Trusted Conservation Volunteer Programs in South Africa

I participated in two programs including the Horse Trails Project as well as the Wildlife Research Project. Gaining a wide range of experience relevant to numerous species including horses, farm animals, and wildlife was fantastic! Also, the hands-on opportunities allowed me to effectively acquire knowledge while contributing to animal health and conservation which was extremely rewarding. Furthermore, the accommodation and food arrangements were excellent as well even though I volunteered during the pandemic. I would definitely recommend Good Hope Volunteers to anyone who would like to make an impact pertaining to animal welfare or conservation.

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The volunteer project that I chose was Caring For Elderly. I am a nurse here in Brazil and I specialize in adult and elderly health. My intention was to gain experience in the area, learn about a new culture, improve my English and live new experiences. I chose Good Hope because it is an internationally renowned school. The reality of elderly in Africa is quite different from what I knew in Brazil. My experience was incredible, I learned a lot, I lived the love of neighbor, brought new knowledge and it was an exchange of experiences among nursing African professionals. It was sad to have to leave Africa due to the corona virus crisis, but it was a rewarding experience. I hope to came back to Cape Town in next few months to conclude my mission! Thank you Good Hope for the opportunity. It was a great adventure!

I was allowed to work for two months in the volunteer project Safe Haven- Out of Africa, Children Fondation. This project includes five inspiring places where children live in South Africa. I was allowed to visit the fascinating school for the deaf several times and tried my skills more and more in sign language. I visited the school for the blind and gave my attention to the children who are excluded or even killed outside this school. I also went to the City of Refuge and met many people of different ages and saw how they are striving for a better and new life. I visited two different day care centers in the townships of Langa. I admired the way the teacher with very little resources. I became aware of how different the available resources are, or the norms and customs of my culture and this one in South Africa. But what struck me, what always remains the same, are the children. The children have welcomed me lovingly in all projects. They were patient with me even though communication was not always easy. They were grateful and appreciated that I was interested in them. And I am sure that I made an impression. Even if it was only my appearance that remains in their memory. I didn't always feel insanely needed by the teachers but I knew every day that I was doing this for the children. The children who have to grow up without parents, who have to live with fear day after day, the children who don't get a hug from an adult every day, who tell them how proud they are of their child. I have seen that most of the time the capacity was not there to give the children the attention they deserve as any child. I am therefore happy to have been able to give these children a smile, affection and loving attention during these two months. It was the right decision to organize my stay with Good Hope Volunteers. I always knew that Good Hopes was behind me and that I could approach them at any time. I am satisfied with my entire stay and will return after this "world crisis" and finish what I started. Thank you very much for the exciting impressions, the unforgettable moments and the touching stories that will shape my life forever. See you!

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The month that I've spent in South Africa is a time that I'll never forget. I've met so many cool new people from various different countries that were all super nice. The animals in the sanctuary were my favorites. From cheetahs to monkeys to birds, there were so many animals that I've never seen before and never imagined to ever be so close to them. Also the South African landscape and the cities we got to see were so beautiful and different. I can't wait to go back someday and explore more of this truly amazing country.

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It was a unique experience that I will never forget. I made friends for life. South Africa is absolutely stunning and just being able to take care and give love to those amazing animals was so heartwarming. We had to work really hard (and get up really early) to satisfy the needs of the animals, to prepare the food, feed them and clean the enclosures, but it was all worth it! It felt amazing to be able to help them, even if just for a little while. It is a feeling that can’t be explained, you really have to experience it. I loved to play and cuddle with the dogs in the lodge on our free time. I completely fell in love with South Africa and I really miss it and the friends I made there! Can’t wait to go back and do more volunteering!

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I can't express how grateful I am for everything that I got there. It was exactly what I wanted, a place where I could learn, where I had the chance of developing autonomy but also an environment where I had all the support that I could need, the safety I needed to enjoy everything without any concern. All that was provided by Good Hope Volunteers. The best thing, what I will never forget, was the opportunity to meet such amazing people: the people from Good Hope, the other volunteers, the people who worked regularly where I was volunteering. They will inspire me to be the best person that I can forever!

