This past January, I had the incredible opportunity volunteer working at the African Wildlife Ranch in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. While in South Africa, I had the time of my life meeting wonderful people and experiencing all that the Ranch and South Africa has to offer.
The Ranch is a zoological facility located on the outskirts of the small town of Oudtshoorn. Their volunteer program connects individuals with all kinds of wildlife, and is a crucial aspect to the functioning of their facility. Volunteers work Monday-Friday at the Ranch. The mornings often consisted of cleaning animal enclosures and feeding the various animals around the Ranch. After lunch, we would make and provide enrichment for many of the animals.
What makes the volunteer program so important is the fact that we have the time to provide the animals with all kinds of enrichment. Animal enrichment encourages natural and species-specific behavior for animals living in a zoological enviroment. It enhances their lifestyle and keeps the animals moving, thinking and exploring.
During my stay, I had the privilege to interact with animals such as cheetahs, snakes, servals, lemurs, bat-eared foxes, caracals and many more. The staff was incredible and I learned so much from them. The entire atmosphere of the Ranch is very comfortable, inviting and laid-back.
The other volunteers during my stay were the best group of volunteers I could have asked for. We got along very well and had so much fun together. Even though we are from different parts of the globe, we are still staying in contact! In addition to working at the Ranch and socializing in the evenings, each weekend we went on excursions led by wonderful hosts! I went shark-cage diving, bungee jumping, zip-lining, on an elephant walk, and more! All in all, it was the best thing I have done in my entire life, and I would go back in a heartbeat. The animals, group of volunteers, amazing staff and incredibly fun weekend excursions made my time in South Africa an unforgettable experience.
Log In
Blog
>
Ben's Volunteer Experience in South Africa - The Time of my Life!
Posted by: Ben G.
One of the extra activities you can do on the Ranch - cage-diving with Nile crocodiles!
One of the extra activities you can do on the Ranch - cage-diving with Nile crocodiles!
Taking Quinn for a walk.
Sign Up for our Newsletter
Activities
- Wildlife and Animal Conservation
- Marine and Coral Reef Conservation
- Community Aid and Development
- Volunteer with Children
- International Internships
- Most Affordable Volunteer Programs
- Volunteer Vacations and Tours
- Learn Spanish and Volunteer
- Teens and High School Students
- Family Volunteer Vacations
- 50+ Volunteering
- Medical and Healthcare
- Teach English Abroad
- Special Offers
Destinations
©2016 Gnarly Troop. All rights reserved.
General message popup
Activities
- Wildlife and Animal Conservation
- Marine and Coral Reef Conservation
- Community Aid and Development
- Volunteer with Children
- International Internships
- Most Affordable Volunteer Programs
- Volunteer Vacations and Tours
- Learn Spanish and Volunteer
- Teens and High School Students
- Family Volunteer Vacations
- 50+ Volunteering
- Medical and Healthcare
- Teach English Abroad
- Special Offers