Home / Volunteer Reviews / Animal volunteer reviews / Cheetah Reintroduction - South Africa
Cheetah Reintroduction - South Africa - Volunteer reviews
Click here to go to the South Africa Cheetah Reintroduction page
Paul – 2012
“Well arrived here with an open mind on what to expect and have nothing but been pleased with what I have experienced seen and done. The friendliness of everybody here has been great. Especially Leante and Dane (They asked for a special mention and paid me)!!
Within a couple of hours of been here the new volunteers were shown around and met the cheetahs even though the staff where on free time. Over the following 2 weeks I have interacted, fed, run, cleaned houses, stroked and most of all learnt a lot more about these wonderful and quite beautiful animals. Each cheetah has its own character and it’s great just getting to know each personality. Not sure I’ve come away with a favourite but Finley stands out.
Over days off we had visits to Boskoppie and bush walks we enabled us to have interaction with Lions and Tigers and get up close to Lions, Tigers, Giraffe, Zebra, Eland, Blesbok, Springbok, Black and Blue Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest plus others. Even just wonder down to the river to see water monitors and rock dassie.
So not only does the project help you to work closely with cheetahs and help save these wonderful animals, but you get to see a whole host of wildlife just on your doorstep.”
Trine – 2012
“Being at the Cheetah Reintroduction project was amazing! I really enjoyed it, and the staff were so great! I had the time of my life, and will never forget it!!!
A typical day starts with picking up poo, and change water in the early morning. After breakfast, we worked 2-3 hours and had a nice lunch break. In the afternoon we spent time with the amazing cheetahs, just sat with them and talked and had fun. After that it’s dinnertime for the cheetahs, and you have the evening free, chillin' with the other volunteers, making dinner, watching tv etc.
Most rewarding part of the project: Being with the cheetahs!
What advice would you give to others considering this project? Enjoy every minute and be open-minded! :)
Why do you think others should volunteer abroad? Because they would have the time of their lives!
Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others? Yes I would recommend PoD. Because everything was so well represented and organised and I felt safe all the way.”
Geoff – 2011
“How are you enjoying your time at the project? Have to say ... this has to have been the best experience of my life so far !! It really has been like a dream ... but unfortunately time to "wake up " is soon approaching !!
Quite an amazing experience and something I will not forget for some time to come! Although there were some tough times ... The more positive events out-numbered them and many times there was much laughter. All people at the project were warm and genuine and most importantly quite clearly dedicated to their purpose (caring for the wonderful cheetahs) as well as supporting us. Leaving the project was hard and difficult and I am missing all the cheetahs, the staff and friends that I have made there and sincerely hope to return to volunteer again next year! Thank you so much for this wonderful time.
Typical day: Early start (6 am) for a coffee then off to do morning duties. After breakfast a typical day would include maintenance of enclosures and general clearing of the two sites. After lunch is time to get close to the cheetahs and play with the cubs. Late afternoon involved preparing the cheetahs’ food and feeding them and then back to base to chat and share our thoughts about the day before preparing our own dinner, relaxing and preparing for yet another full and eventful day. Never a dull moment!!
Most rewarding part of the project: Getting close to adult cheetahs, learning more about them and understanding their personalities! Being able to play with the cubs is something I will cherish for a long to come and look forward to seeing them when they are older.
Most challenging part of the project: Butchering the horses was not pleasant, but made easier by the professional way it was presented and by the staff who did all the nasty bits
What advice would you give to others considering this project? Go with an open mind, good sense of humour and enjoy. Make the most of your time there as time goes too quickly.
Why do you think others should volunteer abroad? An experience that once you decide to take you will never regret”
Louise – 2011
“An amazing project and a great time. I was very lucky with the group of volunteers I was with, as we all had a great laugh and a really good time as well as lots of good food!
