Frequently Asked Questions Arriving in South Africa Do I need a visa? Nationals from the UK and the European Union, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand: At present you do not need a visa to enter South Africa and will be granted a temporary Visitors Permit valid for up to 90 days providing you have: a) a pre-booked return flight within 90days b) a passport valid for at least 6months. PLEASE NOTE: If you do not fall under one of these countries, then you need to arrange a visa in advance. We will not be held accountable for any persons entering South Africa and then being deported due to incorrect paperwork. How long can I legally stay in South Africa? You may extend your visitors permit for an additional 90 days by applying for an extension at the Department of Home Affairs Office. However, it is not guaranteed that you will receive your extension. The visa extension costs +_ R400 Do I need to bring any medication? Although pharmacy services are available in South Africa it is recommended that you bring all medication you require for the duration of your stay. Do I need malaria medication? No, all our projects are situated in a malaria free area What vaccinations do I need? It is recommended that you are vaccinated for: tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid. Note that in most European countries you will have had some of these vaccinations as a child. A yellow fever immunisation certificate is only required if you have travelled through or from an area at risk of yellow fever transmission. In reality this means the majorities of countries in Eastern, Central, or Southern Africa. Note - Even if you travel via Nairobi you will need this immunisation even if you didn t leave the airport.
Staying in South Africa Do I need to bring cash or can I use my debit / credit card? Visa and Mastercard facilities are readily available so you do not need to bring a large amount of cash. Ensure that your card is set up to be used abroad before you leave home. Can I drink the tap water? Yes, the tap water is safe to drink. Are there a lot of mosquitoes? There are mosquitoes here, but we are situated in a malaria free area. For safety please bring along all your allergy medication and other medication if needed. Is it possible to smoke? Yes, there are designated smoking areas on all projects. Smoking is not allowed in front of children Will I have internet access? Yes, there is internet access available as well as wifi at the houses some projects charge a fee fot the internet What happens if there is an emergency? We provide 24hour support and you will be given a contact number to use in case of an emergency. Are there plug sockets in every room? In every room there are standard power sockets. It s a 3 point plug system that we have is hare to find in your home country. We recommend you buy it once you are in South Africa. Is it safe on my project? There is a general worldwide misconception that South Africa is unsafe to visit, and this is perpetuated by the media. In fact, South Africa is safer for tourists than Brazil yet they don t receive the same negativity as we do. Like any country there are unsafe places, particularly at night. These are well known by everyone and it is extremely unlikely that any student could accidentally walk into them. South Africa is as safe as any other country to visit if common sense and basic precautions are taken All our projects are situated in safe areas with staff onsite and security such as fences or cameras to ensure your safety. Why do I have to pay to volunteer? The cost you pay to volunteer is only to cover unavoidable costs such as accommodation, meals, transport, shuttles and donation towards the project for running costs and material to sustain the program. Most of the projects are run only on the money that is donated by volunteer fees, without these donations and the physical help from volunteers most projects would not exist. Should I bring donations? Donations are always welcome; however you should not feel like you have to bring anything. You are already donating your time and expertise. Each project has a wish list of items required to improve the project. Remember, things in South Africa are usually cheaper than your home country, so in most cases it is best to bring cash and buy locally. This also gives you time to see what is most needed.
