19 independent reviews for Volunteer with monkeys in South Africa
Reviews for Volunteer with monkeys in South Africa
Jolanta Weiss review 4 May 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It was great valuable experience being so close to the babie baboons and Vervets monkeys.Feeding, walking, playing with them. It's hard to believe but I miss them already.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
You need to be a true animal lover to enjoy the working part of this volunteering project. For those couple of weeks I spent there I forgot about my needs, my comfort zone. Animals first and if you love them you will never get tired of the work around them. Its a very rewarding volunteering job.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I feel good about putting my time, energy, some money to support wildlife in Africa. Also spending some money in the restaurants, local stores, gift shops benefits local people.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
After volunteering for 2 weeks with the monkeys I enjoyed 3 days and 1 night of Safari. Amazing, unforgettable trip of my life and I'm 60 year old but pretty strong and young soul hahaha. I did it all by myself but I will definitely go back there with my granddaughter. This is amazing way to teach the kids about work, animals needs and more..Scott Latham review 23 Feb 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Mary Lee review 31 Jan 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
This experience was absolutely life changing. I realized exactly what the baboons and vervet monkey took to just survive. The owners , Bob and Lynne, I cannot say enough. Even though very demanding ( at times did not think I could make it, but it was so rewarding and I learned strength I never knew I had.) I met friends I will keep for life and actually plan on going back next year.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Changing jobs daily because it becomes monotonous and boring doing the same thing.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The poverty and government are devastating and the fact I felt I made a difference changed my life4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
If it wasn’t for Anne Smellie with the operator I would not have had this experience. Thank you for all.Karsten Georges review 25 Apr 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Contact with these very social baboons, sometimes they play like crazy ( kids and teenagers) sometimes they just like to be close and sleep so deeply when you hold them in your arms. The group of people and the team leaders were awesome. It was fun and rewarding to work together with them!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared to work hard at times, be prepared for some dirt, give as much as you can, you will get much more back, participate and you will have the best time ever. Bring old clothes, forget your smartphone, once these tiny monkeys hands touch you, you will be touched.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It supports a group of local people, the project employs some people for cooking, gardening, maintenance etc, so yes a positive aspect here. Reduced environmental impact, maybe, because lifestyle is very basic. Yes Riverside supports wildlife conservation, but the question is there, where do all these monkeys go?4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
First of all it sounds weird to pay for work, but for me (56y old) it was a very good decision to do this trip together with my son (13y). We were prepared to work hard, to stay in basic accommodation, to eat simple food. I gave what I could give and got so many wonderful experiences back. Would definitely do it again...Read the operator's response here:
Hi Karsten
Thank you so much for submitting your review of your trip to South Africa. We are so pleased that you and your son had such a great experience. We always find that those who put the most into it will get the most out of it, so thank you so much to you both for working so hard.
Your advice is incredibly helpful and I know will really benefit our future volunteers. We also loved hearing your highlights.
We just wanted to quickly add some information regarding where all the rehabilitated and released monkeys go. We are really sorry if this wasn’t made clearer whilst you were away, but we do appreciate the opportunity to inform you now.
Once the primates are ready to be released (usually after a 3 – 4 year rehabilitation process), the next challenge is to identify a release site. Primate release sites are carefully chosen, - permits and certificates are required, and the feasibility of the site needs to be assessed. Important considerations for the release site are whether there are sustainable levels of water, food, vegetation and medicinal plants, and assessing the risk of human-animal conflict. Luckily, South Africa has vast expanses of bush that are very suitable for the rehabilitated troops. Indeed, in the past 25 years, there have been 22 successful releases of vervet monkeys and baboons.
Thank you once again for being such great volunteers. We do hope to get you involved again in future.
