from 581€

Excellent 4.8rating (171)

Wildlife Supporter

location
1 - 8 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Work up close with the famous Big 5!
  • Join our sanctuary for orphaned and injured non dangerous animals such as zebra, springbuck, etc.
  • Make a difference in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of wildlife giving them a second chance at being free and wild again.
  • Explore Port Elizabeth with fellow volunteers!
  • Meet like-minded volunteers from all over the world!

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups

About the program

Volunteer at our Big Five Game reserve, support the local staff in monitoring the animals and conserving the environment.

About the Program

The Wildlife Project is situated approximately 45 minutes from Port Elizabeth. The reserve is on 6000 hectares of land which is filled with a variety of game, bird life and wild animals, including the BIG 5! In addition to the mixture of grasslands, sub-tropical vegetation, fynbos ...

About the program

About the Program

The Wildlife Project is situated approximately 45 minutes from Port Elizabeth. The reserve is on 6000 hectares of land which is filled with a variety of game, bird life and wild animals, including the BIG 5! In addition to the mixture of grasslands, sub-tropical vegetation, fynbos and bushveld, it also has naturally formed pockets of water, amazing rock formations and splendid flora.

As the wildlife programme is based in Port Elizabeth and participants need to book their flights direct from their home country to Port Elizabeth. The programme begins on a Monday and ends on a Sunday. Participants must arrange their flights to arrive at Port Elizabeth airport before 4pm on the Monday to be in time for their shuttle which collects them at the airport and transfers them to the wildlife project. The programme is designed for volunteers that are interested in having a truly African experience while making a difference to the local wildlife and environment.

Structure and Facilities 

  • Volunteers are placed in staff housing (fully furnished) 
  • Separate housing for male and female volunteers 
  • Recreational activities are limited on the game reserve 
  • Weekend getaways to the city can be arranged every alternative weekend.

The reserve’s farm area has expanded into a “plains sanctuary” which is a sanctuary for orphaned and injured non dangerous animals such as zebra, springbuck, etc.  It also boasts a lion rehabilitation camp which has been established and running quite successfully. This area (approximately 300 hectares) is where the lions from the predator educational and rehabilitation center go to before being released into the wild. This eases them into the process. Their white lions have also had their first baby! Unfortunately the first time mother has been having trouble looking after the cub and they have had to intervene and hand rear the cub. The cub is now doing well and will be moving into its own enclosure in the near future.  



Typical day

Usual working days go from 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM and include the following activities.

  • Game capture
  • Visitor management 
  • Accompanying guides on game drives
  • Clearing paths
  • Tracking animals
  • Mending fences
  • Animal counting
  • Animal feeding
  • Removal of alien vegetation in and around the reserve
  • Wildlife structures
  • Tree ...

Typical day

Usual working days go from 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM and include the following activities.

  • Game capture
  • Visitor management 
  • Accompanying guides on game drives
  • Clearing paths
  • Tracking animals
  • Mending fences
  • Animal counting
  • Animal feeding
  • Removal of alien vegetation in and around the reserve
  • Wildlife structures
  • Tree planting and landscaping
  • Fauna and flora work in the nursery
  • Wilderness trail walks and patrols, etc.


Free-time activities

On weekends you will be send out for excursions between Saturday and Sunday. The excursions will either be to Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth, or any other nearby destination. On these excursions please note that the reserve will only provide you with accommodation and transport to and from your ...