As for the project itself, the people and animals are amazing, they made you feel like part of the family and you really got to work right with the animals. The animals are the most important thing in the project and are treated extremely well. If you are interested in working with big cats and getting right in there with them as well as learning a lot about them and their habits, go here. It is well worth the money and the people are amazing!
Typical day: Early morning jobs before breakfast are poo picking and grading and water bowls. Then home for breakfast, which is cooked three days a week. Mid morning jobs, which can be maintenance, cleaning, phase two, meat prep. After lunch jobs; cheetah time with either adults or cubs, feeding and final clean up.
What advice would you give to others considering this project? Take a nail brush, to clean under your nails with!!!!!
Why do you think others should volunteer abroad? Because it’s an amazing experience and you get to see an entirely different culture and way of life.”
Ariane – 2011
“I really enjoyed my time at the project and could not fault any person or aspect there at all. I met some amazing people and was surprised at how much each and every one of these people meant to me when it came to saying goodbye! For an experience of a lifetime; the project more than lived up to any expectations!!
A typical day at the centre consisted of morning routines such as cleaning the enclosures and refilling the water bowls, some mornings would also include a run for one or two cheetahs. After this time came breakfast and a variation of tasks such as slaughter or phase 2 area production and lunch. The afternoons always consisted of cheetah time which we spent with both the adult cheetahs and the cubs where we were able to take plenty of photos, ask questions and carry out any research we may have needed. Feeding time for the cheetahs consisted of preparing the meat and weighing out the correct amounts for each individual and recording the times in which the feed was provided and finished.
The most rewarding part of the project I found was feeling so accepted by both the staff and the cheetahs at the centre and being privileged to work to closely with both.
The most challenging part of the project I found was dealing with the slaughter process and becoming involved in this task. Although preparing the meat for the cheetahs at meal time I coped with well.
What advice would you give to others considering this project? Definitely take a chance as the memories from the experience is one which you will carry with you forever and will never regret.
Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others? We chose PoD as the price for the placement seemed highly reasonable and the project and its aims were greatly endearing. I would recommend others to use PoD.”
Kim – 2011
“This project was amazing - certainly the most enjoyable/rewarding experience of my life so far. The cheetahs are beautiful and the staff are amazing - you get all the support you need and have so much fun! Even slaughter can be made fun which is something I never thought I would say (although it’s not for the squeamish!!) I was lucky that the project had three new cubs and spending time with them was fantastic. I couldn't have asked for a better experience - was gutted when I had to come home :-) I definitely want to go back to Africa next year - I think I have the bug now.
It was definitely a once in a lifetime trip and I would thoroughly recommend it to anybody else who is interested in volunteering. I couldn't fault anything to be honest. You get to meet amazing people, make new friends and spend time working with these amazing cats – what’s not to love?! If you're thinking about doing this project I have only two words for you - DO IT!
Typical day: Morning duties start off with collecting poo, cleaning and filling water buckets etc and on some days there is a cheetah run. After breakfast duties can include level 2 preparation, general maintenance and slaughter. Afternoon is spent with the cheetah's then late afternoon duties are feeding and cleaning. Date collection is also done during poo collection and feeding, as well as during a run.
What did you find most rewarding? Spending time with the cheetahs was amazing - it's something that most people never get the chance to do and certainly something I won't forget.
What advice would you give to others considering this project? Make sure you are prepared for slaughter :-)
Why do you think others should volunteer abroad? It's an experience of a lifetime - you get immersed in a different way of life, meet new people, make new friends and it's hugely rewarding. Far better than a normal holiday!
Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others? I would definitely recommend PoD to other people. I am hugely grateful for all your help before I went and for organising the placement.”
Roland – 2011
“How is life at the project? I love this place ... all's good. Great team locally (Estelle, Juanita and Lu-Marie), great house mates ... The cheetah and other cats (serval, caracal, genet) are wonderful ... this is definitely the trip of a life time that I knew it would be. It's great to be involved with this Project! I feel quite privileged, on all sorts of levels ...
