GoEco > Africa > South Africa > Big Cat Refuge & Marcela

South Africa – Big Cat Refuge & Marcela

Fast Facts

Introducing Marcela:

Marcela Quércia is a GoEco Volunteer for many years, and also happens to be a Brazilian veterinarian passionate about wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. After volunteering across Africa with GoEco, she now helps others find meaningful volunteer experiences. Through her Instagram, she shares educational content about wildlife, endangered species, and conservation, inspiring people to get involved and experience volunteering for themselves. Her mission is to connect people with purpose, compassion, and action for the planet.

Marcela volunteered on this program in October 2025, and loved it so much she wants to encourage anyone who wants to join to support them!

A Personal Note From Marcela:

Volunteering at the Big Cat Refuge in South Africa was one of the most peaceful and eye-opening experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, I felt an instant sense of calm. There’s something about that place, the atmosphere, the people, and especially the animals, that makes you slow down and breathe differently. Everyone there has such good energy, and the big cats themselves seem to carry this quiet strength and serenity.

But it was also a place that opened my eyes to a reality I didn’t fully understand before. During our first tour, I learned about the dark side of the captive lion industry and canned hunting, something I had never heard about in detail before. Hearing the stories of the rescued animals was powerful and emotional. Each lion, leopard, and cheetah has a story, and learning how they were saved really made me reflect on how much still needs to change.

What I loved most about this experience is that the refuge doesn’t just give you information, it makes you think for yourself. It encourages you to question, to learn, and to grow. I left with a deeper understanding of what true respect for wildlife means: recognizing that wild animals are not there for human entertainment, but deserve their space, peace, and freedom.

Program Highlights:

Gain experience in animal care at a rescue sanctuary for big cats
Learn about different large cat species and their individual uniqueness
Raise awareness about ethical and holistic animal treatment
Ethical wildlife volunteer tasks and interactions and a chance to get to know the wonderful pride!
Weekly excursion to the Overberg region

“It’s impossible to leave this place the same person you arrived.
You learn to respect animals not for what they can give you,
but simply for who they are.”

~ Marcela

Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment):

Arrival Day, Saturday: Arrive at Cape Town International Airport (CPT). You will be picked up from the airport and taken to the volunteer house, which is located on the project site.

Day 1, Sunday: You will have an introduction to prepare you for the week ahead, followed by a free day for volunteers to spend as you wish. Explore around the area with your follow volunteers or hang around close to home and relax listening to the lions roaring at sunset!

Days 2-6, Monday-Friday: Your day will begin around 6:00 or 7:00 AM, when you will prepare your breakfast before heading to the morning meeting around 7:00 or 8:00 AM. The morning project will begin around 8:15 AM and run until lunch, which will be provided around noon. The afternoon volunteer work will begin around 2:00 or 3:00 PM and you will work until 6:00 PM. During summer and warm days, the morning meeting will start 1 hour earlier.

Thursdays will not be work days and volunteers will go on a group excursion in Overberg and be able to purchase food for the week at the grocery store.

Day 7-8, Saturday and Sunday: Free day for volunteers to relax or spend the night away.

Remaining Weeks: Remaining weeks will follow the schedule of working Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Every Thursday will be a group excursion, and every Saturday and Sunday is free. Departures are on Saturdays.

Location of the Project: Stanford, South Africa

Project length: Minimum 2 weeks – Maximum 12 weeks

Arrival Airport: Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

Volunteer Work: Animal care, food preparation, farm work

Age: 18-70

Number of Volunteers: Up to 6 international volunteers

Important Note: Lunch is not provided on non-work days when you are not on site at the sanctuary

What’s Included

Accommodations: Shared rooms in a volunteer house

Food: Lunch is provided as well as food for volunteers to prepare their own breakfast

Airport Transfers: Airport transfers are provided on both arrival and departure days

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, cost of groceries for dinners and lunch when you are not on-site (budget approx $30-50 per week), personal expenses.

Location

This project takes place in Stanford, a riverside village located in the Western Cape of South Africa. Stanford is a place of breathtaking beauty, from the Klein River to the grand mountains that overlook the sanctuary. It is located 16 kilometers east of the seaside town of Hermanus, which is famous for whale watching. Stanford is home to 200 species of birds and is one of the most-preserved villages in the Western Cape.

Volunteer Work

What Marcela Loved the Most

Every part of the daily routine taught me something valuable. We helped clean the enclosures, prepared food, and took part in enrichment activities for the animals. Enrichment was one of my favorite parts, it’s all about stimulating the animals mentally and physically, helping them stay active and engaged even in captivity. It was incredible to see how a simple change in their environment could make such a difference in their behavior and mood. There was also time to simply sit near the enclosures and quietly observe. Those moments of connection, when you just watch and listen, were some of the most meaningful to me.

