Trip Highlights Experience the satisfaction of nursing monkeys back to health during their stay in monkey rehab Become a part of a dedicated team and meet new monkey-minded mates, as you work to look after and release orphaned and injured monkeys Become monkey mother and bottle-feed orphaned baby animals, from baboons to other infant sanctuary animals Help staff with the ever growing sanctuary intake, receiving other bird and animal species (aside from monkeys) in between building up a baboon troop Have an amazing time in South Africa, see stunning sights, explore and go on safari in your spare time! 2-12 weeks from 719 1/7
Trip Overview At our monkey and ape rehabilitation sanctuary in South Africa you can help to rehabilitate and release injured, orphaned and abandoned monkeys, bush babies, baboons and other animals until they can be returned into the wild. Helping to feed your new monkey mates as a volunteer, during this special South African sanctuary trip, typical tasks will include constructing new enclosures, planting vegetables and for a truly special and worthwhile experience, bottle-feeding the babies! Experience other South African attractions such as seeing a 6000 year-old baobab tree, visiting local villages and soaking up the scenery. It s not all about sanctuary work, but a chance for you to make a real hands-on difference and help out some real cheeky monkeys! Trip Details About the Monkey Sanctuary 2/7
Established in 1995, this monkey sanctuary and rehabilitation centre now aims to accommodate and provide temporary sanctuary for vervet monkeys, orphaned animals, wildlife casualties and animals which have previously been kept in captivity, as sadly many of the animal residents have histories as unwanted pets. Bought before they were fully mature, these past pets quickly grow into magnificent wild creatures, unfortunately losing their 'cuteness' and in many circumstances becoming dangerous or unmanageable (wild pets are well known for biting people or knocking over ornaments). Because of this wild 'problem' owners bring them into the sanctuary for better care. How the Sanctuary makes a difference The sanctuary staff then rehabilitate animals to the point of self-support, and ultimately release them back into the wild where they naturally belong. They do not keep animals in cages once they ve been through the rehab process unless it s impossible to release them back into the wild, and as monkeys and baboons take longer to rehabilitate than other animals, their release could take anything from 18 months to 3 years. (You may even have a chance to join the baboons and go inside the cage for a visit if you like!) Your Volunteer Role Aiming to release at least two troops of rehabilitated monkeys and/or baboons back into the wild a year, there's a lot of work, organisation, research and monitoring to be done, so it s important to realise that there s a lot more to operating and running the sanctuary than just feeding, cleaning and handling animals. To help out, you ll get involved in the daily maintenance and construction of the centre, and in planting and harvesting vegetables. This is incredibly important because homegrown produce is one of the food sources used to help feed the animals, and the farmers who supply some of the rest of the foods are battling to grow under drought circumstances. You should also be prepared to get down and dirty while working with primates, as they have a tendency to jump on you in order to say hello! Depending on the needs of the sanctuary, there may be the opportunity to work with/handle more than just primates. We can t guarantee this, but as the centre is starting to gather a larger variety of different animal and bird species, we can guarantee a unique, challenging and fun experience! Please note that the longer you stay at the centre, the more you ll get to see and do! Free Time and Optional Activities 3/7
Once chores have been completed for the day and time/weather permitting, there will be a chance to have some fun and explore the surrounding area, as the project staff will often help you book trips and excursions around the beautiful surrounding area. This is your chance to see a little of South Africa, but please bear in mind that these trips are not included in the fee and must be paid for locally. Prices also vary so please ask the in-country staff for up to date costs. The list below should give you an idea of the sort of activities you can do and guideline prices (based on a minimum of 4 participants in each activity): Spend the day on a Tree Canopy and Waterfalls Tour - R700 See the majestic Modjadji Cycad Reserve, containing a forest of ancient cycad plants. Price for a visit to the Modjadji Reserve and the Baobab Tree is R400 Have the chance to see South Africa from a height, by taking a Micro light flight (priced locally). Take an unforgettable safari trip to Kruger Game Park and stay overnight on an overnight stay, at a cost of R3200 Be brave and enjoy