
Welcome to the South African Butterfly Breeding Association (SABBA).
The Experts in Breeding Butterflies since 2004

South African Butterfly Breeding Association (SABBA) A Non Profit Company (NPC).Registration Number 2005/035553/08. Office at 1034, Fascadale Road, Ramsgate, 4285
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History

Founder of SABBA 2004
How did it all start?
For many years even before the South African Butterfly Breeding Association (SABBA) was founded, it was noted that there were many butterfly species in urban areas as well as out in the bush veld, grasslands and forested areas that have become displaced or even just disappeared. There was a huge marked difference from the 1980’s onwards in the decline of butterfly numbers and species. Many people in 2000 and onwards had noticed this decline and it became more evident as Earle’s team gave lectures to schools, garden clubs, library groups, social gatherings in promoting awareness programs where ever they could. Many people would claim that they had not seen a butterfly in years, maybe some were not observant.
In urban areas we found that there was definitely an impact between conservationists and developers, who in most cases did not care about the rare “frog in the back yard,” as so to say. This will be an issue for many years to come, but slow as it may be there has been an improvement in the co-working of developers, municipalities and conservationists.
In 1973, it became the mission of Earle’s group to start breeding butterflies in a big way and to reintroduce as many species as possible back into nature so that one day even our children’s children will have the opportunity to see our beautiful butterflies. So, in 2004 the NPC Company was founded and registered. Now the work began in a big way.
I&AP
Butterfly Breeding Courses
These extensive courses have made our certified breeders some of the best in the world. Even today our new breeders have to be certified by the National School of Lepidoptera (NSL).These courses were developed during 2023 and are updated periodically for your convenience. Based in the Western Cape. Also providing Courses online. See www.nationalsl.co.za for further information.
Our Services
Forming Working Groups
These Working Groups are from their individual communities that have concerns with development and feel that it may have a detrimental effect of their local environment. We provide these groups with the necessary data and address these concerns by performing small EIA’s (Environmental Impact Assessment) reports which will either validate their concerns or not.
Forming Conservation Committees
Setting out Conservations Ethics and Programs
Providing a Code of Conduct to be followed
Site inspections for new
- Butterfly Sanctuaries
- Butterfly Breeding
- Centers
- Independent Butterfly Breeding Stations
- Butterfly Gardens
- Butterfly Farms
- Developments
Breeding Butterflies

Research
Research Diaries
Collecting Safari’s
Our Collecting Safari’s are unique. You get to see parts of South Africa that are routes established through research on various butterfly species. Some of our Safari’s are into virgin territory that has never been explored before. You never know what may be discovered. Other Safari’s are based on information gleaned over the last 100 years of the whereabouts of butterflies that have become extinct. The rediscovery of these would be like winning the Conservation Awards. These Collecting Safari’s are arranged by Hanlo Nel of Serurubele Safari’s based in the Western Cape. www.serurubele.org
Books and Raising Funds
Yes. All Conservation bodies raise funds by whatever legal methods and ideas that is in the interest of their set out conservation programs. These books are of a high quality and are limited publications, therefore are “Collectors Items”.
Some of our most recent publications and Rare Collectors books.

Code of Conduct
FIRST PRINCIPLES
COMMERCIAL COLLECTING and TRADING
COLLECTING for REARING and RELEASE
BREEDING BUTTERFLIES
*Note
The contents of this code should not be construed as reasons for failing to comply with the law concerning protected Lepidoptera. If any person is uncertain as to the legal requirements for PERMITS regarding the legitimate possession of specimens of protected species or captive breeding stock for commercial purposes, advice should be sought from the relevant bodies such as the South African Butterfly Breeding Association’s (SABBA), Conservation of Butterflies in South Africa (CBISA), Department of Environment &Tourism, Conservation Services, or WESSA.
Contact Us
Affiliations
Conservation of Butterflies in South Africa (CBISA) 1973 – 2024
The Western Cape Butterfly Breeding Association (WCBBA) 2021 – 2024
The National School of Lepidoptera (NSL) 2023 – 2024
Serurubele Safari’s 2023 -2024