Chimfunshi Chimpanzee Orphanage

David and Sheila Siddle retired to a farm at Chimfunshi in the late seventies and in 1983, Sheila received a young chimpanzee confiscated from Zairean poachers. Caring for the tortured and malnutritioned animal meant that the gateway towards a chimpanzee orphanage was opened, and there are now over 100 rescued chimps (as well as ones born onsite). A small collection of other animals is present as well, depending on what Chimfunshi are asked to look after - Billy the tame, adult hippo is a prime example, living at the sanctuary since she was 10 days old!

Whilst chimpanzees are not typically resident in Zambia, they seem to fare well in the forest and woodland provided - considering the cruelty from which they've been rescued, almost any alternative will do and Chimfunshi's staff do what they can in the circumstances.

Today this is a world renowned sanctuary that survives on love and dedication. First and foremost a sanctuary, it struggles by on donations and the hard work of the keepers...it has recently started allowing access to tourists in order to find another venue of income. Accommodation is self-catered and basic (several thatched chalets), but the rewards of being involved in a project as necessary as this one are more than compensation.

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