Cheetah Re-Introduction Project Highlights

The highlights

• Working and interacting hands-on with our resident cheetahs every day, including exclusive ‘cheetah time’ every afternoon!
• Helping to monitor any young cheetah cubs we might have during your stay
• Learning about cheetah and the environment they live in
• Exploring and discovering the African bush through our monthly 3 day safari trip to Kruger National Park (only guaranteed for volunteers joining us for four weeks or longer).
• Making friends for life and having new experiences, both with the staff and your fellow volunteers

Optional activities and excursions

Being based just 1.5 hours from Johannesburg you will be perfectly positioned to explore some of the other exciting tourist attractions that South Africa has to offer.

ALSO INCLUDED in your fee is a wildlife safari experience at the world famous Kruger National Park (please note volunteer placements of less than 4 weeks may not have the opportunity to participate in the Kruger National Park trip).

Kruger National Park Safari Trip – experience one of the largest game reserves in South Africa!

The 3 day Kruger National Park Safari Experience is designed to give you the chance to see Africa’s wildlife in their natural habitat and you will have opportunity to see animals such as lion, elephant, giraffe, rhino, zebra, leopard, kudu and more! You will also go on a tour of an animal rehabilitation centre just outside the park which is extremely informative and enjoyable and will give you another perspective of conservation.

Please note that this trip takes place monthly and is therefore only guaranteed for volunteers joining us for four weeks or longer but we are excited to be able to offer the trip as an optional extra, at an additional cost, to participants of the two week and three week programmes.

The three day trip to the Kruger National Park is sure to be one of the highlights of your project experience and includes your accommodation, transport, park entry fees and meals , although you may want to bring some additional money along for snacks and souveniers.

This three day trip will be taking place during 2010 as follows:

7 - 10 February | 10 - 13 March | 21 – 24 April | 23 – 26 May | 23 – 26 June | 23 – 26 July | 22 - 25 August | 22 – 25 September | 20 - 23 October | 21 - 24 November

This three day trip will be taking place during 2011 as follows:

7 - 10 February | 23 - 26 March | 23 – 26 April | 23 – 26 May | 22 – 25 June | 23 – 26 July | 23 - 26 August | 23 – 26 September | 22 - 25 October | 23 - 26 November

If you want to visit Kruger as part of the two or three week programme, your project manager will be able to make the plans for you and take payment for it directly.

Where will I sleep?

You will be staying in our specially designed volunteer house, which is very comfortable and cleaned on a regular basis. There are areas to relax and socialise in, and there is a TV and DVD player for watching films on as well as DStv (cable) television. We also have Internet on the volunteer computer, available at a small additional cost. The closest town is Parys, 10 km away. Regular trips are organised for food and you can pick up any luxury items on your days off. Please note that because the project is located on a reserve, there is no access to town apart from your days off as there are no staff available to take you anywhere.

You will get one day off a week; you can choose to spend it relaxing on the reserve, or enjoying one of the many activities, such as river rafting, abseiling and quad biking which are available in the area, for an additional cost.

Alternatively you can visit one of the many attractions in the surrounding area as a group with your fellow volunteers. You also get Sunday afternoons off, which is a time to relax.

And Meals? Coffee, tea and juice are available throughout the day and snacks and cool drinks are also available in the projects shop.. We will provide you with a substantial breakfast as we believe this to be the most important meal of the day. Lunch will be a cold spread and in the evening you will cook communally from ingredients we provide. This is a chance for you to get together, relax and discuss your day.

Please let us know before you depart for Africa of any food allergies or specific requirements.

How do I get there and travel around?

We will meet you at the airport!

Fly directly to O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg (formerly known as Johannesburg International Airport) where you will be met on arrival by one of our project representatives.

We look forward to welcoming you for a unique, rewarding and unforgettable experience!

What does the cost include?

• Programme Fee – this is the large bulk of the program cost and finances all aspects of the cheetah breeding and reintroduction work, for example enclosure improvements and feeding the cheetahs
• Return transfers to and from Johannesburg International Airport (O. R. Tambo)
• All accommodation, food and housekeeping costs
• All transportation and equipment required to carry out your project work
• Complete 24 hour support and guidance from the project management team
• All wildlife and conservation education during your stay
• The three day trip to Kruger National Park which is a chance to see the African wildlife in their natural habitat (please note this may not be available to volunteer placements of less than 4 weeks)

• Return flights to Johannesburg International Airport (O. R. Tambo)
• Any items of a personal nature, such as gifts and curios and additional food, drinks and snacks
• Internet access, which we sell time for
• The appropriate personal medical insurance, which must cover the entire duration of your programme, and should include cover for repatriation and any activities that you will undertake, including working with animals
• Any additional trips or activities organised in your free time

Do I need experience, is there orientation?

You don’t need any experience to join us, and upon arrival you will receive a comprehensive orientation and will be fully briefed and trained in all areas.

Upon arrival volunteers receive a comprehensive orientation and are fully briefed and trained in all appropriate areas. You will be introduced to all members of staff and given a tour of the reserve. You will be shown where all the tools and equipment are, and briefed exactly how to use them. You will not be expected to carry out any duties without the appropriate training and supervision.

You will also be given more information on our reintroduction project and the plight of the cheetah, so that you fully understand just how important and valuable the project work and your contribution as a volunteer is.

And Support?
Before and during the program you will have full support from the African Impact team and your Project Managers to ensure you receive all the support and assistance that you need. We are committed to ensuring you have the best possible time at the project and your health and happiness is of the utmost importance to us.

What's the age limit?

The programme is open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 55 years old.

A day in the life

While we have a routine in place, our timetable is fairly fluid and we have to be ready to act in any eventuality.

Here is an example of a typical day as a volunteer at the Cheetah Reintroduction programme:

• 7 – 8:30am: Cleaning the cheetah enclosures and running the cheetahs to exercise them and to provide stimulation and enrichment
• 8:30 – 9:30am: Breakfast, cooked and waiting for you when you get back to the house
• 9:30 – 1pm: Morning duties, which could be enclosure maintenance, meat preparation, preparation of phase 2 of the project, or the removal of alien invader plant species
• 1 – 2pm: Lunchtime
• 2 – 4pm: Afternoon duties which could be reserve maintenance or creating fire breaks and ‘cheetah time’ – hands on interaction with the cheetah!
• 4 – 5pm : Cheetah Feeding (this can change depending on the time of year)
• 4-5pm: Evening duties, which could be enclosure maintenance, a quiz or bush walk
• At the end of each day we have a short meeting to go over the events of the day and inform everyone of the coming day
• 5pm onwards: Free time, a time to socialize and eat dinner. We may occasionally also do other activities during this time.