from 268€

Great 4.4rating (8)

Short-Term Primate Carer

location
1 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Great 4.4  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Make a monkey friend during your stay. None of our primates can be returned to the wild so we don't need to limit human interaction
  • Learn about different species of primates
  • Experience the South African way of life and the different cultures of volunteers working with you
  • The best experience ever for animal lovers, you will make memories you will never forget
  • Enjoy a safari on your time off

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups

About the program

This is a hands on opportunity to work with 7 different species of mischievous primates. You chose your length of stay, no experience is required, just your compassion

If you are passionate about animals, especially monkeys and want to make a difference in their lives, then volunteering at International Primate Rescue is for you. The rewards and benefits are two-fold, we give you an experience of a lifetime and you assist us with the daily care of the animals.

As ...

About the program

If you are passionate about animals, especially monkeys and want to make a difference in their lives, then volunteering at International Primate Rescue is for you. The rewards and benefits are two-fold, we give you an experience of a lifetime and you assist us with the daily care of the animals.

As long as you are at least 18 years old you are welcome. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for work experience, a student on a gap year, want a break from your office job, are retired, or you just want to get away from it all for a while. Join us and experience a unique once in a lifetime opportunity!

Our volunteer program will give you a fascinating wildlife experience whilst you learn about primate behavior and animal care. You will get hands on experience with all the different species of primates at the sanctuary. We currently have Capuchins, Macaques, Squirrel monkeys, Mona monkeys, Tamarins, Marmosets, Owl Monkeys and lemurs. But as cute as they are you also need to be prepared to get down and dirty, as along with the pleasure of interacting with our animals, their enclosures also need cleaning and maintaining!

During your time with us you will get to know our staff and work side by side with them. More importantly, you will get to know our monkeys and all their different personalities. It is our hope that when you leave us you have made lifelong friends with our staff as well as your fellow volunteers, and that you walk away with the fantastic memories of an unforgettable experience!!!



Typical day

You will be responsible for all aspects of primate care as outlined below:


• Food preparation and feeding

• Preparing and distributing medication

• Cleaning and maintaining the enclosures


Typical day

You will be responsible for all aspects of primate care as outlined below:


• Food preparation and feeding

• Preparing and distributing medication

• Cleaning and maintaining the enclosures



Free-time activities

Bosveld tours independently  organizes group trips to places such as Kruger National Park, Horseback Safaris, lion and Rhino park, Wonder Caves, Apartheid museum and many more (fees applied).

Bosveld tours can also provide you transportation to the grocery store or other necessities (fees ...

Free-time activities

Bosveld tours independently  organizes group trips to places such as Kruger National Park, Horseback Safaris, lion and Rhino park, Wonder Caves, Apartheid museum and many more (fees applied).

Bosveld tours can also provide you transportation to the grocery store or other necessities (fees applied).


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 (basic level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

Good work ethic and awareness of physical work that will get you dirty.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 07:30 - 17:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by International Primate Rescue

  • Accommodation
  • When you arrive you will see that your accommodation is right in the middle of the sanctuary, so we can give you a tour straight away and introduce you to all the monkeys. Or if you are too tired you can relax and shower and we will show you around later. The rest of the day you can relax and unpack or get to know the monkeys.
  • The following morning work will start at 07:30 and one of our staff will take you under their wing.

Airport Pickup at O.R. Tambo International Airport

If you have asked us to arrange an airport pick up, an independent taxi service will meet you at Johannesburg airport for an additional fee. The trip to the sanctuary takes about 45 min to an hour. If you arrive during the day,  the taxi service will take you food shopping on the way.
When you arrive you will see that your accommodation is right in the middle of the sanctuary, so we can give you a tour straight away and introduce you to all the monkeys. Or if you are too tired you can relax and shower and we will show you around later. The rest of the day you can relax and unpack or get to know the monkeys.

Accommodation

  • The accommodation is very basic with limited supply of power and hot water.
  • Internet access is not provided.
    • The volunteer house can welcome up to 12 people at once.
    • Beds are bunk beds and we will provide sheets, pillow and duvet.
    • There is 2 indoor toilets and 1 shower, with a further (enclosed) shower and toilet on the grounds outside.
    • Cleaning is the volunteers' responsibility.
    • We have a volunteer kitchen for your use with a stove supplied by gas

    • There is a fire place in the communal area at your disposal to warm up during colder days.
    • Washing machines are on site and free to use when needed.


What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Food & Beverages

Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

Internet Access

Sorry, no access at the project site

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. 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

Volunteers can join our project at anytime throughout the year and chose how long they would like to stay.


