HOEDSPRUIT REPTILE CENTRE
Lowveld, Limpopo, South Africa
Mission Statement
- to conserve through education and research.
- to locate, propagate and relocate rare and endangered reptiles, amphibians and arachnids.
- to establish viable captive populations of rare and endangered reptiles, amphibians and arachnids.
This program gives volunteers gives you a unique experience working with a wide range of indigenous and exotic reptiles, including venomous species. Individuals will get a practical, hands-on experience in the day to day running of the Centre and learn about advanced reptile care and husbandry. You will assist in educating guests to the centre, helping promote the importance of reptiles and why they need to be protected.
As well as daily duties in animal enclosures and feeding you may get the opportunity to take part in snake call outs and rescues, attend all courses and lessons done at the centre as well as participate in necropsies and veterinary procedures whenever necessary.
Depending on the duration of your stay, you may also be taken into the African wilderness in order to observe and survey reptile activity in a natural setting.
Cost (2023 Rates)
2 weeks £320
3 weeks £570
4 weeks £820
Additional weeks at £200 per week
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Basic Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner items provided daily to be cooked from a set menu by the volunteers
Min Stay 2 Weeks (4 weeks is recommended)
Age 18+
What's included:
- Transfers for arrival and departure to/from Hoedspruit, Limpopo
- Linen (except towels)
- Housekeeping in communal areas
- Training from Qualified Staff
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Items (excludes own snacks, soft drinks and alcohol)
- WiFi access
- Accredited reptile orientation and snake handling certificates (for those staying more than two weeks, based on successful completion of practical assessments)
Overview
Duration
The Hoedspruit Reptile Centre volunteer program has a minimum stay of 2 weeks although 4 weeks is recommended for a full experience.
Start dates
The project start day is TBD
Daily to Day
At the Reptile Centre each day is different - whilst your day will start with animal husbandry duties (looking after the display animals as well as the rehab research areas), you may then find yourself assisting on a reptile rescue call out to then jumping on an emergency trip to deliver life saving anti-venom to a nearby hospital/clinic. Whilst each day may be unpredictable, it will definitely be an adventure!
Find more information on possible daily activities.
Courses/Tours
You will also be able to attend any courses/tours offered at the park when they take place. Some of these courses are:
- Reptile Orientation
- Standard Snake Capture Course
- Advanced Snake Capture Course
- School Group Visits
- Photographic Tours
- Interactive Tours
- Demonstration Package
- Guided Tours
- Research Events
- Educational Talks
Accommodation
Electricity is readily available with South African 3-pin plugs.
Hot Water is available for showers and water is safe to drink from the designated taps.
The project caters for three meals a day. A simple help-yourself breakfast will be provided, whilst Lunch and Dinner will work from a Set Menu which all volunteers will assist in making.
Special diets can be catered for by prior arrangement. This may result in an additional cost if specialised items need bringing in.
Daily Activities
(Due to the unpredictability of wild animals, not all activities can be guaranteed - especially for short term volunteers)
Animal Husbandry
An important daily task involves looking after the centre's animals housed in the public display area, rehab centre and research area. You will be helping clean enclosures, preparing food and participating in preventative medicine procedures.
Enrichment Projects
TBD
Reptile Rescue, Release and Research
TBD
SECAP Community Project
(Snake Education and Community Awareness Program)
TBD
Anti-Venom Delivery
TBD
Filming/Photography
TBD