The Cheetah Reintroduction Project is well thought through and provides the volunteers ample opportunity to get up close and personal with the 'Ambassador Cats'. Daily "Cheetah Time" was a real delight. It was a privilege for me to be involved with this project, to do something that was rewarding for me whilst at the same time enriching the lives of the cheetah. The balance between 'work' (non-arduous) and free time is about right. There were sufficient activities to do on your day's off, or if you just want to kick back and chillax - then you won't beat down by the Vaal Rocks.
What did you find most rewarding? Spending time with the three Cheetah cubs (who were one month old when I arrived), and the baby Serval that was found on a neighbouring farm and given the Owners of the Centre during my stay.
What did you find most challenging? The weekly 'slaughter' of a horse (sometimes two horses), from which the meat needs to be carved off the bones. Bear in mind that shooting a horse to provide food for the cheetah is just the way it is at the Centre. South Africa is not for sissys as someone once said to me, and you need to leave any sensitivities that you may have back in England (or wherever your homeland is)
What advice would you give to others considering this project? If you have a love of Big Cats, and Cheetah in particular, then I don't think you'd beat this experience.
Why do you think others should volunteer abroad? There are lots of projects where assistance is required in overseas territories. People need to support the causes that are close to their heart, which may not be in your home country.
Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others? I came across PoD and this Project via an Internet search. I would definitely recommend PoD to others. The pre-trip information booklet was very informative, and covered all the stuff that you needed to know.”
Jo – 2011
“The entire experience was AMAZING I loved the people, the place, everything ... I will be travelling back in the next couple of years as I know I will need a cheetah fix :)
This trip was one of the most amazing, eye opening and wonderful experiences of my life. I have met amazing people, experienced beautiful scenery and had the chance to work with wonderful animals and take home not only happy memories but information about Cheetah, and African conservation in general.
Typical day: Early morning cuppa, followed by morning chores (poo, water or data capture) then a cooked breakfast. The rest of the morning may be level 2 work, meat preparation or maintenance of the cheetah enclosures. Then lunch, followed by cheetah time and feeding then back to Vaal rock to eat dinner and relax before the next day.
What did you find most rewarding? Being with the cheetah
What did you find most challenging? Learning everything in a short space of time
What advice would you give to others considering this project? Be ready to work, to become completely absorbed into the centre’s work and message. Be willing to get to know new people, especially ones from different cultures and backgrounds.
Why do you think others should volunteer abroad? Because it allows you to grow both intellectually and in your personality. You get a whole new outlook on life, one which allows you to look out from you safety box and see the world clearer.
Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others? PoD seemed professional and friendly and they were, I would recommend them to others.”
Matthew – 2011
“I settled in great, everything is fantastic. Everyone was really nice, being that close to the cheetahs is amazing. Doing the Cheetah project was great it gave me a chance to work with big cats that have been hand raised and tolerate human interaction. It also gave me a chance to learn about the cheetahs and to live in a different culture.
Typical day: Wake up at 6:30 to start at 7. Clean out the enclosure of poo and then clean out the water buckets and re-fill them. Go back to the house to have breakfast at 8. Start at 9 to do general enclosure maintenance. Lunch at 1. 2-4 Cheetah time. 4 Feeding time. 4:30 finish and back to house.
What did you find most rewarding? Spending time with the cheetahs during cheetah time.
What advice would you give to others considering this project? Be prepared for slaughter, personally I didn't find it bad but some other people were shocked to see it and then do it.
Why do you think others should volunteer abroad? It gives you a chance to experience something different that you wouldn't have the chance to do in this country.”
Nicola - 2010
"This was a fabulous project with lots of time in the afternoons to interact with the cheetahs. Mainly light work sorting out cleaning the enclosures and giving the cheetahs water and food. On other days, much harder physical work when we cleared land for future phases of the project, making bushwalk routes or preparing the horsemeat. It was great fun on the days where we ran the cheetahs in a specially designed 100 meter run with a motorised lure. All days were early starts and finished around 5pm. Lovely staff at the centre who did their best to accomodate any request we had. I would thoroughly recommend this placement!