CAPE TOWN COMMUNITY PROJECTS Settlement/ School and Educare/ Disabled Home/ Adventure Club/ Kite Project When is the best time of year to volunteer? There is no best time to volunteer as our communities require support all year around. Our projects run year round, however from the 24 December 2 January we do not run any set projects. This is to allow the children to spend some time with their parents and for our hard working volunteers to have a short break. The volunteer house is still open and all meals, socials, support and accommodation is still included. The projects are less structured over school holidays when holiday programs and outings are run for the children Holidays are from: 28 March 8 April, 21 June 15 July, 20 Sept 1 Oct and 6 Dec 8 Jan 2014 I want to make the most of my programme, what length of time is best? The longer you can volunteer the better. Volunteers who stay longer can build greater relationships with the children and have a greater impact on the community. We recommend a minimum of 4 weeks Where will I find the shuttle at the airport? One of our staff will be waiting for you at the airport with a signboard. If your flight lands early or you can t see your driver, please go to the information desk and we will meet you there. Or you can call +27 21 556 9369. Is it safe to work in a township? Yes, you are very safe being in the township. We have an excellent relationship with the community and community leaders and there is always a local person with you while you are on the project. As your safety is our top priority if at any time we feel their might be unrest we will place you on another project during this time or alter the project accordingly. What do I need when I m on the project? Good footwear, appropriate clothes for working with children, good sun cream, and a bottle of water. If you are on the adventure club you also require swimwear for the ocean or pool. We do have wetsuits for you to use although if you have your own it is good to bring it. How do I get to my project? We drive you to and from your project. Can I take photos of the children? Yes, you can take your camera to the project and take photos. Always ask permission when taking photos of adults. Please ask for our Child Protection Policy to find out more. I m scared of HIV and AIDS, what are the risks? HIV is a blood bound infection. You will not contract HIV through playing and touching the children. We do not know the HIV status of all the children we work with, therefore if there is an accident involving blood let your project leader take control.
How many hours / days will I be working? Volunteers usually work 20 25 hours a week on the project. In addition you may need to spend some time planning. This is usually spread over 4 5 days, although the exact program may vary dependent on special events or the project you are on. If I am on the adventure club or kite surfing project do I need to know how to surf or kitesurf? No, you will receive a minimum of 1 surf lesson a week with an instructor or 12 hrs of lessons on the kite project. There are surf boards always available for volunteers to use on their time off. You will need to rent your own kitesurfing equipment after the 12hrs lessons. On the Adventure club and Kite project, am I on the beach all day? The surf and kite programs are incentive programs for the children to do well and go to school. Therefore the children are at school during the day. Volunteers assist with any of our other projects in the morning from 8:30 13:00 and in the afternoons the volunteers will teach the children swimming or surfing. Over weekends the kite volunteers will teach kitesurfing to the children. Please remember that these activities are weather dependent and your days might vary accordingly. Also remember to have patience as volunteers and childrens safety is our priority. Will I have time off? Yes, volunteers have the weekends off unless we are organising a special event or you are on the kitesurf project. This is your volunteer program so you may take time off during the week provided you first ask the volunteer coordinator and give us time to plan around your absence. What do I do on my time off? Whatever you want. You can arrange tours etc. at Saltycrax Backpackers. Once a week we organise a volunteer social activity (e.g. football game, concert, market, restaurant etc) which all volunteers may join.
BIG CAT PROJECT How do I get to the project? You will receive a city bug reference number when you book your program. The City Bug services are situated at the bus terminal at Johannesburg International Airport. If you change your ticket there is a R50 change fee per ticket. If you miss your shuttle you will need to purchase a new ticket. The City Bug will drive you from the airport (JHB) to Bloemfontein where it has a drop off zone. This is where we will be waiting to pick you up. (We do the pickup on arrival and drop off on departure for free) If for any reason you have issues with the shuttle please contact + 27 83 669 6959 When is the best time of year to volunteer? There is no best time to volunteer as our animals require support all year around and there are always improvements to be made on the farm. I want to make the most of my programme, what length of time is best? The longer you can volunteer the better. Volunteers who stay longer than 6 weeks have more of a chance of hand rearing a cub that is younger than 8 weeks old. How many people sleep in a room? It is 2 to 8 or more people per room, You can request a private room at an additional fee. What is the sanitation facilities like? The sanitation on the farm is high due to the fact that we do have contact with the animals and baby animals. To ensure our safety as well as the animals, we sanitize our hands regularly with F10, this is a sanitizer used to kill germs and bacteria. Is there a danger of snakes like the black mamba and similar, very dangerous snakes? The black mamba occurs in the North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and northern Kwazulu Natal provinces in South Africa. They are not found in desert areas where we are situated? Potentially dangerous snakes around the farm are: Puff adder: these snakes are the cause of most snake bite deaths due to the fact that they are common and they are slow moving meaning they won t move out of the way when approached. Most bites are accidental because they are so well camouflaged and not easily seen. Boom slang is another snake that is very common in South Africa, but are very docile snakes. They are extremely venomous but hardly encountered. They stay in trees unless they need to travel from one tree to another. The spiders we have here are: Black widows Crab spiders Violin spiders There are many more to mentioned, but these are the most important. The spiders mentioned above are rarely seen in rooms and if found, its pure incident. However, we are fully equipped for snakes and our staff will help you in the rare case of an emergency.
