Welcome to Vervet Monkey Foundation
The Vervet Monkey Foundation (VMF) is a non-profit organization (#020 694 NPO) established in 1993. Our centre is based in Tzaneen in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. We rehabilitate and provide sanctuary to over 600 primates, orphaned, injured, abused, ex-laboratory or unwanted pets.
About usVolunteering Opportunity
100% of your contribution will go straight in to our operating budget helping us build new enclosures, purchase medicines and do more for the monkeys in our care.
More informationSupport our mission
The VMF is not funded by the government and therefore relies entirely on contributions from the public and volunteers. Donations are vital to help us not only provide sanctuary to orphaned vervet monkeys, but in also helping us protect the future of this unique primate.
DonateThe Vervet Forest
The film documents the monkeys’ arrival as helpless infants at the Vervet Monkey Foundation, following their growth into intelligent, playful juveniles until they are adopted by foster mother monkeys and integrated into one of the foundation’s existing troops.
Watch the Vervet Forest DocumentaryVervet Videos
This channel is for monkey lovers and animal enthusiasts. We hope to bring you educational and entertaining content all about the work we do here at the Vervet Monkey Foundation in South Africa.
Visit the channelVervet Monkey Foundation - Monkey Sanctuary
Rehabilitation - Education - Sanctuary
Understanding Vervet Monkeys
The Vervet monkey is a member of the guenon family of monkeys, one of the most common and widely spread in Africa. Characteristics of guenons are their long arms, legs, and tails; small, round heads; and short faces with whiskers. Specific characteristics of the Vervet are its black face, black feet, and black tipped tail; mottled grey fur with white fur on its belly;…
Read Story
Vervet Rehabilitation Programme
The VMF has over many years developed and pioneered a new approach to the rehabilitation of orphaned vervet monkeys. In 1998 we announced our unique rehabilitation programme that incorporated the use of large electrified enclosures that are natural, and by using introduction enclosures, we had formed within this natural system, large viable troops, that would be re-introduce into protected vervet forest reserves. Our rehabilitation…
Read Story
Living With Vervet Monkeys
In our ever changing world, space for wildlife to roam is slowly disappearing. We must all remember that the “city monkey” looking for food in your rubbish bin did not choose that way of life. As South Africa continues to accelerate into sprawling inner city suburbs, we must all take into consideration that the city monkeys’ relatives once roamed in those wild open spaces,…
Read Story
Vervet Species Fact File
Once you get to know Vervet monkeys they are as different as we are from each other and you can slowly get to identify them by facial features, distinguishing markings and coloring. The Vervet Monkey Foundation has established a comprehensive profile chart for identifying Vervets. This is used in place of the archaic method of darting monkeys and inserting a microchip under the skin…
Read Story
Volunteering Opportunity
Animal Volunteering at its best
Why VMF?
Below are some of the main reasons the Vervet Monkey Foundation is internationally recognized and why many of our volunteers keep coming back.
True Sanctuary
100% of your contribution will go straight in to our operating budget.
Certification
We are a PASA member as well as the 1st in Africa to be GFAS accredited!
Innovation
Our staff developed one of a kind foster mom programme, that is now widely recognized.
Sustainability
VMF is 100% vegan and obtains 80% of its power consumption from solar power.
Our Leaders
The heroes behind the scenes
Dave Du Toit
Dave was born in Johannesburg South Africa, having a love for nature and the outdoors he start an apicultural business in the Tzaneen area, the process of…
Josie Humble
Josie Humble grew up in England and has been passionate about helping animals since a young age. She studied an HND in Animal Management amongst other courses…
Testimonials
What Do People Say About Us
Our group, composed of 10 french students, spend 3 weeks at the VMF in June 2019. We really enjoyed the place and our time there. Indeed, this stay at the fondation…
French Students June 2019
June 2019 FranceI´ve spent 3 months as a volunteer at the VMF during my gap year and I can say I made endless experiences. Coming to the Vervet Monkey Foundation is a huge…
Lorina Schön
June 2019 GermanyTamura and I decided to spend 9 days of our 2 week, 5-year Wedding Anniversary vacation, in South Africa. As a VMF Volunteer since 2007, I’ve toured South Africa, and have…
Neil & Tamura Wilson
May 2019 USAIch habe die Vervet Monkey Foundation nicht deshalb ausgewählt, weil ich vorher das Arbeiten mit Primaten liebte, ich hatte vorher noch keine Erfahrung mit Affen gesammelt. Ich habe die Vervet Monkey…
Andrea Pichler
May 2019 AustriaI spent 3 months working at the VMF, and can honestly say I loved every minute of it. My passion was for the orphaned babies, and I spent alot of time…
Gabriella Marnier
May 2019 EnglandHi there, I am Jana from Germany and volunteered three years one after the other at the VMF. In 2016 I met Josie and Dave at an Animal Rights Conference in Europe….
Jana Ilgmann
May 2019 Germany“My vmf experience was truly an unforgettable experience. For me it was the first time I was a volunteer in a sanctuary. I stayed a month and it was really too…
Elvina Bermon
February 2019 FranceVolunteering at the VMF was a rewarding experience for me. During the 6 weeks I spend there I learn a lot about myself and about protecting wildlife. I didn’t know anything…
Gaelle Ravagni
January 2019 FranceWorking with monkeys was a child’s dream, which became true two years ago…. The VMF was an amazing experience and I decided to come back this year for 3 weeks. I…
Virginie Pisteur
January 2019My name is Stéphanie. I’m 28 years old and I’m in my third and last year of studies in agronomy with animal technology as optional subject. As part of my internships…
Stéphanie Buekenhoudt
February 2019 Belgium
