South Africa - African Wildlife Ranch

​Established in 1977, this ranch was South Africa’s first crocodile show farm. A decade later, it was sold and transformed into a leading conservation and tourist education center. While the ranch continues to house a modest crocodilian population, it has actively shifted focus towards endangered species, particularly big cats. 

The privately owned ranch is home to more than 90 species of animals and reptiles and is one of the largest cheetah breeding centers in the world. The ranch’s staff work diligently to care for a number of endangered ambassador animals. In doing so, they have created a platform for conservation through education to encourage public awareness of the plights of various species as well as environmental issues. This has earned them a WAZA (World Association of Zoo’s & Aquaria) institutional membership. It is one of only 6 institutions in Africa to become a member of this esteemed association. The ranch has also developed a number of successful breeding programs and is currently one of only 4 institutions on the continent to receive accreditation from PAAZA (African Association of Zoos and Aquaria).

If you are passionate about wild animals and want to make a difference in their lives, then this is project is for you. You will work with a number of different endangered species from white tigers and cheetahs to ring tailed lemurs and meerkats. 

This volunteer project will give you a fascinating wildlife experience while you learn about the facility’s conservation efforts. You will also gain insight and knowledge into the ranch’s endangered species and breeding programs.

 Some of your tasks may include:

• Cleaning cheetah and other animal exhibits and night houses
• Preparing food for cheetah cubs as well as other big cats and animals 
• Feeding the animals
• Preparing for enrichment activities (manipulation, social environmental and artificial prey) to stimulate all animals on the ranch 
• Provide various animals with enrichment toys (papier-mâché balls, tug of war rope etc.) to encourage their sensory and predatory behaviors. 
• Taking notes on the animals’ progress (which will later be used for future research)
• Assisting with ongoing maintenance on the ranch
• Assisting with a variety of projects on occasion

Keep in mind that any food used, from worms to donkey tails, needs to be incorporated in the animals' daily diet, so you will also work very closely with the Animal Kitchen staff when preparing items containing food. You are encouraged to research new ideas and present them to the curators for approval.

At the end of your placement you will receive a certificate of completion. 

Orientation (Included:)
A host will meet you in George, either at the airport or at your bus stop. From George you will be taken to Oudtshoorn (approximately 45 minutes to an hour away) for your orientation. Upon arrival you will be shown around your new accommodation and then you will be taken on a brief tour of the area. On the tour you will have the opportunity to do essential shopping, if needed. You will then be left to relax and adjust to your new accommodation for the rest of the day.

The following morning, your host will give you an orientation on the ranch and its environment, as well as run through the duties, expectations and house rules. This will also be the time for the coordinators to answer any questions you may have. That morning you will be taken to the ranch where you will be given a complete tour of the ranch and breeding centers. You will also be introduced to the directors, managers, curators and staff with whom you will be working.

Typical day: You will work Monday to Friday between 8am and 4:30pm. Morning duties will include cleaning exhibits and night houses, followed by teatime. After, you will help prepare enrichment activities to stimulate all the animals. Then you will have lunch and spend the rest of your time giving out the enrichment toys to the animals while helping to take notes on their progress. There may be some maintenance work to assist with as well.
Important note: Regardless of your dietary preferences, you may be required to assist in the preparation of the big cat’s meals; which is usually donkey/horse meat. This can also involve removing meat from the bone and working with or near the carcasses.

Please take note of this project's minimum requirements:

• Minimum age of 18
• Be at least 1.55m tall (if interacting with some adult cats)
• Fit and healthy 
• Basic level of English
• Prepared to get dirty 
• Be extremely passionate about wild animals
• Hard working and diligently is a must

The ranch is about a 5-minute walk from your Lodge. It will take you about 10 minutes to walk to a local small shop (café) and approximately a half hour walk to most places in town, including supermarkets, shops, restaurants and pubs.

Oudtshoorn is a rather sleepy town, but there are a number of restaurants and pubs, if you are looking for a night out. Oudtshoorn is considered safe at night and you can walk the 20-30 minute route to town. During March/April of each year a well-known weeklong Afrikaans arts festival is held. The town really comes alive with the streets blocked off for market stalls, shows, bands and plenty of entertainment that thousands of people come to enjoy each year. 

Optional tours are available on weekends (when you are off), or you can relax at home by the poolside. You will have the chance to visit the world famous Cango Caves, which are the only show cave in Africa. Oudtshoorn isn’t called the Ostrich capital of the world for nothing! There are also Ostrich farms located 10 km south of Oudtshoorn where experienced guides will teach you all about ostrich farming.

Please note tours are subject to change and are dependent on availability and time of year.


Add on our eight-day Garden Route Road Trip to enhance your South Africa experience!