It was my first time traveling alone to another country and was the best trip of my life. The project is really nice, there's a lot to do I did great friendships and the coordinators of the project helped us with everythig and we were never alone. I want one day to be able to return.

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This was a life- changing experience. It is hard work on the boat. But seeing the wild living animals was awesome!! The free time activities were bad! We had lectures when we had a day off and dead penguin or shark sections. I thought we could see something from South Africa during our free time.

I've been in Indigo Skate Camp - Valley of a thousand hills for 2 weeks, and I would say that I wanted to stay more. In a short time I learnt a Life there! The kids are amazing, they really enjoyed all the activities that we made it! The most incredible insight it was to lived joy in a simple and creative afternoon with them. And they were just happy. Everyday! I would say that everything that makes those kids live with proposal for the future it must be cherished. They are the future. I'm really thankful for Good Hope Volunteers team that have had supported me during the program! Dallas Oberholzer, founder of Indigo Skate Camp has such an amazing heart. Uncle and Tabis( local staff) that I used to work everyday with, Amazing people too, always smiling! Everyone that I met there it will stay in my memories forever.

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This was one of the best times of my life. I learned a lot about conservation of the environment, but what was really the most precious thing for me was that I got to meet people from several different countries! And Cape Town is a wonderful place, I do hope to come back and get to know even more about this city and this marvellous country.

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It was an exceptional experience! The project gave me a lot more than I expected and was totally in line with the expectations I had. I learned a lot of different things while being in a magnificent setting and with superb people. All very kind to each other. I had a wonderful month, full of discoveries and encounters. I think I'll go back there one day, this place is really exceptional.

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It was amazing, having that kind of relationship with the animals, taking care of them and also meeting new people that are also wanting to do something good is really a unique experience.

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If you like horses and enjoy taking care of them, this is the best place to go! I was working here for 4 weeks and all day long I was with the team. During the morning you groom horses, check everything is okay and most of the times there are some trails to go on. Sometimes I rode horses during the trails. Often depending on what needed to be done in the afternoon, we took care of the whole farm.

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I was a very great experience in the middle of big cats which allowed me to disconnect and see something else in my life. To be in contact with animals and to be able to help them, was a very good expérience. The country was amazing and the people were very nice. I learned a lot of things about animals and on myself.

It was an experience of a lifetime that I will carry with me throughout my days! The way I was received at the project and made to feel at home during my stay made a big difference. South Africa got me and it is hard to say goodbye to all of this!

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It was an exceptional experience! The project gave me a lot more and was totally in line with my expectations for the internship, I learned a lot of things while being in a magnificent setting and with superb people, all kind to each other. I had a wonderful month, full of discoveries and encounters. I think I'll go back there one day, this place is really exceptional.

I spent two weeks at African Dawn and had such a great time there that it was hard to leave all the animals, friends and managers behind. I learned a lot from that project and I will never forget what I experienced there. Thanks Good Hope for making it possible!

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The Centre for Endangered Species changed my life in the best way. I could not have imagined working with better people every day. I absolutely loved this place, the accommodation, the food, and animals were great! At this project you feel like family with everyone there, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!

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It was the most beautiful experience in my life. I met some people who were just incredible and the Horse Trail Experience is really an amazing place for a volunteer mission. They give you the opportunity to do a lot of the thing if you prove you're a strong person. The people are really friendly and lovely and I will miss everything.

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It is very hard work and it may not be what you first think of and "African volunteering program", but it is as important and as exciting. African Dawn has mostly birds and other smaller animals, but it definitively is not less fun because of that. I learned so much and discovered so many animals here. This is probably the only place you can say it's your task to "give love" to a wild pig (Hugo!) or that you can have a meerkat and a squirrel spooning on your lap. It is worth every walk up the hill with a box of plates and a heavy watering can.

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