Best wishes
Anne
Shannon Hiltabrand review 2 Oct 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The hands on time spent with the monkeys was amazing.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring clothes/shoes that you don’t mind possibly ruining. Taking care of baby monkeys is messy business.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It reduced environmental impact in the sense that we have taken over land that used to belong to animals. Now animals have come into conflict with humans and are being displaced, hence the need for the rescue/rehabilitation center.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
An amazing experience. Would recommend to anyone who loves animals and is willing to work hard.Gill Stevenson review 5 Feb 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Sitting on a stool in the babies enclosure and having the privilege of a baby baboon sitting on my boot working out how to undo my shoe laces, a 'cuddle' of baby monkeys holding on to each other, asleep on my lap and a very tiny baby vervet who had previously just sat on my shoulder hanging on to my hair for grim death (as he had been so traumatised before coming to the project) lying on my hand relaxed after some time of holding him and reassuring him with soft words.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
This volunteer posting is equally good for men and women, it is not just soft and cuddly but also quite physical. The post involves some hard work as preparing the huge amounts of food for the primates takes place between 7 and 9am, must be finished on time and requires not just chopping many dozens of eggplants, cabbages, mangos and peeling 100s of bananas each morning but hauling the crates from a-b and washing the fruit before chopping!! It is fun but you have to work hard at the time of year when there are more primates and sadly less volunteers (if you want to do some real good, visit in the Christmas break, you will contribute so much and get so many more memories back). Take OLD clothes. 'Baby sitting' 27 baby monkeys and baboons au natural (that is, the babies don't wear nappies) means that inevitably you will get covered in wee and poo, so take old clothes and plenty of changes!! It is so worth it though to be a baby 'activity center' , sleep dorm or teacher (this is a mango, it tastes good, try it!).3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
This certainly supports conservation. In an environment where baby primates are either not valued and may be left to die if their parent was killed, or may be kept as pets. The fact that the objective of this project is not to raise the babies and keep them in captivity but to enable the forming of troops which can be released back into a self supporting wild environment, is helping to preserve these primates for future generations.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent experience. The project directors and managers, the team leaders and the other volunteers made the experience a valuable one. The primates of all ages were a joy to observe at close quarters and gave me memories to treasure.Stephanie Chasseloup review 27 Oct 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
My most memorable moment was when I had to carry Luna (6 weeks old baby baboon) one hour in my arms while she did not know me and was terrified. She spent the whole time trying to escape, scratching and biting me. But I kept strong and did not let her go! :)2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be ready to work hard and to get very dirty! Also, make sure you have a bit of food with you for your first day (Tuesday) because you only go shopping in the afternoon and breakfast is served at 9am, after two hours of work. Do not bring too many clothes. You can wash there and for the dirty work or fun (spending time in the cages), already-used t-shirts are available. Have a good team spirit. This is not a vacation. Even if we have a lot of free time, things have to be done during the day, which can not wait (feed the animals for example).3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It benefits the local people because there are local people also working there and many supplies are bought from the local people. The conservation is highly supported. The environment and wildlife is very respected.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
8/10Sheila Scott review 6 Aug 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Hands on with monkeys and baboons2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take long sleeved/ long legged old clothes that you don't mind being soiled3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definetly employed local people and caring for animals and releasing them back into the wild4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
WonderfulChristine Hammond review 13 Nov 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
hands on time with the monkeys, especially the babies2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be aware it is hard work and you get up early every day. Read the notes and web site really thoroughly so you are prepared properly. The food is not good in quality or quantity. it needs supplementing by you. All aspects of living at the sanctuary are very basic.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The sanctuary saves many lives- vervets and baboons4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Worthwhile for the chance to help the monkeys but mostly for students in my opinion. Debbie and Steve were a great asset and positive role models.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback on your trip to South Africa. We are so pleased that you had such a good time, even though you maybe felt that you worked harder than expected! You were there at the beginning of baby monkey season, which is a very hectic time and all hands are needed on deck.
We get a real mixture of ages on this project, from 8 - 80. Whilst we do get a lot of students, we also get a lot of retirees, career breakers and vacation makers. The wonderful Debbie and Steve that you mentioned were actually former volunteers themselves, who decided to turn married life completely on its head and move out to South Africa. We are so happy to have them on board.
Two meals per day are provided on the project, breakfast and dinner. Lunch is a bit more of a DIY affair, with volunteers often making sandwiches or re-heating leftovers. Breads, spreads, fruit and veg are available at lunch time, however because of the physical nature of the work we do find that people like to eat a lot more than we are able to provide. For this reason, we suggest that volunteers budget extra money for lunches and snacks in between meals.
Thank you so much to you both for choosing to volunteer and for helping to change the lives of these rescued primates. We hope that you will volunteer on your travels again in future.
