Snakes have never been my thing. They are slithery, slimy and they just freak me out!
That was until recently……
On a recent visit to Ndlondlo Reptile Park in Ballito, I nearly jumped out of my pale white skin….. No, not because of a snake but because of a pot plant! Yes, you read that right….
While looking around at all the amazing, slimy creatures I stood back and a huge leaf from said pot plant touched my shoulder! I nearly did a back flip and ran for my life! I turned around and breathed a sigh of relief and a tad of embatrassment as I realised what it was,while the others were giggling. I must admit it must’ve been rather funny.
From walking into the Reptile Park you are welcomed with open arms.
Neville and Helen have been married for just over a year. Their love for each other is so strong and share that love for any creature great and small. They have been involved in snake catches for well over 30 years.
Neville and two guys who work for them, have been creative in making bigger cages for the snakes. They make sure that the snakes they catch are checked fully for ticks, injuries, eggs and malnutrition. They are kept in the large cages until they are ready to be released into the wild again.
Helen, who also gets involved with captures, is working hard on getting the petting zoo Thumpers Playground up and running. The love this couple have for animals and wildlife is amazing.
They go out all hours of the day and night in their 16 year old Hyundai Getz and go to places the police won’t even go too! Talk about dedication!
Helen was showing around some new visitors when Neville’s cell phone rings…. Duty calls and Neville gets up and tootles off on a mission for what sounds like a big black mamba!
The kids, and I am certain many adults, will love Ndlondlo Snake park and Thumpers Playground.
A huge majority of their call outs are for the less fortunate which means they cannot pay for the call out, but there is not a chance they would sleep knowing a snake or human are in danger.
They also do birrhday parties, snake conservation and first aid talks as well as educational bug hunts at night!
Thank you for having me at your amazing Park, because of you two, my two boys have snakes that they love. Please keep up the amazing work and I highly reccomend a visit.
Entrance is R80 adults and R50 children. As most of the time the caller can’t afford the call out, the entry fee covers the petrol and anything needed to look after the reptile.
Follow them on Facebook Ndlondlo Reptile Park
Cell numbers;
Neville -082 561 4969
Helen- 079 453 3557
Life and style of a 30 something 