Whales, Sharks and Penguins Conservation

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Alder 17 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verificeret af Volunteer World
  Excellent Svarrate

Højdepunkter

  • Assist the onboard marine biologist on the whale or research boat with monitoring and data capturing of Southern Right and Humpback whales during the annual migration period from June to December
  • Help with the rehabilitation of injured, oiled and sick African Penguins and birds brought in for care and recuperation at a state-of-the-art facility. Penguin feeding takes place twice a day.
  • Get involved with data capturing and research of various shark species on the boat and while cage diving. This is one of few shark projects whose marine biologist is permitted to tag White sharks.
  • Taking part in lectures on shark biology and research, African Penguins, other marine mammal species, company and conservation overview, rocky shores ecology, boat safety and more.
  • The area has lots of fun things to do in your free time, visit an ethical predator sanctuary, shopping in Hermanus, visit wine farms, beach horserides, beer tasting or hike the fantastic shorelines.


Særligt velegnet til

Alder 17+
Singler
Par
Familier
Grupper
50+

Om programmet

Experience not only Whale, Dolphin, Shark and Penguin research and monitoring but also community education, environmental issues, ecology and ecotourism

This multi-faceted Marine Big 5 (Shark, Whale, Penguin, Seal and Dolphin) project is the perfect opportunity to make a difference with marine species conservation both on land and sea, ecotourism, research, and community development. There is a huge variety of work that you will be doing, and this ...

Om programmet

This multi-faceted Marine Big 5 (Shark, Whale, Penguin, Seal and Dolphin) project is the perfect opportunity to make a difference with marine species conservation both on land and sea, ecotourism, research, and community development. There is a huge variety of work that you will be doing, and this will largely depend on what work is being done at the time you are there and the whale migration season.

The Marine Big 5
• Shark – The Great White, Bronze Whaler, Blue and Mako. You might be able to spot Pyjama sharks if scuba diving in the kelp forests
• Whale – Southern Right, Humpback and Brydes’
• Penguin – African
• Seal – Cape Fur
• Dolphin – Bottlenose, Common and Humpback

Areas volunteers can get involved in

  • Support guests and operational support on the whale watching and shark cage diving boats.
  • Cleaning, fish preparation and assisting at feeding time at the penguin rehabilitation facility.
  • Assembling, cleaning, and monitoring fishing line bins
  • Shark egg collection
  • Data capturing on the boats of various shark species, rays and other marine species and support of other research activities. This is the only project in the area whose marine biologist is permitted to tag White sharks.
  • Environmental education with local students
  • Participate in community educational shows.
  • Beach clean-ups and capturing data afterwards.
  • Taking part in lectures on shark biology and research, African Penguins, marine mammal species, company and conservation overview, rocky shores ecology, boat safety and more. Please note to experience all the lectures, a full 4 weeks is needed.




Typisk dag

An example of a typical day

…please remember the daily schedule is affected according to the seasons and the weather. For the days that the weather is not advisable to go out by boat-for example due to high swells- there are still plenty of duties and activities to take part in:

5am to 8am- Time ...

Typisk dag

An example of a typical day

…please remember the daily schedule is affected according to the seasons and the weather. For the days that the weather is not advisable to go out by boat-for example due to high swells- there are still plenty of duties and activities to take part in:

5am to 8am- Time to wake up, wash have breakfast and get ready for the day. Remember you are dealing with the public so make yourself presentable. Head to the meeting point for the boat trips. Boat trips can be 2 to 3 times a day

8am to 12pm- Assist with the boat preparation and logistics for the trip. Welcome guests and help them with their life jackets. Once on the boat assist the guest when required, support the marine biologist/s with data entries, photographs, or environmental monitoring. This is always a great time to gain knowledge from these highly qualified professionals.  If the opportunity allows- which it often does- enjoy a shark cage dive. You may also be on the whale watching or eco boat tour and need to assist with guests and data entry.

12pm to 1pm– Break for lunch

1pm to 4pm- Presentations on marine species, boat safety, conservation work etc. These is also the time other conservation activities take place

4.30pm- Time to head back to the volunteer accommodation to prepare for dinner- maybe a South African style braai or maybe a pizza night in- or if you have energy after the early morning start, head out to a local restaurant for a good meal out…lots of lovely seafood restaurants being so close to the sea

Two volunteers are also assigned to help each morning and afternoon with the penguin feeding times which are 8am and 3pm.



Fritidsaktiviteter

Some of the attractions in the area:

  • Wine tasting at local wine farms which the area is famous for… we love the Sir Robert Stanford wine farm but there are plenty in the neighbouring areas to visit
  • Visit the Klipgat Cave just outside De Kelders in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve the early home to ...