Will I get to interact with the cats? There are always cubs on the farm, however they need to be older than 6 weeks before they can interact with different people daily. There is a 99% chance you will get lots of time to interact with the cubs as they need socializing daily, however this can not be guaranteed due to the fact the cats get released back on to reserves when they are old enough. When do we start working and for how long and for how many days a week? On the day of arrival, a short welcome and briefing is given as well as an introduction tour of the farm and animals (depending on time of arrival). You begin volunteering the next day at: 7:00 am to 1:00pm (the time can change) Lunch is from 1:00pm -2:00pm 2:00 PM to 5:00pm (the time can change) You will be assisting from Monday to Sunday and you will get an off day every Tuesday (please take note this can change according to how busy the farm gets, then the off day will move to a week day) Will there be a possibility to go shopping, (for food or groceries etc) while at the program, or are we just staying on the farm? Yes, as soon as we fetch you from the designated pre-arranged pick up spot, we will take you to the shops first thing so that you can get all your starting necessities (we also give a shopping list that will help you prepare you for your farm arrival). There are times that can be organized to go in to town to do some shopping and maybe see some of the surrounding farms and places. Transportation to and from the place, does have a fee attached which covers the petrol needed to get to the place and back. What animals are on the project? There are a variety of cats like servals, caracals, black footed cats, leopard, lion and cheetah cub, black back jackals and the oh so famous Timone the meerkat. Why do the cats get taken away from their parents so young and hand reared? Cats in captivity don t breed easily and the mother doesn t raise young always successfully. Breeders sell their young to potential buyers who also have cats in captivity. It s just easier to work with captive cats because they are much tamer. Captive cats survival rate is very low due to sickness and the mom kills the cubs, therefore to ensure their survival they are hand reared. If I am allergic to domestic cats will I be allergic to wild cats? Unless you come in contact with the wild cats you will be allergic too. If you are allergic to pollen, grass seeds and dust you will also have an allergic reaction. Be safe and bring your medication with to avoid a reaction Where do the cats go after the wildcat farm? We are not breeders for selling. We release our animals onto a game farm/reserve and to breeders who are looking for new blood lines and for releasing. We are NOT into killing of any animal. We are STRONGLY AGAINST it. We are all about the conservation and safety of all animal species What do I need when I m on the project? Good footwear, appropriate clothes for working with animals, shorts or pants not shorter than 4 fingers above the knee, insect repellent, good sun cream, swimwear and a water bottle.
Will I have time off? Yes, you will have one off day each week (usually Tuesday but this can change dependent on how busy the farm is). Also if you require another day off this is no problem, just talk to us. There is also a large pool that you can use in your time off and soak up the african sun. How much does water/soda cost there? Bottled Water: R6.00 per 250ml bottle (Tap water is safe to drink) Soda: R10.00 per can Tizers: R16.00 per can Where can I do my washing? There is a washing service available at R50 per bundle or you ware welcome to buy your own washing powder and do your own.