Lisa Byron review 17 Nov 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
There wasn't a single most memorable thing, I woke to lions roaring, to monkeys on the patio outside the door, chopping trees to building roads for manual labour and feeding lions and games drives in the afternoon with swimming in the pool at lunchtime! Just in the short time i was there not only did I see the Big 5 I was blessed to see baby zebra and baby elephants! The weekends were spent with the other volunteers going off to beach resorts, the best was Plettenberg Bay where they had the most activities! Skydiving is always a favourite of mine!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take gloves for the more manual side of the work. Make sure you have data, Wifi really is not great.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, once a week a morning is spent at a local school, feeding and playing with the local children. The work that we do on the reserve is all towards helping the animals and the environment and is explained well by the Rangers.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
An experience of a lifetime!Gillian McGowan review 4 Aug 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Being together as a family and getting to experience this with my children and Husband. Getting to be so hands on with the baboons and vervets was amazing and so rewarding, and being able to see a group being transferred into an Intro (the next phase before release) was really inspiring.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for hard work. It's not all cuddling monkeys, but it's incredibly rewarding and you'll meet some fantastic people. Also take plenty of old clothes and warm ones too, it's really cold at night and in the mornings.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
As a rehabilitation center this was first class, Bob and Lynne and totally dedicated to their cause and along with their team make it an unforgettable experience for everyone, you become part of their family.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Totally unforgettable. We didn't want to leave and wish that we had been there for longer. We will be going back.Jessi Brunetti review 27 Sep 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
My time with the animals2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Make sure to take comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting dirty and/or ruined!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I loved it, I would give it a 9/10elaine thornton review 3 Jul 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
- being so up close and personal in many ways on a daily basis with all the wildlife - baboons, vervets, bushbabies, ostriches. - 2 day visit to Kruger National Park half way into my trip, the family do their Best to accommodate a variety of trips out within their weekly workload, priorities as fully appreciate volunteers require extra 'treats' too for all their hard work and committment.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
- be prepared to get very, very dirty, wet, smelly and, love literally being all over you for many reasons which is realistic and a natural / normal part of the daily work . However, you have to embelish that and not be afraid. You are very well supervised and mentored by expereinced staff and other volunteers to prepare you and deal with the experience throughout. The more you relax, and simply just go with the flow, the more valuable & profound the experience will be. - the more you put in, the more you get out so fully imerse yourself into the whole role. Your time and effort is precious and priceless! - I recommend a very open mind and ask plenty questions to the family , staff who are extremely experienced researchers, primatologists and experts in their own right. They want to continually share their knowledge, skills and educate others.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes in many ways. You learnt how and why your indvidual and group contribution is beneficial on many local, regional levels i.e. from the skills the family, staff help you aquire in understanding the specific species' behaviours, animal welfare / husbandry, rearing very young vulnerble and sick infants, the role of the 'human' in the whole rehab process which is very timely, the role of using local food resources to support the economy and new enterprises / initiatives Riverside is progressing at the Centre. It's an ongoing educative process.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. It's a very, very, special unique opportunity for anyone to embrace a very valuable volunteer role in a beautiful country working with / alongside a very welcoming, accommodating, friendly and supportive family , staff who remain very open to sharing their knowledge, skills about primate/ wildlife rehabilitation. So much is learnt additionally from being around the animals which I would encourage people to do as often as possible. Simply- 'Just be in the moment' !!!emma pound review 1 May 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The best part of my trip would of been meeting new and different people and the cuddles with monkeys2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Travel light and make sure you take loads of photos as it goes so quickly3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The trip benefits everyone as they get everyone involved, and you learn alot about the monkeys natural habitat,there wants and needs.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The best 4weeks of my life, cant wait to book my next!Laura Lockhard review 1 May 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The hands on experience with the little orphaned monkeys both baboons and vervets. It was really hard to leave them. I definitely want to go back again to help take care of them.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you love animals you'll love this volunteer work. You can't help but fall in love with them. Be ready for how difficult it is to leave them. The people working there are very nice too. The food is great. You can buy snacks or pretty much anything you forget when you go into town. Bring clothes and shoes that you're prepared to get down and dirty in. Best thing to do is take clothes you want to give away and wear them and leave them for the people that need them in South Africa. Take a flashlight and some rubber gloves.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The place did pay local people to do laundry, clean and do heavy work around the land. So they were definitely benefiting from the place being there. Without it they would not have a job. It helped the monkeys that were orphans get taken care of, fed very well, medical care and the attention every young animal needs after suffering such a loss, injury and fitting in again with their new troops and then the final release back into the wild. Amazing work. Well done!4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
