Primate Carer Volunteering in South Africa

with International Primate Rescue

	Africa, South Africa
	Start date: Volunteers chose their own arrival and departure dates
	Duration: 1 week to 3 months
	No Salary: Volunteer project
	Accommodation included
	Food is not included. An equipped kitchen is available and a small shopping center within walking distance. If you wish to go to a shopping mall, a taxi service is available
	Training provided

Want to learn more about this awesome gap year?

Just fill out this quick form to let us know you are interested, no strings attached! We'll send you all the details so you can check it out..

Would you like to receive gap year offers and ideas by email? We will only send you relevant information and you can opt out at any time

Yes Please No Thanks

Please indicate you have read & agree to our use of your personal data so that we can send you information about this gap year course

Unlike other sanctuaries who release into the wild, we do not need to limit the human interaction. This work is very hands on which allows our volunteers to get up close and personal with our primates.

We are also unique in that students pursuing a career in psychology have the opportunity to learn about how previous trauma and insecurity affects non human primates. Many of the behavioral issues that develop as a result are similar to those that develop in humans such as thumb sucking, rocking etc.

Primate Carer Volunteering in South Africa

Course Highlights

what makes this gap year memorable

✔ This is a hands-on experience where you can interact with the monkeys as you go about your daily duties
✔ Learn about primate behavior
✔ Experience South African culture
✔ Meet up with other volunteers from around the world
✔ A number of day trips such as safaris, sky diving etc are available or take a few days out to visit Kruger National Park
✔ We are flexible about time off if you need extra time off to go sight seeing
✔ We are open all year round - you chose your arrival and departure dates

Course Description

a typical day on this gap project

You will be accompanied by a member of staff until you feel confident to complete your duties alone. Volunteers work from 9am - 5pm. Lunch break is from 12pm to 2pm (it can get really hot and the work is physical)

9am: Check the food in all the enclosures to make sure they have plenty of food and fresh water and top up the bowls as necessary (the staff will have given them their first feed of the day). This is also a good time to check all the monkeys and volunteers may interact with them if they wish

10am - 12pm: Cleaning, enrichment, monitoring, introductions, interaction - depends on what is needed for the day

12pm - 2pm: Lunch

2pm: Check the food and monkeys

3pm - 4pm: Cleaning, enrichment, monitoring, introductions, interaction, or what is needed.

4pm - 5pm Treat time - we give each monkey a treat, and check them all. This is one of the favorite duties with plenty of time to interact with the monkeys

Volunteers do not work on Saturday and Sunday

Would you be a good fit?

the requirements for this course

No previous is necessary. Most of our volunteers have never worked with monkeys before.
You will need to be physically fit
If you are under the age of 16, you will need to be accompanied by a guardian

What can we offer you?

why choose us for your gap year

Accommodation at the sanctuary, food is not included. An equipped kitchen is provided for volunteers to prepare meals, and a small shopping center is within walking distance
An opportunity for work experience, studies or dissertations in the field of veterinary science, psychology, primatology or primate behavior and care giving.
For primate lovers, the opportunity for a hands-on experience with plenty of interaction with our mischievous monkeys
Day trips out including safaris, sight-seeing, skydiving or a 3-day trip to the Kruger Park for an additional cost.
A taxi service is available if you chose to visit shopping malls
We are flexible about time off from your volunteering duties