- Help out with looking out for wild cats
- Assist animals that once had no hope
- Learn about conservation and Africa’s wild animals
- Live on a wildlife reserve
- Learn and help with the daily running of the farm
Your project starts with a 2-day orientation in Johannesburg at Curiosity Backpackers. Arrive in Joburg or Jozi, as it is known locally, and get shown around by people who know the city well. The orientation is excellent for first-time visitors to find their feet the local way and meet other volunteers on your project.
Day 1
You will be picked up from the airport and taken to the hostel. Here you will be given a chance to settle down before your will be receive your welcome pack. You will be given a briefing on your volunteer program and then meet other travelers and volunteers for a Pan Africa welcome dinner.
Day 2
After breakfast you will be taken on an immersive experience of Johannesburg and Soweto. Here you will learn about the vibrant, creative neighbourhood of the Maboneng Precinct (A place of light) and go on an in-depth rich history of Soweto.
Johannesburg (eGoli, Jozi, Mjojo) as local calls it, is a city built on the findings of gold, the city has re-imagined it-self more than five times. Over the past decade areas like Maboneng have played an instrumental role in re-writing the history & future of this city bringing in a colourful and lively hub of creativity , art, coffee, food and music into Johannesburg. You will also see historical hidden treasures like "The Carlton Centre, which is the second largest building in Africa. As well as a visit to Ghandi Square, where the largest statue of Mahatma Ghandi was erected to signify the urban renewal of the city. The Chancellor house where Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo ran the first black legal practice in the country.
Soweto, South Africa's biggest township - here you will have the opportunity to take some photos at the iconic Orlando Towers and Soccer city, home of the World Cup final. We then head to the Hector Pietersen Memorial for a brief history on the youth uprisings in the 1970's. After this we will make our way through Vilakazi street (The only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Prize Peace winners - Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.) Thereafter we stop over for some lunch and a chance to buy some local arts and crafts.
Day 3
During the course of the day you will be transported via shuttle to the project. Your tour leader will advise the time of departure the night before around dinner time
We are situated in the North West Province; 45 minutes from Johannesburg. With 750 hectares of pristine bushveld and are part of the ‘world heritage site’ - the Cradle of Humankind. We have a unique eco-system where animals, birds and man live in harmony. Activities on the farm range from game drives, elephant walks and animal interactions.
Volunteers work 5-6 days a week and have Sundays off. All work carried out by the volunteers will have a direct positive impact on the conservation of the wildlife. Some of the ongoing projects that volunteers might be part of include, but are not limited to:
- Daily farm duties such as cleaning animal enclosures, feeding the animals and changing the water
- Anti-poaching fence patrols - Daylight guided walks around the perimeter of the property to check for snares and mark areas of the fence which require fixing
- Bush clearing and alien plant control. This involves the removal of plants that pose a threat to the natural fauna and flora found within the reserve
- Road maintenance (Filling, scraping and levelling) and erosion control
- Animal life improvement project: volunteers can be a part of the improvement of the animal's lives. Whether it's doing day to day cleaning, feeding and watering, to painting the elephant house and building new enclosures. These projects change according to the needs of the animals and farm
- Big Tiger pool repairs
- Lion enclosure upgrades
- Ecological grass survey and cutting of grass in enclosures, trimming trees.
Monday:
AM: Farm projects (Plants, Roads, Enclosures)
PM: Animal Improvement project and predator feed
Tuesday:
AM: Cleaning enclosures & Weeding
PM: Lion and tiger pools & Platform repairs
Wednesday:
AM: Cleaning enclosures & Weeding
PM: Lion and tiger pools & Cub camp reno & Predator feeding
Thursday**:
Excursion day
Friday:
AM: Hike to dam & Animal improvement project (big cats)
PM: Watch Elephant mud bath & Meat prep for predator feed
Saturday:
AM: Elephant walk
PM: Walk through camps (Excursions)
Sunday**:
Off
** Thursdays are excursion days where you can join the group activity or choose one of your own as per below options. You can also do these activities on your off days (Sundays). Please note that activities are at your own expense.
Quad Biking
Skydiving
Zip Lining
Sterkfontein Caves
Pilansberg Safari (near Sun City)
Maropeng - Cradle of Mankind
Sun City
Lesedi - Tribal Dancing and dinner
Monkey Sanctuary
Hot Air Ballooning
Aerial Cableway
Valpro - Vulture Park
Monte Casino Bird Park
Croc City
Monte Casino - Evening entertainment
Shop Runs, including Chameleon Village
With every new arrival we have a safety and orientation briefing where we discuss issues such as general safety in South Africa for example, what to do in the settlements, where not to go, what to do in case of an emergency, sea currents, HIV AIDS and crime. We offer all our volunteers 24/7 support and assistance.
Airport pick-up
2-day orientation in Johannesburg including 2 breakfasts & 2 dinners
Accommodation
1 free laundry voucher
Three meals a day (on project)
Hiking excursions
24-hour support and supervision
Donation to the project
Certificate of appreciation
Minimum age of 18
CV/Resume
Basic level of competency in English
Copy of return flight itinerary
Medium level of fitness
Acceptance subject to availability
Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.
Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.
Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.