The Manger is a small holding near Barrydale in the Klein Karoo, located in the beautiful and peaceful, Langeberge mountains which is prime Chacma Baboon habitat.

Peter (a pharmacist, homeopath and naturopath) and Nola began the Joshua Baboon Rehabilitation project after they were given a tiny orphaned baby baboon named Matthew. They ‘fell in love’ with Matthew and vowed that one day they would return him back into the wild. In order to continue caring for Matthew and the other baboons which subsequently arrived at the Manger, Peter and Nola opened Cape Centre for Rehabilitation of Wild Life (Cape CROW) in 2001. Since then, a multitude of orphaned, injured, traumatised and abandoned wild animals and birds have arrived at the center in need of care. Many have been released and some, like the baboons, who are part of the Joshua Baboon Rehabilitation Project, will be released in the future.

Rehabilitation takes place in a holistic manner and although great physical care is given to each animal in order to facilitate a successful integration, this can be slow, sometimes taking up to 8 years. Recently 356 hectares of wild Karroo landscape of was acquired for the relocation of the animals. This land requires continual up keep of the fences and solar powered pumps for the bore hole water.

The love and interconnectedness of life at the manger is supported by an inspiring outdoor Labyrinth. A Labyrinth is a meditational tool that dates back to the Northern European Bronze Age. It offers a stable space to quieten and clear the mind and walkers use it in their search for healing and heightened self-awareness.

The Manger is not only privileged to host the Labyrinth but also the  South African Peace Pagoda (built in 2000 by a 90-year old Burmese monk, the Labyrinth helping create inner peace and harmony, and the Pagoda creating external Universal peace and harmony.

Volunteer opportunities

Life at the Manger is an ongoing commitment made from love and you will find your selves moving out of the head and into the heart in service and support to the baboons and other animals. There is much work to be done here and your time and energy will be directed towards the day to day running of the sanctuary.

This is truly a worthwhile project.

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