Help conserve, research and rehabilitate Africa’s beautiful Vervet Monkeys

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All Volunteers Get Training and Orientation

Program Overview
Life on the Program
Project Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

This volunteer opportunity brings you to join our team in South Africa’s picturesque Letaba district, at the foot of the Wolkberg Mountains and close to the famous Kruger National Park, to assist us with our primate work.

This project cares for over 500 monkeys, most of which are indigenous South African Vervet monkeys. You will have the chance to get involved in just about all the aspects of the work done at the centre, preparing for and feeding the baby monkeys and generally providing hands-on care for the many monkeys received by the centre each year.

Life on the Program

You will spend your days working on a range of specific tasks and helping the general running of the sanctuary. The work day will begin around 7am and finish about 4pm with time off to rest during the middle of the day.

You will live in the volunteer village, sharing a wooden cabin in this basic but comfortable base within the grounds of the sanctuary. During the evenings, you can relax quietly either at the village or up at the cottage, socialising and getting to know your fellow volunteers.

On days off you will have the opportunity to travel to Tzaneen to purchase supplies or relax. You can also choose to explore further with popular tours including the world famous Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window.

Project Details

Volunteers assist with a number of duties that are varied and may change depending on the time of year. These duties may include:

- Collecting, chopping and delivering food

- Providing hands-on care for baby monkeys

- Monitoring and report writing of monkeys

- Cleaning monkey cages, feed bowls, blankets

- Assisting with the introduction and rehabilitation of new monkeys

- Administering medications and assisting with basic medical practices

- Clearing vegetation for fire breaks

- Education outreach programs

The aim of the sanctuary is to research the lifestyle and environment of Vervets while rehabilitating (and hopefully releasing) orphaned and injured monkeys. Monkeys that can’t be released form part of a public education program focusing on the valuable role that Vervets play in their environment, controlling bird and insect populations, as well as in spreading seeds and pollinating plants.

How this project makes a difference:

The project was established in 1993 to help orphaned, injured and rescued monkeys. Currently the foundation runs the biggest rehabilitation centre for monkeys in South Africa. The centre also runs outreach projects and gives talks at schools, clubs, organisations and conservancies aimed at raising awareness of these incredible animals and the role that vervet monkeys play in the eco-system.

Volunteer Testimonials

Hilary Brown, USA

My time at the sanctuary was an experience of a lifetime! Upon arrival I immediately felt welcomed! Work in sick bay mainly consisted of preparing food, providing water, doing dishes, doing laundry, cleaning cages, disinfecting enclosures, handing out seed pods and grass, and making sure each monkey is physically okay. When I wasn’t working in sick bay I was observing some of the monkeys who had been fighting with each other. I also helped input data into the computers and typed up the notes that were taken every day on the babies and their integration into troops.

Mark Ashcroft, United Kingdom

The 4-weeks spent at the sanctuary has been one of the best experiences of my life. The opportunity to work closely with monkeys while spending time in a beautiful place like Africa made this an easy choice for me. During my stay at the foundation I mostly worked on helping to construct a new enclosure for the baby orphans. Putting in the hard work and seeing the progress we made was a great feeling, and I know the babies will love it. I also got firsthand experience looking after these little primates in their current enclosure.