Free-time activities

On weekends you will be send out for excursions between Saturday and Sunday. The excursions will either be to Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth, or any other nearby destination. On these excursions please note that the reserve will only provide you with accommodation and transport to and from your destination. Accommodation will be in dorms and if you would like to upgrade yourself, you are welcome to do so but at your own cost. For those participating in their Garden Route tours, they recommend that you stay behind on the weekend to fully enjoy the wildlife component and go into PE on Monday. You are free to participate in the weekend excursions, but the meals for the Monday will then be for your own account. They also offer Addo excursions through a travel agent and the reserve can assist you with these arrangements. Since these excursions are done by an agent, volunteers need to pay for their accommodation, activities and meals which will form part of their excursion package. You are also free to organize your own excursion, but this will be at your own cost.
You are also free to stay behind during the weekends to relax and unwind at the reserve.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

A love and passion for animals and the outdoors, willingness to get one’s hands dirty, ability to work in sometimes unpleasant weather conditions.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Stay Africa Volunteers

Program fee includes:

  • Schedules return transfers from airport in Port Elizabeth 
  • Guided wildlife tour 
  • 1 Reserve T-shirt & Cap 
  • Orientation on arrival 
  • Meals whilst on Reserve 
  • Shared Accommodation 
  • Optional Weekend transport between Saturday and Sunday to either Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth, or any nearby destination which includes transport and accommodation only.

Airport Pickup at Port Elizabeth International Airport

The reserve runs scheduled transfers to and from the airport since they are about 45 minutes from Port Elizabeth.
Sunday: Reserve to Port Elizabeth (departs 6:00 PM)
Monday: Port Elizabeth to Reserve (departs 4:00 PM)
Saturday: Reserve to Port Elizabeth (departs 9:00 AM)

If you are not comfortable with leaving on the scheduled transfer, a transfer can be organized for you at an extra cost and depending on availability.

Accommodation

  • You will be housed in dorms. 
  • The dorms are single sex dorms, no boys are allowed in the girl’s dorms and no girls in boy’s dorms. 
Please note: In cases where volunteers want to stay as a couple, this can be arranged at an extra cost and also depends on the availability of rooms unless arrangements were made prior to arrival.

Food & Beverages

Meals: Breakfast: 09:30 Am - 10:00 AM // Lunch: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM // Supper: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Your basic breakfast consists of cereals, bread, butter, jam, tea, coffee and cheese, but sometimes eggs, sausages or baked beans, and sometimes a combination of the above. 

As for lunch and dinner you will have a wide variety ranging from burgers, chicken and chips, vegetarian dishes, potato casserole and so on. 

Please note: meals will be served either at the restaurant or at the volunteer’s quarters.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) in Port Elizabeth. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

The wildlife volunteer programme arrival days are any Monday of the year (to arrive before 15:00pm) and the programme ends on a Sunday (Departing 18:00pm)  

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 581€
2 weeks 1,057€
3 weeks 1,528€
4 weeks 1,986€
5 weeks 2,546€
6 weeks 3,004€
7 weeks 3,360€
8 weeks (max. stay) 3,870€
Average fees 532€/week

Program fees

532€ per week 1 - 8 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 8 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Stay Africa Volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Stay Africa Volunteers

Excellent 4.8 rating (171 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 1972

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Kevin

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Stay Africa is a non-profit organization providing high quality, affordable Volunteer programs in Cape Town.

Meet your organization

History

STAY AFRICA (previously known as SASTS Working Adventures) was set up in 1972 to provide affordable travel opportunities for South African students. It was the travel division of NUSAS, the National Union of South African Students, whose activities took root in the days of Apartheid. STAY AFRICA has played an integral role in facilitating student and youth travel for over 40 years and is well equipped to help students realize their travel dreams. Working with reputable and internationally recognized partners and being members of international associations. STAY AFRICA programs are run in accordance with guidelines put in place by these international organisations. Over the past 11 years, STAY AFRICA has branched out to include exciting opportunities for foreign travelers to experience South Africa by implementing Work South Africa, Volunteer South Africa, Groups and High School South Africa. 

Volunteer Programs

There are a vast number of interesting volunteer projects available and most of them are in the local communities surrounding and in the beautiful city of Cape Town. Volunteers can make a valuable contribution in many different facets of childcare, teaching, social, environment and medical placements in and around Cape Town. Whilst on the STAY AFRICA volunteer program, participants will stay with local host families and eat the local meals prepared by the family. They also have the option of staying in the City in a Volunteer House and eat in a local restaurant as well as use local minibus transport to their volunteer project. As a not for profit organisation run by staff of the local communities, we have extensive knowledge of the various communities of Cape Town and South Africa which enables us to offer first hand experience and advice of volunteering in the local communities. STAY AFRICA will provide a real insight into Cape Town’s culture, history, landscape through orientation and local community placement and provide the opportunity for genuine interaction with the local people.

