vanaf 1.313€

Briljant 4.7rating (68)

Wildlife Caretaker

location
2 - 12 weken  ·  Leeftijd 18 - 50+

rating  Briljant 4.7  · 
  Geverifieerd door Volunteer World
  Uitstekend Responsgraad

Highlights

  • Assist with the daily care of the animals, including feeding, cleaning enclosures, providing enrichment activities, and monitoring behaviour and health getting to know all their characters.
  • Maintain the animal enclosures within the park, clearing invasive species, building and repairing fences, and ensuring that enclosures are clean and safe for the animals
  • Assist in caring for diverse wildlife, including lions, tigers, leopards, wild dogs, hyenas, caracals, cheetahs, servals, monkeys, raccoons, wolves, fennec foxes, mongooses, meerkats, and more!
  • Volunteers with relevant interests or experience may assist the wildlife manager and veterinary doctor with health checks and providing rehabilitation care if the need arises.
  • Take day trips into the famous Kruger National Park to view the Big 5 and other wildlife on your weekends off. One of the most famous of Africa's wildlife parks.

Vooral geschikt voor

Leeftijd 18+
Alleenstaanden
Koppels
Families
Groepen
50+

Over het programma

Volunteer out at a Wildlife Park as a Wildlife Caretaker with indigenous and exotic wildlife that have been rescued and now have safe sanctuary.

The wildlife park is set on 14 hectares with numerous animal enclosures and camps. All of the animal that are permanent residents are non-releasable for a variety of reasons because either to conditioned to humans, saved from the trophy hunting industry or exotic to South Africa and therefor ...

Over het programma

The wildlife park is set on 14 hectares with numerous animal enclosures and camps. All of the animal that are permanent residents are non-releasable for a variety of reasons because either to conditioned to humans, saved from the trophy hunting industry or exotic to South Africa and therefor non-releasable. Founder Melanie has a huge love of wildlife and in particular with her much loved lions and could not bear the idea that these animals could end up being hunted for trophies. Many of the animals have a story how they have been saved. For example, one of the elderly lions is blind and therefore in his case he is in a smaller lion camp for his safety and familiarity with a companion to assist him for the rest of his natural life.

Due to past trauma when rescued, some of the animals are off limits to the public as they do not like people. Volunteers will have access to these areas closed to the public.

You will find a variety of birds of prey, garden birds and exotic birds from other continents like owls, kites, hawks, hornbills, vultures, cranes, ostriches, and emus.

The animal enclosures and camps accommodate Lions, Leopards, Tigers, Serval cats, Caracal, Pumas, Cheetahs, Bobcats, Black-footed cats, Ocelots, Geoffroy’s cat, African Wild cats, Lynx, African wild dogs, Ferrets, Warthogs, Honey badgers, Porcupine, Polecats, Nile crocodiles, Genets, Wolves, Baboons, Capuchin monkeys, Vervet monkeys, Fennec foxes, Racoons, Coatis, various species of Mongoose, and Meerkats.

Volunteering at the wildlife park can be a rewarding and impactful experience, as it allows individuals to contribute to wildlife care efforts while gaining valuable skills and knowledge about wildlife, animal care and conservation.

Some of the volunteer duties at the wildlife park that you may be involved in:

Animal Care: Volunteers may assist with the daily care of the animals, including feeding, cleaning enclosures, providing enrichment activities, and monitoring behaviour and health. This can involve working with a variety of species, from large mammals to smaller birds, reptiles, primates and other smaller mammals.

Enclosure Maintenance: Volunteers help maintain the animal enclosures and camps within the park by planting native vegetation, clearing invasive species, building and repairing fences and enclosures, and ensuring that enclosures and camps are clean and safe for the animals.

Educational Programs: The wildlife park offers educational programs and tours for visitors and local schools. Volunteers may assist the local knowledgeable tour guides, leading groups through the park, providing information about the animals and their habitats, and answering questions from visitors and even acting as translators.

Veterinary: Some volunteers with relevant training, interests or experience may assist the wildlife manager and private veterinary doctors with animal health checks, administering medications, assisting with medical procedures, and providing rehabilitation care for injured or orphaned animals if the need arises.

Special Projects: Depending on the needs of the park, volunteers may be involved in special projects such as building new enclosures, creating educational materials, designing exhibits, or developing conservation initiatives. Planned future projects include a reptile sanctuary and expanding and developing neighbouring land to enable the adoption of more animals that need a safe home.

Volunteers play a crucial role in supporting the mission of the park and helping to ensure the well-being of the wildlife in their care.


Dagelijkse activiteiten

Daily schedules for Monday to Fridays

  • Wake up, have a quick shower, clean your teeth and grab a quick coffee or tea in your room.
  • 07h00 to 08h30 is time for the early morning feeding of the animals.
  • 09h00 is time for breakfast up at the dining room of the restaurant.
  • 10h00 is the daily briefing with ...

