Volunteering at Daniell Cheetah Project
Volunteer with Cheetahs
As the project is self-sustaining, entrance fees generated by tours are not enough to run a project like this. Therefore the “volunteer with cheetahs” project was started. The day fee charged for volunteers at the project will contribute to funding the daily upkeep of the project like food, supplements (minerals and supplements that has to be added to their diet which the cats would naturally get in the wild but not always in captivity), veterinarian services, disinfectant for public entering the project, electricity, water, daily upkeep of the project, specialized milk for hand raised (if needed) cubs and kittens.
Volunteering with cheetahs is an important part of the Daniell Cheetah Project as we believe, if more people could come into closer contact with these beautiful animals, they would realize how important the conservation of our wildlife is. Volunteering at our project offers you the opportunity to work with the trained staff and our resident wildlife.
Whenever possible, in future these animals will be re-wilded, or wild ones are nursed back to health and released back into the wild. As a volunteer, you will be involved in the daily care and activities. It all depends on your own interest and passions.
Volunteering with Cheetah Highlights
Working and interacting hands on with our animal residents. Indigenous African Species will include the:
- Meerkat
- Greater and Lesser Spotted Genet
- African wild cat
- Caracal
- Leopard
- Cheetah
- Serval
- Lion
- Spotted Hyena
- Kudu
Volunteers will also be taking care of our touch farm animals and the occasional farm animals, which include domestic cats and dogs, rabbits, Guinea pigs, various bird species.
Volunteering with us also includes:
- Learning about the animals and the environment they live in
- Exploring and discovering the African bush
- Making friends for life and having new experiences, both with the staff and your fellow volunteers
Your tasks may include
- Preparing food for the animals and feeding them
- Cleaning water and refilling
- Cleaning enclosures
- Grooming of animals
- Monitoring behaviour
- Assistance in general maintenance of the project, removing alien plants in enclosures.
Participant Requirements
- No previous knowledge or experience of volunteering with cheetahs is required. It can be hard work, but it will also be incredibly rewarding.
- Must be in good health and to carry out all duties required of them.
- It is important to note that you are expected to be fully involved in the preparation of the meat feeding the cats (this includes removing the meat from the bone).
Upon arrival you will receive a comprehensive orientation and will be fully briefed and trained in all areas. You will be introduced to all members of staff and given a tour of the Project. You will be shown where everything is and briefed exactly how to use everything. Please be aware:
Water on the farm used for washing and bathing is not drinking water
Fresh water to drink and cook with is supplied in tanks
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 spotted cats, so that you fully understand just how important and valuable the project work and your contribution as a volunteer is.
We are very flexible in the sense that if a volunteer wanting two days or half a day off, there is no problem in doing this. In a radius of a hundred kilometers we have the following; the village Kirkwood, Addo Elephant Park, Raptor Centre, Schotia Private Game Reserve, Restaurants, Port Elizabeth – shops etc., and Jeffreys Bay. There will be transport available for you.
There is never a dull moment, volunteering and working with/for the endangered wild cats. There’s always something with which you will be able to assist. You will gain skills and knowledge that are priceless. You will form bonds of understanding, love and trust between you and the animals while interacting with people from all walks of life. Also, we are a project who makes sure you are volunteering responsibly.
In order to make it comfortable for our volunteers, we have created 3 different volunteer packages according to the period you want to volunteer with us. We welcome everyone, whether you can only spare 2 days or if you want to help us for 6 months! For a short volunteer period we have the Serval Package, for slightly longer volunteer periods is the Cheetah Package and for long term volunteering is the Lion Package (please note that the names given to the packages does not imply the animals you are going to work with, but are simply creative naming).
Check out our youtube channel for more volunteer videos!
To volunteer or for more information, please contact us.
Cheetah Volunteering Packages
The African Wildcat Package
For short term volunteering of 1-6 days at R1,000/day
This includes your housing (you will be staying in a house with other volunteers, each volunteer will have their own room, but will share a bathroom, a full equipped kitchen (groceries are not included) and living area, there is also a communal swimming pool and barbeque area).
Transport to town for you to go shopping will be provided and you will have to provide your own food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Note that speciality/luxury products will not be provided, e.g.: chocolates, toiletries, etc.), laundry, Wi-Fi and transport to and from Port Elizabeth Airport.
The Serval Package
For short term volunteering of less than 4 weeks at R600/day
This includes your housing (you will be staying in a house with other volunteers, each volunteer will have their own room, but will share a bathroom, a full equipped kitchen (groceries are not included) and living area, there is also a communal swimming pool and barbeque area).
Transport to town for you to go shopping will be provided and you will have to provide your own food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Note that speciality/luxury products will not be provided, e.g.: chocolates, toiletries, etc.), laundry, Wi-Fi and transport to and from Port Elizabeth Airport.
The Cheetah Package
For medium term volunteering between 5 weeks and 3 months at R400/day
This includes your housing (you will be staying in a house with other volunteers, each volunteer will have their own room, but will share a bathroom, a full equipped kitchen (groceries are not included) and living area, there is also a communal swimming pool and barbecue area).
Transport to town for you to go shopping will be provided and you will have to provide your own food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Note that speciality/luxury products will not be provided, e.g.: chocolates, toiletries, etc.), Wi-Fi, laundry, transport to and from Port Elizabeth Airport.
The Lion package
For long term volunteering of between 3 months and 6 months at R200/day
This includes your housing (you will be staying in a house with other volunteers, you will have your own room, but will share a bathroom, a full equipped kitchen (groceries are not included) and living area, there is also a communal swimming pool and barbeque area), Wi-Fi, laundry and transport to and from Port Elizabeth Airport. You will have to provide your own food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.