Game Reserve, Lion, Cheetah and Horse Project
Location: South Africa
Program Duration: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: The project starts every 2 weeks.
Madibas Volunteers
105 Van Riebeek 144 Kloof Street Gardens Cape Town, Western Cape 8001 South Africa
Description
Volunteers will get the ultimate working experience on a 5 star Game Reserve in South Arica. Volunteer's primary task will be to care for the animals on this awesome Game reserve. This includes cheetah, lion and tiger cubs, game (over 600), snakes and reptiles, baby crocodiles, meercats, bird aviary, horses at the equestrian centre and injured/abandoned game. You'll be working along side qualified game rangers.
Location:
Its located 40 kilometres west of Bela Bela on 1600 hectares of 'malaria free' pristine African bushveld, which is situated approximate 1 ½ hours north of Pretoria in the region called The Waterberg. The region is named after the mountain range in the area which is quite spectacular. The town of Bela Bela is approximately a 30 minute drive from the Zebula with a population of around 15000 people in total. There are plenty of restaurants and fast food places along with various shops and grocery stores. There are always staff members coming and going to town so there will not be a problem whatsoever when the volunteers are off to get a ride into town. There are also other attractions in the area including a very large crocodile farm, a cheetah and wild dog reserve, two very large nature reserves bordering on our east and west side which include elephant and rhino roaming free.
How the project came into being:
Regarding the history of Zebula, the actual name of Zebula Golf Estate and Spa currently however and the initial concept were to merge the popular game of golf with the African bushveld allowing all of the free roaming mammal species to actually have access to the golf course with not separation or fences. This was the vision from the beginning. Subsequent to that vision we have added many, many other venues including a 5 Star Health Spa, a variety of Felines, an equestrian centre, a bird aviary, snake and reptile park and many, many others. We have now accomplished much more than we ever set out to do. Our current slogan is "A VENUE FOR ALL" which relates to the entire family having something to do when they visit Zebula. The volunteer project started because we are looking for passionate people to look after the animals.
Goals and aims of the project:
Zebula is a 5 Star venue - they are always looking for passionate individuals to be involved with the various venues we currently offer, but more importantly we place a very high value on the animal care aspect and feel that we provide the best possible care for all of our various animals, reptiles and birds that we have on exhibit for our guests to view. The individuals will have the opportunity to work hands on with baby lions, full grown cheetahs, baby Bengal tigers, meercats, various snakes and reptiles as well as the variety of birds in our aviary. They have just added a very up market equestrian centre. They offer horseback safaris through the African bush, which allows you to get up-close and personal to all the animal life for those individuals who would like to be involved with horses primarily, we can certainly cater to these needs. However, it will not be 100% of the time; it would probably incorporate up to 50% of the individual's time and the other 50% for animal care.
Why does the project need volunteers:
The reason that Zebula needs volunteers is simply that you can never ever spend too much time with animal care; there are always better ways to ensure that the animals are treated in the best possible fashion.
Highlights
The volunteers will be working solely with animal care aspects unless they would like to assist in other areas during their stay. They do have a wide variety of activities including game drives, game walks, quad bike safaris, horseback safaris, archery, clay target shooting, volley ball, paint ball and obviously golf. If volunteers want to participate relating to some of the other activities which the Rangers oversee, then it is solely up to them to make this decision.
Animal care:
- Lion and Bengal tiger cubs: Feeding and caring for them. Assisting in their day to day care. Cleaning and maintenance of their enclosure.
- Cheetahs: Feeding and caring for them. A cheetah run takes place every Friday and Saturday evening. The stars of our show are Taran and Luka, Taran is capable of reaching 100km an hour in the 130m sprint. You will be impressed.
- Game: Assisting Game rangers when help is needed with the game. (The reserve is home to over 600 animals. The game roams freely throughout the 1400 hectare reserve
- Snake & Reptiles: Assisting at the Snake & Reptile Park.
- Injured/abandoned game: The reserve also manages a rehabilitation service for injured/abandoned game. Success stories have included red hartebeest, porcupine, black backed jackal, tree squirrel and many birds.
- Horses: Assisting with the day to day care of the horses at the equestrian centre. Volunteers interested primarily in horses will be able focus most of their time and attention on caring for the horses. The horses are used in the Horseback Safaris in an area of the game reserve where only horses go.
This gives visitors the unique opportunity to get very close to the game. Bird aviary, Baby crocodiles & Meercats: Feeding all of them and cleaning their enclosures. General maintenance.
