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Photography Project in a Primate Sanctuary in South Africa

Location South Africa
Start Date Every Monday
Duration
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The Project

Photography volunteers are needed to document all the monkeys at this monkey sanctuary just outside Plettenburg Bay in South Africa. The sanctuary is open the public and the monkeys in the sanctuary roam freely as they would in the wild. The aim of the project is that visitors leave with a greater understanding of the primates of the world and the threats they are facing. One of the main goals is to educate the public about the adverse effects of keeping primates and birds as pets, in terms of both physical and psychological health. Also important is to teach visitors about the rapid decline of natural habitats due to logging, mining, agriculture and human settlements. Visitors are also encouraged to buy goods wisely, ranging from second-hand or antique wood-products, to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics that were not tested on animals.

Around 450 apes, monkeys and lemurs live at the sanctuary, including gibbons, capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, spider monkeys, miniature monkeys, vervets, saki monkeys, howler monkeys, two species of langurs and three species of lemur.
Why the project needs you

A comprehensive catalogue of all the sanctuary’s residents has not yet been made and most of the information exists only in the notebooks and minds the keepers, curators and founders.
Compiling and typing up this information, along with taking photographs and film footage of individual primates and birds is an important on-going project that will take a long time to complete, it is something that the staff at the sanctuary simply do not have time to complete.

Project Location

The project is located 16kms outside the popular tourist destination of Plettenburg Bay. Plettenburg Bay (or Plett as it is known by locals) is one of the major attractions on the Garden Route. Its location on the Indian Ocean coast is one of extreme natural beauty. Originally christened “Bahia Formosa” (beautiful bay) by early Portuguese explorers, Plettenberg Bay offers visitors miles of sweeping, unspoilt golden beaches, a dramatic rocky peninsula, intriguing lagoons and estuaries, towering indigenous forests and unpolluted rivers and sea.
Project Facts

• Duration: 2-26 weeks
• Cost: £430 ($753) for 2 weeks, £45 ($79) per additional week
• Requirements: age 18+
• Location: Plettenburg Bay, South Africa
• Project activities: taking and editing photographs of all the primates in the centre
• Working hours: Flexible working hours, volunteers tend to work for around 6 hours per day
• Project Availability: Projects start every Monday of each month and run year-round
What is included

• Accommodation: Single or shared room in a volunteer house on-site
• Airport pick up and drop off
• Training: Pre-departure information pack and onsite orientation provided
• Support: 24 hour support
What is not included

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas
• Food

Your life outside the project

The project is located 16kms outside the town of Plettenberg Bay. Plettenberg Bay is one of the stops along the world famous Garden Route, meaning that tourists are well catered for. There’s a whole host of adventure activities that you can get involved in so if you fancy throwing yourself out of a plane (with a parachute attached!) or jumping into the sea and doing a spot of diving there’s plenty of opportunities available to you.

A few of the activities that you can try out in your free time are: whale watching, sea kayaking, diving, fishing, canoeing, bungee jumping, sky-diving, mountain biking, motorcycle adventures, canopy tours, scenic flights, game reserves, and golf.

If you prefer something a little calmer, there are miles of stunning beaches in the area and plenty of hikes and walks you can make in the surrounding area including the fabled Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains with an abundance of birdlife and vast expanses of Cape flora.
Ideas for Independent Travel

Kruger National Park

This is South Africa's largest game reserve and one of the oldest in Africa. The park is now part of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere, an area designated by the United Nations Education and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) as an International Man and Biosphere Reserve. Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. The best time to go is during the dry season (May - September) when the plains are sparse and animals are easier to view.

Drakensburg Mountains

The Drakensberg mountains of South Africa, known as the barrier of spears is a 200-kilometre-long mountainous world heritage site. There are a number of adventure activities that you can do including rock or ice- climbing, abseiling, white water rafting or take a helicopter ride to view the Drakenberg mountains from above.

Surfing in South Africa

South Africa is renowned around the world for it's many surfing hotspots due to the mix of beautiful coastal scenery and high quality surf. There is a strong surfing culture and way of life that is very contagious due to the friendly people and their enthusiasm and passion for the sport. Whether you are a novice or more experienced you will love surfing in South Africa. In the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, about an hour’s drive southwest of Port Elizabeth, Jeffreys Bay is one of the most famous surfing destinations in the world. Especially great during the winter months of June, July, and August, surfers come here for a great ride and for the renowned blue flag beaches.

Project Quality

Kaya evaluates every project we offer to ensure that we only commit to programmes with genuine need for volunteer aid, not just financial assistance. We develop relationships with the projects and help shape initiatives to ensure in the long run that we do not encourage dependence on outside help, but rather establish foundations on which the people can build and develop themselves. We also ensure that the members of those communities are open and eager to learn and discover our culture, as we become a part of theirs. The quality and sustainability of our programmes are very important to us. We want you to have the most fulfilling and memorable time as possible, and be part of something that is going to last into future generations.

Accommodation & Meals

Volunteers stay in a volunteer house, where, in most cases, they share their room with other volunteers. Shared rooms are usually single-sex. For more information about the amenities at the house see accommodation summary or please contact one of our advisors.

In-Country Coordinators

Each country coordinator is there to make sure your time in your programme runs smoothly. They will pick you up from the airport and take you on your orientation. All in-country coordinators are English speaking and are there to ensure you have all the information and resources for the best placement.

24/7 Emergency Support

As well as support from your in-country coordinators, you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line managed by Kaya staff, in case any problem should arise while you're overseas.

Kaya Help-desk

Each member of Kaya staff have worked, travelled, studied or volunteered abroad, and many staff have visited and volunteered in our projects knowing firsthand the country and nature of the programme placements. Their knowledge of international travel and volunteering is invaluable, and they can give you good advice and tips to make the most of your international placement.

Briefing Pack & Materials

Once you have booked a programme, an information pack will be sent out detailing everything you need to know - from specific project details and vaccinations required to the visa application process.

Airport Pickup

When you arrive at your destination a member of Kaya staff will meet you with a warm welcome at the airport and take you to your accommodation to get you set up for your stay.

Cultural Excursions

Kaya staff are at hand to help organise weekend excursions and activities, which can include visiting cultural places of significance and visiting various projects around the area. This way you can learn firsthand about each project and take part in local cultural and adventure activities.

Arrival Orientation

Shortly after you arrive you will be given your orientation by one of our in-country coordinators. They will show you your placement, local transport, take you into the local town, and show you things you can do in your spare time. Information regarding safety and security will be given along with some much needed lingo when moving and travelling around the area.

Funding for Individual Projects

If on your placement you wish to start up your own sub-project, a reasonable amount of funding will be provided. An example is: one volunteer arranged a basketball tournament for the street children where funding was provided for team shirts and trophies. This is a good chance to make your own lasting mark on a project and the people of your chosen country.

Local Community Benefits

Not only is your participation on your project of great help to the local communities, but so is the boost to the local economy that volunteers create while they are visiting.