This
is a great opportunity for anyone interested in
helping primates, specifically chimpanzees, or interested in
primate research. Furthermore, this sanctuary was set
up by and initially funded by Jane Goodall
herself. The main core of the volunteer work is on
chimpanzee behaviour monitoring. Due to health
and safety precautions, we unfortunately do not offer chimpanzee
handling for volunteers, it is purely observational
data capture and helping out on the sanctuary
with various jobs required to run the setup.
For
the first week of the course volunteers receive one
lecture per day, which focus on the history of
chimpanzees in Africa, chimpanzee diet and
behaviour, environmental education and sanctuary
management. Other activities include chimpanzee
behaviour monitoring, chimpanzee vocalisation
recording, patrolling reserve fence line, fruit and
vegetable sorting, planting trees inside the
enclosures and spraying herbicide. These activities
are subject to variation throughout the year.
Location
The
sanctuary is set in the heart of the Mpumalanga
Lowveld, South Africa. It is not the native habitat
of the Chimpanzee, but it provides an ideal
sanctuary for Chimpanzees who need daily care and a
good place to live in a large area. The enclosures
are large and incorporate South African vegetation
as well as large trees for the Chimpanzees to use.
It
is set in the 1000 hectare Umhloti Nature Reserve
with a breathtaking view of the picturesque de Kaap
Valley Mountains, yet only 14 km from the town of
Nelspruit. It is a beautiful nature reserve with
Giraffe, Zebra and other antelopes wondering around
and the accommodation is lovely and comfortable too.
This does depend on the level of comfort you would
like, but even the most basic accommodation on the
reserve is set in stunning views of the surrounding
hills. See further down for accommodation details.
Duration & Structure of the volunteering programme
The
volunteer programme, (Chimpanzee Sanctuary Training
Course), runs for a minimum of one week and you can
stay for up to a month as monthly courses are also
available. The courses begin every first Monday of
each month. To attend our course, volunteers must be
at least 18 years of age – this is the legal age in
South Africa. Prior experience or education in this
field is not necessary. We offer three volunteer
packages, which differ only in the type of
accommodation. During the course, volunteers work
full days from Monday to Friday (8:00-16:00), half a
day on Saturday (8:00-11:00) with an off day on
Sunday. A town trip is scheduled every Saturday.
Price includes:
accommodation and three meals per day (breakfast,
lunch and dinner).
This
is the most popular and cost effective option. Wendy
World comprises of 5 small wooden houses 500m from
the first chimp enclosure. Each “Wendy” has a bed
and cupboard in. If more than 5 volunteers apply for
the same period then two persons will share a
“Wendy”.
The volunteers at Wendy World share a communal
bathroom and living area which is cleaned regularly.
All meals are prepared at the restaurant for the
volunteers to be picked up at certain times.
This
option is for the more luxurious traveller. Umhloti
Lodge is a 4* hotel situated opposite the second
chimp enclosure. Volunteers staying at the hotel
will have their meals served at the hotel.
This option includes:
Price includes:
Accommodation and three meals per day | A laundry
service is also available.
Volunteers can choose to stay in Nelspruit, which is
about 15 km from Chimp Eden. There are a few
guesthouses, lodges and hotels in and around
Nelspruit. Keep in mind that with this option
volunteers will have to hire a car to be able to
drive to Chimp Eden and back again.
This option includes:
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