Benefit to volunteers:
Volunteers will be getting a taste of Africa and the African bushveld and the introduction to 15 to 20 different species of mammals along with working first hand with all of the animals that they care for. All in all, the project would certainly like to think that the experience and some of the additional knowledge that they derive from their stay, will certainly be remembered for a lifetime. Volunteers will get the ultimate working experience on a 5 Star Game reserve, caring for the animals on this awesome game reserve. This includes cheetah, lion and tiger cubs, game (over 600), snakes and reptiles, horses and injured/abandoned game.
What can volunteers do in their free time:
Volunteers have the opportunity on their off days to participate in any activities going out in which there is space, which includes all the activities that we offer. The project also have a very nice gym, squash court, two tennis courts, mountain bikes which volunteers can use on their off days as much as volunteers like, as well as the use of the golf course and a golf cart on their off days, all obviously at no charge. In the evenings the volunteers will have approximately 50 staff members living in the same adjacent vicinity. More than likely volunteers will hook up with other staff members in the evenings for a meal and drinks. Volunteers will be allowed to have dinner at the Zebundu Restaurant as one of their two meals.
All activities on their off days are in conjunction with the activity occurring with clients, example we can't have a horseback safari just for one volunteer.
In the evenings:
* Volunteers are allowed to use all the facilities of the guests on Zebula.
* Go the Zebu Bar and have drinks and cocktails
* Night Game drives
On your off days the following activities are at Zebula itself and can be enjoyed by the volunteers in their off time:
- Game drives (Free)
- Horseback safaris (Free)
- Game walks (Free)
- Archery (Free)
- Quad Bike Safaris (Free)
- Silent Safari Carts (Free)
- Excellent Fishing (Free)
- Clay Target Shooting (Free)
- Paintball (Free)
- Birding (Free)
- Mountain biking
- Swimming pool and children's pool (Free)
- Bubbling jacuzzi (Free)
- 2 tennis courts (Free)
- Squash courts (Free)
- Fully equipped gym (Free)
- 18 hole Championship Golf course (Free)
- The best driving range in Africa (Free)
- Spa (40% discount)
- Archery (Free)
Please note: All activities on their off days are in conjunction with the activity occurring with clients, example they can't have a horseback safari just for one volunteer for free.
Nearby:
Our three hour game drive includes visiting Mabalingwe Nature Reserve where there is a chance of viewing elephant and rhino. The three hour game drives are a regular occurrence. Visiting the cheetah and wild dog reserve as well as the crocodile farm.
* Game drives and night drives at Mabalingwe Nature Reserve where the chances of viewing Elephant, Rhino and Cape Buffalo are excellent.
* Horse riding
* Visit the Cheetah and wild dog reserve
* Visit a large crocodile farm
Travel Types
- Safari
- Volunteering
Qualifications
Willingness to work hard, good attitude, passion for animals. Love for animals, conservation and wildlife No facial-piercing with studs or rings and heavy tattoos.
Languages
- English
Cost in US$:
From R571 (41 GBP) per day.
Cost Includes:
Cost Include Description:
Accommodation, 2 meals a day, Transportation to the project and back. Daily supervision by Rangers, Game drives, Horseback safaris, Game walks, Archery, Quad Bike Safaris and lots more.
What's excluded: Flights, visas (if necessary), insurance and 1 meal a day.
Credit Available
no
Volunteer Types
- animal welfare
- wildlife surveying
Age Range
18-50This Program is open to
Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangements
- Group living
Participants Travel to South Africa
Independently or in Groups
Application Process Involves
- Online Application plus Application Assessment
Typically The Application Process Time is
3-5 daysMadibas Volunteers's Mission Statement
We are a newly established South African company. We are based in Cape Town and connected throughout South Africa. Our passion and vision is to uplift and maintain the South African communities, charities, wildlife and conservation projects, we are involved with, by providing them with quality volunteers and funding. As volunteers are critical to our cause we are determined to provide every volunteer with the best and most rewarding experience of their lives at a fraction of the price. We pride ourselves in providing first class accommodation, orientation and support for every volunteer we come in touch with in order to make their experience exactly what they expect it to be. As we are a South African based company we are in the best possible position to provide our volunteers with support and back up during their South African adventure. We also work very closely with all our project partners to ensure that your stay with us is a success!
Year Founded
2008