The goal of this project is to aid the sanctuary’s efforts in raising awareness about the ethical and holistic animal treatment while simultaneously caring for the rescued cats. The sanctuary has been home to rescued lions, leopards, tigers, caracals, servals and jackals, and also hosts educational visits aimed at teaching visitors about the different species of magnificent large cats that live there.

As a volunteer on this project, you will be involved in an array of activities. Volunteer work ranges from enrichment activities, such as toy-making, to farm work in educating those who come to visit the sanctuary about large cats and conservation efforts. Volunteers will also directly care for the cats by preparing food and/or feeding the cats as well as maintaining their living spaces. Each day begins with a preparatory meeting where coordinators will go over the day’s plan with volunteers prior to beginning work.

Some of your tasks may include:

Caring for the big cats
Supporting the enrichment program
Preparation of food and feeding
Cleaning and maintaining enclosures
General farm work
Educating visitors

A typical day: Your day will begin around 6:00 or 7:00 AM, when you will prepare your breakfast before heading to the morning meeting around 8:00 AM. The morning project will begin around 8:15 AM and run until lunch, which will be provided around noon. The afternoon volunteer work will begin around 2:00 or 3:00 PM and you will work until 6:00 PM. During summer and warm days, the morning meeting will start one hour earlier.

Thursdays will not be work days, but volunteers will go on a group excursion and be able to purchase food for the week at the grocery store. Saturdays and Sundays are free days.

Marcela’s Tips

If you’re planning to volunteer here, here are some tips that can make your experience smoother:

Bring sunscreen and insect repellent , as you’ll spend a lot of time outdoors.
Pack for all weather, because it can get very cold and windy in winter, and really hot in summer.
Comfortable shoes or boots are a must, as you’ll be on your feet a lot.
Wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. You’ll be climbing, cleaning, and moving around a lot, so bring clothes that are easy to work in and that you’re not too attached to.
Bring an open mind and heart. This experience will challenge what you think you know about wildlife and conservation, in the best possible way.

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: WiFi is available at the accommodations for a small fee.

Laundry icon Laundry: Washing machines are available for use on-site.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: As a volunteer, you will stay in a modern, cozy home which is a 8 minutes’ drive, or 25 minutes’ beautiful walk, from the sanctuary. The house comprises 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and a dining room. Volunteers can cook and enjoy dinners together. There is a cozy living room with a fireplace for film evenings, game nights, or just relaxing. Outside you will see mountain views, and we have a traditional South African braai (BBQ) area. There is a lovely dam and extensive garden with room to play games or sunbathe. While sitting outside, you may just hear our pride of lions roaring in the distance.

Food icon Food: Lunch will be provided every day except for non-work days when you are not on site at the sanctuary. Groceries to make breakfast are provided. Dinner is not included, and volunteers will have to buy groceries on Sunday and on weekly shopping trip (Thursday) to prepare their own evening meal.

Requirements

Please note of this project’s minimum requirements:

Basic level of English
Volunteers must be able to prepare their own meals
Volunteer must be in good physical condition
Volunteers must have a love and passion for animals

Travel Highlights

Marcela’s Favourites in the Area:

The Big Cat Refugee is located near several beautiful coastal towns full of nature, adventure, and great food. On Thursdays, we often went on excursions to explore the region. Some of my favorite experiences included:

Whale watching by boat, where we saw several whales and even dolphins.
Sea Kayaking, where we saw whales and seals up close.
Hiking over at the mountains nearby with an amazing view of the ocean.
Exploring local caves and beaches, surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
Wine tastings at nearby vineyards, perfect for a relaxing afternoon.

We stayed close to the charming town of Hermanus, famous for its incredible ocean views and whale sightings from the cliffs. There are also plenty of great restaurants, cafés, and local shops to explore. During whale season, you can see the whales directly from the cliffside, it’s truly magical!

On weekends, we usually went to Cape Town, which is about a two-hour drive away. It’s one of the most vibrant cities in South Africa, offering everything from hiking Table Mountain or Lion’s Head to shopping, amazing restaurants, wine tours, and beautiful beaches. There’s really something for everyone, it’s the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.

South Africa – Big Cat Refuge & Marcela

Fast Facts

Location

Volunteer Work

Living Arrangements

Requirements

Travel Highlights

Dates & Fees

Volunteer Experiences

Want to join this program?

Follow Us

Sign Up for our Newsletter

Activities

General

Destinations