Monkey Sanctuary Volunteers
Hands-on rehab project with cheeky primates!
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Group Size: Avg. 15, max. 40
Trip code: SAMV
Duration: 2-12 weeks
Enjoy the experience of a lifetime, caring for injured, orphaned and abandoned monkeys at this world-class monkey rehabilitation centre in the heart of the South African bush. Youâll be welcomed like family by the small team that have dedicated their lives to this cause. Duties are varied and seriously hands-on, including helping with sick and injured animals in clinic, building enclosures, harvesting food and maybe even helping release the animals back into the wild! Spend your free time exploring your stunning surroundings, visiting local villages, waterfalls, nature reserves and going on safari, and make friends for life with your fellow volunteers (and the monkeys!)
Trip highlights
- Feed the monkeys twice a day, including bottle-feeding adorable baby monkeys!
- Take the monkeys down to the river for a daily swim and play in their natural habitat
- Help nurse injured and sick monkeys back to health in the clinic
- Become a part of a dedicated team and meet new monkey-minded mates!
- Explore beautiful South Africa and go on safari in your spare time
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- 100% Financially Secure
- We have provided financial bonds which guarantee that your money is totally safe with Gap 360 Ltd.
- All accommodation
- 3 meals per day
- Airport transfer
- Interact with monkeys
- Feeding the monkeys
- General support and maintenance duties
- Opportunity to take part in optional activities (extra cost)
- 24 hour emergency support
- Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Alcoholic beverages, drinks and snacks
- Optional excursions in free time
- Padlock for locker
About the Monkey Sanctuary
Established in 1995, this amazing monkey sanctuary specialises in rehabilitation of South Africaâs five primate species. The centre is run by a small team that have dedicated their lives to this cause and has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world. They provide a temporary home for orphaned monkeys, wildlife casualties, animals which have previously been kept in captivity, and unwanted pets.
Your Volunteer Role
As a volunteer youâll help with feeding, cleaning and handling the animals, as well as the daily maintenance and construction of the centre, and in planting and harvesting vegetables to feed the animals.
A typical daily routine may look like this:
- 6:45 - 7:00am - An early start - monkeys donât do lie-ins! Your mornings will be dedicated to jobs around the sanctuary. You'll get stuck in with cleaning their cages, preparing their breakfast and feeding the animals (maybe even bottle feeding the babies!) as well as various projects specified by the staff.
- 13:00 â 14:00 (approx) - Lunchtime
- 14:00 - Activities in the afternoon vary depending upon the needs of the centre, though tasks often include monitoring or doing enrichment tasks with the animals such as walking them down to the river to play or swim in their natural habitat. Sometimes there will be free time here, so you can relax or go on excursions with other members of the group.
- 18:00 (approx.) â Dinner
- 19:30 â After dinner you will have the rest of the evening as free time
When not out doing your rounds, there are other activities you can get involved with, such as researching the habits of the monkeys. We will only be able to offer these projects to those who will be at the centre for a minimum of 6, or 8 weeks (sometimes even longer). This is to enable you to fully understand what is required from the project, and more importantly give you time to be accepted by the animals!
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Free Time and Optional Activities
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. The project staff can often help you book trips and excursions locally at an extra cost. These excursions can include:
- Tree canopy and waterfalls tour
- Modjadji Cycad Reserve
- Overnight safari in Kruger National Park
- Gorge swing
- Panorama tour of Graskop and Three Rondawels
- Visit a cheetah project
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Online booking is unavailable for this trip
Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.To get to the project you will need to book a flight to Hoedspruit Airport in South Africa. Most flights will have a connection via Johannesburg. When you land into Hoedspruit on your start date we will meet you and drive you to the project. The airport pick up is pre-arranged to coincide with your arrival.
Accommodation
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.
Rooms are based on 2-9 people sharing. Sexes are normally split, but within small groups volunteers often choose âmixedâ dorms. Couples and single-occupancy rooms can also be accommodated (subject to availability and at an additional cost). Speak to your travel advisor for more information.
Itâs worth noting that the standard of accommodation on this project is much higher than that of many other similar projects operating in the area. Facilities include European style flushing toilets, hot showers, and lights and power points in the dorms, none of which are standard in the region.
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 and there are extra blankets available on request.
The staff will also do your laundry (one load included in your project fee), if you donât 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 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 a necessity, but you are welcome to bring your own if you wish. They are cheaper to buy in South Africa than the UK.
Meals
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 breads and spreads.
Dinner is at 6pm and during weekends youâll get the opportunity to experience South African braais (BBQâs).
Youâll also have the opportunity to pick up your favourite snacks, drinks, and groceries on our weekly town trip to the local greengrocer.
Please note: Vegetarians and vegans can be catered for on request. Please let us know of any dietary requirements before you travel.
Youâll need to be 18 or over to join this project.
Donât worry if you havenât 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! Volunteering on the centre is hard but rewarding. Thereâs plenty of lifting, carrying, sweating, and getting dirty so you need to be prepared for that!
Youâll also need to sign a code of conduct document on arrival, that states that you agree to abide by the projectâs rules and that you understand any safety issues.
British citizens can travel to South Africa for any purpose for up to 90 days without a visa. If you plan to stay longer or have any other questions regarding visas, contact the South African commission.
Your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive.
Visa rules and regulations are subject to change. Please check the relevant embassy websites for the most up to date visa information.
This trip is designed with your safety and wellbeing in mind. As a result of Covid-19, many of our suppliers and partners around the world are introducing new policies and procedures surrounding health and safety in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. As the state of travel is evolving these new safety measures will adapt over time, and will be different for each trip. Here are some of the changes you may see on your trip:
Arrival safety meetings
Most trips have an arrival meeting on the first day where the guide or local team will run through the trip, the safety protocols, and to answer any questions you may have. Now more than ever it is important you arrive in time for these meetings.
Proof of vaccination or negative covid test
For the safety of all travellers, at the start of some trips you may be required to show evidence that you are fully vaccinated (14 days after your second dose) and/or show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the tour start date in order to join the programme.
Updated hygiene and safety procedures
Our suppliers and partners have health and safety procedures in place on all of our trips. These protocols will be updated and adapted as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, dependent on local restrictions and laws.
Transport and accommodation choices
Our suppliers and partners choose the accommodation and transport on our trips very carefully, and you may see a change to what would normally be used as a response to the outbreak. This may involve such changes as enhanced use of private transport or quieter accommodation.
Trained and knowledgeable staff
Our staff in the UK are trained to help you with your trip before you depart and answer any questions you may have. In addition, the local team and guides on our trips are there to help with any health and safety concerns and to ensure our trips run safely and smoothly.
Reduced group sizes
Some trips will run with reduced group sizes to start with. You may find that trips are more intimate and chilled, whilst still being packed with fun and adventure.
Healthcare
Your guide or the local team will be on hand to help you seek medical attention should you require it during your trip. As medical facilities and standards can vary around the world, you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place before you depart to cover you for any medical emergencies.
24/7 emergency support
We operate an emergency phone line for our travellers abroad. This is operated by a UK based member of staff 24/7 if you have a genuine emergency or urgent matter that you need attending.
It is important that you take measures to make travelling safer for yourself and others around you. Ensure you frequently wash your hands, cover your face when you sneeze and cough, bring and use your own hand sanitiser and facial coverings/masks, and enable social distancing where necessary. You should also ensure you listen to the instructions and guidance of the local team at all times, and follow all local laws and restrictions.