from 1,590€

Fantastic 4.5rating (22)

Wildlife Reserve Support

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Fantastic 4.5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate

Highlights

  • Experience the South African way of life alongside other volunteers by staying in our shared volunteer house in the wildlife reserve
  • Contribute to the protection of numerous endangered species and play your part in their conservation
  • Further your career working with animals by making a difference in another country
  • Make memories by travelling in your spare time around one of the world's most beautiful countries
  • Explore the rest of the 'Safari Superpower' South Africa and see incredible animals in their natural environment.

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Observe and monitor the likes of lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos, to contribute towards scientific research in the protection of these incredible animals.

South Africa is a dream location for those who love nature. Unfortunately, the likes of poaching and the destruction of natural habitats are causing a worrying decline in this incredible biodiversity. Poaching, ivory hunting and other illegal activities are all rife across the continent. In light of ...

About the program

South Africa is a dream location for those who love nature. Unfortunately, the likes of poaching and the destruction of natural habitats are causing a worrying decline in this incredible biodiversity. Poaching, ivory hunting and other illegal activities are all rife across the continent. In light of these problems, this project makes a significant contribution to the preservation of these species, by providing the animals with a protected, controlled habitat to live freely. The reserve aims to keep the environment as similar to the wild as possible for the animals. Habitats are based on their natural environment and animals are not touched or handled, unless it's required because they require medical treatment.

The volunteer work site is a 10,000-acre nature reserve which has been privately owned for several years. The land, set inside a valley with access to two rivers, wooded hills and savannah's boasts five distinct habitats. These habitats are home to loads of animals, including the famous 'Big Five'. It’s important to note though, that these animals roam freely around the reserve, so it is necessary that you stay behind the fence surrounding your accommodation to avoid any surprises!



Typical day

There are numerous roles to fulfil whilst volunteering at the wildlife reserve. As there is an established team of experts already based there, they understand fully what is required by volunteer and how you can best help. You'll tend to work Monday to Friday, for about 7 hours a day, but this can ...

Typical day

There are numerous roles to fulfil whilst volunteering at the wildlife reserve. As there is an established team of experts already based there, they understand fully what is required by volunteer and how you can best help. You'll tend to work Monday to Friday, for about 7 hours a day, but this can totally depend on the season and the weather. You'll also have a lunch break in the middle. Tasks include:

  • Assisting Existing Wildlife Reserve Team
  • Monitoring and Reporting
  • Observation Reports
  • Cleaning & Maintenance
  • Building Work on Local Facilities
  • Repairing Key Areas


Free-time activities

On Saturdays, trips are made to nearby cities, such as the coastal town of Kenton-on-the-Sea. The Eastern Cape region is also a popular choice for our volunteers, as it offers loads of fun activities, such as horse riding, skydiving and even deep sea diving. On Wednesday evenings, our volunteers ...

Free-time activities

On Saturdays, trips are made to nearby cities, such as the coastal town of Kenton-on-the-Sea. The Eastern Cape region is also a popular choice for our volunteers, as it offers loads of fun activities, such as horse riding, skydiving and even deep sea diving. On Wednesday evenings, our volunteers normally take a trip to the local pub. If the weather holds out, you can also go camping; our volunteers love spending the night around the campfire looking up at the stars!


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

Required Documents

CV, letter of motivation, criminal background check and visa document

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

We do not require any relevant formal background or education, but it is essential that all our volunteers have a passion for working with animals.

Time Commitment

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

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Rainbow Garden Village

What's Included:

  • Individual advise by the RGV-Team in Germany
  • Support with travel preparations (vaccinations, insurance, security, etc.) 
  • Organization of the entire stay including placement in the project
  • Comprehensive information material for your travel preparation
  • RGV T-Shirt
  • Orientation program with the team on site
  • Personal contact and guidance by the team on site
  • Accommodation on site
  • 24/h emergency number
  • Participation Certificate
  • Introductory course in personal development

Accommodation

You'll be living in the middle of the nature reserve in a fully furnished house, alongside the other volunteers. There are shared rooms and a shared bathroom. It also has a common room with a pool table, a TV, a dining room and a well-equipped kitchen with a fridge, oven, microwave and crockery. For valuables, such as passports and cash, a safe is available. The house has a garden where volunteers relax after work together - there's even a pool and a BBQ area to make the most of!

Attention: It is important to note that the house is located in the middle of the reserve, in which the animals move freely. It is, therefore, necessary for your own safety that you stay within the fenced property area to make sure there's no surprises!

