Volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa

This excellent project with animals and birds of all ages is based in a beautiful game reserve and wildlife park. The sanctuary is home to many different wild and domestic animal species and about 150 different species of birds. Most of the animals were taken in because they had been badly injured, abused or orphaned, and some are 'unwanted pets'.

On this very worthwhile and necessary project, your work will assist in hand-rearing, feeding and looking after the wildlife, as well as many other chores. Set on 1000 hectares of bush and grassland, the sanctuary was started and is run by Percy, who was originally a farmer on the current piece of land and has lived there for over 25 years. Having always had an interest in the rehabilitation of orphaned and injured animals, he decided to retire from farming and concentrate on building a larger sanctuary where he could take in and look after animals who needed a home.

The sanctuary and wildlife park is situated 50 km south west of the city centre of Port Elizabeth, on the Eastern Cape’s sunshine coast, in a malaria-free area. The sanctuary currently accommodate some wild cats, crocodiles, impala, kudu and other buck species, marmoset monkeys, emus and wallabies, and even some giraffe and zebra. Some animals are able to be returned to the wild, like some of the buck, raptors and birds, but unfortunately most will need to stay in the sanctuary for the rest of their lives. When animals have been in the care of humans for too long, they are no longer able to survive in the wild. In the sanctuary, though, they have a safe haven for the rest of their lives! 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 on this project 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.

Hand rearing of orphaned wildlife, including birds.

Mucking out and tidying enclosures and helping to expand existing enclosures or constructing new ones.

Collecting data on wildlife within the game reserve section of the park.

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.

Assisting with general duties in the restaurant, bar and kitchen, possibly 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. 

Bush clearing and road construction (with tractors).

Assisting the small permanent staff with any project or maintenance work.

The average working hours are from 7am until 4pm, inclusive of tea and lunch breaks, and you'll work 5 days a week. Two days can be taken off in a weekly rotation system. Some volunteers utilize this time to stay out overnight to enjoy the nightlife in Port Elizabeth or Jeffrey’s Bay, or they stay on the grounds and relax with a good book, or go for walks and explore the enormous park.