Cheetah Conservation in the Cape Winelands

Get up close and personal with cheetahs while giving back as a volunteer at a conservation project in South Africa's Cape Winelands.

If you love big cats and are genuinely curious about conservation and making a positive impact, this experience is for you! You will play an important part in supporting the work of the cheetah sanctuary and be given wonderful opportunities to learn about and experience these incredible creatures.

Conservation culture is integral to South Africa and core to this cheetah sanctuary, located just 45 minutes outside Cape Town. By volunteering at the sanctuary, you will be involved in not only the care for the non-releasable cheetahs but also for those destined for a wild and free life.

• Get hands-on experience caring for cheetahs
• Stay in the most beautiful part of Cape Town, in the famed Cape Winelands
• Work with wildlife biologists and conservation professionals
• Forge new friendships with other volunteers from around the world
• Become part of a team passionate about conservation
• Participate in long-term animal behavioral studies
• Assist with Educational Tours for the public as a “shadowing guide”

Cape Town

Cape Town is frequently acknowledged and awarded as being one of the world’s most beautiful places and a must-see destination.

With the iconic Table Mountain as its backdrop, the city does have something to offer everyone: beaches, mountains, adventure, natural beauty, world-class tourism facilities, nightlife, history, culture, fine dining, art, festivals, wine, a variety of accommodation, shopping, markets, unique and colorful neighborhoods with warm people - Cape Town is a diverse city reaady to excite and entertain.

Cape Winelands

The highly acclaimed Cape Winelands routes and astonishingly beautiful mountain trails surround a cosmopolitan hub. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl form a large portion of the Cape Winelands, with grape cultivation dating back to the 1600s. Stellenbosch was the first to establish a wine route through the farms and is the second oldest town in South Africa. Franschhoek, which boasts more than 40 extraordinary wine cellars, is rich in vineyards dating back to the settling of the Huguenots who brought their French wine-making skills to South Africa over 300 years ago.

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KEY INFORMATION

• Volunteering can start on any day of the week.
• The duration of volunteering must be at least 2 weeks long.
• Volunteers can range from 18-75 years old and should be in good physical health. Day-to-day tasks in the summer can be tiring.
• No special skills are required. Training will be provided. All you need to have is a curiosity for wildlife, be teachable, and have a keen interest in conservation and leaving a positive impact.
• We have an Application process that requires two references. Only after references are checked, and if there is availability for your preferred date, will your application be approved. Please do not book your flight before we confirm your application.
• You must be Covid-19 vaccinated as the disease can be transferrable to big cats.

South Africa is a year-round destination, with varying regional climates and wildlife opportunities.

The best time to visit South Africa is from May to September, as the cooler winter months in the northern regions bring superb conditions for viewing big game. It can be rainy from November to February, but this is the best time to travel for birding, and temperatures remain warm at 22°C to 33°C. February is the hottest time of the year with high temperatures into the 30's degrees.

The Cape has beautiful, hot, dry weather in its summer months (between November and February), with temperatures between 23°C and 26°C. The best time to visit the Cape for whale watching is between July and November.

Sustainability is at the very heart of what we do. Our focus is on local culture, the people, the environment, and making a positive impact. We believe a collective consciousness is necessary for the traveler, locals, and environment to grow.

Therefore, we intentionally collaborate with those who want to be part of rebuilding an inclusive, more sustainable model that benefits all stakeholders in the tourism industry. All our tours/trips are a combination of celebrating all cultures, connecting travelers to local community experiences, and bringing awareness about conservation. Travelers will enjoy the heart of the country through colorful and collaborative journeys that positively impact and empower.

Conscious of our impact on people and the planet, we provide travelers with a Pre-Trip Guide to familiarize themselves with the culture, customs, traditions, and how to minimize their carbon footprint on the destination.

Environmental

South Africa has a conservation culture from the start, and we encourage our guests to join us in our efforts to ensure the preservation of water, save energy, and respect our natural environment. We share tips in our Pre-Trip Guide which we send guests before departure.

The country is currently battling an energy crisis called load shedding. Most of our partners have implemented energy-saving practices and follow protocols and guidelines to ensure safe environments for staff and guests. They have installed smart switches in various areas to switch off lights etc. when not needed. Switching off geysers in guest rooms when they are not in use. Most have replaced all light bulbs with LED energy-saving bulbs. We support them in their effort through our wildlife volunteering program. In terms of wildlife conservation in the Cape Winelands, our provider partners with Cape Nature for rehabilitated Tortoises to be released on the farm. We also support two female entrepreneurs who turn waste into wonderful gifts which are included in the Welcome Gift to our guests.

Our suppliers and partners are encouraged to improve environmental awareness. They have contributed to several environmental matters, which in turn helps us on our sustainability journey. Each entity has initiatives from small to medium suppliers to preserve nature conservation, waste management, and water saving. We encourage travelers to use public transport, especially in the busy city centers, instead of hiring cars.

We use locally owned and operated infrastructure.

Economic

We intentionally choose small operators within the community where travelers stay. From accommodation, transport, and fresh produce to co-creating travel experiences, to ensure the economic growth of that particular community as far as possible. Using local businesses and produce from the communities ensures a circular economy where money stays within the host community.

Choosing and supporting women-owned businesses from marginalized communities as our suppliers are essential issues we campaign for. We directly address social issues like this to reduce inequality within the country. Guests get to immerse themselves fully into the local culture by enjoying a home-cooked meal, learning to play the African drums, or partaking in a community walkabout. Introducing visitors to local experiences like this, protect and safeguard natural and cultural heritage. Real local experiences like the Cape Malay, Black, and Indigenous tours make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

To help put profits into local hands so they can benefit directly, we:

• Intentionally use youth and women-owned businesses from overlooked and marginalized communities. Creating opportunities for women from disadvantaged communities means they can provide for their families and community. Accommodation, transport, and food suppliers live in and around the community our guests visit. This ensures the industry's economic impact is spread equally at all levels of society.
• Co-designed travel experiences with local communities to ensure an authentic experience for travelers. This fosters a collective responsibility and gives them ownership of their product.
• Provide employment and business opportunities for local people. All tour guides are locals. Trained and certified by the municipal and national tourism bodies, tour guides are well-prepared, friendly, and professional in sharing their local knowledge with international and domestic guests. They come with the recommendation of our travel and tourism partners. Most of our suppliers are entrepreneurs and owners of their social enterprises.
• Provide welcome gifts for guests that are made and provided by women-owned businesses.

Sociocultural

From the Bo Kaap tour to the Indigenous sharing their cultures, we are highlighting the diverse cultures South Africa has, which also represent marginalized people. Through storytelling, local artists, small operators and suppliers from disadvantaged backgrounds offer and create authentic travel experiences. Guests will share home-cooked meals with local women.

Be sure you have traveler's insurance.