Lion and Predator Project

Overview

About

Kroonstad is a breeding park for lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards and other carnivores. You’ll have the chance to work closely with these majestic animals. Your tasks will include feeding and caring for the animals, raising cubs by hand and being involved in all the day-to-day activities of the lion park. A once in a life time opportunity! You will be working with people who have years of experience and who are experts in the lion breeding and caring business. Cubs need a lot of attention and you’ll have to give them that in the process of raising them. The breeding park itself is 1100 hectares big.

You will come face to face with lions, jaguars and tigers. It is an amazing experience, being accepted by these wild animals. The breeding park is in constant need of assistance and you will be of great help to the cats. You will have the opportunity to travel and experience South Africa and at the same time meet other volunteers from all over the world.

Please note that this project gives you the opportunity to work closely with lions, their cubs and other predators and is not focussed on conservation as lions are not endangered species.

Guidance & Supervision

The local Game Ranger and his crew will provide you with all the necessary supervision and will be there to help you at all times.

Tasks

You will be working for 6-8 hours a day, lunch and other breaks being held at given times, depending on the amount of tasks. Days off can be arranged with the project coordinator and will depend on the amount of volunteers at the reserve at the time of your stay. These days can be used to enjoy some time in the town or do some site seeing. A lift to town can be arranged.

The first week will involve trainings where you will learn how to feed, handle and care for these carnivores. Your trainers have years of experience and they dedicate their lives to these amazing cats, so you are in good hands.

Your tasks will include the following:

• Hand feeding and comforting cubs.
• Caring for young cubs.
• Feeding the lions, jaguars and tigers.
• Improvement and maintenance of the lion enclosures.
• Taking day visitors on a guided tour to the lions.
• Assisting in all aspects of lion, jaguar and tiger care.

Prerequisites

• Love for animals and wildlife.
• No facial-piercing with studs or rings and heavy tattoos.
• No high expectations to safe the African Lion, just the passion to work closely with these beautiful animals.
• Age over 18 years.

Why?

This project is definitely a great way to escape your hectic daily life for a while.  Extra care is taken to make your visit to the lion and predator project a memorable experience. You will play, feed, care for and interact with lion cubs as old as five months on a daily basis.

Enjoy the unspoiled bush field atmosphere of this private game reserve where the stress of everyday life melts away silently. The thatched complex and pool provide privacy, peace and tranquillity. Perfect to relax and unwind after your work with the cats and other animals.

When joining this project with Khaya you are sure to get a good rate, much cheaper than what i-to-i.com is charging for the same project for example.

Accommodation

You will be staying in a chalet with a bathroom and kitchen, sharing with a maximum of 4 other volunteers. The chalet has an outside porch where meals can be enjoyed. The chalet is fully equipped with everything you need, including a television with satellite.

There’s a swimming pool with bar for those warm African days. The best part is that the lodge is only 50 meters away from the lions. You’ll have the amazing chance of lying in your bed and enjoying the African lion roar!

Location

The park is situated 15 km from the nearest town in the heart of South Africa. The area has superb bush and grasslands. It is easy to reach and to travel to other destinations. This is also a malaria free area.

Fees and Dates

The prices include accommodation and daily supervision.

The fee does not include your flight, food, personal expenses, visa, immunization and transport to the project from OR Tambo International Airport Johannesburg (price: ± 300 ZAR)

Minimum duration is 2 weeks.

2 weeks R 9600

3 weeks R 14 200

4 weeks R 18 800

All extra weeks will be charged R 4400 per week.

The project starts every two weeks on Mondays, but arrival dates are flexible.

An extra booking fee of R500 is required if you need Khaya to arrange transfers, accommodation and bus tickets as well as external travel arrangements. This fee lets Khaya handle your travel arrangements completely.

Gallery

Testimonials

"I just wanted to let you know what an absolutely amazing time I had at Kroonstad. The set up there is fantastic and the crew is brilliant. They were so welcoming and taught me so much. Thank you for your help in organizing my stay in South Africa and I hope to return next year.”

Barbera Looijens, Netherlands

“I can recommend this experience to everyone, it’s the beautiful environment combined with the thrill of working with the largest predators on the planet. At the end I really felt like a mother to all the cute little cubs. With that, the initiators of the project are great people who really live for what they’re doing. All together you’re assured of a great life experience in Kroonstad!”

Joël Adams, U.S.A.

“The trip was very much worth my while and I will treasure the memories for a good while to come.”