Pumbaa Reptile Park

What volunteering at Pumbaa Reptile Park looks like.

Without exception, each volunteer begins their experience with a guided tour of the serpentarium for better understanding of the wildlife they are to engage and assist in caring for.

For most of our international volunteers, snakes are not something they encounter often. That makes education and safety especially important, and therefore, before being allowed to engage in any work within the reptile park, they undergo comprehensive reptile handling and reptile husbandry training.

Proficiency in handling is introduced through the handling of harmless species to build confidence and to practise correct handling techniques, followed under close supervision by learning to work with medically significant snakes such as puff adders and cobras.

The venom lab forms another important part of the experience. Volunteers learn how venom plays an integral role in human medicines and how various venoms affect the body. They learn how antivenom is made, how it works, and why it plays such an important role in snakebite treatment. They also get to observe a snake being milked for venom.

After completing their training, volunteers help with the practical side of reptile care. They assist with cleaning, moving snakes safely, and feeding the animals on feeding days.

At its heart, volunteering at Pumbaa Reptile Park focuses on education, safety, conservation, and respect.

The more we understand these animals, the better we can protect them. 🌿🐍

Bring learning to life with a school visit from Pumbaa Reptile Park & Venom Lab!

Give your learners the opportunity to experience reptiles up close while learning about their behaviour, venom, safety, conservation, and the importance of respecting wildlife.

Schools can choose between two options:

🟢 Visit the park
Enjoy a 1.5-hour guided tour through our indoor herpetarium and serpentarium for R60 per learner.

🟡 Let us visit your school
We bring a selection of live reptiles and interactive demonstrations directly to your learners for R3 000 per visit. Additional AA travel rates apply outside the Nelspruit area.

We tailor every session to suit your school’s curriculum, helping teachers connect classroom learning with a safe, memorable, and engaging experience.

📍 Based in Mbombela/Nelspruit
📧 Bookings: [email protected]

Help your learners discover, understand, and respect some of Africa’s most misunderstood animals. 🐍

Looking for something a little wild to do in the Lowveld? 🐍🦎

✨ Guided tours daily (10:45 & 13:45)
✨ Snake interaction included
✨ Explore our indoor herpetarium & serpentarium
✨ Self-guided visits available throughout the day

Perfect for families, school outings, or anyone curious about reptiles.

📍 Mbombela / Nelspruit

Come see what everyone’s talking about 👀

Did you know? 🐍

Snakes don’t use their tongues to “taste” in the way we do — they use them to collect tiny scent particles from the air and their surroundings.

These particles are then analysed by a special organ in the roof of their mouth, called the Jacobson’s organ, helping them understand what is nearby, from food to potential danger.

Just another reason snakes are so fascinating! 👀

Visit Pumbaa Reptile Park & Venom Lab to learn more about these incredible animals up close. 🐍🧪

Mothers come in all shapes and sizes 💚🐍

In the reptile world, some mothers guard their eggs, some give live birth, and some even stay close to protect their young after birth.

This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating moms everywhere — human and reptile alike.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Pumbaa Reptile Park & Venom Lab.

Did you know? 🐍

The snouted cobra uses its famous “hood” as a warning display when it feels threatened. It’s not trying to be aggressive — it’s trying to say, “Please keep your distance.”

Snakes play an important role in the environment, and understanding their behaviour helps us respect them from a safe distance.

Come learn more about these incredible reptiles at Pumbaa Reptile Park & Venom Lab.

This Mother’s Day, make memories together 💚

Bring the family for a unique experience at Pumbaa Reptile Park & Venom Lab and discover a world of reptiles, conservation, and learning.

Perfect for curious kids, adventurous moms, and families looking to do something a little different this weekend 🐍

🕐 Guided tours: 10:45 & 13:45
🚶 Self-guided visits available throughout the day

ANSWER REVEAL 👀

It’s a Sand Boa!

These fascinating snakes are perfectly adapted for life underground, moving through sand with ease.

That disappearing act you saw? It’s all part of their natural camouflage and survival strategy.

🎥 We’ve just posted a video of this in action — go take a look!

Did you guess correctly? 😄