Volunteer at Africa's top rhino sanctuary

I have been to Khulula three times and am currently in the process of booking my fourth. For someone who necessitates a lot to even consider returning, that is saying something. If I did not have to gain experience for my chosen field and need a lot of money, I would be there every year.

I am not somebody who is trying to work in the field of animal sciences and veterinary. I am actually working towards an academic life in classical studies. I stumbled across Khulula through a talk in school now almost six years ago and frankly it was the best decision I ever made to go.

The people were lovely, sweet and friendly every single trip. I never had any problems with anybody. You were made to feel like you were part of something bigger, almost a family and for somebody who has suffered from shyness and being inverted, Khulula was the first place that I ever felt good about myself. That is in main due to the ethos that Petronel the owner and her staff have continuously spread throughout the stay. No matter how much experience you have already, as long you as try, as long as you work heard, there is always a place for you in Care for Wild/ Khulula.

Sure the hours are long and the work is hard but the reward is so worth it. Being able to see the animals you care for thrive and grow made me feel warm and fuzzy inside whilst also instilling a fire that I never knew I could feel before. It thought me focus, teamwork, social studies and general life lessons.

It was hard, the hours long, and the work exhausting but it was worth every second it to be able to learn and grow from my times there. I came back three years in a row, booking the next trip shortly after returning because I would miss it so much. You work in close proximity to these animals, you get bitten, scratched etc. but you also create this unique, memorable moments and bonds that defy expectation. You make friends around the work and you learn about yourself, what you thought your limitations are and how far you can actually push beyond those to see what they actually are.

Khulula changes you for the better as long as you are willing to work hard and work with people. Sometimes that means staying up most of the night or losing an animal that is very dear to you. Frankly, I left a huge portion of me in South Africa and am counting down the weeks until 2015 when I return. I would heartily recommend this to anyone. Although not a holiday, it is a life experience that is both necessary and uplifting.

I had the special opportunity to be at Khulula when it first began back in 2010 and i was there for 9 weeks.

Petronel has a vast experience in the field of animals and her nature to help spread that knowledge with volunteers is over flowing and abundant.

i left there in 2010 with a deep hole where animals that i helped raise were and the many friends in terms of staff there to the other volunteers.

2013 came round and i was fortunate to go back to the place i love, and saw the challenges through moving into a new location which is bigger, and allowing us more opportunities to care for the more animals and different species.

people who go there should realise it is not a holiday it is a hard graft but if animals is your passion and your willing to be there to give feeds to an animal every 3 hours (9pm, midnight, 3am) then this is the place for you.

they try and teach you there with lectures, bush walks, etc.

i personally got to see the animals i cared for as adults with their own families and realise that sadly the amount of hands on we had with them would make it very difficult to release.

It is one thing to study conservation in a classroom but a very different thing to experience it first hand in a different country and i am grateful for that chance and especially to Petronel for allowing us to work with her and the animals and the staff there and will always call it a 2nd home

No words can explain the amount of fun I had at khulula. Loving animals is one thing but working with them is another. Despite the early mornings, late nights, and funny smells :) (Yes you little monkey! ) it was worth every second. It is after all a centre where volunteers are expected to work hard, pull their weight and help as much as possible but those who come for the right reasons will expect this and thrive in this environment.
From meeting all sorts of different people and animals, to learning all sorts of weird and wonderful skills, (rhinos like their belly scratched!) I can say this has been the best experience ever. The support throughout the placement is second to none and I can say that all people I met during my placement wish they were back every second!!

I had a wonderful time volunteering here. I gained experience handling a multitude of species in an open and friendly environment. I met people from around the world, and made lasting friendships. The social scene was outstanding, the staff went out of their way to make the experience a ton of fun. They truly appreciate the volunteers and go out of their way to provide for you. I am a vegetarian and the owner went out of her way to provide me with great food for every meal.
Volunteers need to understand that they are entering a new country, a new culture. You need to be open to the experience and recognize that the program may not make a ton of money and sometimes as a volunteer you must struggle along with the staff to make ends meet for all of the animals. But this program is going out of it way to help these animals and is doing all that is can, and you as the volunteer are extremely important!
I would absolutely go back, and I would absolutely visit the friends that I made there in their own countries. The scenery there is unreal and the experience itself is not one you will ever forget!

I have to say it was a wonderfull experience being at Khulula Wild Care. I only stayed for two weeks and wished I could stay more.
We all helped with the animals, feeding them, playing with them, cleaning their enclosures and make them more comfortable, and we helped building the new and bigger enclosures.
The staff was great, had an awesome time with them, you could talk to them if you had a problem as well as you could treat them as an equal.
Being able to spent time with those amazing animals, help them be ready to be released was amazing.
I have to say I wouldn't change a thing about it.
It's a lot of hard work and dedication, but it's definitely worth it.
They also a¡make trips to Kruger or to Chimp Eden so you can tour a bit and not stay all the time at the center.
Food is really good, and they don't have a problem making a special meal for you.

Khulula care for wild is the most beautiful place, located within a valley surrounded with hills; you honestly feel like you're in paradise! And the fact that you are also surrounded by the stunning animals of Africa!
I visited khulula in the summer of 2013 for 4 weeks, I may only be 18 but I think that it was the best experience I have ever had. I would suggest it to anyone! I mean come on!! I worked with rhinos, lions, serval kittens/cat, caracals, birds, monkeys, a snake, Bush babies, antelope and many more! I also cannot express how lovely the people who are associated with the reserve are, all the staff and visitors were so lovely and helpful.
The New wooden cabins are placed wonderfully enabling you to wake up looking at the beautiful scenery. You have to have cold showers unless you light the donkey to heat the water but to be honest it makes what you're doing feel more real! You're out in the middle of Africa, it's hot anyway, cold showers were rather refreshing!:)
You get to visit places such as chimp Eden and Kruger national park, you also go out on game drives and go on camp outs under the south African stars.
The place itself is incredible. Go there and put your all into the experience you have been handed. Khulula was my dream come true.

My volunteer experience at Khulula was unbelievable. I got so much hands on experience with animals like lions, monkeys, and rhinos. Because the animals are young, you have the are given the opportunity to feed them, take them out of their cages and play with them, go on animal walks with them and more (depending on what animals are there when you go).

At times, it isn't the most glamorous job; you are constantly cutting up raw meat, cleaning the cages, and your pretty much always covered in urine but trust me its worth it.

The highlight of my trip was going on lion walks. You let the lions out of their cage, and walk down the paths with them and you can just observe them running around, playing, and just enjoying themselves. You become so attached to these animals, the hardest part is saying goodbye.

myself and three other volunteers were frequently ostracized from the group, the enclosures were small for the amount of animals housed within, one of the staff kicked a mongoose because it begged for food as it had not been fed all day. The animals that were appropriate for re release is still kept by the owner as she wanted to keep them. Would not recommend to future volunteers. No in country support. No communication. Overall we are disappointed and felt it was a complete waste of money.