• Life On Land

Penguin Sanctuary

location
6 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Great 4.4  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate

Highlights

  • Experience the South African way of life by living with a Host Family or amongst other participants in the shared volunteer house.
  • Contribute to the protection of an endangered species and play your part in their conservation
  • Further your career working with animals by making a difference in another country
  • Make memories by travelling in your spare time around one of the world's most beautiful cities, Cape Town.
  • Explore the rest of the 'Safari Superpower' South Africa and see incredible animals in their natural environment.

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

By contributing at the penguin sanctuary, you work side by side with wildlife specialists and you'll be making a big impact on the conservation of this endangered species

With their population decreasing by nearly 90% in the last 50 to 60 years, the African penguin is now one of the world’s most endangered species. Commercial fishing is a major cause, as it leaves the penguins with very little food to find. Oil pollution is another big contributor and also the lack ...

About the program

With their population decreasing by nearly 90% in the last 50 to 60 years, the African penguin is now one of the world’s most endangered species. Commercial fishing is a major cause, as it leaves the penguins with very little food to find. Oil pollution is another big contributor and also the lack of protected breeding grounds results in penguin parents struggling to protect their eggs and hatchlings from predators.

The penguin and seabird project in Cape Town is in a lagoon area, about 15 minutes from the city centre. The rehabilitation centre is an important sanctuary for various species of seabirds, including the extremely endangered African penguins, albatrosses, petrels and skuas. You’ll work closely with other volunteers from around the world, as well as local veterinarians and rehabilitation workers, to find animals, treat them and release them back into the wild. The centre is split into different areas, so you may find yourself working indoors helping the animals who are being treated, or you may be outside working along the sea.

Typical day

A normal working day starts around 8am and ends at around 5:30 pm across five days, whether that is weekdays, weekends or public holidays. A lot of our volunteers find that renting a car together for the duration of their program is a good idea, as the commute via public transport can be a bit ...

Typical day

A normal working day starts around 8am and ends at around 5:30 pm across five days, whether that is weekdays, weekends or public holidays. A lot of our volunteers find that renting a car together for the duration of their program is a good idea, as the commute via public transport can be a bit long. After you have found your feet and completed your training, you will start working on the sea, to help capture animals in need of care. You’ll also start contributing to beach and marine projects, such as securing breeding grounds or releasing recovered animals into the wild.

Free-time activities

 Cape Town is one of the most picturesque major cities in the world and has millions of tourists visit every year. It is world-renowned for it's breathtaking landscapes, yet also it's wildlife. They are numerous safaris available, which many volunteers will try on their days off. It also has a huge ...

Free-time activities

 Cape Town is one of the most picturesque major cities in the world and has millions of tourists visit every year. It is world-renowned for it's breathtaking landscapes, yet also it's wildlife. They are numerous safaris available, which many volunteers will try on their days off. It also has a huge range of marine animals, and for the thrill seekers, there's even the chance to go shark cage diving! It is a major international city, so there are loads of opportunities to go shopping and areas to visit.

Table Mountain is also one the world's major tourist attractions, which everyone who goes to Cape Town will hike.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

CV, letter of motivation, criminal background check and visa document

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

A passion for working with animals is essential. Any previous experience or education with animals is beneficial, but not required.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Rainbow Garden Village

What's Included

  • Organization of the entire stay including placement in the project
  • Non-binding flight consultation
  • Individual advice from the RGV-Team in Munich
  • Support with your travel preparations (Vaccinations, insurance, safety, etc.)
  • Comprehensive RGV Travel-ABC for your travel preparations
  • Rainbow Family T-Shirt
  • Orientation program with the local team
  • Personal contact and guidance by the RGV Team on site
  • Accommodation in a host family, volunteer house or apartment
  • Meals: Breakfast and dinner (host family), breakfast (Volunteer Home), self-catering (apartment)
  • 2x airport transfer
  • 24/h emergency number
  • Certificate of participation/ internship
  • Introductory course on personal development

Airport Pickup at Cape Town International Airport

One of our friendly team will be ready and waiting at the airport, to make sure you're fully comfortable in your new environment.

Accommodation

Living with a host family, you will allow you to dive deeper into the culture of the local community. Living with a host family will allow you to learn more about the traditions and how things work. All our host families have running water and electricity. 

There is also our shared volunteer houses. Here, you live in the house together with other volunteers. In addition to the bedrooms, the volunteers have numerous bathrooms and a fully equipped communal kitchen (where your breakfast and dinner will be prepared each day) There is also a large living room with satellite TV and our on-site cook.

There is also an option to upgrade an have your very own apartment, which you can share with up to 4 other volunteers. Please enquire with the team for more information and availability.

Food & Beverages

Your meals are included throughout the programme, with breakfast and dinner provided for you. It'll give you an insight into how the locals live, and you'll get to try some of the tasty local dishes and cuisines on offer.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Before you even depart, the team will take you through every step of the process, from answering your questions about the programme, through to advising you where to go for your visa. We are here to help you and to ensure that you feel totally comfortable (and prepared!) before departing.

