I came to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center project to make a contribution, and I feel I did, but the center’s…
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Gain valuable experience in animal care as you volunteer at a world-renowned wildlife rehabilitation center in South Africa! This program is open to all volunteers, including veterinarians and vet students, offering the unique hands-on opportunity to work alongside wildlife professionals in the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife.
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Monday: Arrive at Eastgate Airport (HDS), Hoedspruit. You will be picked up at the airport and taken to your accommodation at the wildlife rehabilitation center. Enjoy an educational tour through the rehab and an introduction talk from your volunteer coordinator about volunteer life at the rehab.
Day 1: Join your fellow volunteers for an early start as you receive training on how to care for your assigned animals. Attend an informative conservation talk by the rehab center staff, where you’ll learn about the center’s conservation efforts in South Africa and the importance of these centers.
Days 2-5: Armed with a clear understanding of your responsibilities during your stay, you start with rewarding animal care jobs alongside your fellow volunteers and staff members. Morning rounds focus on enclosure cleaning and daily health checks, followed by a cooked breakfast. Big predator camps are then attended to under direct supervision of staff. A buffet style lunch is then enjoyed in the common room where you will then have a chance to recharge, explore the rehab grounds and capture some great photos. The afternoons are filled with engaging educational activities at the rehab. Evening rounds are dedicated to feeding your assigned animals before thoroughly cleaning the clinic and meat room in preparation for the following day’s tasks.
Day 6: Sundays are free for volunteers to relax after completing some basic chores. Optional excursions and day trips to nearby areas are organized, but please note they are subject to the current needs of the animals at the center.
Remaining Weeks: Remaining weeks will follow the schedule of volunteering Monday-Saturday and having Sundays mostly free. Departures are on Monday.
What’s Included
What’s not Included
Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, personal expenses, optional day trips and excursions, meals and drinks when visiting restaurants.
The rehabilitation center is located at the base of the Drakensberg Mountains, just outside Hoedspruit, between the Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon. This charming town is a key eco-tourism destination in South Africa, known for its game lodges and nature reserves. The surrounding countryside, abundant in wildlife and vast open spaces, is a paradise for adventure and wildlife enthusiasts. It is nestled within the largest conservation area in the world and is also renowned for its mango and citrus fruit production.
This center is a non-profit organization, open to the public and entirely reliant on public support. Volunteers will actively engage in various aspects of conservation and animal care under professional supervision. Wildlife is brought to the center from across South Africa, and once rehabilitated, they are reintroduced into their natural habitats. Animals that cannot be returned to the wild due to the extent or nature of their injuries are cared for at the center and become ambassador animals, helping to educate visitors from both South Africa and abroad each year.
Volunteers will live and work alongside fellow volunteers and professional staff from around the world. For those hoping to see baby animals, we recommend volunteering from November to March, which is our baby season.
Some of your tasks may include:
Please note that, due to the nature of rehabilitation work, nothing is predictable or guaranteed, including the types of animals that may be at the center at any given time. The work is physically demanding but rewarding for those who are eager to get their hands dirty and actively participate in animal care.
Holidays: The center operates year-round, as animals require care every day, including public holidays like Christmas and New Year. While volunteer hours may be reduced on these days and the focus of the work may change, they are still considered normal working days.
Volunteers are invited once a week to explore the beautiful Hoedspruit town and visit shops.
Quiet time is on Sundays, and although volunteers still tend to the feeding of all the animals, there is ample relaxation time. If volunteers want to get active, educational trips can be organized to nearby attractions, such as the Blyde Canyon Boat trip, Hoedspruit Reptile Park and Kruger National Park.
Excursions are booked and paid for while on the program, subject to availability, weather, and the number of volunteers interested.
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