Our volunteer programme, the JGI Chimpanzee
Sanctuary Training Course, runs for a minimum of
one week. Monthly courses are also available.
During the course, volunteers work full days from
Monday to Friday (8:00-16:00), half a day on
Saturday (8:00-11:00) with an off day on Sunday. A
town trip is scheduled every Saturday. For the
first week of the course volunteers receive one
lecture per day, which focus on the history of
chimpanzees in Africa, chimpanzee diet and
behaviour, environmental education and sanctuary
management. Other activities include chimpanzee
behaviour monitoring, chimpanzee vocalisation
recording, patrolling reserve fence line, fruit
and vegetable sorting, planting trees inside the
enclosures and spraying herbicide. These
activities are subject to variation throughout the
year. However, the main emphasis of JGI volunteer
work is on chimpanzee behaviour monitoring as we
are currently conducting a study on our animals.
Due to health and safety precautions, we do not
offer chimpanzee handling for volunteers.
Package 1: “Wendy World Package”
Volunteers are housed in the rustic purpose built
volunteer accommodation on the Umhloti Nature
Reserve approximately 2km from the chimpanzee
sanctuary.
The course costs are
US$441-00
per week, including accommodation and three meals
per day.
Package 2: “Standard Room Package”
Volunteers are accommodated in standard rooms at
the Umhloti Lodge, adjacent to the chimpanzee
sanctuary and are able to experience the full
luxuries of the lodge.
The course costs are
US$1137-00
per week, including accommodation and three meals
per day.
Package 3: “Luxury Suite Package”
Volunteers are accommodated in a luxury suite at
the Umhloti Lodge, adjacent to the chimpanzee
sanctuary and are able to experience the full
luxuries of the lodge.
The course costs are
US$1431-00
per week, including accommodation and three meals
per day.
