Introducing the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

The Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is a conservation project in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa. It was established in 1979 to rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife and to release them back into the wild. Moholoholo means "place of healing" in the Sesotho language.

Moholoholo is one of the few rehabilitation centres in Africa that can successfully rehabilitate large mammals such as rhino, elephants, buffalo and lions. It also has the capacity to care for more than 1 000 animals at any given time.

How Moholoholo Works and Why it is so Important

Wherever possible, rehabilitated birds and animals are returned to the wild and those who are not so fortunate due to the nature and extent of their injuries are used for educational purposes to the many people who visit  each year both from South Africa and abroad. Interaction between the animals, birds and visitors to Moholoholo is permitted under controlled conditions.

The Moholoholo team is highly dedicated conservationists committed in preserving Africa’s wildlife and they are also extremely passionate in sharing their intimate knowledge. They invite you to come and share a unique experience with them.

What You Can Do to Help Moholoholo and its Rehabilitated Animals

Moholoholo and its rehabilitated animals need your help. Moholoholo has many different volunteers who help them with their work. Volunteers are needed for every aspect of their work. For example, they need people to build enclosures for the animals, feed them and clean up after them. Moholoholo also needs people to take care of the animals when they are being rehabilitated or released into the wild. Volunteering at Moholoholo is a great way to spend your free time while helping out wildlife in need at the same time!

Since 1998 they have been accepting volunteer students. These students travel from all over the world for a unique African experience. Once at the centre they are involved in all day-to-day activities and have become a pivotal part of the animal care and treatment at the centre. A large part of the student’s duties is to care for these animals, and this involves everything from feeding, cleaning and providing stimulation for our more intelligent residents (such as the honey badgers). Whilst working here you will be involved in any call-outs, drop-offs or hand-raising of baby animals brought to the centre. There is no typical day at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, anything can happen!  Working with wild animals can delay meals and rob you of your sleep, so be prepared for the unexpected. Everything adds to making your experience more memorable.

They are currently in need of volunteers to help them with their daily operations. If you're interested in volunteering, email info@moholoholo.co.za for more information.

Moholoholo's Latest Efforts in Educating People on Animal Conservation

Moholoholo has recently launched an animal conservation awareness campaign with the help of their team members, friends and family. The campaign aims to raise awareness on how animals are becoming endangered with each passing day. They also hope to educate people on how they can make a difference by adopting an animal, volunteering with Moholoholo or donating towards this cause.

The Centre has a long standing and successful Serval Breeding Project and more than 160 have successfully been reintroduced to areas where they have become extinct. They are actively involved in research on the movement and behaviour of leopards (to date they have captured and collared a number of leopards for this research and the results have been astounding) and also on a number of vulture species that are monitored daily at the “vulture restaurant”.

Why You Should Visit Moholoholo Wildlife Sanctuary This Year!

Moholoholo Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the few places in South Africa where you can get up close and personal with big cats, wild dog, rhinos, giraffes and many more. A visit to Moholoholo will allow you to learn about conservation efforts in South Africa while getting up close and personal with these amazing creatures.  A visit to the Centre is “an experience of a lifetime” and will leave you with lasting memories.

Stoffel the World-famous Honey Badger

Since his rescue in 2008. Stoffel the world-famous honey badger has been living at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Hoedspruit, South Africa. Stoffel was hand-raised by a farmer in the area where he caused chaos in the house. He was brought to Moholoholo over 20 years ago where he was allowed to roam free with the other two female honey badgers at the centre. These females eventually went back to the wild, but Stoffel stayed because humans had imprinted him by such a young age. He caused havoc in the rehab centre,  killing small bucks, rabbits and even an adult tawny eagle. He terrorized staff and caused mayhem on a continuous basis. He managed to problem solve and escape from any enclosure.

In the end, Moholoholo was sponsored by Rotary Club to build Stoffel a brick house. Yet, after only a few hours in his new home, he escaped again – in spite of the staff trying different measures to prevent his escape. In short, a human-imprinted honey badger can be a problem in captivity. However, Stoffel the honey badger will remain loved by all at Moholoholo, and for all who come to visit the centre. He an ambassador for his species.

Daily Tours

Two tours daily from Monday – Saturday
Approximate duration of tour is 2 – 2 ½ hours

Open as usual during school holidays and public holidays (09h30 and 15:00),
Sundays at 15h00 during school holidays and long weekends only.

Accommodation

Moholoholo nestles on the slopes of the 1944-metre-high Mariepskop, one of the highest peaks of the Drakensberg range in this area. This affords a breathtaking view of the towering mountains and vertical cliffs on one side and the rolling Eastern Transvaal Lowveld savanna towards Kruger Park on the other.

The Forest Camp comprises of three, secluded Thatched Reed Huts, four rustic Log Cabins and three Brick Chalets, all with en -suite bathrooms. The main building is where the dining room and deck are situated. The deck overlooks a small, shady waterhole under a canopy of large trees where Nyala and Bushbuck come to quench their thirst together with Samango monkeys. The waterhole is floodlit at night and visited by nocturnal animals such as Bush pig, Civet and Porcupine.

Forest Camp offers accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. There is a fully equipped private bathroom with bath and free toiletries.

Moholoholo Mountain View is just one of the many venues of the Moholoholo Private Game Reserve and the bush camp overlooks the magnificent Marepe Mountains, which forms part of the Drakensberg Range. Due to the dangerous wild animals such as rhino, leopard and hippo roaming the reserve, guests are required to go for walks only under the guidance of a guide and driving in your own vehicle is prohibited.

.Each chalet features a small fridge and utensils as well as a private barbecue area with views of the majestic mountains.