Vervet Monkey Rescue
Coordinator | Igna
Coordinator | Igna
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Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Assist in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Vervet Monkeys and Baboons at this center in the beautiful African bush.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
About the Program
Vervet monkeys are one of South Africa’s five
indigenous primates. The other four are the lesser
Bush baby, the thick-tailed Bush baby, the Samango
monkey, and the Chacma baboon. Vervet monkeys
are classified as “old world monkeys”, meaning that
they have been around for over 65 million years -
long before apes and humans.
However, their numbers are declining due to habitat loss, formerly classified as vermin so shot and killed by farmers, laboratory testing of medicines, used for ‘muti’ or traditional medicine and the illegal pet trade.
Vervet monkeys are vital to our ecological system and need to be protected. They are an integral part of the natural food chain in parts of Africa as their messy eating habits distribute food from high places to the ground for ground feeding animals. They provide natural insect control by eating the eggs and larvae of many species. They assist in the germination, pollination and dispersal of various floras.
History
This program, established in December 2003, is a privately owned and operated wildlife rehabilitation and conservation centre in the Waterberg district north of Pretoria. It is well known and especially well regarded for its exceptional work with Vervet monkeys. Since 2008 we have successfully rehabilitated 12 troops of monkeys, who are now living free at safe release sites, on Bushveld farms in Limpopo.
The Wildlife Care and Vervet Monkey Rehabilitation Facility is located 20km out of Bela Bela in the Limpopo province in South Africa. The founder of the program originally immigrated to South Africa from Germany in 1990 with her late husband. After his death in 1997 she decided to dedicate her life and savings towards the care and conservation of South African Wildlife.
From a rocky start, they began taking care of animals that were almost ready for release back into the wild and in doing so, recognized their true calling: to help wild animals in need.
People from the Waterberg district learned of their work and started to call upon them for help, as did the veterinarians from the region. They became well known and well regarded as a Rehabilitation Centre and have successfully rehabilitated and released many species of antelope, including Eland, Kudu, Impala, Red Hartebeest, and Nyala, Blue Wildebeest, warthogs, bush pigs, Serval cats, zebra, yellow-billed Kites, black-back jackals, porcupines, and many more. They even had the pleasure of looking after an orphaned Rhino baby in 2009, who is now a sub adult and living free.
Monkey Business
Then, by chance, the owner’s heart was touched by a Vervet monkey. It was found abandoned in a cage on a property outside Bela Bela, which was for sale. The owners had already departed, so the estate agent brought the young, female Vervet to the program. A few days later, a neighbour dropped off a younger Vervet. Then, a new Vervet baby was taken away from someone who kept it as a pet and was brought in.
The spark of interest in Primatology was ignited! The quest for knowledge about these special creatures, how to hand-raise them, how to build appropriate enclosures or camps for them, how to feed them, and how to prepare them for release back into the wild was started.
The program is now home to over 300 Vervet monkeys, field guide students and volunteers from around the world to join in the work with these monkeys and all the other wildlife that comes for rehabilitation. They also work in close collaboration with local veterinarians and also function as a transfer station for orphaned or injured baboons in the Waterberg district.
The program recues, rehabilitates and releases members of three of our five South African Primate families:
-
The Lesser bush baby,
-
Chacma Baboon and
-
Vervet Monkey.
The incredible team of staff and volunteers concentrate mainly on Vervet monkey rehabilitation, taking in injured and orphaned monkeys, forming troops and finding monkey friendly game farms to release a rehabilitated troop. To date they have successfully given 13 troops, a total of almost 300 monkeys, a second chance to live free again after, as a persecuted species, they had lost their freedom due to habitat destruction, illegal shootings by farmers, snares, electrocutions, pet or ‘muti’ (traditional medicine) trade.
Needs
We are often asked by volunteers what they can bring for the babies so if you have any spare capacity in your luggage, here are a few suggestions:
-
Pampers nappies-newborn to size 3
-
50ml and 250ml baby milk bottles and teats
-
Soft toys
-
Soft blankets
-
Tennis balls
-
Baby Dummies/pacifiers
-
Baby bottle brushes
-
If you have access to veterinary supplies,
please contact us
Typical day
Vervet monkeys show their emotions through biting, they bite when happy, when sad, they give you little love bites and they bite much harder when they are upset with you! Expect a few bruises (especially in the first few days) you will get urinated and pooped on (we call it “Monkey blessings”) so you will be dirty at the end of the day. It will all seem worth it when you have gained the trust and confidence of one of our orphans who climbs onto your lap for a cuddle or a nap.
