Orientation
All volunteers will be briefed on the rules and regulations of the Reptile Park during the orientation, including:
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General health and hygiene (i.e. no smoking around animals)
- Volunteer, Animal and Visitor’s safety (i.e. lock enclosures behind you)
- Dos and don’ts (i.e. no handling of animals without permission)
- Correct Handling of all animals
Accommodation and Meals
Donald the Volunteer Co-ordinator lives very close by, and if you prefer, you are able to stay in his large house. There is a plunge pool, where you can cool off after long hot summer days.
There is no email available at the Park, but this can be done in Hoedspruit town, where there are good Internet cafés. A public telephone is available for use at the Park and pre-paid telephone cards can be bought at the front office, or in town. Mobile phones work in most regions – local SIM cards and pay-as-you-go top-up facilities can be purchased in South Africa. The Park will only allow overseas telephone calls in the case of an emergency.
Upon arrival you will be taken to do your weekly food shopping. You prepare your own meals with other volunteers and are responsible for keeping the kitchen clean and tidy. There is also a small restaurant at the Reptile Park and a few nice pubs and restaurants in town to visit in the evenings. Meals at the restaurant, or outside the park are at your own expense.
The volunteers will have daily opportunity to visit Hoedspruit to do their shopping or correspondence – no set times – you can accompany whoever is making a trip during the day.
Free Time
Hoedspruit is a fantastic area for extra activities to see and do whilst you are in Africa. These can be done in your spare time, at your own expense, and they include:
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White Water Rafting: Blyde Canyon overnight Blyde Canyon day trip
- River Rafting: Olifants Gorge Olifants Gorge day trip
- Combination: Nyani Cultural Village
- Lion and Cheetah Breeding Project
- Kruger National Park: Excursions (day & overnight)
- Horse Back Riding: 3 hr morning ride with drinks (Experienced riders) and breakfast.
- Elephant safari
- Walk with lions (including breakfast)
Project Support
During your time at the project, you will have the full support of Neil, the Volunteer Coordinator, and Donald, together with all the staff at the Park. They will be on hand to guide you through the welcome orientation and settle you into the programme when you first arrive. If you have any questions, they will be able to help you.
