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South Africa Big 5 Wildlife and Community
USA Ranch Volunteers
£1,549 Land Only (trip code: USRV) 20 days
£1,549, 20 days, USA
Trip Highlights
- Riding a horse through incredible scenery and wide-open sagebrush valleys, along streams and into the mountains.
- Being part of a real working ranch – learning to lasso, fix a fence, pitch hay, gather cows on horseback and watching farriers at work.
- Camping overnight, seeing amazing wildlife – deer, antelope, and elk – and hearing coyotes sing every night.
- Taking an evening horseback ride after dinner while the moon is rising and the sun is going down – you really will ride into the sunset!
- Exploring Yellowstone country and canyons, geysers and waterfalls (and seeing herds of buffalo) during a weekend off the ranch.
Trip Summary
See full itineraryWhat's included?
- Airport Transfer
- Orientation on arrival
- All Accommodation
- All Meals
- Instruction by ranch staff
- Tack
- Use of the horses
- Support and assistance from the coordinator
- Buddy list
- Emergency 24 hour support number
What's not included?
- Flights
- Travel Insurance - must cover horseback riding
- Email or phone charges
- Any excursions not in itinerary
Experience life to the full volunteering on a real working ranch in the American Rocky Mountain West. During this unique three week volunteer project, you will bond with a horse that is matched to your experience and abilities, ride through incredible scenery and wide-open spaces straight out of the big screen.
You will also learn to be a real ranch hand with other volunteers - fix fences, pitch hay, gather cows, wrangle horses and be part of life on a ranch where every day is an adventure. There will be plenty of time to relax around the campfire, enjoy home-cooked meals in a spacious Western dining room, view wildlife and explore the gorgeous Yellowstone country.
What will I be doing?
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Ranch tasks and activities (19 days)
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'A typical day at the ranch' (19 days)
Ranch tasks and activities : 19 days
Next LegDestination info
The USA is a melting pot of cultures all thrown together 200 odd years ago by the mass immigration to the ‘New World’ by pretty much everyone - Europeans, Asians, South Americans and so on.
Wyoming, known as the “Cowboy State”, is famous for its northwestern corner, which is home to two of the USA’s most magnificent national parks: geyser-packed Yellowstone and the majestic Grand Tetons. Towns, such as Jackson and Lander, are ideal bases for hiking, camping, climbing and skiing adventures in the region. There is so much to do in this beautiful state, especially volunteering on an authentic American ranch.
- Location: Wyoming
You will be based on the working ranch for the duration of your trip. You will be involved in hands-on activities including participation in chores, trail riding, horse wrangling, cattle gathering, branding and cattle drives. You will be carefully matched with a horse based on your riding experience and your goals for your 3-week project. The project will be tailored to your riding ability and interests as often as possible.
Volunteer tasks and activities may include:
- Learning how a working ranch is run by getting involved in daily ranch chores
- Looking after the horses and equipment - feeding, watering and cleaning
- Cattle work such as checking the health of the herd, moving cattle when needed (on horseback), and fixing fences
- Short trail rides
- Long trail rides with lunch and overnight camping for 2/3 day rides
- Wrangling between 40 and 80 head of horses
- Barrel racing
- Team-penning (cattle work)
- Basic roping lessons (on the ground)
The ranch occasionally has one day sessions for groups of children (under 12) to teach them about horses. Volunteers are welcome to get involved in these sessions when they occur as the kids love to meet the people with the funny accents!
You will have the amazing opportunity to ride and bond with your horse each day on the ranch. In your free time you may be able to visit local attractions including Yellowstone National Park, hot springs, historical centres, and rodeos. During your 3-week placement you will truly get to experience the Western lifestyle and country from the back of a horse.
'A typical day at the ranch': 19 days
Destination info
The USA is a melting pot of cultures all thrown together 200 odd years ago by the mass immigration to the ‘New World’ by pretty much everyone - Europeans, Asians, South Americans and so on.
Wyoming, known as the “Cowboy State”, is famous for its northwestern corner, which is home to two of the USA’s most magnificent national parks: geyser-packed Yellowstone and the majestic Grand Tetons. Towns, such as Jackson and Lander, are ideal bases for hiking, camping, climbing and skiing adventures in the region. There is so much to do in this beautiful state, especially volunteering on an authentic American ranch.
