Start your adventure by working with Africa’s majestic big cats and learning about vital conservation efforts to protect and rehabilitate these incredible animals rescued from captivity. The sanctuary also provides a safe haven for animals unable to return to the wild due to their captive upbringing. Conclude your journey with a thrilling 3-day safari in Kruger National Park, where you’ll have the chance to observe the iconic Big Five and other magnificent wildlife up close!
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum one-week commitment, plus three day Kruger tour – 11 days):
Arrival Day, Tuesday: Arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). You will be picked up from the airport and taken to your hostel accommodation in Johannesburg. After you are settled in and given an introduction to the area and where all the lockers, shops, stores and exciting places to go are, you have the rest of the day for yourself. The hostel has a pool, bar, free Wi-Fi and is close to the JNB version of Long Street. Stay the night in dormitory accommodation. Upgrades available upon request.
Day 1, Wednesday: Following breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Kimberly. If registering in 2025 the flight is included in the program fee, and takes approximately one hour. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to the project site. There, you will receive an introductory tour of the sanctuary and its animals, providing an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the surroundings and the incredible wildlife you’ll be working with.
Day 2 – 8, Thursday to Tuesday: After an early breakfast and briefing with the team leader, you will spend the day doing daily chores or working on projects. Daily chores include cleaning the enclosures, taking part in enrichment activities with the cats, preparing and feeding the animals, etc. Projects depend on the needs of the sanctuary and its animals, and thus vary. Tasks may include building and repairing enclosures, assisting with tours and much more.
Day 9, Wednesday – Day one of Kruger Tour: Departure day for volunteers only staying one week plus the Kruger Tour. Wednesday is when you’ll fly from the Kimberly airport to the Hoedspruit airport to start your tour. This flight is included in your program package and arranged for you via our team. You’ll be picked up at the Hoedspruit airport to begin your first evening with a Sunset Drive and Bush BBQ before settling into your tents at the safari lodge.
Day 10, Thursday – Day two of Kruger Tour: Today you’ll spend a full day in the Kruger National Park on a safari. Start your morning with a sunrise safari, and spend the day on the lookout for the Big 5 Wildlife between visiting various waterholes, lookout points and rivers.
Day 11, Friday – Day three of Kruger Tour & Departure Day: Begin with a safari in the Kruger National Park as the sun rises and enjoy the various picnic spots along the way looking for wildlife. Following breakfast, participants drive to the Three Rondavels of the Blyde River Canyon, which are enormous rocks that are thought to be reminiscent of indigenous Rondavel huts. After lunch, your scenic transfer back to Johannesburg begins for your airport drop-off and departure back home later that evening.
Remaining Weeks: For volunteers staying multiple weeks, you’ll stay on the program volunteering each additional week following a similar schedule of volunteering Tuesday – Friday and having a day off per week. Regardless of how many weeks you choose to volunteer, the Kruger Safari Tour will be scheduled on the last 3 days of your program itinerary. We highly recommend a minimum stay of 2 weeks on the volunteer program.
What’s Included
What’s not Included
International flights to/from Johannesburg airport, visas (if required), travel health insurance, personal expenses. Flights from Johannesburg to Kimberly are not included for those registered in 2024 or before (New registrations in 2025 will enjoy this flight included).
Kimberley, the capital of the Northern Cape Province, is located near the border of the Free State Province. The city is best known for the Big Hole, the world’s largest hand-dug excavation site, where miners once sought diamonds. Today, Kimberley boasts museums and monuments celebrating the city’s diamond heritage and the miners who helped shape South Africa’s history. It is also a haven for birdwatching, with over 186 species recorded.
The last three days of your journey will be spent in Kruger National Park, a world-renowned wildlife reserve spanning over two million hectares. Established to protect South Africa’s diverse wildlife, the park is celebrated for its unparalleled biodiversity and it’s pioneering efforts in environmental management and conservation.
About the Sanctuary:
The sanctuary, founded in 2010, is dedicated to rescuing animals from canned hunting and unethical breeding practices. It serves as a rehabilitation center for animals that cannot be released back into the wild, providing them with a safe and caring environment. The sanctuary’s mission extends beyond care, aiming to raise awareness about ethical wildlife conservation.
Volunteer Work:
As a volunteer on this project, your primary role will be to support the health and welfare of the animals on-site. You’ll work with a diverse range of species, including 35 predators and two monkeys. The predators include cheetahs, lions, caracals, servals, African wildcat, black-backed jackals, and bat-eared foxes. Each animal has unique needs, and you’ll be trained on how to provide the appropriate care for each species.
Some of your tasks may include:
A typical day: You will wake up early, usually around 7:00 AM to the sound of the cats calling you. At breakfast, the staff will go over the day’s tasks and you will go about feeding the animals, checking enclosures and whatever else needs doing. After a lunch break, you may have additional tasks or get some free time to relax by the pool. You will have dinner as a group and free time but, just before everyone goes to bed, you will need to check on the big cats and make sure they are settled in for the night.
While volunteering: You will stay at the volunteer house, which is located on the property and has a fully furnished kitchen and shared bathroom with hot water and Western style toilets. The rooms are shared with up to 6 other volunteers. While on the
While on the tour: Participants will be placed in double “tents.” The rooms have brick and mortar back walls and canvas front and side panels. Participants can upgrade to twin, family or single rooms in a lodge, treehouse or 4-star lodge for additional fees. Every unit in the two lodges is thatched, air-conditioned and has en suite bathrooms and showers. Each room in the 4-star lodge has a private bathtub. Each bed has its own mosquito net. The Treehouse Lodge is secure and comfortable. These rooms are built in trees or have trees as supports. Some are built on stilts within the tree canopy. There are small pools at each of the upgraded accommodation options. *Please note that both standard and upgraded accommodation photos are displayed below.
Please note this project’s minimum requirements:
Kimberley’s diamond mining history is best experienced at the Big Hole and its surrounding museums. The sanctuary’s serene environment offers opportunities to observe wildlife and enjoy peaceful evenings with the sounds of nature. Optional activities during free time include visits to Mokala National Park, riverboat trips, and cultural tours. The program culminates with a 3-day safari in Kruger National Park, featuring game drives and visits to iconic viewpoints like Blyde River Canyon. Kruger’s biodiversity and the chance to see the Big Five make it an unforgettable experience.
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