micatz animal and wildlife volunteer projects for south africa 2012

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Information guide Volunteer workLion & Predator ProjectKroonstad


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Webmail ; www.micatz.org ;Email; [email protected] ;Tel;+25576707352 2

Index

What is Lion & Predator Project Kroonstad? ........................................................................... 3The surrounding ........................................................................................................................ 3How to get there? ...................................................................................................................... 4Activities..................................................................................................................................... 6Other activities .......................................................................................................................... 6When is the project starting? .................................................................................................... 7Costs ........................................................................................................................................... 7The accommodation ................................................................................................................. 7Telecommunication and medical facilities ............................................................................... 8What are the terms? .................................................................................................................. 8Extra money ............................................................................................................................... 8Immunization & Vaccination ..................................................................................................... 8Passport ..................................................................................................................................... 8Visa ............................................................................................................................................. 9Weather ..................................................................................................................................... 9Clothing ...................................................................................................................................... 9Other .......................................................................................................................................... 9

Checklist .................................................................................................................................... 10


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What is Lion & Predator Project Kroonstad?

Kroonstad is a breeding park for Lions and Jaguars and other carnivores. Youll have the amazingexperience working closely with these majestic animals by feeding and caring for them, raisingthe cubs by hand and being involved in all the day to day activities of a lion park. This is a once in alife time opportunity. You will be working alongside people with years of experience and who are

experts in the lion breeding and caring business. Cubs need lots of attention and youll have theopportunity to be closely involved in raising them. The breeding park is 1100 hectares big. You willcome face to face with lions, jaguars and tigers. It is an amazing experience being accepted bythese wild animals. The breeding park is in constant need of assistance and you will be of greathelp to these cats.

This will be a most rewarding experience, working closely with African wild life. You will have theopportunity to travel and experience South Africa. You will also meet other volunteers from allover the world.

The surroundingThe nearest city to the Lion Project is Kroonstad. The population of Kroonstad is around 100,000.Kroonstad, situated on the banks of the Vaals River half way between Johannesburg andBloemfontein, is an important agricultural and commercial centre and a railroad junction.The town was founded by voortrekkers (Dutch settlers) on April 20th 1855 and named afterKroon, the favourite horse of Sarel Cilliers, leader of the trek. As a staging point on the mainnorth-south road it grew rapidly, and around 1900 was briefly the capital of the Orange Free Staterepublic.Kroonstad has preserved a number of handsome old buildings, including the old market hall, thetown hall, the post office and the offices of the Standard Bank.The town has shops, restaurants, swimming pools and a few other facilities. Within 1 hours drive

you can find different parks.


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How to get there?

We know that some travellers like to make their own arrangements to get the project. This oftendepends on your plans before and after your stay at the project. Some volunteers have enoughexperience to find their own way to Kroonstad and if you dont have a clue of where to start,dont worry! micatz offers the additional service of arranging the journey for you.

The Travel Booking Service:

Step 1: Once your volunteering at the project is confirmed and you have paid 50% of yourvolunteering fee to confirm your booking, you tell us which of the arrival and departureoptions you want and we prepare a travel schedule for you with estimated costs.

Step 2: You approve the travel schedule and we make the various bookings and pay for them.Once all the bookings are confirmed we will provide you with- invoice you for these costs,- Your finalised travel schedule with any emergency contact numbers you may need

during your travelling,- Vouchers for various bookings.

Step 3: The outstanding balance is to be paid at least 45 days before your arrival.

Step 4: You enjoy your trip and volunteering at MICATZ Volunteer Projects

Travel suggestions:Volunteers arrive at OR Tambo International Airport on the Sunday before starting the project,stay over in Johannesburg at the Road Lodge Hotel or Emerald Backpackers.

Road Lodge Johannesburg Airport (www.citylodge.co.za): R475 R500 per double room per night

(Standard smoking or non-smoking room with one double bed and sleeper chair, shower,toilet and basin in the room.)

R57 one way pp airport shuttle service departing every 30minutes from OR TamboInternational Airport between 5:00 am and 11:30 pm.

R50 pp breakfast

Emerald Backpackers (www.emeraldguesthouse.net): FREE airport shuttle

R230 pppn dorm bed

R450 p/night standard single room R475 p/night deluxe single room

R600 p/night standard double room

R650 p/night deluxe double room

Restaurant on site for meals.

On the Monday, after a good nights rest, you take go back to OR Tambo International Airportand take The City bug Shuttle Service from there straight to Kroonstad.

City bug Shuttle Service (www.citybug.co.za) :

R380 one way per personOR Tambo Bus & Coach Terminal to Kroonstad N1 Shell Ultra City
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(Departure at 1:30 pm and arrival at 3:40 pm)

Kroonstad N1 Shell Ultra City to OR Tambo Bus & Coach Terminal(Departure at 9:00 am and arrival at 11:30 am.)

From Kroonstad the project will pick you up.

