Conserve, research and rehabilitate one of Africa's primates

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All Volunteers Get Training and Orientation

Program Overview
Life on the Program
Project Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

Join us in South Africa’s picturesque Letaba district, at the foot of the Wolkberg Mountains, near the famous Kruger National Park and assist us with our primate work.

This volunteer project looks after over 500 monkeys, of which most are vervet monkeys, indigenous to South Africa. This hands-on project gives you the chance to get involved in just about all aspects of the work done at the centre, looking after rescued monkeys or preparing for and feeding the many baby monkeys received by the centre each year.

Life on the Program

Days will be spent working on a range of specific tasks and the general running of the sanctuary. You will start around 7am and run through till about 4pm with time off to rest during the middle of the day.

You will share a wooden cabin in the volunteer village, a simple, yet comfortable base within the grounds of the sanctuary. Your evenings will either be spent quietly at the village or up at the cottage where you can socialise and get to know your fellow volunteers.

On days off most volunteers travel to Tzaneen to purchase supplies or relax. Some may choose to explore further and popular tours include the world famous Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window.

Project Details

The duties that you will assist with are varied and change during the year but may include;

- Collecting, chopping and delivering food

- Hands-on care-giving of baby monkeys

- Monitoring and report writing of monkeys

- Cleaning monkey cages, feed bowls, blankets

- Assisting with introductions and rehabilitation of new monkeys

- Assisting with basic medical practices and administering medications

- Clearing vegetation for fire breaks

- Education outreach programs

The sanctuary aims to research the lifestyle and environment of vervets as well as rehabilitate (and hopefully release) orphaned and injured monkeys. Those that can’t be released will be used as part of an education program to inform the public of the valuable role that vervets play controlling bird and insect populations as well as 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 programs 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.