Work with Lions in South Africa

  South Africa

Johannesburg

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks

Description: Ever wanted to spend time with one of the most iconic and majestic creatures on the planet?
We've teamed up with a lion education centre in South Africa to offer an exclusive volunteer opportunity. This centre is famed as a pioneer in the rearing of white lions, cats that are now almost completely extinct in the wild, and you could soon get to see them every day! The lion project team specialize in the care of Africa's large predators; the Lion (including the rare white lion), Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Brown Hyena and African Wild dog. It is also home to many of the other animals that make South Africa one of the wildlife jewels of the world. Volunteering in South Africa on this project means you can run wild with lions and giraffes so get involved with the team and help these amazing animals.

*What the project does and why it needs you!
The lion education center was created to educate the public about the conservation of predators in the wild, mainly the lion. They also work to breed endangered white lions in captivity and to train certain animals for use in movies and adverts. The center is open to the public and visitors can play with baby lion cubs as well as drive through the adult lion enclosures. The center also keeps various other predators such as hyena, wild dog, and jackal to increase public awareness and also to train some of them for use in films and adverts. The centre is approximately 208 hectares; with so many animals and land, the center requires a lot of maintenance and management. Lion cubs alone are demanding and need to be fed every few hours in their first few months. The center is often understaffed and needs volunteers to assist staff with their daily tasks. Volunteers are also appreciated for their passion and enthusiasm which brightens up the center atmosphere.

*Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to South Africa. You will be met at the airport and taken to the lion education center. You will have a brief orientation and meet our i-to-i team leader who is stationed at the center. Our team leader will help you get settled in and will be there to support you throughout your time at the center.

*Day 2 to10: Work at lion education center
For the next nine days you will be working with some truly adorable creatures. Your main role is to help the lion education center staff with the daily running of the center. This could mean preparing bottles for feeding baby lions, playing with the clumsy little lion cubs and manning the various stations around the center.

*Day 11: Travel to Pretoria
After working hard for 9 days straight at the center, you will have a much needed rest in Pretoria. Spend the rest of today catching up on sleep and emails, visiting some locals bars and shops or just simply relaxing by the poolside. Tomorrow you go on safari to see the big 5 so be sure to get plenty of rest.

*Day 12: Safari and craft market
Today you will visit the Chameleon Craft Market, the biggest craft center in Africa, and a great place to pick up some African handicrafts. After the market you will drive through rural South Africa to Pilanesburg National Center where you will enjoy a picnic and afternoon safari looking for the Big 5 in the wild, taking photos and watching hippos take their late afternoon baths!

*Day 13: Pretoria
Today is free to explore Pretoria and pick up any last minute souvenirs. You may want to shop in town or even go on a tour of Soweto to get a real insight into the 'new' South Africa.

*Day 14: Departure
It's time to say goodbye. Pack your bags and head home or onto your next adventure.

Highlights:
* Working and living with lions - need we say more?
* Waking up to the sounds of giraffe snuffling around 'next to' your tent
* Getting an incredible 'behind the scenes' experience in a world leading lion centre

Qualifications: Who is it for?
This project is perfect for anyone with a passion for animals and people since a lot of the work involves interacting with the public. The more enthusiastic and motivated you are, the more you will get out of your experience. Patience and flexibility are essential.

What you'll be doing:
You will be working daily with the center staff to assist in all tasks associated with the running of the center. This includes cleaning out enclosures, preparing bottles of milk for feeding the cubs, preparing food, interacting with the public and selling food to feed the giraffes. You will work from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday and 8am to 6pm on weekends. You will have some down time throughout the day to relax or if you prefer, to get involved with other lion education center activities. You will probably split your time between working in the nursery and working in the lion cub enclosures but the exact schedule will depend on how many volunteers are at the center. You may also do shifts at the giraffe feeding station, the gate to the game drive and at the entrance to cub world.

Cost in US$: USD 1995.00 for 2 weeks

* Accommodation: Shared semi-luxury tents at project; shared hostel on tour
* Food: Food is not included; you will need to purchase your own food (budget approximately USD 60 per stay at the park)
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994