Dagelijkse activiteiten

Daily schedules for Monday to Fridays

  • Wake up, have a quick shower, clean your teeth and grab a quick coffee or tea in your room.
  • 07h00 to 08h30 is time for the early morning feeding of the animals.
  • 09h00 is time for breakfast up at the dining room of the restaurant.
  • 10h00 is the daily briefing with your volunteer coordinator at the restaurant to plan the day’s schedule.
  • 10h00 to 12h30 is the morning volunteer duties schedule.
  • 12h30 to 13h30 is time to break for your lunch at the restaurant dining room.
  • 13h30 to 16h00 is the afternoon volunteer duties and late feeding schedule for many of the animals.
  • 16h00 back to your room to freshen up and relax- or chat to the others up in the dining room at the restaurant.
  • 17h30 to 18h00 is time for dinner up at the restaurant dining room. The restaurant closes at 20h00 so by then it is time to go back to your room and watch a little TV, chat to other volunteers and staff members who stay onsite and are still up for socialising.


Vrijetijdsactiviteiten

As a Wildlife Caretaker, you will be based in the lush green province of Mpumalanga. The area boasts stunning landscapes, including lush forests, rolling hills, and dramatic waterfalls. The Lowveld Botanical Gardens are particularly famous for their diverse plant species and beautiful scenery. The ...

Vrijetijdsactiviteiten

As a Wildlife Caretaker, you will be based in the lush green province of Mpumalanga. The area boasts stunning landscapes, including lush forests, rolling hills, and dramatic waterfalls. The Lowveld Botanical Gardens are particularly famous for their diverse plant species and beautiful scenery. The region is also ideal for hiking, bird watching, and exploring nature trails. It is a is a popular tourist destination in South Africa for several reasons.

One of the main attractions in the area is the world-renowned Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves. It is a great place to for a safari adventure where you can see the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo) by entering the park through the Malelane gate and can easily do a day drive into the park with an experienced local tour guide.

Added to that, you can easily do parts of the Panorama Route on your weekends off taking in magnificent viewpoints and natural wonders like God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Sudwala caves with its dinosaur park and the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons on earth for a stunning boat trip. 

The region offers a variety of adventure activities, including zip-lining, white-water rafting, and hot air ballooning. These activities provide unique ways to experience the landscape and wildlife.

Volunteers can visit cultural villages where they can learn about the traditions and lifestyles of the Swazi people.

This stunning region has a subtropical climate, making it an appealing destination year-round with mild winters and warm summers known for its agriculture, particularly citrus fruits, avocados, and macadamia nuts. Volunteers can tour farms and enjoy fresh, local produce.

These factors combine to make a special destination for volunteers looking to experience South Africa’s natural beauty, wildlife, cultural heritage and of course the world-famous Kruger National Park.


Voorwaarden

Voorwaarden

Minimum leeftijd: 18 jaar

Om deel te nemen aan het programma dien je tenminste 18 jaar oud te zijn op de startdatum van het programma. Er kunnen uitzonderingen gemaakt worden indien je een bewijs van toestemming kan aantonen van uw wettelijke voogd(en) of samen met je ouders deelneemt.

Taalkennis

Je dient over volgende taalkennis te beschikken Engels (basis niveau)

Nationaliteitsbeperkingen

Geen beperkingen. Helpende handen van over de hele wereld zijn welkom.

Tijdsinzet

Uw helpende hand wordt verwacht op maandag, dinsdag, woensdag, donderdag en vrijdag van 07:00 - 16:00

Diensten ingesloten

Diensten ingesloten

Diensten door Volunteer Int. Adventures

The project cost includes three delicious, cooked meals a day, stunning shared onsite accommodation, meeting you at Kruger National Mpumalanga International Airport with airport pick up and drop off after your project comes to an end, predeparture admin support, donations towards the animal care, a local in country team on the ground, onsite WIFI, 24-hour emergency help and more. 

Afhaal aan de luchthaven op Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport

You will be picked up at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport by your volunteer coordinator any time before 15h30 and taken to your volunteer accommodation and settled in. Flights must arrive any time before 15h30. 


Accomodatie

The volunteer accommodation is onsite surrounded by wildlife enclosures so at night you may hear the lions roaring. The accommodation is shared with the same gender and tastefully decorated. All rooms have a mini bar fridge and tea and coffee making facilities. Bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms and are shared with another of the same gender. There are Smart TVs for those that have Netflix accounts.

Bed linen and towels are provided.  Laundry can be done via local laundromats that collect or handwashing. There is a surcharge if you would like your clothes washed and dried with a laundromat.

The rooms lock and there is 24-hour security on the premises and security guards.