Estimated costs travel costs:Dorm bed Accommodation R 230 p/nightCity bug Shuttle Service R 380 p/person one way (Airport to Kroonstad)

City bug Shuttle Service R 380 p/person one way (Kroonstad to Airport)

Total R 990 (calculated with one night dorm bed accommation atEmerald Backpackers)

*Please note that these are estimate prices*

Other Services offered by MICATZ

www.bazbus.co.za (MICATZ offers 5% discount on ticket price)

www.nomadtours.co.za (MICATZ offers 10% discount on tour price)

Do you want to make use of the MICATZ Travel Booking Service? We will need:- Your flight details- Your preferred accommodation before or after your participation at the project

Are you making your own plans to get to Kroonstad Shell Ultra City?

- Please let us know what time you need to be picked up from the Kroonstad N1 Shell Ultra City,we will arrange this with the project.

MICATZ Volunteer Projects can make bookings with Road Lodge, Emerald and/or City Bug ShuttleService on your behalf and ad the charges to your invoice once we have received you 50% deposit. Aonce-off booking fee applies of R500.


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Activities

You will be working for appr. 6-8 hours a day with lunch and other breaks. This will be flexible tosuit the animals needs. Days off can be arranged with the project coordinator and will depend onthe amount of volunteers at the reserve at the time of your stay. These off days can be used toenjoy some time in town or do some sightseeing. Transport to town can be arranged.

The first week will involve training to feed, handle and care for these carnivores. Your trainershave years of experience and they dedicate their lives to these amazing cats.

Your task will include the following:

Hand feeding and comforting cubs (male and female)

Cutting up carcasses to feed the slightly bigger cubs

Being a caregiver to the cubs

Playing with young cubs

Cleaning enclosures big lions (twice a week)

Pick up carcasses with the truck so the lions can eat!

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.

Lodge management when needed

Newborn cubs (up to 2 weeks) need to be fed every 2 hours. From 2 weeks to 1 month old it isevery 3 hours. After the first month they will need to learn to eat meat and you will be theirmother teaching them.

Working with big lions is not 100% safe. So your main task is to take care of the cubs and othersmall animals and you have to understand that it is not possible to work with the big lionseveryday. You will have occasions to work closely with the bigger lions.

Every Sunday at 16.00hr the project organizes a feeding tour for visitors.

IMPORTANT!!Upon arrival you will need to sign an Indemnity Form as this project is at your own risk and noresponsibility can be taken by the Project for any of your interactions with the lions or other cats.Your safety is the highest priority and is applied maximum to provide a safe environment for thevolunteers.

Other activities

+- 45min drive from Kroonstad; it is possible to do a spectacular Game drive.

This trip includes:- Pick up and return from project (they have a public license).- Game drive - Lots of game, Buffalo and rhino..........- A drink.- Snacks on arrival.- A guided educational walk in the fields of Vredeforts dome.- A meal (Lunch/Dinner).Time period: 8- 14h or 14h till after dinner.


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Please keep in mind that due to the remote location of the project, transport to activities can bearranged but availability can not be guaranteed.

When is the project starting?

The project starts and ends on Mondays.

Costs

The prices include accommodation and daily supervision.

The fee excludes your flight, food and other personal expenses, visa, immunization and transportto the project from OR Tambo International Airport Johannesburg (price: 300 ZAR)

Minimum stay is 2 weeks, the below costs are given into South African Rand and in order for youto convert it into your home currency or into $USD then go towww.xe.com2 weeks R 8 0003 weeks R 12 200

4 weeks R 15 5005weeks R 17 0006-weeks R190007-weeks R210008-Weeks R23000All extra weeks will be charged R 4000 per week.

Travel Booking Service R500 (optional)

Because of the currency fluctuation the donations given should be made in South African Rand(ZAR). Currency conversion information can be obtained fromwww.xe.com.

Your donation will not only be helpful for the support of these projects but will also be used forthe maintenance of buildings in the area, food for animals and for the organization of activities.

Break Down of Volunteering Fees:Accommodation 50 %Project management 20 %Admin and Marketing costs 20 %Staff costs 10 %

The accommodationThe park is situated 15 km from the nearest town in the hart of South Africa. The area has superbbush and grasslands. It is easy to reach and to travel to other destinations. This is also a malariafree area. You will be staying in a chalet with a bathroom and kitchen, sharing with a maximum of4 other volunteers. The chalet has an outside porch where meals can be enjoyed. Where possible;couples or partners will have a shared bedroom for themselves. The chalet is fully equipped witheverything youll need, including a television, kitchen, etc.

Theres a swimming pool with bar for those warm African days. The best part is that the lodge isonly 50 meters away from the lions. Youll have the amazing time of lying in your bed andenjoying the African lion roar!
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You can use your own kitchen (fridge and stove), together with your roommates. Once a weekthe project will organise transport for you to Kroonstad. There you can find any shop needed tobuy food and other necessary items.

