SOUTH AFRICA: Care for Animals in a Wildlife Sanctuary in Port Elizabeth

Care for animals, many of whom had been abandoned, abused, injured or orphaned, in this very caring Sanctuary set in a small private Wildlife Reserve. You'll assist in feeding and generally looking after many different animal and bird species.

The rescued animals in this very caring Sanctuary need love and attention to help prepare them for life back in the wild, if possible, or a safe life in the Sanctuary. As well as animal welfare assistance, you'll also help with general assistance in other areas, such as maintenance and administration.

As the Park is rather large, there is always a very wide variety of activities that you will be involved in. All volunteers are expected to “muck in” together, making the work fun and rewarding. Work ranges from hands-on with the animals, to helping and guiding the tourists or assisting in the restaurant and bar. Some of your work will also include general chores in the Park itself. Briefly, your responsibilities will include some or all of the following:

• Food preparation for all the animals and birds. You'll learn which animals eat what food, how to prepare it and how much to give them.
• Nearly all the baby animals in the sanctuary are orphans that have been rescued from elsewhere and brought to the sanctuary for safety and, where possible, to be released back into their natural habitat in the wild. These animals need lots of care and attention.
• Mucking out and tidying enclosures, and, when necessary, helping to expand existing enclosures or constructing new ones.
• Collecting data on wildlife within the Wildlife Reserve section of the park. This will include, for example, monitoring the movements of wildlife and occasionally doing game counts.

Besides spending time with the animals and birds, there are other areas of the Sanctuary and Wildlife Park needing attention as well:

• Helping with tours around the sanctuary. You'll learn a lot about the animals so that you can convey this information to tourists or school groups that visit the Sanctuary.
• Assisting with general duties in the restaurant, bar and kitchen, possibly even helping with the preparation of meals.
• Helping unload supplies when they arrive.
• Some admin work may be required while you're there.
• General clearing of the Park to eliminate alien vegetation, for example. This makes a more "user-friendly" and safer environment for the free-roaming animals (and is in line with government policy of limiting alien vegetation wherever possible).
• Also checking for and clearing any rubbish on the property, because litter can cause serious injuries to the animals.
• Bush clearing and road construction (with tractors)
• Assisting the small permanent staff with any project or maintenance work (i.e. painting fences, repairing etc) that may be needed while you're there.

ACCOMMODATION:
The accommodation is on the Game park less than a 5 minute walk to the sanctuary itself. It is split into various sized rooms from single rooms to twin rooms and a 4 and 8 sleeper dorm. It has 2 bathrooms with 2 toilets and 3 showers in each. A small kitchen with microwave, gas hob, kettle, fridge and washroom. Facilities currently include DSTV, a DVD player and facilities for volunteers to make drinks and snacks. There is currently no Wi-Fi available on site.

FOOD:
Food is provided and consists of a home-cooked meal every evening - this is the time that the owners and volunteers all sit down together and discuss the day and their various experiences. Breakfast and lunch and dinner are prepared for you although sometimes volunteers do help with this. You'll also have plenty of real South African braais (barbeques) - and what a magical place to have them!

WHAT TO DO NEXT:
If you’d like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us! If you’d like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we’ll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.

Start Dates

All year round - you choose your start and finish dates. This is a popular programme so we advise you book early to ensure you get the dates that you want.

Costs / Benefits

From £945 for 1 week, then £250 for each additional week. Price includes:

►Arranging your Programme,
►Full pre-departure support and assistance,
►Payment Protection insurance,
►Accommodation,
►Food,
►Meeting you at the nearest airport,
►Transfer to the Project site
►Local in-country team support and backup,
►24-hr emergency support,
►Certificate of Completion.

NOT INCLUDED:
Flights, Insurance, Cost of Visas, Return transfer to airport.

Requirements

Minimum age 16, if unaccompanied by parent.
Minimum age 14 if accompanied by parent.
No qualifications needed, just a big heart and a love of animals and their welfare.