For your volunteer work in South Africa, you will land in Cape Town, and we accept arrivals in on Thursdays. Here you will be welcomed at the airport by a member of the team in South Africa (you will recognise each other by their branded t-shirts). From here, we drive you directly to the office in Cape Town. The drive from the airport is a first small highlight as you'll get your first glimpse of Table Mountain. The rest of the day is used to move into your accommodation and get to know your new surroundings.

Once settled, your stay begins with an orientation. As soon as you arrive, we will give you your South Africa starter package, which includes a city map, SIM card, and other useful things to make your stay easier. During a workshop in the office, you will learn more about South Africa and its people. Our team will introduce you to a bit of the Cape Town slang and give you valuable safety, transportation, money tips and much more. In addition, you will explore Cape Town on a guided city bus tour with your fellow volunteers.

Your program will start with an introduction day, and then you will get straight to work. You will be given a plan by one of the team and then you will be sent off to explore the site. In your first few days, you will likely be working inside the centre, with the injured or sick animals. You may be preparing food, cleaning the animal housing, pools and other areas. 

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

6 weeks (min. stay) 1,890€
7 weeks 2,125€
8 weeks 2,360€
9 weeks 2,595€
10 weeks 2,830€
11 weeks 3,065€
12 weeks (max. stay) 3,300€
Average fees 295€/week

Program fees

295€ per week 6 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

6 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Rainbow Garden Village during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

Rainbow Garden Village

Great 4.4 rating (25 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 1999

Verified by Volunteer World

  Good response rate

Coordinated by

Steffen

Spoken languages: English, German, Spanish

About the project

Rainbow Garden Village specialises in worldwide volunteer placements and has been sending volunteers on impactful, life-changing trips since 1999.

Meet your organization

From Africa to Asia and Europe to Latin America and Oceania - through volunteering or internships our participants gain unique impressions and experiences abroad. Rainbow Garden Village (RGV) offers sustainable projects in more than 30 countries worldwide in various fields, such as social work, teaching, animal welfare, environmental protection, medicine, etc..

While our participants are engaged in their project, they broaden their horizons and become more open-minded. They strengthen their personal skills, grow from the challenges in their volunteer projects and also improve their language skills. Countless new impressions, experiences and special moments round off the stay abroad - and lead to a return with many exciting stories in the luggage!

25 reviews · rating4.4

Eliot Jacquemin rating3.8

2024 at Penguin Sanctuary

J'ai beaucoup apprécié ce projet. L'organisation fut globalement assez bonne, je n'ai pas eu de soucis. J'ai appris énormément de choses sur les pingouins et les défis qu'ils doivent combattre au quotidien, c'était très inspirant. ..
Lucas rating5

2023 at Penguin Sanctuary

After my A-levels, I was interested in doing voluntary service abroad, specifically in the field of nature and animals. I found an interesting volunteer project in South Africa in the animal sector at Rainbow Garden Village. For two months I was in a project with penguins. Sick penguins from the ...
Annika S rating5

2019 at Penguin Sanctuary

I liked the project a lot - penguins are and remain simply funny. However, they can be quite "beastly" and "aggressive" and have bitten me quite hard more than once - just the normal behaviour of wild animals. I could never really be angry with them. The staff make sure that the penguins have as ...
Elisa rating5

2018 at Penguin Sanctuary

I spent my first two months a little outside the city centre in Cape Town, because that's where my first project - a seabird sanctuary - was located. There I lived with a host family, a woman and her mother, to be more precise. At first, it wasn't really what I had imagined, alone in a host family ...
Lara N rating5

2024 at Kindergarten in Crete

I am sharing my incredible experience with volunteer world. The program gave me the opportunity to volunteer in greece, meet other volunteers from other countries, to gain work related knowledge, & to experience the lifestyle in the beautiful island of crete. The program was very organized from the ...
Katharina Höfner rating5

2024 at Veterinary Clinic Assistant

Ich habe mich während meines Aufenthalts absolut wohl gefühlt! Da ich schon Vorkenntnisse durch meinen Beruf als TFA hatte, konnte ich mich sehr gut einbringen und durfte super viel helfen! Das Team hat mich herzlich aufgenommen und mir Vertrauen geschenkt. Ich bin sehr dankbar, dass ich diese ...

Location

Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Cape Town

You might also be interested in

Volunteer Abroad  >  Animals  >  Wildlife Conservation in South Africa
Contact Steffen
  Good response rate
English, German, Spanish

Most volunteers ask about

Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Steffen
Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

Book with Flex Option!

Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

Enjoy our services for dedicated volunteers!

Enjoy a Refund Guarantee, Free Flex Option, and Emergency Assistance. Our Price-Guarantee ensures unbeatable value, and our Support Team is ready to assist.