the big swing over a 65m gorge drop for R285 Visit a local cheetah project for a cost of R400 Take the panoramic scenic route and take some amazing pictures You should also note that public transport in South Africa is in no way similar to the system in place in the UK, and our partners have often had to advise confused travellers who wish to extent their travels once they leave the project. Because of this you should be aware that onward travel can be difficult as there is no local bus, taxi or train service available. Despite this, our local partners will try to assist and advise you as much as possible in travels just as long as you let them know beforehand! Arrival Information To get to the project you will need to book a flight to Phalaborwa Airport in South Africa. Most flights will have a connection via Johannesburg. When you land into Phalaborwa on your start date we will meet you and drive you to the project. We can help you book flights so please give us a call! Accommodation & Meals Staying in rustic style dormitories enveloped in unspoilt South African bush, you can wake up in the morning to native birdsong and drift off to sleep to the calming sounds of the African bush at night. If you want a full outdoors experience to really make the most of your time under the African sun, then sleeping outside can be arranged. 4/7
Rooms are based on 3-9 people sharing. Sexes are normally split, but within small groups volunteers often choose mixed dorms. Couples can also be accommodated (subject to availability). With flush toilets, hot showers and electricity points available in the dorms, you ll be living comfortably and will be able to charge mobiles/cameras (as long as you remember to bring a South African adaptor plug). If you want to bring a laptop or notebook, you can access free Wi-Fi between 4 and 7 or 8pm. There are lockers for valuables available for you to use but you will need to bring your own padlock (number combination types are suggested rather than padlocks with keys) Sheets, duvets and pillows will be provided, though you many want to bring a sleeping bag if you are at the project during the winter (June & July) as it can get very cold at night. The staff will also do your laundry (for a small fee), if you don t want to hand wash your own clothes. Each dorm will have a set day for laundry, which the staff will inform you of when you arrive. When you have completed your jobs for the day, you can cool off with a swim in the pool or relax at the river; bird watching and enjoying the colours of a true South African sunset. During the summer this picturesque scene truly comes alive at night, as the banks of the river are transformed by hundreds of fireflies. Mosquito nets are not really a necessity but you are welcome to bring your own if you wish. They are cheaper to buy in South Africa than the UK. Three meals a day, teas and coffees are included in the price of your monkey sanctuary experience. A semi-continental breakfast is served at 9am, with lunch at around 1pm normally consisting of sandwiches or hot dogs. Dinner is at 6pm and during weekends you ll get the opportunity to experience South African braais (BBQ s) and help prepare your own traditional potjie (stew). Vegetarians and vegans can be catered for on request. Minimum age & eligibility The minimum age to come on this monkey experience is 18. Don t worry if you haven t had any previous experience working with animals, you will receive all the necessary training at the centre. You do however need to be healthy, fit and of course have a passion and love for animals! 5/7
Nationals of the EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand don t require a visa to enter South Africa, though South African Immigration does ask that you have two completely blank consecutive pages in your passport. As long as you hold a valid passport (and a valid return ticket) you will be granted a temporary visitor s permit on arrival, allowing visitors to stay in South Africa for up to three months. You should also ensure that your passport will still be in date for six months after you return. Group Size Avg. 15, max. 40 What's Included Hands-on volunteering experience caring for monkeys at a South African sanctuary Chance to interact with other primates and animals at the sanctuary Feeding the monkeys and other animals General support and maintenance duties at the sanctuary All accommodation, set in the unspoilt South African bush 3 meals per day Opportunity to take part in optional activities and excursions (extra cost) Transfers to and from Phalaborwa Airport to the sanctuary 24 hour emergency support What's not Included Flights Travel Insurance Alcoholic beverages, drinks and snacks Optional excursions in free time Padlock for locker Prices Prices shown are correct on the 27th Mar 2019 and are subject to change - 2 weeks - 719-6 weeks - 1,969-8 weeks - 2,589-4 weeks - 1,349-12 weeks - 3,829-3 weeks - 1,039 6/7
- 5 weeks - 1,659-7 weeks - 2,279 7/7