Fritidsaktiviteter

Some of the attractions in the area:

  • Wine tasting at local wine farms which the area is famous for… we love the Sir Robert Stanford wine farm but there are plenty in the neighbouring areas to visit
  • Visit the Klipgat Cave just outside De Kelders in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve the early home to ancient homo sapiens some 70 000 to 80 000 years ago
  • Visit the most southern geographical tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas where a marker indicates the official dividing line of between the Atlantic and Indian ocean
  • Zip lining
  • Quad biking
  • Horse riding
  • Visit to a nearby ethical predator sanctuary to meet their beautiful lions, tigers, leopard, serval and caracal and hear the stories of where they were rescued from
  • Visit the Stony Point Nature Reserve penguin colony
  • Hiking
  • Craft beer tasting at local breweries


Krav

Krav

Minimumsalder: 17 år

For at kunne deltage i programmet skal du være mindst 17 år gammel på programmets startdato.

Sprogfærdigheder

Du skal kunne tale Engelsk (basic level)

Kontrol af kriminel baggrund

påkrævet

Nationalitetsrestriktioner

Ingen begrænsninger. Hjælpende hænder fra hele verden er velkomne.

Tidsforpligtelse

Der er brug for din hjælpende hånd Mandag, Tirsdag, Onsdag, Torsdag, Fredag, Lørdag og Søndag fra 08:00 - 16:30

Hvad er inkluderet

Hvad er inkluderet

Tjenester af Volunteer Int. Adventures

The cost of the project includes:

  • 2 meals a day (breakfast and lunch) while on the project (not the hostel in Cape Town)
  • Shared volunteer accommodation
  • Sunday overnight stays at a hostel in Cape Town on arrival.
  • Airport collection on arrival from Cape Town International Airport to the hostel
  • Airport drop off after completion of the project on the Monday at Cape Town International Airport or alternatively to your Cape Town accommodation if in a designated area.
  • Transfers to the project base and back from Cape Town
  • Branded clothing
  • Donation to the project
  • Pre-departure support and admin
  • In-country staff and 24-emergency help
  • Volunteers that stay 4 weeks and longer also have an artificial penguin nest sponsored on their behalf. If you are really lucky you might even have a rescued penguin names after you.



Afhentning i lufthavnen i Cape Town International Airport

Sunday airport collection and an overnight stay in Cape Town at a hostel on arrival (shared accommodation) is included in the cost of the project. Arrivals at Cape Town International Airport need to be before 21h00.  You will be collected early on Monday morning for the 2-hour drive to the volunteer site. 

On completing your project on a Monday, you will be returned to Cape Town International Airport around 18h00, please make sure your flights depart after 21h00. Alternatively, you can be dropped off at your accommodation in Cape Town if in a designated area. 

We recommend volunteers spend a few days before or after their project in Cape Town to sightsee and we are happy to advise on what to do, where you can stay and to assist. 

Indkvartering

Accommodation is at the volunteer centre. There are four cottages in the style of fisherman cottages for volunteers shared between 4 to 6 volunteers and a newly built lodge which can accommodate more volunteers in twin shared bedrooms with kitchenettes, lounges with smart TV’s (for those who have Netflix or other steaming accounts) and bathrooms. All the bedrooms are a shared sleeping arrangement. Bedding is provided and the water is safe to drink.

The volunteer cottages and volunteer lodge have mini kitchens, but most prefer to gather in the central kitchen in the main house. There is a lecture room and workspace as well as a garden with a pool in the main house and a braai (South African BBQ). There is an activity hall with cardio machines, weights and table tennis. Volunteers also enjoy a pool table and foosball and there are a variety of board games. Wi-Fi and satellite TV are also available. Between the main house, volunteer cottages and volunteer lodge is a fire pit that volunteers can spend relaxing around on summer evenings- or winter nights too.

Laundry is offered by an external service provider twice a week for a small surcharge.

The lodge is just 1,4km from the harbour where many of the operations take place and whilst there are two minibuses that move volunteers daily, it is also an easy walk or cycle away.

Recycling is a priority at the lodge.

Mad og drikkevarer

There is a fully equipped communal kitchen in the main house as well as kitchenettes in each volunteer cottage and the lodge plus a braai (South African barbeque) in the outside courtyard area. South Africa is famous for its braais and it is also a great relaxed way to also get to acquainted with your fellow volunteers.

Breakfast is “help-yourself” with eggs, bacon/vegetarian sausages provided, cereal, bread, milk, coffee and tea.

Lunch is provided on the boat – cheese and tomato rolls, fruit, crisps; the same lunch is available on “no sea days”, but most volunteers decide to cook for themselves in this case or they go out for lunch.