HARTEES ANIMAL PROJECTS and SAFE HOUSE: How do I get to the project? You will be collected from Johannesburg International airport or anywhere in Johannesburg area. When you arrive at the arrivals hall at the airport look out for your shuttle driver, he will be holding a signboard with your name on it. If you cannot see, wait at the information desk. If for any reason you have issues with the shuttle please contact + 27 82 416 4796 or + 27 72 730 8258 When is the best time of year to volunteer? There is no best time to volunteer as our animal and community projects require support all year round and there are always improvements to be made on the reserves. Will I get to do all the projects? The assignments are structured for you to be exposed to as much as possible, and in the same time to make a meaningful contribution to the projects. You will get a chance to work on all projects at least once, however project work changes and you might spend most of your time focuses on the current project plan. I want to make the most of my programme, what length of time is best? The longer you can volunteer the better you will get to know the projects and be given more responsibility, but a min of 14 days are required. How many people sleep in a room? 2 to 4 people share a room. You can request a private room at an additional fee. Will I get to interact with the animals? Our aim is to release as many rehabilitated animals back in to the wild where possible, and this require minimal human contact, therefore not all animals will be exposed to close contact with humans. The majority of rescued and hand-reared animals cannot be set free again, and they will allow interaction. You will have a hands-on experience with elephant, monkey and a lion interaction is part of the program. When do we start working and for how long and for how many days a week? Volunteers work a 5 day week, Monday to Friday. Volunteers usually work 8 hours a day. Weekends are filled with activities and exploration in and around the area. What Will I be doing? All volunteers will be involved in the day to day running of the wildlife sanctuaries. This project is all about improving the lives of animals, and involves lots of different tasks and each day is likely to be different. Volunteers will also be involved in extra projects, specifically focusing on one animal or group of animals. This may be something like building nesting walls for vultures, or constructing hides for watching and recording data for on-going research projects. Will there be a possibility to go shopping, (for food or groceries etc.) while at the program, or are we just staying on the reserve? There will be regular opportunities to stop and top up on whatever you need from the local supermarkets. What animals are on to be found at our projects and on or reserves? Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Hyena, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Blesbok, Impala, Sable Antelope, Nyala, Baboons, Monkeys etc.
Why are the animals on the reserves? The animals that are on the reserves are mostly part of a project one way or another. Some have been here from the onset; others have been rescued and are in the process of rehabilitation to be released elsewhere to avoid conflict with human expansion. What do I need when I m on the project? Good footwear, appropriate clothes for working with animals, working gloves, insect repellent, good sun cream and hat, swimwear and a water bottle. Will I have time off? Weekends are free. On days off activities & tours are organized, or you can relax at the pool. (The area is well known for the abundance of outdoor- and adventure activities)
WILD LIFE SANCTUARY PROJECT How do I get to the project? You will be collected from Johannesburg International airport or anywhere in Johannesburg area When you arrive at the arrivals hall at the airport look out for your shuttle driver, he will be holding a signboard with your name on it. If you can not see him go to the information desk and wait there. If for any reason you have issues with the shuttle please contact + 27 83 669 6959 When is the best time of year to volunteer? There is no best time to volunteer as our animals require support all year around and there are always improvements to be made on the farm. I want to make the most of my programme, what length of time is best? The longer you can volunteer the better you will get to know the animals and be given more responsibility How many people sleep in a room? It is 2 to 8 people per room, You can request a private room at an additional fee Is there a danger of snakes as the black mamba and similar, very dangerous snakes? The black mamba occurs in the North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and northern Kwazulu Natal provinces in South Africa. They are not found in desert areas where we are situated? Potentially dangerous snakes around the farm are: Puff adder: these snakes are the cause of most snake bite deaths due to the fact that they are common and they are slow moving meaning they won t move out of the way when approached. Most bites are accidental because they are so well camouflaged and not easily seen. Boom slang is another snake that is very common in South Africa, but are very docile snakes. They are extremely venomous but hardly encountered. They stay in trees unless they need to travel from one tree to another. The spiders we have here are: Black widows Crab spiders Violin spiders There are many more to mentioned, but these are the most important. The spiders mentioned above are rarely seen in rooms and if found, its pure incident. However, we are fully equipped for snakes and our staff will help you in the rare case of an emergency. Will I get to interact with the animals? As most of the animals have been rescued or hand reared it is fairly easy to interact with the animals such as elephant and zebra. Most animals get re-released so it is hard to guarantee what will be on the farm. There are sometimes lion cubs and meercats.
