Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

The Moholoholo (meaning The Very Great One) Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is a home for many of South Africas abandoned, injured and poisoned wildlife and a highly regarded contributor to wildlife education in the country.

This unique centre is situated in the shadow of the awe inspiring Mariepskop and is home to many animals and birds. Some of these animals includethe rescued Lions from an Egyptian Circus, Queen the Crowned Eagle, Chui the Leopard, Jolly and Juba the Cheetah ambassadors and many more. The Centre has also got a long standing and successful Serval Breeding Project which is a success story all of its own. Having bred and released over 160 Serval cats back into areas where they have previously become extinct. The centre has also received reports that some of the females have since mated with wild males in the area of release, thus naturally increasing the numbers in those areas! Another first for Moholoholo is the fact that they are the only facility in South Africa to have successfully bred the endangered Crown Eagle.

The Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre aims to return rehabilitated birds and animals to the wild wherever possible, and those who are not so fortunate due to the nature and extent of their problems are used for educational talks to the many people who visit the centre each year both from across South Africa and abroad. Interaction between the centres animals and visitors to Moholoholo is permitted under controlled conditions. Needless to say, the management and staff of Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre are a group of dedicated conservationists committed to the preservation of South Africas wildlife. Their intimate knowledge of the animals they so lovingly care for and protect is nothing less than impressive.

Some of the animals which can be viewed at the centre include, Lions, Leopards, Servals, Lynx, Honey Badgers, Eagles, Vultures, Wild Dogs and any baby animals that they may have at the time of your visit. A visit to the Centre will stimulate awareness and an understanding of the plight faced by our wildlife today, and the staff at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre invite you to pop in and share the unique experience with the animals of Africa.

One visitor commented that they gone expecting to see animals in cages looking bored, like a zoo. But instead they found a group of practical, highly experienced educators with a strong message. The visitor left after stroking a cheetah, feeding a vulture and getting very close to a baby hippo and having seen a lot more animals than they had expected. He said that they had learned a lot about the rawness and wonder of nature.

The centre offers two tours daily from Monday to Saturday, the first tour starting at 09:30 and the second at 15:00. The centre is only open on Sundays during the Limpopo Province school holidays and over long weekends when there only be one tour at 15:00. (The approximate duration of the tour is between 2 and 2.5 hours).

5 Interesting things about Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre:

1. Wildlife Rehabilitation: Moholoholo is dedicated to the rehabilitation and care of injured, orphaned, and poisoned wildlife. The center rescues animals such as lions, leopards, vultures, and various other species, providing them with medical treatment and rehabilitation with the goal of releasing them back into the wild whenever possible.

2. Visitor Education: The center plays a crucial role in educating the public about wildlife conservation and the challenges faced by South Africa's native species. Visitors can participate in guided tours and educational programs that offer insights into the rehabilitation process, conservation efforts, and the importance of preserving biodiversity.

3. Endangered Species Conservation: Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is involved in conservation initiatives aimed at protecting endangered species. They collaborate with other organizations and wildlife authorities to support breeding programs and reintroduction efforts for species like the African wild dog and the Cape vulture.

4. Interaction with Resident Animals: Visitors to Moholoholo have the opportunity to interact closely with some of the resident animals that cannot be released back into the wild due to injury or imprinting. This hands-on experience allows guests to learn about the behavior and conservation status of these animals firsthand.

5. Birds of Prey Rehabilitation: One of the center's specialties is the rehabilitation of birds of prey, including eagles, owls, and vultures. Moholoholo provides specialized care for these birds, many of which are victims of poisoning or collisions with power lines, and works to rehabilitate them for eventual release into suitable habitats.

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre serves as both a sanctuary for injured wildlife and an educational hub for promoting wildlife conservation in South Africa. Through its rehabilitation efforts and public outreach programs, the center contributes significantly to the protection of the region's diverse fauna.

Please contact the Rehabilitation Centre for bookings and entrance fees on: Tel: +27-15-7955236