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

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 268€
2 weeks 417€
3 weeks 626€
4 weeks 834€
8 weeks 1,668€
16 weeks 3,337€
32 weeks 6,674€
50 weeks (max. stay) 13,386€
Average fees 268€/week

Program fees

268€ per week 1 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 50 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 International Primate Rescue during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

International Primate Rescue

Great 4.4 rating (8 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 1996

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Sue

Spoken languages: English

About the project

We rescue and/or give a forever home to ex lab and zoo primates from different parts of the world, along with primates from the pet trade.

Meet your organization

Our Mission

Our mission at the International Primate Rescue is to free unwanted primates from their suffering and to provide the best possible standard of care for them at our sanctuary. We take care of primates that have either been orphaned or have been born and raised in a zoo or at a laboratory and thus have to deal with behavioral problems and require rehabilitation from psychological disorders. 

At the International Primate Rescue, we also strive to discourage, provide help, raise awareness and educate people that wish to, or already own a primate. Our target is to develop a near wild experience for our primates and eventually make the facilities available to help any apes in need within the future. 

Our Histroy

International Primate Rescue started life as the Marmoset Welfare Foundation in March 1996 in Polokwane, South Africa, where founder Sue Mousley had been caring for primates since 1990. Fascinated by the strange and unstable behaviour patterns of a Common Marmoset monkey named “Meggie”, she was prompted to study behavioural problems and other disorders in captive and/or orphaned nonhuman primates.

The International Primate Rescue sanctuary, the first of its kind in South Africa, received its first monkey, an eight-month old Common Marmoset named “Cheeky”, in April 1996. After a report on national TV in South Africa, the sanctuary was inundated with requests to receive problem monkeys. In 1998, the sanctuary was offered a very disturbed Bolivian Squirrel monkey, and 15 month old Bobby, who is still a resident at the sanctuary, became the first primate other than a Marmoset to be cared for at the International Primate Rescue. 

By September 2001 Sue and the primates were obliged to relocate to a larger property in order to accommodate the swelling numbers of primates in need. In Israel; Iris, a Patas monkey became the first international rescue case and was flown from Israel to the International Primate Rescue sanctuary in South Africa in February 2002. The rescue was widely reported, and IPR has since received numerous requests to assist in international rescues. Up till know the sanctuary has received primates in need from as far afield as Mali, Germany, Hungary and Israel.

Today

The International Primate Rescue sanctuary currently cares for over 100 primates, including Marmosets, Tamarins, Capuchins, Macaques, Squirrel Monkeys, Mona Monkeys, Patas Monkeys and Grey Mouse Lemurs. Many are hand reared ex-pets who arrive with behavioural problems and require rehabilitation from psychological disorders. The sanctuary houses exotic primates, who are unable to be returned to the wild, and therefore our time and focus is aimed at ensuring all enclosures are as suitable and comfortable for each individual as possible. The demand for this service is growing relentlessly; we receive a constant stream of requests to rescue homeless primates in South Africa and abroad. Through this, the sanctuary is expanding on a daily basis in order to keep up with the demand.

8 reviews · rating4.4

Merel Floor van den Dool rating5

2024 at Short-Term Primate Carer

IPR is a wonderful primate rescue centre! The owner is very passionate about all monkeys and always puts their wellbeing as her top priority. They get healthy food at set times and they also get a special treat every day. What is also very special, is that the monkeys can run from enclosure to ...
Ignacio Ampuero Inarejo rating1

2024 at Short-Term Primate Carer

really disappointed of how I was treated by Sue. The monkeys are ok most of them are cute so it's sad that all the good experience with primates was ruined by the Host's treatment. just for saying a few examples, context: the old house has spider webs, and it has massive spiders too. I have ...
Lauren McCall rating5

2017 at Short-Term Primate Carer

I was a little nervous about travelling alone for the first time, however when I arrived at the airport I was greeted by a lovely man who took me to this placement. I arrived when it was dark so could not really see too much however the people were very friendly and welcoming. I was not sure what to ...
Tanya Unknown rating5

2014 at Short-Term Primate Carer

I love monkeys, and it was great to work with them up close. IPR definitely has the best interests of the monkeys at heart, they don't stress them out with over handling but you do get to have monkey time every week where you can hang out with the friendliest monkeys for an hour or two! Most of the ...
Kimberley Unknown rating4.4

2014 at Short-Term Primate Carer

When we got to Johannesburg airport we were greeted by a lovely women who had our names on a card and she took us to the rescue centre. When we got to the rescue centre it was quiet late so everyone was in the living area playing games so we joined in trying to get to know all the other volunteers. ..
Lizzy Unknown rating5

2014 at Short-Term Primate Carer

I was nervous about travelling on my own but didn't need to worry. Between the wonderful staff and long term volunteers, & the family run Bosveld tours (who run the excursions & transfers) I couldn't have asked for more, & was treated like family, they did everything they could to make our stays ...

Location

Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Pretoria North

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