Dinner is your own responsibility (don’t forget to budget for this)– some volunteers cook together; others go it alone and sometimes they go out to eat or grab pizza takeaways and watch the sunset from the rocks. There are some great seafood restaurants too in the area thanks to the nearby fishing industry.

Please make sure to bring seasickness tablets with you though as you may not have much need for food otherwise 😊

Internetadgang

God adgang til projektområdet

Hvad er IKKE inkluderet?

Hvad er IKKE inkluderet?

Flybilletter

Den nærmeste lufthavn er Cape Town International Airport (CPT) i Cape Town. Vi hjælper dig med at finde billige flybilletter til Sydafrika. FINDE BILLIGE FLYBILLETTER

Rejseforsikring

At rejse til udlandet er et eventyr, og det er altid bedst at være forberedt. Pludselig sygdom eller skade, aflysning eller tyveri - en rejseforsikring til Sydafrika giver sikkerhed og er en fordel at have. FÅ ET TILBUD

Vacciner

Hvis du har til hensigt at blive frivillig i Sydafrika, bør du søge lægehjælp, før du begynder din sociale rejse. Tjek dine krævede vaccinationer for Sydafrika. VACCINE CHECKER

Oplysninger ved ankomst

It is an early Monday morning start, so volunteers need to arrive at Cape Town International Airport on the Sunday preferably in daylight hours and overnight in Cape Town at a hostel of our choice which is included in the cost. 

If volunteers prefer to choose their own alternative accommodation within the Cape Town city vicinity, that will be for their own cost. 

An overnight stay in Cape Town on returning on the Monday, can be arranged too for a small fee. Meals are not included in the Cape Town overnight stays. 

Volunteers are welcome to arrive a few days before to do sightseeing and acclimatise to the region and we are happy to advise and give tips on what to see and do. 

Although you can do our Marine Conservation project for a minimum of 8 days, we do recommend a minimum of two weeks as if bad weather days, then the boats may not go out and you may not experience all the aspects of the project. 

Tilgængelighed
Jan. Febr. Marts April Maj Jun Jul Aug. Sept. Okt. Nov. Dec.

Programgebyrer

1 uge (min. ophold) 1.133€
2 uger 1.813€
3 uger 2.393€
4 uger 3.022€
5 uger 3.526€
6 uger 4.030€
7 uger 4.533€
8 uger 5.037€
9 uger 5.541€
10 uger 6.045€
11 uger 6.548€
12 uger (max. ophold) 7.052€
Gennemsnitligt gebyr 860€/uge

Programgebyrer

860€ pr. uge 1 - 12 weeks Alder 17 - 50+

Betalingsmetoder

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

INGEN KREDITKORTGEBYRER


Duration

1 - 12 weeks

Deposit

Depositummet er blot for at reservere din plads som frivillig. Betalinger håndteres af PayPal, vores betroede globale betalingsudbyder. Hvis du ikke har en PayPal-konto, kan du også betale med et kreditkort.


Final Payment

Din endelige betaling vil blive aftalt med Volunteer Int. Adventures under ansøgningsprocessen. Almindelige løsninger er enten via bankoverførsel eller kontant betaling på projektstedet.


Mød din vært

Volunteer Int. Adventures

Brilliant 4.7 rating (70 feltrapporter)

Agentur - grundlagt i 2020

Verificeret af Volunteer World

  Excellent Svarrate

Vært er

Sharon

Spoken languages: Engelsk, Afrikaans

Om projektet

We are a hands-on volunteer organisation with 16 years' experience of working with volunteers in animal care, veterinary, conservation and youth projects.

Mød din vært

Volunteer International Adventures is dedicated to youth and animal projects, which are areas of great passion for us. We recognize the need for assistance from international volunteers in developing countries and have witnessed the transformative impact of their hands-on involvement on communities and conservation efforts.

"Empowering Change Through Ethical Volunteer holidays"

Our core priorities are as follows:

1. Culture and Cultural Sensitivity:

We encourage our volunteers to fully immerse themselves in the culture of the country they are volunteering in, understanding that volunteering differs significantly from being a tourist. By working closely with local communities and project partners, our volunteers gain profound insights into the challenges faced by the country. We actively support and facilitate opportunities for volunteers to engage in various activities, interact with locals, and educate themselves about the nation's history, no matter how difficult it may be. Cultural sensitivity is paramount, and we ensure that our approach is collaborative rather than imposing our own ideas. We welcome suggestions and creative ideas from our volunteers, as they often prove to be feasible and enrich the communities we serve.