110 out of 100. The feeling you get when you are helping the helpless is great. To know these lost little ones will be able to get back out into the wild again is the best. Amazing weather too.Diana McKinley review 8 Dec 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Time with other volunteers and the monkeys.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Expect to work hard. You will get dirty but the rewards are so worth while.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Supported conservation and helped provide some jobs for the local people.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I would not say that I am reborn but it was certainly one of the best vacations I have been on and I hope to return next year.Sarah Dakin review 18 Dec 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Watching the primates grow and developing special bonds with them. Also, pool time is really incredible.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It's really full on depending on what time of year you go so be prepared to work hard! The experience is really unique and special, but when I went there was not a lot of down time so I am glad that I organised my own trip to Kruger Park before going to the project. In less busy times of year you get some afternoons off and more excursions, but during my time (baby season) we worked hard 7 days a week. The upside to this is you get adorable babies to look after. If I could go back in time and choose to do it again I definitely would, but I am glad that I booked only 3 weeks as keeping up that intensity for longer would be difficult. Working with the animals is amazing, and I was really sad to say goodbye to them.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely. The project fills a void and without it the primates would die without their mothers.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Pretty well. I would have liked more time out and about, as you a quite isolated at the project, but it was what I expected in terms of the animals. It is hard work, but the experience cannot be gotten elsewhere.Sara Lee review 16 Sep 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It's hard to pick just one thing. Being so hands on with the vervets and baboons was an amazing experience, as was helping to build the release site for the vervet troop that was about to be set free. The people I met were wonderful, all ages and backgrounds which meant for some interesting conversations when we were going about our work. Cleaning cages, food prep and pool time were all part of daily 'chores' and though sometimes hard work, was great fun.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just immerse yourself in what the trip has to offer. Take a trip to a charity shop before you leave to buy shirts/tshirts etc as part of the fun is getting wet and dirty when cleaning and playing with the monkeys. Leaving things behind when you depart helps other volunteers. Take a pack of rubber gloves and leave behind what you don't use. There are opportunities to leave the camp on a variety of trips but this center is the place to be.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We worked alongside local people and the focus of our work was taking part in everything that supported the rehabilitation the monkeys, so yes, absolutely.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was totally wonderful. If you are in two minds please just book it and take the plunge! An open mind will bring the greatest satisfaction as you go about all you have to do at the center. I went for 3 weeks and it passed in a flash. I would say 2 weeks is the absolute minimum as it takes a few days to really get into it. I would have happily extended my stay if I hadn't had to return to work.Angela Crossland review 11 Sep 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The travel to the center was wonderful (3 hours) and we got to see lots of SA on the way. I loved the wildlife and the lovely birds. I will never forget the monkeys and the beautiful countryside around the center. My favourite part was the seed collecting as we got to learn about the local flora and what the monkeys liked to eat in the wild. I am sad that I missed the release back to the wild, as that must have been a wonderful thing to see. I will never forget my experience at Riverside and I look forward to my next volunteering experience - I plan to visit Romania to the bear sanctuary and will definitely be contacting the same operator for this.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Allow yourself a week to settle in and adjust to the huge difference from the UK. Be prepared for the cold in the winter - just because it's SA, it's still very cold and there is no such thing as central heating in the accommodation! Take lots of layers and a hot water bottle to fill at the house before going to bed. Be prepared for no shower curtains on the showers, showers open to the stars and hot water that runs out after the first few showers, so likely cold showers. Accept that you are going to be dirty and covered in monkey wee and poo for the duration. Stock up on treats on your visit to town! Let loose, forget western standards, embrace the culture and then you will really enjoy your experience.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
This volunteering experience supports the conservation of the baboon and vervet monkey species. It benefits local people who find employment at the center. There is no food waste like there is in the UK, either for the monkeys or volunteers (you are starving after a hard days' work and you clear your plate!) and out of date food from local supermarkets is picked up for the monkeys.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I challenged myself with the lack of "home comforts" and the hard physical work compared to my sedentary job in Pathology at home, where work is mainly sitting at a screen. I took a week to get used to the relative lack of being able to keep totally clean and hygienic, which i think we possibly tend to overdo in the UK and the cold. But when I had adjusted, I loved it and I have some wonderful memories and photos. I don't think you fully appreciate what you have done until you are home and going through your photos. I would recommend this volunteering experience to anyone of a similar mindset who cares about the planet and all the creatures that we share it with.Holiday Reviews
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