STAY AFRICA's aim is to offer quality, affordable volunteering experiences and the opportunity to be immersed in a local culture for clients interested in discovering Cape Town. As a non-profit organisation, STAY AFRICA is dedicated to providing young people, from all over the world, the opportunity to come to South Africa and experience our cultures and people. 

Respect for the locals, their cultures, religion and environment are essential to operate a successful volunteer program. All our Volunteers placed in the local community have to abide by our Code of Conduct by respecting the local culture.  

Volunteers also have the opportunity to explore the scenic beauty of South Africa whereby we offer tours of Cape Town and Western Cape. Local guides and agencies are used with the understanding to offer a true cultural experience. 

Community Development 

STAY AFRICA works very closely with the local communities of Cape Town, to provide sustainable on-going partnerships. As a not for profit organisation, the program costs goes toward running of the program. Subject to available funding, STAY AFRICA assists community projects with donations to assist with various programs such as feeding scheme, a laptop was donated to a Daycare centre in the Farming community, end of year school functions, sports equipment for Schools etc. 

Volunteers in the local community are placed with Community host families, within walking distance from their volunteer project. Host families are paid a stipend to cover meals and accommodation, thus STAY AFRICA giving back to the local communities by placement of volunteers at both project and host family.  

All of our families we use are local host families and community projects started by the local people of the community that has identified a need within the local communities. Volunteers are placed at much needed community projects, NGO’S, public schools, Women run day care centres, Orphanages etc. All community projects are screened prior to placement of volunteers and factors such as economic responsibility, environmental, social responsibility and safety of the client are considered prior to approving local community projects for placement of our volunteers. In many cases volunteer assistance to these projects will assist the local people via ongoing placement of volunteers at both host family and projects. 


171 reviews · rating4.8

Maike Kupietz rating4.6

2023 at Wildlife Supporter

I have nothing to equip on the reserve! The people there were super warm and your satisfaction was very close to their hearts. The accommodation was cleaned every morning and the food always tasted great. I was able to learn so much about the animals and observe them up close in their natural ...
Yentl Regemortel rating5

2023 at Wildlife Supporter

First time i've been to Kwantu and after 1minute you already feel like home. Very passion people with a great sense of humor and information about conservation. You will definitely learn a lot. The dorms, the beds, the bathroom and the food are so GREAT! I miss it already. ...
Céline Smeets rating4.8

2023 at Wildlife Supporter

Super Nice volunteering. I recommend it very well. I worked and help the reserve to improve its environment. Moreover we could be near and see the big 5 in total safety thanks to the super nice rangers we had. ..
Nils Schwenteck rating5

2023 at Wildlife Supporter

I stayed in Kwantu in October 2023 and I really enjoyed everything. The beautiful nature, amazing animals, the nice people, friendly and helpful staff, making new friends. Great weekend activities like whale watching, the rugby world cup, quad biking, beach horse riding, etc.. Special thanks to ...
Kathryn Masden rating5

2022 at Wildlife Supporter

My daughter and I volunteered for 2-weeks at the Kwantu Wilderness Reserve outside of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. We were there during their winter. AMAZING EXPERIENCE: Kwantu staff loved sharing what they do and got along with all the different personalities in our group; the work experiences ...
GABRIELLE DESWELLE rating5

2022 at Wildlife Supporter

I want to thank everybody for the nice experience – the local team was amazing and they took good care of us. Tendai and Faith are the best! They always gave us a lot of attention and made sure we are happy. The weekend trips were a lot of fun and the accommodation is always clean and comfortable. ..

Location

Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Port Elizabeth

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