Overview of the Project

This is a breeding park for White lions, Lions, tigers, Jaguars and other carnivores. You’ll have the amazing experience of working closely with these majestic animals by feeding and caring for them, raising the cubs by hand and being involved in all the day to day activities of a lion park.
This is a once in a life time opportunity. You will be working alongside people with years of experience and who are experts in the lion breeding and caring business. There is also other wild life on the park. Cubs need lots of attention and you’ll have the opportunity to be closely involved in raising them. The breeding park is 1100 hectares big.

Location

It’s situated 15km from the nearest town in the hart of South Africa. The area has superb bush and grasslands. It is easy to reach and to travel to other destinations. This is also a malaria free area.

Activities

You will have the unique experience caring for white lions, lions, jaguars and tigers. The first week will involve training to feed, handle and care for these carnivores. Your trainers have years of experience and they dedicate their lives to these amazing cats.

Your task will include the following:

• Hand feeding and comforting cubs
• Being a mother to the cubs
• Playing with young cubs
• Feeding the lions, jaguars and tigers
• Cleaning of lion, tiger and jaguar enclosures
• Improvement and maintenance of the lion enclosures
• Transportation and management of lions through Southern Africa, when the occasion arises
• Taking day visitors on a guided tour to the lions
• Assisting in all aspects of lion, jaguar and tiger care

The following information/training sessions will be held:

• Breeding of lions, jaguars and tigers
• Being a tour guide
• Any topics which the volunteers find interesting

Benefit to volunteers

You will come face to face with lions, jaguars and tigers. It is an amazing experience being accepted by these wild animals. The breeding park is in constant need of assistance and you will be of great help to these cats. With approximately 1000 white lions left on earth, your volunteering will be an enormous contribution to the white lion population. This will be a most rewarding experience, giving something back to African wild life. You will have the opportunity to travel and experience South Africa. You will also meeting other volunteers from all over the world.

Dates

The project starts every 2 weeks.

2009 starting dates:
Jan 12, Jan 26, Feb 9, Feb 23, Mar 9, Mar 23, Apr 6, Apr 20, May 4, May 18, Jun 1, Jun 15,
Jun 29, Jul 13, Jul 27, Aug 10, Aug 24, Sep 7, Sep 21, Oct 5, Oct 19, Nov 2, Nov 16, Nov 30,
Dec 14, Dec 28.

2010 start dates:
Jan 11, Jan 25, Feb 8, Feb 22, Mar 8, Mar 22, Apr 5, Apr 19, May 3, May 17, May 31, Jun 14,
Jun 28, Jul 12, Jul 26, Aug 9, Aug 23, Sep 6, Sep 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Nov 29,
Dec 13, Dec 27.

Fees:

It is recommended that you stay for 4 weeks or longer.

All payments must be made in Rands. Pounds are for illustrative purposes only and based on R14/£1.

What is included in the fee?

• Training of handling, breeding and caring for lions before the start of the project
• Self catering accommodation in the lodge
• Laundry once a week
• Transportations to town at least once a week for grocery shopping

What is excluded from the fee?

• Personal expenses
• Airport transfers to and from the project (We can gladly help arrange transportation)
• Meals
• International airfare
• Visa
• Immunization

Accommodation

You will be staying in the lodge and sharing a chalet with only one other volunteer. The chalet is fully equipped with everything you’ll need, including a television with satellite. There’s a swimming pool with bar for those warm African days. The best part is that the lodge is only 50meters away from the lions. You’ll have the amazing time of lying in your bed and enjoying the African lion roar!

Food

Volunteers will be taken at least once a week to town to do their own shopping. Meals are to be prepared by the volunteers themselves.

Volunteering work hours

You will be working are flexible but usually from 8am to 4pm a day with lunch and other breaks. Working days are flexible. Volunteers are able to have 2days off every second week. This can be used to enjoy some time in the town or do some site seeing. A lift to town can be arranged.

Telecommunication and medical facilities

There is cell phone reception. It’s best to buy a prepaid sim card in South Africa for R10 (1 Euro). There is no internet in the park, but internet is accessible in town. The nearest hospital in a case of emergency is only 15km away.

Qualification and Skills

Love for animals, conservation and wildlife No facial-piercing with studs or rings and heavy tattoos. Age: 18-50 Years

Extra money

This depends on your spending habits. South Africa is not an expensive destination. 50euro’s a week in the park would cover more than the basics.

Immunization & Vaccination

This is a malaria free area. Volunteers can have rabies and anti-tetanus injections should they wish. It is best to contact your local physician before you leave your country.

Weather

Temperatures during the year:

Summers get really warm and winters very cold. This is a summer rain fall area. There is usually no snow in winter.

Clothing

It’s best to wear natural colour clothing. Bright colours might scare the animals. In winter time bring warm clothing and in summer remember the swimming costume! A hat is also of utmost importance.

Other

It is recommended that you do some reading and research about white lions, lions, jaguars, tigers and other wild life. This will help you understand and learn allot more about the animals.

CHECK LIST

It can get very cold in the evenings during the African winter, so please bring a warm jacket and long trousers. Please be aware that your clothes are going to get dirty!

• Powerful flashlight
• Sunglasses
• Passport, Visas and Medical & Travel Insurance documents
• A willingness- to- learn- and- participate attitudes
• A sleeping bag and pillow
• Natural-coloured/camouflage clothing and hat
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Raincoat
• Personal toiletries and towels
• Sunscreen lotion
• Insect repellent
• Malaria tablets (only if visiting a malaria-risk area)