Family volunteering holiday: monkey rehabilitation in South Africa

This family volunteer project is perfect for children aged 8 or more. It is very hands-on, so you all need to be happy to get stuck in, filthy and work hard! The rewards are huge, as you will be helping these cheeky monkeys on their path to a life back in the wild.

Primates in South Africa have a tough time of it, often being shot by farmers, run over by cars or attacked by wild animals. Orphaned and injured primates are brought from all over the country to this specialist rehabilitation centre, which nurtures these primates to health and sets them on a path back to the wild. The whole rehabilitation process can take up to 4 years!

You and your family will be helping with food preparation, feeding, cleaning and playing. A lot of your day will be spent outside, and a great deal of time is spent interacting with the primates, as socialisation is a key skill for them. As the primates never stop, you will go to bed feeling tired, but fulfilled. The baby monkeys in particular need a lot of care before they are old enough to feed themselves.

You will live on-site in a family cabin with a shared bathroom and toilet. 2 delicious meals are served per day, and basic lunch items are provided although most people choose to supplement them.