledgeable guide. Please support.
Written March 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi
Are you guys in a malaria area ? Also just confirming how long the drive from Nelspruit is ?
Thanks
Written June 26, 2019
Sorry for the late reply, 2/3 hours will suffice.
Written April 1, 2019
Do you need to pre-book a tour? If you show up without a tour booked, what are you able to see?
Written June 5, 2018
No need to precook, just arrive before one is due to start (see website for times) and they will squeeze you in. Without a tour you cannot see much as you are kept back from the enclosures.
Written June 6, 2018
quels sont les horaires d'ouverture et les jours ouverts entre le 20 et le 26 mars 2016 svp ???
Written February 27, 2016
Hello,
I have 12 year old twin girls that will be traveling with me (their Mom) and we need to know the best time to come. They have a break from school Dec 26 on or the summer between June 20th to August 20th.
While there we hope to go to the Kruger National Park as well and hope to see lots of wild animal on a safari.
Thank you.
Chris
Written March 12, 2015
Hi Chris - Apologies for this late response - I have just seen the query now. In South Africa (Southern Hemisphere) our winters are June-August. This is a lovely time of year in the Lowveld (the part of the country where the Kruger Park and Chimp Eden are) because it is cooler, although not cold (sometimes quite chilly at night and early mornings). Many people prefer to visit the Kruger Park during these winter months as the bush is not so dense, the grass is shorter, the days are dry and sunny with lovely blue skies and bleached dry veld (it is our dry season) so visibility is better for spotting wildlife. That said, summers (December-Feb) are VERY hot, but the bush is in glorious, in full leaf and there are lots of young animals (many species give birth in Spring, around September) with wonderful thunderstorms as only Africa can deliver. I personally love Lowveld summers, but visitors might find it too hot; the mosquitoes are in full hum and, since this is peak holiday time in South Africa, the Park is usually fully booked and, basically, full of people. Tough choice... Hope this has helped!
Written March 26, 2015
Showing results 1-5 of 5
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing