Description

An amazing opportunity to work hands on with cheetahs and help save this incredible species from the possibility of extinction. The project is designed to introduce you to the fascinating wildlife Africa has to offer as well as the incredible cheetah and to work closely in all aspects of reserve management.

The project allows you to work closely with cheetahs on a daily basis. As the project is set on a 350 hectare reserve it provides the chance to learn about wildlife and conservation in Africa.

A 3 day trip to Kruger National Park is included for all volunteers staying for 4 weeks or longer, the home to the Big 5 which allows you to see the best of Africa's wildlife in its natural habitat. If you are staying less than 4 weeks you can still join the trip (for an additional fee) as long as it's scheduled within your stay.

A typical day:

7.00-8.30am: Cleaning the cheetah enclosures and running the cheetahs to exercise them and provide stimulation and enrichment
8.30-9.30am: Breakfast
9.30-1pm: Morning duties which could be a game count, meat preparation, a boundary patrol or the removal of alien invader plant species
1-2pm: Lunch
2-4pm: Afternoon duties which could be spending time with the cheetahs, reserve maintenance or creating fire breaks
4-5pm: Cheetah feeding (the timing of this can vary depending on time of year)
At the end of each day: Meeting where we go over the events of the day and inform everyone of the forthcoming day
From 5.30pm onwards is free time, a time to socialise and eat dinner

Highlights

* Work hands on with cheetahs
* Live on a 350 hectare reserve
* Be part of a pioneering reintroduction project
* 4 day trip to the Kruger National Park included on 4 week placements

By volunteering with us, you will be contributing to saving the future of the cheetah. Your hard work enables the project to make improvements to the reserve and cheetah enclosures.

Volunteers record data about the cheetahs which allows a profile to be made up for each cheetah and means their health and condition is closely monitored.

Volunteers also allow the project to progress with its reintroduction project, which is the first of its kind. It aims to see cheetahs back in their natural habitat.

By spreading the word about the plight of the cheetah on your return, you act as an ambassador for the project, raising awareness of the problems the cheetah faces and what the project is doing to help them.

Qualifications

No specific qualifications are required for this role.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

2 weeks: GBP 975, 3 weeks: GBP 1375, 4 weeks: GBP 1775

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

* A comprehensive information booklet and pre-departure support
* Travel advice and assistance
* Being met on arrival at O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg)
* Accommodation (shared room)
* All meals
* 4 day trip to Kruger National Park (for volunteers staying for 4 weeks or longer)
* Return transfers to O.R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg)
* Ongoing support, help and advice from our local team

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Animal Welfare
• Conservation
• Volunteering
• Wildlife Surveying

Age Range

18-55 years

This Program is open to

Worldwide, American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi and South African Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 3-8

Application Process Involves

• Written Application

Personal Overseas Development (PoD)'s Mission Statement

PoD is a leading non-profit organization arranging ethical, inspiring and supported volunteering opportunities around the world. Established in 2001, our aim is to support ongoing projects with our partners in Belize, Cambodia, Nepal, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam by providing passionate and committed volunteers. We work with long term projects that we know personally and where there is genuine benefit to local communities. A placement with PoD will not only develop volunteer's skills and confidence, get them out of their comfort zone and exploring incredible parts of the world but also the ability make a genuine difference. We currently offer gap year, career break, working holiday, volunteer projects and school expeditions from 1 week to 6 months with year round departures. We offer a personal and professional service drawing on years of experience from staff in the UK and overseas. Volunteers are needed to help work with disadvantaged children, communities, animals and conservation projects including: caring for elephants and wild animals; joining an Amazon jungle conservation project; scuba diving and marine conservation; community building projects; volunteering at orphanages and care homes; teaching English and running summer English camps. PoD believes in providing challenging, safe and fun experiences for individuals and groups to enjoy. We are passionate about giving volunteers of all ages the opportunity to use their energy, enthusiasm and personality where it counts.

Year Founded

2001