There are also cleaning ladies available, who can do your washing and dishes. When they are not

there you need to do your own dishes of course. A fully stocked bar is there to buy cool drinksand beers.

Telecommunication and medical facilities

There is cellularphone reception. Its best to buy a prepaid SIM card in South Africa for R10 (1Euro). There is no internet in the park, but internet is accessible in town. The nearest hospital in acase of emergency is only 15km away.

What are the terms?

- When you arrive, you have to sign the indemnity form of the Lion project, before you start towork.

- Love for animals and wildlife.- No facial-piercing with studs or rings and heavy tattoos.- No high expectations to save the African Lion but to have a great experience working with lionsand other animals.- Being flexible and independent and understanding that things change and every season has itswork and tasks involved.- Over 18 years of age.

Extra money

This depends on your spending habits. South Africa is not an expensive destination. 50 euros aweek in the park would cover more than the basics. For outings or tours outside the project there

are additional costs.

Immunization & Vaccination

This is a malaria free area. Volunteers can have rabies and anti-tetanus injections should they wish.It is best to contact your local physician before you leave your country.

Passport

Your passport must have enough pages for any visa. Your passport should have 2 pages free forevery country to be visited. Please ensure that you take your own passport out from your hotel /

backpackers safe the night before departure. It is absolutely necessary that you make a copy ofyour passport and give it to your supervisors; we strongly recommend that you also leave a copyat home or with some friends. Please note that South Africa insists on people having 2-free pagesavailable when you enter. Keep this in mind if you are going to fly home from South Africa aftercompleting a tour to multiple African countries.Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months after your date of departure fromAfrica.You are personally responsible for ensuring that passports, visas, vaccination certificates andother travel documents are in order and for all costs relating thereto.


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Visa

As visa requirements vary considerably, please contact the various embassies or a visa serviceagent to recheck, visa requirements at least 4 weeks prior to departing. Please note that visas arethe responsibility of the traveller and that Khaya will not be held responsible for clients being

denied entry should they not be in the possession of the relevant visas. All travellers must be inpossession of a valid onward/return air ticket.

IN DOUBT OR REQUIRE A VISA?Contact the embassy in your home country or contactVISA SOLUTIONS (R.S.A)Telephone +27 21 425 5896E-mail:[email protected]

Weather

Temperatures during the year:

Summers get really warm and winters very cold. This is a summer rain fall area. There is usually nosnow in winter.

Summer (Dec, Jan and Feb): 16 35 CelsiusAutumn (Mar, April and May): 10 - 32 CelsiusWinter (June, July and Aug): -5 - 25 CelsiusSpring (Sep, Oct and Nov): 10 - 32 Celsius

Clothing

Its best to wear natural colour clothing. Bright colours might scare the animals and it fits the

working place more. In winter time it can be very cold, so bring warm clothing and a jacket and insummer remember the swimming costume! A hat is also of utmost importance.

Other

It is recommended that you do some reading and research about white lions, lions, jaguars, tigersand cheetahs and other wild life. This will help you understand and learn a lot more about theanimals.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Checklist

Your clothing should be easy to wash and dry and should preferably not need ironing. Avoidsynthetics, which can be very uncomfortable in hot weather. Many people underestimate howcold Africa can be in the winter months (May to August) remember that jersey/jacket and warm

clothes! There are also nights that are warm but you must still wear clothes that cover arms andlegs from mosquitoes. Take a set of casual but smart clothes for the occasional evening out in arestaurant or club. If you wear glasses (or contacts) it is also advisable to bring a spare pair. Pleasebe aware that your clothes are going to get dirty!

Bring:. Flashlight. Sunglasses. Passport, Visas and Medical & Travel Insurance documents. A "willingness- to- learn- and- participate" attitude. Natural-coloured/camouflage clothing and sun hat preferably that covers the back of

your neck.. Comfortable walking shoes. Thick socks. Personal toiletries and towels. Sunscreen lotion. Insect repellent. Swimwear. Small basic First Aid kit (painkillers, band aids, after-sun lotion, eye drops, anti-diarrhoeaTablets etc.)

. Passport (plus a copy of your passport & visas)

. Extra passport photos

. Vaccination certificate

. Extra money in South African Rands


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Good luck and have a great and purring time at the Lion Project Kroonstad!

Please note:

Khaya Volunteer Projects commits itself to offer accurate and correct information at any time, butplease keep in mind that information can change and all projects can be subject to changes

regarding their programmes and/or accommodation arrangements. MICATZ Volunteer Projects isa facilitating organization and does not run their own projects. Therefore Khaya cannot

take responsibility whatsoever for any changes concerning any programme we offer. You willparticipate solely at your own risk and MICATZ Volunteer Projects cannot be held liable for any

damages, loss, theft, injuries or death before, during or after your stay.

If you have any more questions, contact us [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

micatz animal and wildlife volunteer projects for south africa 2012

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