This
is a great opportunity for anyone interested in
helping primates, specifically chimpanzees, or interested in
primate research. Furthermore, this santuary 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.
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.
Package 1 - The
Wendy Word Package| R3,750 (469 US$) per
week (Approx GBP 280)
Price includes:
accommodation and three meals per day (breakfast,
lunch and dinner).
You
are housed in the rustic purpose built volunteer
accommodation on the Umhloti Nature Reserve
approximately 2km from the chimpanzee sanctuary. In
case you would like to prepare your own meal from
time to time, there are cooking facilities as well
as fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster at the
volunteer accommodation.
You
will be housed in wooden Wendy houses (2 persons per
room); bed linen is included. A communal sitting
area with TV and DVD player is also available.
The
bathrooms each have three toilets and three showers
and are close to the Wendy houses. There is also a
communal boma area, where you can sit around a
campfire or have a BBQ. Laundry service is also
available once a week but you will have to supply
your own washing powder.
Package 2 - The Standard
Room Package |
R9,500 (1188US$)
per week (approx GBP 700)
Price includes:
Accommodation and three meals per day | A laundry
service is also available.
You are
accommodated in standard rooms at the 5 star Umhloti
Lodge, adjacent to the chimpanzee sanctuary and you
are able to experience the full luxuries of the
lodge.
Package 3 - Luxury suite package |R12,000 (1,500US$) per
week (approx GBP 900)
Price includes:
Accommodation and three meals per day | A laundry
service is also available.
You are accommodated in
a luxury suite at the 5 star Umhloti Lodge, adjacent
to the chimpanzee sanctuary and are able to
experience the full luxuries of the lodge.
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