Volunteer
Our centre could not exist without volunteers, and we would love for you to join us! Volunteer today!
Volunteer with Us!
Umoya Khulula’s paid-for volunteer programme is designed to give volunteers a genuine understanding of the rescue, rehabilitation, rewilding, and release processes, for a variety of wild animals.
The volunteering programme is incorporated into the running of the centre and develops over time as animal needs and requirements change. From hands on experience in diet preparation, bottle feeding, enclosure care and maintenance, to behavioral observations, Umoya Khulua’s volunteer programme will give you a learn by doing experience into the world of wildlife care, rehabilitation, and conservation.
You must be willing and able, with a deep love of animals, otherwise, no prior experience is necessary. A good level of fitness would be advisable. Most volunteers work 6 days up to 8 hours a day based on current needs. The minimum stay is 2 weeks, but we encourage longer stays as consistency is important for the animals in our care.
A Typical Week Includes:
- Preparing food and feeding the wildlife and farm animals. You’ll be handling fruits, vegetables, and meats, among other things to help prepare the meals needed for the needs of each animal.
- Cleaning and maintaining enclosures. This can be very messy and means dealing with poo and dirt. Lots of it.
- Providing intensive care for juvenile wildlife including overnight care for some animals.
- Physical labour such as building new facilities.
- Research which may include the monitoring of released animals, analyzing camera traps and GPS data.
Volunteers stay together in our volunteer dorms, which is within the heart of the wildlife centre and surrounded by our animals. This allows you to be close to the action and, experience the wild side of Africa. The mixed dorm-style accommodations have a kitchen, dining area, and bathrooms.
As a volunteer what will I be doing?
Volunteers get to learn and assist with all the activity at the centre. Each day volunteers assist to clean and feed all the animals, help hand raise any orphans that come in, learn about South African wildlife and how to conserve it, learn about the rehabilitation process, help local farms with taking out snares (traps), collecting enrichment for the animals, building new enclosures and maintaining structures, monitoring the animals in preparation for release, integrating any social animals into a group and helping with the release.
What animals will I work with?
At the centre we hold permits for over 120 different species of animals including mammals, birds and reptiles. It is always hard to say what is going to be at the centre. Some of the main animals that come into the centre are bushbabies, tree squirrels, warthogs, antelopes, hippos, jackals, mongoose, caracals, birds, owls, tortoises.
What does the volunteer project provide?
Volunteers will be provided with 2 meals a day (breakfast and dinner), accommodation, trips to the local town (on Mondays), training and guidance at the centre and a qualified team to help you with any of your needs.
What does it exclude?
Flights international and domestic, travel insurance, excursions and any snacks or toiletries you might want or need. We arrange transfers from the domestic airport at an additional cost.
How do I get to the centre?
You will need to fly into OR Tambo (Johannesburg) International Airport. From there you will need to get a domestic flight to Hoedspruit where we will be able to collect you (Sundays only). Shuttles from Johannesburg can also be arranged if needed. Our start and leaving dates are Sunday to Sunday.
Who will I be working with?
Umoya Khulula is owned by Emma De Jager, Adriaan De Jager and Wynand De Jager. You will primarily be working with Emma alongside Katharine the centres manager.
Will I get to see a release?
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that you will see a release but we hope that you do. We do release more animals in October – March as the conditions for herbivores are better in these months. Carnivore releases happen all year round.
Are there excursions?
Yes, we do offer a number of excursions at the project. Please have a look at the excursion list for the details and prices. Some of the excursions are subject to numbers (we require a minimum number to run them).
What is the working schedule?
Animals need to be feed and cleaned every day but after morning chores the weekends are more relaxed. Sometimes we have nocturnal, sick or baby animals that need night time feeding and care. There will be a rota put in place so everyone gets a night off.
Where will I be sleeping?
At the project, you will be sleeping in dormitories. They are same sex and can sleep up to 6 people per dorm. There are fully functioning toilets and showers attached to each dorm.
The is also a private safari tent with an ensuite suitable for couples or friends. If you want to book this out for a single person, there is a surcharge of R300.00 per night. Please ask on booking if this is available.
Is there wifi and how accessible are the shops?
There is a town located 30 minutes away from the centre, which we go to once a week on Mondays. Volunteers will be able to get anything they need from there. And yes, we do have WIFI at the centre in the common area. You can also purchase a South African SIM card (MTN is the best) and load it with data, if you should need it or are staying a long time or traveling afterwards.
What should I bring?
Clothes that you do not mind getting dirty!!! Working with the animals you get very messy so comfy clothes that you don’t mind not taking back with you. Please also so the attached packing list for the other items that you will need.
What vaccinations are required and recommended?
The main vaccinations you will need to have are tetanus, Hepatitis A, and rabies. Others to consider are typhoid, Hepatitis B, and cholera, but we do not specifically require them. We do require proof of vaccination for the 3 mentioned above. Malaria medication is optional. We are not in a high-risk zone, but if you plan to go to Kruger National Park, your doctor might advise you to have them. If in doubt, consult your doctor.
What happens if I need a hospital or doctor when I am there?
In our local town, which is 30 minutes away, there is a wonderful private hospital with surgical physicians. They do accept international travelers, but you will need to arrange travel insurance at home prior to your stay. When arranging this, please make sure you are covered to work with animals.
What is the weather like?
Our summer months are from September – March. It does get very hot, reaching temperatures up to 45 degrees. Our winter days are still quite warm, but the nights can get chilly. Make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen and a hat!!!!
What currency does South Africa use?
We use South African Rand. As we are in the middle of the bush, it is very hard to change currency, so please either bring enough cash or if you are using a card, make sure your bank is notified before traveling. We recommend travel cards, as you can lock in your currency and are not charged for withdrawals. These things should be arranged prior to departure. We have card facilities at the centre where you can pay for excursions and merchandise, and all shops do take cards.
If you have any additional questions or are interested in volunteering with Umoya Khulula, please contact us, and we will respond to your inquiry at our first available opportunity.
What We Do
Umoya Khulula operates as a 24-hour wildlife rescue centre in South Africa.
Rescue
1st stage at our wildlife rescue centre
Rehabilitation
2nd stage at our wildlife rescue centre
Release
Final stage at our wildlife rescue centre
Umoya Khulula rescues animals from cases that can be ascribed to human effect, whether it be due to ignorance, negligence, or cruelty.
The objective of wildlife rehabilitation is to provide licensed care to sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals so ultimately they can be returned to their normal wild environment. Animals in rehabilitation can spend anywhere from a few days to several months at Umoya Khulula before release. It all depends on the species, how old they were when they arrived, and the severity of their injuries.
Releases take place on sites that have been inspected and approved by Umoya Khulula animal care staff. Release sites are often large acreages, and all are chosen to meet species-specific needs for vegetation and terrain and that have year-round water and food sources.
RESCUE: 1st stage at our wildlife rescue centre
Umoya Khulula rescues animals from cases that can be ascribed to human effect, whether it be due to ignorance, negligence, or cruelty.
REHABILITATION: 2nd stage at our wildlife rescue centre
The objective of wildlife rehabilitation is to provide licensed care to sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals so ultimately they can be returned to their normal wild environment. Animals in rehabilitation can spend anywhere from a few days to several months at Umoya Khulula before release. It all depends on the species, how old they were when they arrived, and the severity of their injuries.
RELEASE: Final stage at our wildlife rescue centre
Releases take place on sites that have been inspected and approved by Umoya Khulula animal care staff. Release sites are often large acreages, and all are chosen to meet species-specific needs for vegetation and terrain and that have year-round water and food sources.