About Us
Dr Gavin Lindhorst initiated the industry in South Africa with the first importation from Chile in 2000. He had seen alpacas in South America on a holiday two years previously and researched their suitability in warmer South Africa and the market globally. Information was obtained from visits to various studs and attending conferences in the USA, Canada, UK and Australia – all countries that had thousands of alpacas, had formed strong Breeders’ Associations, strict requirements for registration and a successful show circuit. With our Stud Book and Livestock Improvement Association keeping a close eye, the Department of Agriculture created a protocol and issued the import permit. A new breed was introduced and African Alpacas was born.
The farm Inca Vale is on the outskirts of Wellington on the R45. Alpacas are farmed intensively on 15ha. They graze on planted pastures and are supplemented with oathay/Lucerne and pelleted feed. They have adapted well to our temperate environment and we have refined their vaccination and deworming protocols resulting in minimal losses. Our manager At Schlebusch has received training in alpaca shearing (very different to sheep) and with all the right equipment we offer shearing services to local breeders. We also offer a stud/breeding and boarding services.
African Alpacas was instrumental in marketing the new breed, offering seminars, attending agricultural shows and as demand increased made numerous selection visits and importations from Australia and again Chile. This guaranteed diversity in genetics, including from some top Peruvian progeny. This is proven by consistent herd improvement and in the quality of fleeces. These are sold to our cottage and fledgling manufacturing industry and recently via BKB to buyers abroad.
We welcome farm visits by appointment to show our setup and answer questions; and share the joy we derived from farming these very special animals. We also produce our own extra virgin olive oil and have a small tree nursery using alpaca manure as fertilizer.