The volunteer rooms are serviced Mondays and Fridays. Volunteers must keep it clean in between and be considerate to the other volunteers they share with.

Wi-Fi is available all around the site

Eten & Drank

There is a restaurant on site where volunteers will have their meals.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are prepared for you off a set menu with delicious cooked and fresh options for you to choose from what you would to like to eat. Please state in your questionnaire on booking if you have any dietary requirements so we can try and accommodate for you. If you do not advise us in advance, we cannot make exceptions once you are on the project. Expensive items like vegan milks and cheeses or gluten-free products, cannot be accommodated so you will need to buy for yourself at the local grocery stores in the town.

There is a water dispenser for drinking water in the restaurant. Tea and coffee are supplied.

Internet toegang

Makkelijke toegang op de project site

Wat is er NIET inbegrepen?

Wat is er NIET inbegrepen?

Vlucht tickets

De dichtste luchthaven is Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) in Nelspruit. We assisteren u met het vinden van goedkope vluchten naar Zuid-Afrika. VIND GOEDKOPE VLUCHTEN

Reisverzekering

Naar het buitenland reizen is een avontuur en het is best om goed voorbereid te zijn. Plots ziek worden of gewond raken, annulaties of diefstal - een reisverzekering voor Zuid-Afrika biedt zekerheid en is een meerwaarde. KRIJG EEN OFFERTE

Vaccinaties

Als je de intentie hebt om als vrijwilliger aan de slag te gaan in Zuid-Afrika dien je eerst medisch advies in te winnen alvorens je eropuit trekt. Kijk de benodigde vaccinaties na voor Zuid-Afrika. VACCINATIE CHECKER

Gegevens over jouw aankomst

Your arrival and departure airport for the Wildlife Caretaker volunteer project in South Africa is Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. Collection and drop off days are Monday to Friday in daylight hours preferably any time before 15h00. Departure flights must be any time after 10h00. The project runs all year round. 

Beschikbaarheid
jan. feb. mrt. apr. mei. jun. jul. aug. sep. okt. nov. dec.

Programmakosten

2 weken (min. verblijf) 1.313€
3 weken 1.900€
4 weken 2.425€
5 weken 3.013€
6 weken 3.600€
7 weken 4.188€
8 weken 4.688€
9 weken 5.125€
10 weken 5.563€
12 weken (max. verblijf) 6.500€
Gemiddelde kosten 599€/week

Programmakosten

599€ per week 2 - 12 weken Leeftijd 18 - 50+

Betaalmethodes

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

GEEN CREDITCARDKOSTEN


Duurtijd

2 - 12 weken

Waarborg

De waarborg dient om je plek als vrijwilliger te verzekeren. Betalingen worden door PayPal behandeld, onze betrouwbare betalingsprovider. Indien je niet over een PayPal account beschikt, kan je ook met een credit kaart betalen.


Finale betaling

Uw finale betaling zal worden goedgekeurd door Volunteer Int. Adventures gedurende de aanmeld procedure. Veel voorkomende oplossingen zijn een banktransfer of contante betaling op de projectsite.


Ontmoet je organisatie

Volunteer Int. Adventures

Briljant 4.7 rating (68 beoordelingen)

Agentschap - opgericht in 2020

Geverifieerd door Volunteer World

  Uitstekend Responsgraad

Gepresenteerd door

Sharon

Gesproken talen: Afrikaans, Engels

Over de organisatie

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

Ontmoet je organisatie

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.

68 beoordelingen · rating4.7

Kemly Yambay rating5

2024 at Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation

An experience that I will never forget and forever in my heart thanks to all the team of the Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation. Amazing team and good people My best wishes for the new farm and see you guys very ...
Lynn van den Broecke rating5

2024 at Ethical Predator Sanctuary Assistant

A massive thank you to everyone who was involved in this project! I felt safe and well taken care of. I think about this experience a lot. I would definitely recommend it to everyone! ...
I have absolutely loved my experience in South Africa volunteering with Endangered Wildlife Monitoring and Research, and I am sad that I have to leave in a few days. By the time I leave I will have spent six weeks in South Africa, so I've been lucky enough to volunteer at all three of the reserves ...
It is difficult to know where to begin, this process has utterly changed my life in the most positive ways. During my stay in Knysna I got the opportunity to volunteer at a local NGO that offers so many people the support they need. The work involves engaging and educating prisoners to working in ...
Esther Burden rating5

2024 at Big Cat Sanctuary on a Wildlife Reserve

I would 100% recommend this excellent volunteer programme to anyone interested in big cats. I know now that i didn’t do enough research about the lion industry and ethical vs non-ethical sanctuarys before my three-month stay at this sanctuary, but i was very lucky to end up somewhere where the ...
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 ...

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  Uitstekend Responsgraad
Afrikaans, Engels

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