About
Vervet monkeys are one of South Africa’s five indigenous primates (the other four are the Lesser Bush Baby, the Thick-Tailed Bush Baby, the Samango monkey, and the Chacma baboon. Vervet monkeys are classified as “old world monkeys”, meaning that they have been around for over 65 million years - long before apes and humans.
In recent years, their populations are declining for a number of reasons. Habitat loss due to human settlement, being formerly classified as vermin and killed by farmers, being captured and used for laboratory testing of medicines, used for ‘muti’ or traditional medicine, and the illegal pet trade have put these animals at risk.
Vervet monkeys are vital to the South African ecological system, and it is imperative that they are protected. They are an integral part of the natural food chain in parts of Africa, as their messy eating habits distribute food from high places to the ground for ground-feeding animals. They provide natural insect control by eating the eggs and larvae of many species. They assist in the germination, pollination and dispersal of various floras.
The project, established in December 2003, is a privately owned and operated wildlife rehabilitation and conservation centre in the Waterberg district, north of Pretoria. It is well-known and highly regarded for its exceptional work with Vervet monkeys.
Since 2008 the centre has successfully rehabilitated 13 troops of monkeys, who are now living free at safe release sites, on bushveld farms and on nature reserves in Limpopo.
The centre is home to about 300 Vervet monkeys and several baboons. It is situated in an area that has troops of wild baboons, zebra, porcupine and other animals visiting on most days and evenings.
Volunteers at this project will have hands-on experience with orphaned monkeys as well as injured and handicapped monkeys. Occasionally, other animals are brought in such as antelope, etc. that will be looked after until they find a better home or can be released.
Vervet monkeys require constant care, and volunteers will need to be prepared to work long hours around the clock, even sharing their bed with baby monkeys on occasion. While it can be challenging, this project is great fun as well as extremely rewarding and educational.
See what other other volunteers say about this project
You can read reviews of the Vervet Monkey project here.
Accommodation
“He went from Graham´s Town to Kimberley, and from Kimberley to Khama´s Country, and from Khama´s Country he went east by north, eating melons all the time, till at last he came to the banks of the great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever-trees, precisely as Kolokolo Bird had said.” - The Elephant’s Child – Rudyard Kipling
Limpopo is the northernmost province of South Africa, and a land of pristine, primeval beauty – a place of legends. The name Limpopo comes from a Sepedi word meaning “strong, gushing waterfalls”. The project is situated on a privately-owned wildlife reserve in the middle of this incomparable landscape, and offers the unique opportunity to get away from the bustle of civilisation and enjoy wildlife and nature. Volunteers will not only have hundreds of monkeys around them, but also passing troops of baboons who frequent the centre on most days, porcupines who visit at night, a herd of zebra who love the long grass outside the volunteer house and many other animals. There are even tracks of leopard seen close to the house, so nature really is right on your doorstep!
The volunteer accommodation consists of 2 rooms which sleep 4 each in bunk beds, with en-suite bathrooms (shower and toilet) and a communal lounge/kitchen area to cook and relax. The outside ‘stoep’ (porch in Afrikaans) offers a shaded area to eat meals and socialise.
Volunteers will also share accommodation with some of the orphaned monkeys and baboons, as they need to be fed every couple of hours and have their nappies changed. Expect to share your bed with a monkey or two.
There is internet access 24 hours a day, available for an extra fee of R100 (about 7 EUR or 8 USD) per week.
On weekends only, the bar will open for a game of pool and a drink or two and volunteers can ask permission to use the swimming pool on the premises.
Meals
Meals are included and consist of cereals and rusks with coffee and tea early in the morning and a brunch at 10:00AM.
Dinner is around 17:30 and volunteers rotate with cooking and cleaning duties.
The project staff usually shop twice a week in the nearest town, and volunteers will be given the opportunity to travel into Bela Bela to shop for themselves and for the other volunteers. There is also a small shop on the premises stocked with beers, snacks and sodas. All profits go towards supporting the monkeys.
Fees & Dates
| DURATION: |
EURO |
USD |
GBP |
| 1 week |
€ 490,00 |
$545,00 |
£435,00 |
| 2 weeks |
€ 810,00 |
$900,00 |
£720,00 |
| 3 weeks |
€ 1 125,00 |
$1 245,00 |
£995,00 |
| 4 weeks |
€ 1 435,00 |
$1 590,00 |
£1 275,00 |
| Extra Weeks (after 4 weeks) |
€ 300,00 |
$335,00 |
£265,00 |
| Transfers (one way) |
€ 105,00 |
$120,00 |
£95,00 |
Included in the full Volunteering Fee:
- Information and assistance before departure
- Accommodation in volunteer house
- Meals
- Onsite volunteer coordinator available 24/7
Excluded from the full Volunteering Fee:
- Transport from Johannesburg airport (additional costs apply)
- Private Luxuries (snacks, cool drinks, alcohol etc.)
- Air tickets
- Insurance
Starting dates
Volunteers will start work on Mondays, but contact us for more information as we try to be flexible.
Please note Avis does not do night transfers, the transfers are between 8am and 2pm only.
Add Ons To Your Trip
10% OFF on your Nomad Africa tour when booking through Khaya
Nomad Africa Adventure Tours offers organized tours over Africa. Whether you’re young or young at heart, adventurous or more relaxed, it doesn’t matter, you will always find a fitting tour with them.
Their tours ensure you safety and give you the chance to meet new friends along the way. They are an exciting way of travelling that allows you to explore the country and its surroundings at affordable rates and without having to worry about anything yourself!
And we can make it even better. If you book your next Nomad Tour with Khaya, you will get a 10% off the tour price! We have picked a few of our favorites to combine with this project, check them out below!
10% OFF on your BazBus tour when booking through Khaya
Hop-on Hop-off backpacker bus. Door-to-door. Meet interesting people. Safe and fun way to travel around South Africa. Great alternative to car hire.
Check out their travel options on their site, BazBus. By booking your Bazbus travel with Khaya, you will receive a 10% discount. If interested, please contact us and we’ll help you further with great pleasure.
10% or 20% OFF on your CapeXtreme Adventure when booking through Khaya
The best adventure company in Cape Town! They organize action packed activities and overland tours in Cape Town. On top of that they also do trips from Cape Town to Addo and the Port Elizabeth Area.
Surfing, cage diving, sandboarding, skydiving, everything is possible with Cape Xtreme. You can see the Garden Route or enjoy a day visiting the cape peninsula, or what do you think of a daytrip to Stellenbosch and Paarl for the most amazing wine tastings?
As a Khaya Volunteer, you can get an amazing discount of 10 or 20% depending on the adventure you book. After confirming your booking with us, you will get a voucher code that will ensure you your discount. Simply go to their website CapeXtreme , choose your tour and date, insert the voucher code, proceed to check-out, make your payment online, and enjoy the trip!
15% OFF on your Mzansi Travel when booking through Khaya
The most comfortable & affordable way to do Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Travel Tickets in South Africa. Meet fellow travelers. Fun stops along the way! Travelling on a small budget? Then Mzansi is definitely something for you.
Get a 15% discount on direct tickets, hop-on hop-off tickets and Mzansi Passes. After confirming your stay with us, you will get a voucher code sent to you that you can use on all your Mzansi bookings. Just go to their website Mzansi Travel, make your booking online use the voucher code and off you go!
Location
Bela Bela, Limpopo, South Africa