Normally the working day starts at 7h45am and depending on the season, finishes between 17h00 (winter) and 18h00 (summer). Always remember that the needs of the animals come first, so working hours and duties can change at short notice.
Typical day:
07h45-10h00: Cleaning of cages, food preparation, feeding, cleaning up of grounds and food preparation area
10h00-11h00: Brunch
11h00-13h00: Program work
13h00-14h00: Lunch
14h00-15h00: Food preparation, feeding of cages and cleaning of food preparation area
15h00-17h00: Program work. Examples of program work: cage repairing, fire clearance, making enrichment tools for the cages, food
sorting and cage building.
The work is not too physically demanding but a reasonable level of fitness is required. As in most remote areas of South Africa, there are no facilities for the disabled.
Free-time activities
Bela Bela formerly known as Warm Baths (English) or Warm Bad (Afrikaans) is a small Bushveld town famous for its hot springs. The small town is now mostly a stopover point for the many safari reserves in the area and popular with holiday makers from Johannesburg. The village has all shops you might need for groceries, clothing, medical services and restaurants.
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Requirements
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.
You need to speak English (basic level)
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
It is important that volunteers of this program understand the importance of the following:
Caring for animals requires patience, compassion, and a calm demeanour. A positive attitude, willingness to help and learn, and a sense of humour are essential - volunteers should expect to be dirty and exhausted by the end of the day!
Caring for animals requires patience, compassion, and a calm demeanour. A positive attitude, willingness to help and learn, and a sense of humour are essential - volunteers should expect to be dirty and exhausted by the end of the day!
Regular working hours are hardly predicable. It mainly depends on the work force. Get in touch with Khaya Volunteer Projects straight ahead to get more infos about current to dos and objectives.
What's Included
- Accommodation in shared volunteer dorms (male and female separated)
- 3 meals a day (light breakfast, brunch and dinner)
- Supervision of your activities
- Contribution to the running costs of the program
Transfers between Johannesburg (O.R.Tambo International Airport or you pick up point of choice) and the project in Bela Bela are done by Citi Shuttle. This transfer is about 180km (115 Miles) one way and the cost is around 130 USD one way.
The program is based in the bush on a privately owned wildlife reserve and offers the unique opportunity to be away from the craziness of everyday life and enjoy true nature. You will not only have all these monkeys around you but also passing troops of baboons who frequent the center on most days, porcupines who come visit at night, a herd of zebra who love the long grass outside the volunteer house and other animals. There are even tracks of leopard seen close to the house so nature is on your doorstep.
The volunteer accommodation consists of 2 rooms which sleep 4 each with en suite bathrooms (shower and toilet) and in the middle a lounge/kitchen area to cook and relax. The outside ‘stoep’ (porch in Afrikaans) offers a shaded area to eat meals and socialize.
The volunteer accommodation is shared with some of the orphaned monkeys and baboons as volunteers will need to care for them 24/7, feed them every 3 hours and change their nappies so expect to share your bed with a monkey or two.
If you prefer a private bedroom with own bathroom we offer this for a surcharge of 15 EUR per night for a single person or 10 EUR per person
There is internet access 24 hours a day available for a fee of R100 (about 7 EUR or 8 USD) per week for usage during your off time.
On weekends only the bar will open for a game of pool and a drink or two and volunteers can ask permission to use the swimming pool on the premises.
Meals are included and consist of cereals and rusks with coffee and tea early in the morning and a brunch at 10:00AM.
Dinner is served at 17:30 and volunteers rotate with cooking and cleaning duties. Fifteen minutes prior to dinner time, a team of two will set the table with supplies from the volunteer house.
This same team will clear the table after meals and do the dishes. A schedule that will include you will be posted within a couple of days of your arrival.
We usually shop twice a week in town and volunteers will be given the opportunity to travel into Bela Bela to shop for themselves and for the other volunteers. We also run a small shop at the premises with beers, snacks and sodas and all profits go to support the monkeys.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.
The nearest airport is O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa.
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.
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.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Important to note that Avis transfers does not do transfers at night.
Transfer times are only between 08:00am - 14:00pm.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 - 12 weeks
Program fees
1 week
(min. stay)
$580
2 weeks
$990
3 weeks
$1,390
4 weeks
$1,795
6 weeks
$2,650
8 weeks
$3,500
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$5,200
Average fees
$507
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Khaya Volunteer Projects
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
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.
Your final payment will be agreed with Khaya Volunteer Projects during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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Vervet Monkey Rescue
Assist in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Vervet Monkeys and Baboons at this center in the beautiful African bush.
$507/week
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