Volunteer in a big cat rescue Farm

• Start dates : Friday (Bloemfontein) / Wednesday(Kimberley)
• The project runs 5-6 days /week for 2 weeks min
• In Bloemfontein or Kimberley.
• Minimum Duration : 16 days

THE VOLUNTEER PROJECT

Background to the project

At the wild cat farm, it is all about the animals. We believe in the rights and protection of animals. The farm is home to a variety of wild animals such as lions, cheetahs, servals, caracals, black footed cats, even the mischievous meerkats and more. The farm acts as a home to wild cats that are not able to be released back into the wild, as well as a nursery forcubs that are brought to the farm by neighbouring breeders to be hand-raised before they arerelocated into reserves. The farm aims to provide a safe haven to wild animals who are inneed of a home and to ensure that injured and traumatized animals receive proper medical care.

Together with HART, a wildlife rehabilitation center and sanctuary, we have helped rehabilitate numerous animals such as owls, meerkats, vervet monkeys and bat eared foxes. The farm offers you an opportunity to work/interact with the animals and gain experience inactivities like cleaning, building enclosures, feeding, and playing with the animals, as well as the opportunity to unwind in a relaxing Free State setting. We strive to make life as normal as possible for animals by ensuring their happiness and wellbeing. You, as a volunteer, have the opportunity to assist in making this happen.

Project Highlights

• Work hands on with the big cats such as lions and cheetahs
• Work hands on with small cats such as caracals and servals
• Live in close proximity to the lion and cheetah enclosures
• Experience firsthand all aspects of the animals life
• Be part of a very passionate team
• Learn about conservation and Africa’s wild animals
• Experience hand rearing of wild cats
• Experience the farm animals living free amongst the wild animals
• Interact and play with wild animals

Volunteer tasks

Every Monday we will choose a new project. The project needs to be completed before new projects are given. Projects will sometimes start with one group and be finish with next group. Some examples of projects include, but are not limited to:

• Construction of shading for view areas
• Constructing of the Lions Den ( Look-out Point, Educational lectures)
• Building a dam
• Building of a Meerkat Manor with jungle gym per each unit
• Building of A-Frame huts for Birds at “Gronddam”
• Upgrading of bird cage with tree grass and fountains
• Building of waterhole
• Removing of intrusive plants
• Constructing a new landscape at each gate
• Constructing a retirement village for Bearded Dragons
• Constructing Leopard cages
• Making of look-out point at “Gronddam”
• Experiencing new ways to attract birds
• Planting of trees
• Maintaining of roads (filling, scraping, levelling etc.)
• Trimming trees alongside roads
• Building and extending enclosures
• Wild camp project

Our volunteer project inclusions

•  Airport pick up
• Accommodation
• Orientation and welcome BBQ
• Three meals a day
• Weekly social events
• Transport to and from the projects
• 24 hour support and supervisor on project
• Donation to the NPO to assist with projects
• Certificate of appreciation

Terms and conditions for volunteers

• Up to date CV/ resume
• Copy of return flight itinerary
• Police clearance
• Basic level of English; understanding and speaking
• Acceptance subject to availability of position

Payment & Cancellation

€300 deposit is required for booking. The outstanding amount is due 4 weeks prior to departure. 100% of total fees will be refund in case of cancellation up to 2 weeks prior to departure. In case of cancellation 2 weeks prior to departure, deposit will be withheld.

Our local charity relies on travellers to volunteer on various schemes around South Africa. We place volunteers into local communities and projects, assisting in building projects and allowing travellers to contribute to a growing community as well as making new friends.

The organisation is non-profitable and always ensures that all funding goes directly into the projects. The fee price for the volunteer experience will cover your accommodation and transport as well as a donation the projects.