Volunteer
Costs
2025-2026

We are excited to welcome volunteers from all over the globe, will you be the next volunteer we will be welcoming?

Volunteers are the back-bone of C.A.R.E. and we need you.

Send us an email today; primatecarevolunteers@gmail.com

C.A.R.E. offers you an experience to help make a difference, where your efforts are needed to care for innocent animal orphans; victims of wildlife crime. You will live in a biologially and wildlife important, protected Big 5 Nature Reserve, within a like-minded community of fellow helpers.

Volunteer contributions enables us to fund vital rescue missions, essential aspects of animal care, educate the next generation of future conservationists and succeed in our goals to rescue, rehabilitate and release baboons in need.

2 weeks - $600

Minimum stay & more time is recommended.

3 weeks - $900

You will start to feel confident and trained on basics during week 3.

4 weeks - $1,200

A good amount of time to feel fully trained on basic tasks and develop some bonds with any orphans.

5 weeks - $1,500

You may be given extra responsibilities as you begin to grasp the extent of the centres operations.

8 weeks - $2,400

A fulfilling amount of time (can you ever get enough) and you may have had the chance to learn to identify some troops.

12 weeks - $3,400

We prefer longer stays such as 12 weeks and upwards, as it means you can truly make a lasting difference and achieve extra responsibilities & more technical tasks such as feeding alone and monitoring.

Weeks 5-8 - $300 pw

* please note that the quote is in USD and you will be required to pay transfer fees from Hoedspruit airport, Phalaborwa town or Grietjie Nature Reserves Gate to C.A.R.E. Wifi is also paid additionally onsite and a once-off reserve entrance fee of R100 (South African Rands).

Weeks 9+ - $250 pw

*discounted stays might be available to those with South African Nationality, a relevant degree or a career in animal care. Please send us your CV if you are looking for a longterm position.

Transfers

C.A.R.E. can pick you up from Hoedspruit Airport or Grietjie Nature Reserve's gate. Meaning you can get a connection flight or a shuttle. Please see the associated costs for the transfer below.

2 weeks

$600

8 weeks

$2400

3 weeks

$900

4 weeks

$1200

5 weeks

6 weeks

$1,500

$1800

7 weeks

$2100

9 weeks +

$250 per week thereafter

* Quoted in USD

Please see costs for transfers.

For stays over 90 days, a visa extension is required.

For stays over 90 days, we can provide further discounts if you can fulfil animal-care, kitchen staff or educational staff roles.

International Travellers;

We recommend landing in Johannesburg airport and then getting either;

A connecting flight to HOEDSPRUIT AIRPORT (approx. 1.5 hours duration).

or a SHUTTLE SERVICE to Grietjie Nature Reserve Gate (approx. 5-6 hours drive in a airconditioned, well maintained and recommended shuttle service. The shuttle services we recommend are;

Swift Kruger Shuttles; visit their website to get an up to date itinerary and quote

You will be selecting the service to Balule Grietjie Gate

Safari Link Shuttle; visit their website to get an up to date itinerary and quote

You will use the Johannesburg to Phalaborwa Shuttle service and note when you book your departure or pickup will be Grietjie Nature Reserve Gate.

The shuttle service is limited to one a day, it is cheaper but the availability and time schedule may not suite your schedule. Additionally, it is also a cheaper transfer for us to pick you up from as it is the entrance to the reserve we are located on.

The flight is more costly, and also our transfer fee to pick up / drop off is also costlier as it is a 1h45min drive for us each way from the centre.

Hoedspruit Airport

Pick Up / Drop-Off Cost; R400 each way (ZAR)

Please note it is around a 1 hour 10-minute, journey from C.A.R.E. to the airport. We charge to cover our staff's time, fuel, wear and tear. It is charged per person.

Please note, we do not accept arrivals on any day except a Monday.

Departures on any weekday other than a Monday are charged an additional R400 (ZAR) fee

Departures on a weekend; you will need to book a private transfer (we can assist you to get a quote / booking from a local company).

Grietjie Nature Reserve Gate

Pick Up / Drop-Off Cost; R150 each way (ZAR)

Please note it is around a 20-minute, journey from C.A.R.E. to the entrance gate. We charge to cover our staff's time, fuel, wear and tear. It is charged per person.