2. Fulfilling Volunteer Experiences:

We strive to ensure that all our volunteers leave with a sense of accomplishment. Whether it is helping a child grasp mathematics, teaching cricket to school children, providing sewing classes to uplift youth, participating in wildlife conservation efforts such as satellite collaring African wild dogs or rhino relocation, collecting data on great white shark populations, treating sick indigenous wildlife, assisting with animal sterilization in disadvantaged communities, instilling a love for reading in children, or teaching marimba classes—the list is diverse and extensive. We want our volunteers to develop a deep connection with the country they are assisting and forge lifelong friendships that can serve as future ambassadors for their respective nations.

3. Ethical Projects:

We strictly oppose trophy hunting and the breeding of lions for commercial gain. Our wildlife and animal projects take place in free-roaming reserves, registered rehabilitation centers, or sanctuaries where the animals are non-releasable due to injuries, human habituation, or being non-indigenous to the area. We support local and ethical animal sanctuaries and reserves, which our volunteers can visit during their free time. When working with children in teaching, care, or youth development projects, we require a recent paper copy of a background check (CRB check) from volunteers' countries of origin. This precaution ensures the safety and well-being of the children we serve, who often come from challenging socio-economic backgrounds and have been let down by adults in the past. We prioritize the protection of innocent animals and children who cannot advocate for themselves.

4. Responsible and Sustainable Approach:

We take pride in implementing responsible and sustainable projects that involve local community members, ensuring the continuity of operations even when volunteer numbers are low. While some projects rely heavily on volunteer support due to limited funds, we strive to strike a balance by involving sufficient local participation.

5. Cost Effectiveness:

Having collaborated with volunteers on projects for nearly 15 years, we recognize that volunteering can come at a significant cost. Therefore, we are committed to making volunteering more accessible, reasonable, and inclusive. Our projects encompass various extras, and we maintain affordability by keeping costs low and encouraging increased hands-on assistance. We offer negotiable family, friends, and group discounts, as volunteering together enables us to further reduce expenses. Loyalty is rewarded, and returning volunteers receive special recognition in our projects. Additionally, our costs include donations to our projects, contributing to their sustainability and impact.

6. Safety:

The safety of our volunteers is of paramount importance. We thoroughly vet and assess all our projects, ensuring adequate safety measures are in place. While certain areas may be off-limits due to potential risks, it is important to note that complete safety guarantees are impossible in any location. We have established channels for reporting incidents and maintain close relationships with in-country support on the ground. Furthermore, we possess liability insurance and require all participants to have personal travel insurance. To provide comprehensive support, we arrange airport collections and drop-offs, ensuring our volunteers are assisted throughout their entire journey. We pride ourselves on delivering a personal touch and remain available 24/7 to address any emergencies.

Please remember to arrange your comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking your trip, as it is an essential aspect of ensuring your well-being and peace of mind.

We sincerely appreciate your interest in Volunteer International Adventures and our commitment to making a positive impact through responsible volunteering. Should you have any further questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

70 feltrapporter · rating4.7

Florentine Fiona Laux rating5

2024 at Whales, Sharks and Penguins Conservation

I have been in South Africa with Whales, Sharks and Penguins Conservation for 8 weeks and i can tell you I loved every second. All of them (Crew, Staff, Volunteers) are so lovely. I really enjoyed working on a boat as well and don‘t worry about sea sickness you will get used to it ...
Karine Bottiglieri rating5

2024 at Whales, Sharks and Penguins Conservation

truly exceptional, Where to start, the warm and sincere welcome. I am French, my English is average, but they made themselves available to me, they took the time to explain to me so that I understood, always with a smile and patience. the whole team goes out of their way to show you the wonders of ...
Giulia Sanders rating4.8

2024 at Whales, Sharks and Penguins Conservation

I had a wonderful time in Kleinbaai. From cage diving with sharks to feeding the African penguins to whale and dolphin watching, everyday brought something new and amazing! I love being on the ocean and seeing the wildlife which this program offered plenty off. We got to assist clients on the trips ...
I can only recommend the Whales, Shark and Penguins conservation program! I've spent 5 weeks there and enjoyed it a lot. The people are amazing and the program is very diverse and exciting. ..
Paul Snudden rating4.4

2024 at Whales, Sharks and Penguins Conservation

If you want to get up close and personal with and learn about some of the most extraordinary marine life on the planet then don't hesitate to do this trip !! And do it in comfort with excellent accommodation and staff to look after you and make every day a joy. Whilst you will work quite hard and ...
This was one of the best experiences of my life. Ingot to meet amazing people from around the world. The staff from the program were exceptional. I couldn’t have asked for better people to take care of me while I was there. And getting to be out on the whale and sharks boats was incredible. ...

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