Location
  • South Africa
    • Durban
Length
1 to 52 weeks

Program Details

Age Min.
18
Age Max
100
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Guesthouse
Groups
Small Group (1-15)
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
35
Price Details
Cost of volunteering in South African rand (ZAR) –
1 Week stay - R6 500 ($435 USD)
2 Weeks stay - R11,000 ($736 USD)
3 Week stay - R13,500 ($905 USD)
4 Week stay - R14,000 ($940 USD)
*Should a volunteer wish to extend His / Her stay it will be subject to availability. R3500 ($240 USD) each week thereafter.
What's Included
Accommodation Airport Transfers Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa
Feb 14, 2020
Feb 27, 2020
14 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

A once in a lifetime opportunity to assist in the rescue, rehabilitation & release of urban Vervet monkeys in Durban South Africa.
Be a part of the team that carries out exciting rescues, takes monkeys (& other rescued animals) to the vet for treatment & post-treatment care of these animals at our sanctuary & care facility.

We rarely do less than 3 rescues a day -- some exciting & adrenaline-pumping, some less so. This is a real hands-on volunteering project! So expect to run from rescue to vet, to talks to assisting in feeding.

During certain times of the year, we also have in our care an average of 30 orphaned baby monkeys that require a "surrogate" mother/father to care for their needs. This can be a highly rewarding time.

Accommodation is set in a lush green garden with a sparkling blue pool. Our drop off and care center is just a 5-minute drive away.

The Primate rehabilitation sanctuary is 30 minutes' drive away. Here we accommodate volunteers in tents & wooden huts.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Care for orphaned baby monkeys
  • Rescue injured monkeys and other urban wildlife
  • Release rehabilitated monkeys back into the wild
  • Enjoy the sites of Durban South Africa - Swim and Surf in the Indian ocean, Beach clean ups, Swim in our crystal blue pool
  • Make a difference to a dwindling population of Vervet monkeys in Durban

Program Impact

If you want to feel like you have made a real difference in your time volunteering then Monkey Helpline is the organization for you! Every day is different.

Every volunteer has the opportunity to assist in recusing not only monkeys but other urban wildlife effected by urbanization and human interaction. Once rescued and in our care, we give the monkey the required treatment and care. Then as soon as our little furry friends can be released back into the wild, we do so. Have your camera ready!

We also carry out talks at local schools, church groups, etc and educate the public on how to coexist with ALL our urban wildlife.

So if its hands-on you want, then come spend some time with Monkey Helpline. Let your adventure begin!

Related Programs

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 6 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.85
  • Value 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Default avatar
Ginevra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wonderful experience

volunteering for monkey helpline was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Being with them was like being at home. Carol, Steve S., Steve E., Jess are fantastic people who have made us enter their world, in their daily lives. We participated in the recovery and release of the monkeys and any animals that had to be saved. We had to look after the little ones, feed them, wash them, play with them. Being a volunteer is a full time job and they are fantastic people who inspire you to always do good.
Thanks for this wonderful experience!

86 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Beatriz
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Inspiring people, Inspiring experience!

This experience has been so incredible that it is difficult to describe in words.

Our hosts have treated us as friends and family, which has made us feel at home and part of the organization.

we have participated in the capture and release of monkeys, we have painted a room for the little ones, we have taken care of the babies, giving them bottles and cuddles... in short, we have known Monkey Helpline up close. So, I can't recommend it enough: if you want to be part of an incredible project and be close to really inspiring people, sign up and give a hand to this organization.

In addition, Steve S., Steve E. and Carol and Jess talked to us about the local culture and gave us ideas to make the most of our free time,

All the members of the team have adapted to our needs and made sure that we were comfortable all the time, making sure that we performed tasks that we could really enjoy.

In short... this is an adventure you can't miss!

84 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Karen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

You have to do this!

Volunteering at Monkey Helpline was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I not only learnt so much about these amazing animals and their funny, adventurous and loving nature - but also how selfless, dedicated and caring some people can be and that I want to be more like this in my own life.

You are really hands on in all aspects of their work – from rescues, vet visits, taking care of the rescued monkeys and releases. An absolute highlight has to be looking after 3 of the orphaned babies, seeing their personalities and characters develop over the time we had with them was incomparable.

I came home grateful for having had a once in a lifetime experience and dreaming of cuddling baby monkeys!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Monkey Helpline provide all vegan food and it was a pleasant surprise how delicious (and plentiful!) it was! You still get to experience the hospitality of the South African Braai, but with delicious soy meats and beers/wine. Oh and the donuts, ooooooh the donuts! Love!
86 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Skye
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing!

This was without a doubt one of the best and most unique experiences of my life. Getting the opportunity to work with these amazing monkeys was really special; we learned all about them as a species and got to see that behaviour first hand. It felt really special to be able to witness the release of several rescued monkeys back into the wild, but my absolute life-changing experience was caring for the orphaned babies. Not to mention the founders of Monkey Helpline are without a doubt the most inspirational people Ive ever met. This has enriched my life beyond compare and Im so grateful!

87 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Vanessa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of all time!

Volunteering for Monkey Helpline was absolutely the most incredible experience that I lived in my 26 years of life. Not only for the possibility to rescue and take care of Vervet Monkeys, but also for the amount of things that I learned in only two weeks. These are simple things, which however can be useful in everyday life. The love, passion, humility and determination that have been transmitted to me by those who deal with this important situation made me understand that very little is needed to be able to do much.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Just feel free to talk about everything. Be yourself
87 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jim
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Monkey Helpline Volunteer

Over the past 2 weeks I had the absolute pleasure to volunteer with Monkey Helpline. Carol and Steve and their team were truly inspirational to see them work tirelessly every day to rescue, rehabilitate and release Vervet Monkeys back into the wild in the Durban area.

During my stay I got help with rescues, releases, vet visits, preparing meals at the sanctuary & spending time in the nursery (cleaning, feeding & most importantly playing with the baby monkeys!!).

If you are looking for a new challenge, I would highly recommend spending some time with these guys, who go above and beyond making you feel at home during your stay.

What was your funniest moment?
Looking after the baby monkeys, they were such little characters!
89 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers