Volunteer with Us
At Monkeyland, we welcome volunteers who are enthusiastic about wildlife and conservation, and who are willing to contribute to the daily operations of our sanctuary. We do our best to match volunteers’ skills and interests with the needs of the sanctuary, offering a rewarding and educational experience.
Running a sanctuary takes a lot of work, and volunteers may be involved in a variety of general tasks, including:
- Conducting guided tours through the 12-hectare forest;
- Welcoming guests at the main entrance and escorting them to reception;
- Distributing food for the primates;
- Helping maintain forest walkways and cleaning the suspension bridge;
- Assisting with food preparation and feeding schedules;
- Collecting litter from the sanctuaries and parking lot;
- Assisting with veterinary care, including observations and treatments;
- Helping with marketing efforts in town and at various events.
In addition to these general tasks, volunteers can also assist with specialized duties like supporting media projects, creating content for marketing, or taking on guiding roles. Volunteers who stay longer may be trained to conduct guided tours in English or their home language, providing valuable information to guests about the primates and the challenges they face in the wild.
General Qualifications and Experience
No specific qualifications are required to volunteer at Monkeyland. You only need to be able to communicate effectively in English, have a strong interest in wildlife conservation, and be willing to engage in a variety of tasks.
Costs
Volunteers at Monkeyland are only required to pay for their uniform, which consists of 1 fleece top and 2 golf shirts for R1000. You will be able to keep these items at the end of your volunteer period.
Sanctuary Guide
At Monkeyland, the majority of volunteers’ time is spent conducting one-hour walking tours through the forest. As a sanctuary guide, you will lead guests through the natural habitat of over 500 free-roaming primates, educating them about the different species and the importance of protecting these animals in both the wild and captivity. Tours are primarily conducted in English, though volunteers may also be asked to guide in their home language if needed. Volunteers who wish to become guides should plan to stay for at least four weeks to complete the necessary training.
Marketing / Media Volunteers
Monkeyland offers a range of exciting opportunities for marketing and media volunteers. Depending on your skills and experience, you may be involved in:
- Photography and videography of the sanctuary and its inhabitants;
- Creating content for social media platforms, blogs, and our website;
- Attending marketing shows, conferences, or other promotional events;
- Assisting with media tours;
- Preparing brochures and marketing materials;
- Helping with media coverage of events and visitor tours;
- Updating sanctuary websites and managing social media accounts;
- Creating presentations for schools and other educational programs.
Media volunteers may also work across our other sanctuaries (Birds of Eden and Jukani), and those who are proficient in photography and videography may be given opportunities to document primate behaviour and activities in the forest.
Contact Us
If you are interested in volunteering at Monkeyland or would like more information, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator volunteer@saasa.org.za . If you’d like to support us in another way, consider donating to the sanctuary or contributing goods or services. Visit our Support Page for more details.
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