Further trip information

About the Monkey Sanctuary

Established in 1995, this monkey sanctuary and rehabilitation centre provides temporary sanctuary for vervet monkeys and other orphaned or abandoned animals. Many of the animals have previously been kept in captivity, and sadly many are unwanted pets. The sanctuary staff rehabilitate the animals with the aim of ultimately releasing them back into the wild, if possible.

Your Volunteer Role

As a volunteer you’ll help out with feeding, cleaning and handling the animals, as well as helping with the daily maintenance and construction of the centre, and in planting and harvesting vegetables to feed the animals. A typical daily routine may look like this:

6:45-7:00am - An early start - monkeys don’t do lie-ins! Your mornings will be dedicated to jobs around the Monkey Sancturary. You'll get stuck in with cleaning their cages, preparing their breakfast and feeding the animals. You’ll also spend the rest of the morning working on various projects specified by the staff.

13:00 – 14:00 (approx.) - Lunchtime!

14:00 - Activities in the afternoon vary depending upon the needs of the centre, though tasks often include monitoring or doing enrichment tasks with the animals. Sometimes there will be free time here, so volunteers can relax or go on excursions with other members of the group.

18:00 (approx.) - Dinner

19:30 – After dinner you will have the rest of the evening as free time to relax.

Please note that due to the nature of this project anything can happen and due to the animals, sometimes an entire day’s plan can change!

When not out playing doctor and doing your rounds, there are other activities you can get involved with, such as researching the habits of the vervet monkey. We will only be able to offer these projects to those who will be at the centre for a minimum of 6, or 8 weeks (sometimes even longer). This is to enable you to fully understand what is required from the project, and more importantly give you time to be accepted by the monkeys!

Free Time and Optional Activities

Once chores have been completed for the day and time/weather permitting, there will be a chance to have some fun and explore the surrounding area. The project staff can often help you book trips and excursions locally at an extra cost. These excursions can include:

Tree Canopy and Waterfalls Tour - R700

See the majestic Modjadji Cycad Reserve: R400

Overnight safari in Kruger National Park: R3200

Gorge swing: R285

Panorama tour of Graskop and Three Rondawels R400

Visit a cheetah project: R400

All prices are approximate and subject to change.