Each "Main Feed" involves the daily preparation and distribution of food to all of the monkeys in the sanctuary. As a volunteer your duty would be to prepare the food bowls. You will cut, wash and share out the fruit and vegetables equally before distributing the food bowls to the vervets. Seed pods and fruits are also picked from our indigenous trees on a regular basis. This is a crucial and important job as you will monitor and observe each monkey within the sanctuary, checking for any injuries, stress or sickness - reporting information back to "base" to ensure the vervets are in the best of health. This task is done daily; you will usually have a 2-day to 3-day shift rotation whilst monitoring to provide continuity of observation.
How do I get there?
Volunteers will be required to make their travel arrangements to arrive in Johannesburg. You will be collected from the airport and transferred by road to a backpackers in Pretoria. It is essential that volunteers arrive the day before as the bus from Pretoria departs in the early morning.
You will catch a bus down to the lowveld (a beautiful drive descending down one of the most beautiful passes in the country). Upon arrival you will be met by the project leader and given a thorough orientation of the centre (this may take place the following day depending on time constraints).
Duration
Owing to the fact that it takes a few days for volunteers to learn about the monkeys and the various tasks which need to be done, the project operates with a minimum of 4 weeks. There is no maximum duration that volunteer can stay for (however, please speak to your consultant about the visa requirements).
Accommodation
You will sleep in a wooden cabin, usually with 1 other volunteer. We provide a storage box, mattress, table, pillow and sheets but please ensure you bring a sleeping bag. There is no electricity in the village but accessories can be charged at the cottage. You may wish to bring a small battery powered or re-chargeable camping light to light up your cabin at night for reading etc. The volunteer village houses a warm, gas-heated shower, eco-toilet (composting toilet), washing sink, fridge, and a campfire, which is great for an evening under the stars or a traditional braai (South African barbecue!). Laundry is provided, free of charge, from Mon - Fri. You can bring your own detergent for extra hand washing of small items if you wish.
Medical Requirements
As a volunteer you need to confirm that you have travel medical insurance prior to arrival, and you must provide us with a copy of your medical arrangements. The local towns all have clinics and hospitals. We have a refrigerator if you need to keep medicines, such as insulin cool during your stay at the project. You will need to have a valid anti-tetanus vaccination before arrival to the centre. We recommend talking to a travel doctor. To ensure protection, medication can be purchased from your doctor, or travel doctor before arrival in South Africa. If you are sick whilst here, you will not be allowed to work with monkeys for a period of time as human illnesses may be fatal for the monkeys.
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