Volunteers

GET INVOLVED

• Research
• Interact with Animals
• Care for Animals at the Centre 
• Save Reptiles
• Learn About Reptiles
• Fundraising
• Public Education
• Release Back Into the Wild 

HANDS ON REPTILE CONSERVATION

INTRODUCTION TO VOLUNTEERING AT KHAMAI

Pricing Structure

Please note that revenue generated from volunteering at Khamai is used to covour costs of the placements.  Any extra left over money is utilised at Khamai to improve the centre's facilities, for research projects and to purchase equipment for the work done at Khamai.

Two Week Placement - R4,900 (R350 per day)
One Month Placement - R9,000 (R300 per day)
Six Months Placement - R45,000 (R250 per day)

* Currency is in South African ZAR

Why Volunteer at the Khamai Reptile Centre?

The Khamai Reptile Centre is a unique facility that is dedicated solely to the preservation and conservation of reptiles. By volunteering at the centre you play an active role in helping us achieve this goal. You will have the opportunity to learn and work with a whole range of different reptiles at a world-renowned reptile centre. You will get practical, hands-on experience in the day to day running of the centre and the chance to work with a variety of indigenous as well as exotic reptiles. You will also play an invaluable role in helping us educate people about reptiles.

What is Expected of Volunteers

Volunteers are here to help with the general day to day maintenance of all the animals at the centre. This will include tasks such as feeding of the animals and the upkeep of their enclosures. Volunteers are also here to interact with guests at the centre and to educate them on the importance of reptiles in a natural ecosystem. There is very infrequently a dull moment at the Khamai Reptile Centre as exciting new challenges present themselves on an almost daily basis.

Accommodation

All volunteers are housed in the Volunteers House behind the reptile centre. It is a four-bedded wooden bungalow with a fully equipped kitchen,  bathroom and a lounge area with Satellite TV and DVD player.  Internet is available in the house 24/7.  A house maid does a cleanup twice a week.

Working Hours and Time Off  

Volunteers will be expected to work everyday from 8am to 5pm. Lunch is an hour long and is usually taken between 12:00 and 13:00. However due to the varied nature of the work at Khamai, lunch may be taken at almost any time of the day. Time off and excursions must be pre arranged with management and the curators.

Excursions

Volunteers are taken on a mini expedition into one of the many valleys of the great Drakensburg Mountains where you will be expected to observe and survey reptile activity.  The famous reptile books author Johan Marais often takes a break from his busy schedule and tags along to helps with data collecting.  So don't forget to buy his books,  you might just get them autographed.

A volunteer standing at the top of a small valley that leads to the mighty Oilifants River.

Volunteers spend some time with the famous reptile books author Johan Marais (Purple T Shirt) on a walk along the mighty Oilifants River.

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Other Projects to Volunteer With

Siyafunda is located within the “Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve” (GMPGR) in the Limpopo province, just a stone throw away from the famous Kruger National Park.

We operate two Camps; the Siyafunda Research Base with an emphasis on wildlife & conservation research & the Siyafunda Tracking-Camp which gives you a practical experience & knowledge about the bush, offering you a unique experience, while you spend your holidays with us. 

You will have an experience of a lifetime in either of our two unfenced camps in this huge 26,000 ha Game Reserve amongst Africa’s Big 5; Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, Lion & Leopard. You can be part of our research team & gain invaluable experience in conservation techniques or come stay at our tracking camp & be taught the art of tracking big game & skills of bush living from one of South Africa’s most experienced Trackers.

DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage is a registered non profit organisation located in the Limpopo Province, near the Kruger Park in South Africa. 

The mission of DAKTARI is to educate local underprivileged children to care for their environment through the medium of a wildlife orphanage. 

Every DAKTARI welcomes a new group of 8 local under-privileged children for a week. As a volunteer your main tasks will be teaching the children and working with the animals.  You will give the children the opportunity to discover, learn and become passionate about wildlife and conservation, their heritage. You will also supplement their school curriculum in very basic English, maths, sciences, geography, life skills, educational games and social issues. 

No specific skills are required. We need your enthusiasm and dynamism!!!