Food & Beverages

All the ingredients are provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner, which the volunteers can use to put together whatever they want. This means you'll be able to try whatever you want and to make sure you'll be fully fueled for the day ahead.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Cape Town International Airport

An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. 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

Before you even depart, our team in Munich will take you through every step of the process, from answering your questions about the program, through to advising you where to go for your visa. We're here to help and to ensure that you feel totally comfortable before departing.

For your volunteer work at the wildlife reserve, you will land in Port Elizabeth, which is about 150km away. The on-site project team will gladly arrange your airport pick-up (not included in the initial fees, but we can easily facilitate this if you wish). If so, you will be picked up from the airport and taken to your accommodation (it's about a 2-hour trip). As soon as you arrive, you will meet the program manager Helena, the project coordinator Francis and the other participants you'll share this journey with.

After getting to know your new surroundings, you'll have your introduction as a group with the other volunteers. This covers the project, tasks rules of conduct and house rules. Afterwards, you will be taken for a drive through the grounds of the reserve to see some of the incredible sights you're going to become familiar with.

Your wildlife project is located near the coastal city of Port Elizabeth. This is located on the southern tip of South Africa and is known for its beautiful environment, especially it's beaches! Together with other surrounding regions, the bay on the Indian Ocean is also referred to as "Nelson Mandela Bay". Port Elizabeth is also considered a surfers paradise, so it pays to spend a few days there before or after your placement if you're a water lover!

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

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 1,590€
4 weeks 2,730€
6 weeks 3,870€
8 weeks 5,010€
10 weeks 6,150€
12 weeks (max. stay) 7,290€
Average fees 701€/week

Program fees

701€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 12 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 Rainbow Garden Village during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Rainbow Garden Village

Fantastic 4.5 rating (22 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 1999

Verified by Volunteer World

  Good response rate

Coordinated by

Steffen

Spoken languages: English, German, Spanish

About the project

Rainbow Garden Village specialises in worldwide volunteer placements and has been sending volunteers on impactful, life-changing trips since 1999.

Meet your organization

From Africa to Asia and Europe to Latin America and Oceania - through volunteering or internships our participants gain unique impressions and experiences abroad. Rainbow Garden Village (RGV) offers sustainable projects in more than 30 countries worldwide in various fields, such as social work, teaching, animal welfare, environmental protection, medicine, etc..

While our participants are engaged in their project, they broaden their horizons and become more open-minded. They strengthen their personal skills, grow from the challenges in their volunteer projects and also improve their language skills. Countless new impressions, experiences and special moments round off the stay abroad - and lead to a return with many exciting stories in the luggage!


22 reviews · rating4.5

Tina rating5

2022 at Wildlife Reserve Support

When I volunteered at the wildlife reserve in South Africa, I was greeted by our guide Jaco and six other volunteers. With various tools, we cleared and cleaned paths or removed old fences. Thick wooden posts often still had old rusty barbed wire on them. We also removed "alien plants" - these are ...
Paule rating5

2019 at Wildlife Reserve Support

I can only recommend the project in the wildlife reserve! The journey to the project is very well organised, as you are picked up from Port Elizabeth with other new volunteers, among others, and after 2 hours of travelling to the reserve you already see so many beautiful landscapes. From the first ...
Eliot Jacquemin rating3.8

2024 at Penguin Sanctuary

J'ai beaucoup apprécié ce projet. L'organisation fut globalement assez bonne, je n'ai pas eu de soucis. J'ai appris énormément de choses sur les pingouins et les défis qu'ils doivent combattre au quotidien, c'était très inspirant. ..
Maria S rating5

2023 at Street Children

I was there for 8 weeks as a volunteer in a street children's project in Accra. My goals for this stay abroad in Ghana were to get to know a new culture, improve my English language skills and learn to appreciate my own home country. I can happily say that I achieved all three goals. Working in ...
Charlotte W rating1

2023 at Assistant for an Animal Shelter

I decided to spend 2 weeks in the animal shelter in Crete. Everything went wrong from the beginning. I was placed much too far from the shelter and took 2 hours to get there. After a complaint I was put in a dirty house with cockroaches, no air conditioning and mouse droppings. After another ...
Greta Moser rating3.8

2023 at Veterinary Clinic Assistant

Ich habe als Praktikant in der Tierklinik während meiner Zeit in Heraklion sehr viele verschiedene Dinge mitbekommen. Da ich vorher einige Praktikumserfahrung bei Tierärzten gemacht hatte, durfte ich auch im OP so viel helfen, wie es rechtlich als Praktikant zulässig ist. Auch neben den ...

Location

Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Kenton-on-Sea

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Contact Steffen
  Good response rate
English, German, Spanish

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