- Location: The ranch
6.30am Wranglers bring in the horses
7am Morning feeding
7.30am Breakfast
8am Horse assignment, grooming and tacking
8.30-9am Morning riding commences (arena/trail ride/all day ride/specialist activity)
12.30-1pm Lunch begins
1-30pm to 2.30pm One hour rest time if schedule allows
2.30- 3pm Afternoon activity - i.e. re-tacking horses for riding
6.30-7pm Supper begins
8pm Evening walk/games/down-time until bed time
Trip Notes Download
Trip Notes include a full itinerary, country guides and travel advice on visas, money, insurance and the local weather. By filling in your details you'll also be kept updated on all the latest news, offers and stories on this particular trip. Happy reading!
Additional Information & FAQs
Minimum age
Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health. Please note that the age range of volunteers at the ranch may differ, so please be prepared to work alongside other volunteers of different age ranges.
Accommodation
Your accommodation will be a 12 x 12' fully-carpeted log cabin, with full electricity, nightstand and lamp, in Western style, with old-fashioned curtains in each of the four windows. Each cabin is fully heated and has an electric thermostat and a ceiling fan attached to the overhead light. All of the cabins have shaded front porches with chairs, old-style horse-shoe hooks mounted on exterior walls for hanging and drying outdoor gear and clothing, and charming old-time cowboy porch lights. There are no bathrooms or running water in the cabins, these are located in a separate building.
Close to the guest cabins is the Hub, which has a full professional kitchen, spacious dining room with heavy log tables and benches for family-style dining with a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. There is a specially-designated area just for interns and guests with two big comfy couches for reading and relaxing, a CD player/radio, and a telephone. There are lots of board games, cards, books, a piano keyboard, guitar and banjo. There is no television on the ranch, but occasionally, movies may be watched on one of the ranch laptops.
Meals
There is an open kitchen, plenty of snacks and three full meals a day.
Advice & Safety
Throughout your programmes you will have the support and guidance of the programme co-ordinator and team. You will be provided with competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.
You will be assigned a personal travel advisor who will co-ordinate your programme with you. Feel free to contact them at any time before you go, or when you are on your travels.
In addition, you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number so you can contact one of our staff at any time should you need to.
FAQ
1. Is previous horse riding experience essential to join the programme?
No previous experience is necessary as the Ranch offers instruction. Rides are tailored to all levels of horsemanship experience and disciplines of riders. Riders are matched to appropriate horses for their abilities, so the beginners are comfortable and the advanced not held back. A unique feature of our programme is that riders also have the option to stay with one horse or learn from the experience of riding several horses during their stay.
2. Are riding helmets provided?
Please bring your own riding helmet to the Ranch. We strongly recommend that you wear a riding helmet at all times whilst riding.
What will I see in whilst on the ranch?
16 photos
What other travellers thought
I've done this trip
Write reviewLaura Charlton, 16th Jul 2011 - 4th Aug 2011
The entire ranching experience was amazing and really lived up to my expectations. There wasn't a moment when you weren't doing something interesting and different. It was a completely worthwhile experience and I definitely have the Wyoming blues now that I'm home.
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Elizabeth Dennis, 14th Aug 2010 - 2nd Sep 2010
The highlight for my trip was the weekend trip to Jackson after spending the day in Yellowstone. We drove through the Grand Tetons National Park which is far more spectacular than Yellowstone before going to the Jackson Rodeo and then spending the night in the Million Dollar Cowboy bar (where the bar stools are western saddles!). The next morning we shopped in Jackson before returning to the ranch back through the National Parks.
1. Bring lots of money! 2. It costs less to pay for an extra bag (c.$30) on the return trip than it does to cover the excess baggage charge (c.$135). 3. Wear suncream because it gets HOT!
Had absolutely the best time EVER!!!
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Harriet Gwilt, 17th Jul 2010 - 5th Aug 2010
Trail riding everyday / team games in the arena such as barrel racing, tag and relay races / volunteering to stack hay at a local ranch / visiting Yellowstone National Park / Attending the rodeo in the town of Meeteetsee and going to the town bbq afterwards and dancing with the local cowboys
1. The weather i experienced during July/August was incredibly hot- 38 degrees celsius some days so be prepared for that 2. Don't bother taking jodphurs or chaps- jeans more than suffice 3. You will be sleeping in a sleeping bag for the entire 3 weeks (i didn't know this!)
Fantastic experience, will never ever forget it, i definitely want to return some day, made many good friends from all over the world, incredibley delicious food every meal time, good fun, so many heartwarming memories, epic western landscapes, adventurous terrain which helps conquers your fears, overall... brilliant time of my life!
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