Description

Cuddle and a bath with a lion?

It's not as scary as it sounds, we promise! Our friends at the lion center in South Africa offer a range of activities to get you involved in the everyday activities around the running of the center. Life down at the lion center is laid back, full of hungry mouths to feed, enclosures to clean and even lions to swim with (weather permitting!). It's not all about the rural and quiet life though, you are within easy reach of the amazing Pilanesberg Game reserve, cultural village and also a casino! Talk about getting the best of both worlds!

What does the project do?

Our exciting lion center has created an environment as close to a natural habitat as possible, where the animals may live, be respected and appreciated. They also work to breed the endangered white lions in captivity and to train certain animals for use in movies and adverts. The center also keeps various other predators such as hyenas, wild dogs, and jackals.

Whats the project like?

The lion center is approximately 208 hectares, so its pretty big! Its situated in a rural location but has a constant stream of visitors as it is featured in many guide books - and you'll be able to say that you've lived and worked here! The center is open to the public and visitors can play with baby lion cubs as well as drive through the adult lion enclosures. We don't want to say too much, but we've seen some pretty famous celebrities visit the park too! Shakira, Rod Stewart and Arsene Wenger to name a few...we obviously can't guarantee any celebrity visits though...shame.

Why does the project need volunteers?

With so many mouths to feed and with such a big center, there is a lot of maintenance and management to uphold. Lion cubs alone are demanding and need to be fed every few hours in their first few months! As a volunteer you will assist the staff with daily tasks to help make sure everything runs smoothly. You'll also bring fresh enthusiasm to the team, which is always appreciated.

Outgoing volunteers with a passion for animals, as well as people, will get the most out of their time at the park, since a lot of the work involves interacting with the public. The more proactive you are, the more you will get out of this experience!

Day 1 - Arrive into Johannesburg International Airport (airport code JNB)

Today you will be met at the airport and taken directly to the lion center outside Johannesburg. You'll need to arrive in before 4.15pm so that you have time to go food shopping for all your supplies needed for your stay. The journey from the airport to the lion park should take around 45 minutes. You'll also be taken on a food shopping trip to buy any groceries that you need.

The orientation next morning at around 8.30am will take you through what its going to be like at your project, how to stay safe and its your prime opportunity to ask any burning questions that you haven't yet had answered. After the orientation you'll get stuck into your project!

If you aren't able to arrange a flight to get you into Johannesburg before 4.15pm then wed recommend you fly in a day early. We can arrange an early airport pick-up for you including one nights accommodation, give us a call for more information.

Day 2 - It's lion cub time!

Your first day at the lion center will be all about settling in and getting to know how things work. You'll get to know the staff at the center, figure out the rota and start learning your activities. You'll learn how to prepare food for the cute baby animals in the nursery, as well as in the evening for the larger cubs. The center works on a system whereby you are either stationed in the nursery for 3 days and then you swap and clean enclosures for three days. This way you can get to grips with the work but you are also given a variety in what you do each morning. You will also help clean out cub enclosures in the mornings; share shifts at the giraffe feeding station, the gate to the game drive and at the entrance to cub world.

Days 3-13 - Getting stuck in

As you start to get the hang of life at the park you can spend time learning about South Africa from the center staff; expect to learn lots about the animals you are working with as well as how the park is run. You'll get to wear a staff t-shirt , 2 of these shirts will be provided on arrival by your volunteer coordinator. We ask that all volunteers wear these shirts while working at the center so you are easily identifiable by members of the public that may require your assistance. You will get to interact with the lions and the visitors to the center - the best of both worlds! We say the more you put in, the more you'll get out of this experience!

Day 14 - It's safari time!

We are so jealous - today you will head off for your amazing safari at the Pilanesburg National Park where you will have a chance to spot the Big 5 in the wild. The park is about 2 hours from Johannesburg and is set in the crater of a long extinct volcano and covers an area of approximately 55,000 hectares. If you're lucky you might even get a glimpse of the hippos taking their late afternoon bath! Don't forget your binoculars and your camera! This will be an experience you'll never forget...

Day 15 - Your last day

If you are staying for two weeks then today is the day that you say goodbye to all your new friends and head to the airport for your flight home or on to your next big adventure! We'd advise that you book a flight home for late afternoon so that you don't have to rush around for a morning flight.

The cost of the transfer to the airport is not included but our friendly staff are on hand to help advise you! Just ask your volunteer coordinator if you need help to you arrange a transfer for you and they will be happy to help!

Days 16 to 22 - Extra Week - lucky you...

If you have booked to stay for 3 weeks then you will have the next week working with these amazing animals and getting the most out of your time at the project. You will be working Thursday to Thursday.

Day 23 - Last day

Sadly your last day at the center has arrived and you will be saying goodbye to all your friends before heading off to the airport for your flight home or for new onwards destinations. The cost of the transfer to the airport is not included so don't forget to have a chat with the volunteer coordinator to help you arrange a transfer for you and they will be happy to help!

We'd advise you to book a late afternoon flight to avoid an early morning rush back to the airport - take your time to say your goodbyes! You're going to miss this place so much!

Highlights

* Working and living with lions - need we say more?
* Waking up to the sounds of giraffe snuffling around 'next to' your tent
* Getting an incredible 'behind the scenes' experience in a world leading lion center

Qualifications

Who is it for?

This project is perfect for anyone with a passion for animals and people since a lot of the work involves interacting with the public. The more enthusiastic and motivated you are, the more you will get out of your experience. Patience and flexibility are essential.

What you'll be doing:

You will be working daily with the center staff to assist in all tasks associated with the running of the center. This includes cleaning out enclosures, preparing bottles of milk for feeding the cubs, preparing food, interacting with the public and selling food to feed the giraffes. You will work from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday and 8am to 6pm on weekends. You will have some down time throughout the day to relax or if you prefer, to get involved with other lion education center activities. You will probably split your time between working in the nursery and working in the lion cub enclosures but the exact schedule will depend on how many volunteers are at the center. You may also do shifts at the giraffe feeding station, the gate to the game drive and at the entrance to cub world.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 2,099.00 for 2 weeks, USD 700.00 for every week thereafter

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodation: Shared semi-luxury tents at project; shared hostel on tour
* Food: Food is not included; you will need to purchase your own food (budget approximately USD 60 per stay at the park)
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure help desk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Animal Welfare
• Conservation
• Education
• Food
• Veterinary
• Volunteering

Age Range

18-80

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

i-to-i Volunteering's Mission Statement

i-to-i Volunteering provides unique opportunities for you to travel, work and volunteer abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 16 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations. With over 130 projects on 4 continents, across 22 countries you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching English, community development, conservation, home building, and working with animals.

Year Founded

1994