Project summary

An exciting opportunity to work hands on with a variety of species of primate in this sanctuary. The project is designed to introduce you to the fascinating world of primates and allows you to get to know them. 

The project allows you to work closely with primates on a daily basis. You can make a difference to the primates by helping the sanctuary to provide them with a better quality of life.

This project also offers great travel opportunity, as there are many experiences rich in the local and surrounding areas which you may wish to take part in.

A typical day

Daily duties are worked out on a rota basis, to give volunteers time off to travel around the local and surrounding areas.

There are many duties that volunteers may be involved in, these include food preparation, feeding primates, cleaning enclosures, record keeping, enclosure maintenance, behavioural observation and monitoring, providing enrichment and hand rearing (if it is needed during your stay).

The location

The sanctuary is located in Pretoria, which is approximately 45 minutes north of Johannesburg. This location allows you to use your free time to see some of what South Africa has to offer.

How you can make a difference

As a volunteer, you will play a major role as the sanctuary survives almost entirely on the financial and hands on support that volunteers provide.

By volunteering with us, you will be contributing to improving the quality of life for the primates as you can provide them with more individual attention. Your hard work will leave a lasting impact on the lives of the primates you will be helping to provide for.

You will also be involved in devising and helping with stimulation activities for the primates who are unable to be released into the wild.

What's included

• A comprehensive information booklet
• Travel advice and assistance pre-departure
  
• Being met at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport
• Transfers from / back to the airport
• Accommodation (shared room)
• Food - 3 meals per day
• Ongoing support, help and advice from our local team
  

What else to budget for

The following items are not included and estimates are given as a guide for your budgeting: flights (£500-£600), travel insurance, personal spending / living costs (£20-£50 per week).

Other projects you might also be interested in....

* African wildlife conservation - South Africa

* Cheetah re-introduction - South Africa

* Horse rehabilitation - South Africa

* Wildlife rescue - Thailand

* Elephant care - Thailand

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More details

Background information about the project

The sanctuary, which is the first of its kind in South Africa, has been running since 1996. The sanctuary currently cares for over 70 primates of varying species. The sanctuary rescues and provides permanent care for any primate from anywhere in the world.

The sanctuary receives a constant stream of requests to assist in the international rescue of primates. Many of these primates arrive with behavioural problems and require rehabilitation. The sanctuary hopes to be able to expand in order to cope with the high demand and with an aim to provide accommodation for apes in the future.

Volunteers are trained in primate care, including a presentation on general habits and behavioural problems of primates.

Volunteer accommodation and food

Your accommodation will be a shared room in a house with access to a shower, washing and cooking facilities, which are also shared with other volunteers. It is sometimes possible for couples to request private accommodation. Your food is provided for you and this works on a self catering basis. Volunteers take turns in cooking and usually all eat their evening meals together.

Freetime and travel opportunities

You will have two days off per week which provides volunteers time to relax in the sun or venture out to other activities. The sanctuary hosts a weekly braai (BBQ)!

Due to the location volunteers also have the opportunity to visit Kruger National Park, Pretoria Zoo, museums, malls, or have dinner and drinks in Pretoria during their free time.

Challenges

As this is a physical project, volunteers should be reasonably fit and healthy and able to carry out all duties required of them.

You should be able to work well within a team and be adaptable to living and working in a group.

Where does your money go

PoD is run as a non-profit organisation and does not receive any external funding. We charge a fee for all our placements to cover the overseas costs of volunteering and the costs of running our organisation in the UK. 

For this project approximately 70% of the fee you pay is passed directly to the centre and your fees are an important source of funding for the work.

Volunteer reviews

Click here to read volunteer reviews for our South Africa primate rescue volunteer project.