When do we start working and for how long and for how many days a week? Volunteers work 6 days a week, Monday to Saturday. Volunteers usually work 8 hours a day. Saturdays is normally a shorter day involving a quick check of the farm and then a fun activity. What Will I be doing? Volunteers will usually be involved in two projects. All volunteers will be involved with the day to day running of the wildlife sanctuary. This project is called Improving the Lives of Animals. This project involves lots of different tasks and each day is likely to be different. Volunteers will also have an extra project, specifically focusing on one animal or group of animals. This may be something like taking lion cubs for walks, or constructing a rock pool for tigers to swim in. Will there be a possibility to go shopping, (for food or groceries etc) while at the program, or are we just staying on the farm? Yes, there is a grocery store very close to the farm. All you have to do is ask your volunteer leader or one of the staff and they will take you on their next visit. What animals are on the project? Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Hyena, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Blesbok, Impala etc. Why are the animals on the farm? The animals that are on the farm are mostly part of a project one way or another. If the animal is workable enough they get to do film work (the Sanctuary often gets requests from TV companies such as the UK s Into Africa ), which is all done with the reward system, the other animals make up of rescues and animals that have been on the farm for over 28 years. What do I need when I m on the project? Good footwear, appropriate clothes for working with animals, good working gloves, insect repellent, good sun cream, swimwear and a water bottle. How does Internet and Laundry work? There is wifi available at R50 for 500mb vouchers. Laundry service is available at R50 a load. Will I have time off? On days off activities & tours can be organized, or you can do some shopping, or relax at the pool. (There is quite a lot that can be done around the area) We can assist to arrange the appropriate transportation etc
WHITE SHARK CONSERVATION PROJECT When is the best time of year for the sharks? We do shark cage diving right through the year, so anytime is good. We do have more sharks in our winter season (June August) because the water is warmer, but the air is colder. Summer is also a good time because the days are nice and sunny, and diving is always an option. How many days will I be going on the boat? As everything here is weather dependant, we will try and get you on the boat on a daily basis. We have 2 research vessels, 1 shark cage diving vessel, and 1 whale and eco vessel. How often will I be shark cage diving? Depending on clients and weather conditions, you will dive on a regular basis. The Skipper on board the vessel decides this on the day. I want to make the most of my program, what length of time is best? 1 week: we understand that some people can only join for one week, and we accept that and try to make the most of the programme in that week, but please note that we are weather dependant. If the weather is not good, we will not be going to sea, and you can lose a couple of valuable days. 2 weeks: this is better. We can get a lot more done and more lectures can be given 3 weeks: this is even better. You can start having a great time. We will also arrange for some excursions, and wine tasting, or visits to surrounding towns so you see more of our area including a lot more boat time and lectures. 4 weeks or more: You will be able to do all that our programme has to offer, and maybe even get the chance to be a part of our research with our Marine Biologists, and go on the research vessel. There could be a chance to do tagging and tracking of the great white shark (this is a bonus and should not be expected). How many hours will I be working? Depending on our trips it will be between 4 and 5 hours, if we have one trip. If we have 2 trips then it could be about 8 to 9 hours. What will I be doing on the boat? Assisting the crew in the dive operations, data recording, observation, getting the boat ready before launch, and help operations when boat returns to land Will I be receiving lectures? Yes, we have 4 Marine Biologists that do lectures, as well as our Skipper and Deckhand. You will have lectures on basic seamanship, shark biology, tagging and tracking of Great White Sharks and Conservation. Please note that this depends on your timeframe with us. One or even 2-week participants might not receive all the lectures as they are done as time allows. What is most important to bring? Seasick tablets or patches. Polarized sunglasses. Sunblock. Warm jacket. Old clothes and shoes. Medication. Regular clothes and shoes. An open mind and love for marine animals. Do I need to bring scuba gear? No, we do not do scuba diving, and we provide all gear for shark cage diving.
Will I have time off? You can take time off as and when you need. We work 7 days a week, weather depending. We do not expect volunteers to work these hours; so taking the day off is easy. You would just need to inform your Volunteer Coordinator. What time will I be picked up in Cape Town? Our pick -up times are between 05h00am and 08h00am, but weather depending it may sometimes be later. How do I get back to Cape Town when my program finishes? If you need to be at the airport, we can take you, but your flight needs to be for no earlier than 19h00pm. If it is, then there might be a chance that you would need to go to Cape Town the day before and stay over in Cape Town. This is arranged when you are at our programme. If you are not going to the airport, we will drop you off in Cape Town.