Typical day: Start at 07.30, split the jobs between us - cleaning water bowls and refilling them, picking up cheetah poo from the enclosures. Watching or being involved with runs. Some days clearing land. Afternoons preparing food and sitting with the cheetahs. Feeding time at 4pm. Clearing up until 5pm. Free time after that.
What did you find most rewarding? The time with the cheetahs
What did you find most challenging? The thorns on all the trees and bushes when we cleared the land. Gloves and long sleeves essential!
What advice would you give to others considering this project? Be prepared to work in hot weather. Remember the project is quite isolated, so you need to be ok with entertaining yourselves.
Why do you think others should volunteer abroad? It broadens your experience of the world"
Liz - 2010
"The cheetah reintroduction project was a great experience. Many people love the experience at Kruger most of all, but I must say the trip to Moholoholo (included in the Kruger trip) was the most educational and moving aspect for me. I've learned so much there about Africa and the wildlife, things that I never thought of. I will definitely miss Parker, Caines, Jemima, and Nala.
Volunteering gives you more access to the people, culture, and community of that country than vacationing does. The locals even appreciate what you are doing and love to offer any help or getting to know you.
I would definitely recommend PoD because they definitely want to make sure your experience is going well and will deal with any problems you are having as soon as possible. They take your concerns seriously to make sure you have the best experience possible."
Vikki – 2010
"It’s a wonderful experience, it really makes you appreciate all that you have, it shows you a different perspective on life. I absolutely LOVED this trip, it’s one of the best things I’ve done with my whole life."
Cally – 2010
"I loved the hands on experience you get with the cheetahs, being able to notice their different characteristics and behaviour. Just being involved in the work to look after them was a joy. There is nothing I didn’t enjoy and I don’t think anything should be changed. The programme is very good as it is."
Matt – 2010
"The cheetahs are amazing and so well looked after, you really feel that the project, and this in turn your own impact is helping such a magnificent animal. Also the Kruger trip was an excellent part of this experience, the chance to see animals in their natural environment is phenomenal and is topped off by the hugely rewarding Moholoholo tour which really brings home the enormity of the impact humans and animals have on our world."
Leanne - 2009
"This volunteer project has definitely been the best trip of my life. I have learnt so much not only about the cheetahs, but about many African species. The staff have been great. I would definitely recommend this volunteer project to others and would love to come back out myself."
Nigel – 2009
"From the first day to the last I have enjoyed every moment. I have only stayed two weeks but I know that I will be returning again to help with this worthwhile and rewarding programme."
Sara – 2009
"Really enjoyed my time here, will never forget it. Thanks for everything."
Greg – 2009
"I had a great experience, learnt a lot about the African wildlife and culture, learnt the importance of conservation and got to spend time with my favourite cats."
Heather - 2009
"The Kruger Trip was amazing. One of the best experiences of my life. From the time of pick up at the airport up until this point, I have felt well informed and fully supported. The experience has been great. I've learnt a lot over the month and wouldn't change a thing."
Alicia - 2009
"The staff and project I couldn't fault, it has been an amazing experience I will never forget."
Naomi - 2009
"I would just like to say that my time here has been one of the best of my life. I will be very sad to leave but I feel that I will never forget the excellent things I have experienced and learnt here."
Adrian - 2008
"It was great to be working alongside the staff and feel involved and valued."
Adam - 2008
"I have really enjoyed myself, both with the staff and animals! There are so many good things that it would require several pages to write it all down."
Click here to go to the South Africa Cheetah Reintroduction page
VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW VIDEO
WHY VOLUNTEER WITH PoD?
We are passionate about volunteering and are dedicated to providing well supported projects where there is genuine 2 way benefit.
