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Volunteer for the Penguin and Marine Bird Rescue Center
Volunteer for the Penguin and Marine Bird Rescue Center

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Volunteer for the Penguin and Marine Bird Rescue Center

Trip Highlights

  • A one of a kind opportunity to volunteer for marine life, work for vulnerable African Penguins in Algoa Bay, a bay in the Eastern Cape, South Africa that’s located 425 miles east of the Cape of Good Hope
  • Get to make conservation efforts for marine birds such as gannets, cormorants, and seagulls
  • Duties handed out to volunteers for work in Sea School, and Bird School. 
  • Get to feed penguins, prepare their feed and vitamins and clean the area
  • Do something good for marine life, get to live in the incredibly diverse Algoa Bay and  explore the beautiful town of Port Elizabeth

Overview

Overview

If you have the urge to work with animals and care to protect the penguins in South Africa, then Volunteering Solutions has the perfect program you! The Penguin and Marine Bird Rescue Program aims at protecting and caring for the avian species who have been affected by the adverse effects of human behavior.

Volunteering Solutions, in association with a local South African organization, focuses mainly on caring for sick or injured African Penguins (also known as Jackass Penguins) because of their vulnerability as well as other marine birds such as gannets, cormorants, and seagulls. As a volunteer, you'll have to play an active role to rescue and rehabilitate, as well as to inform and educate the public through their different programs. The extensive displays at the center give tourists, school groups, and other visitors the opportunity to learn about these endangered birds but also a wider variety of marine life in the beautiful and incredibly diverse Algoa Bay.

This program would be a perfect choice for animal lovers, who wish to make a difference through active contribution. 


Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Participation in this program requires a minimum time commitment of 6 weeks. Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working outdoors and should have a keen interest and love for animals. Volunteers joining this program should be physically fit and comfortable working outdoors and getting their hands dirty. The participant should be compassionate and of a caring nature with a love for sea birds. Participants in the program need to be up to date with their Tetanus vaccination prior to joining the program.


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Being a part of this project, you'll be playing an active role in carrying out the following:

  • Assisting in a variety of tasks and activities such as Welcoming visitors, Answering the phone and office duties, Guiding visitors and school groups through the center, Helping at the coffee shop when needed.


Work at the Sea school 

  • Teaching the visiting children about the center
  • Helping with rock pool and shipwreck lessons
  • Looking after displays and educational material


Work at the Bird hospital

  • Scrubbing and cleaning the bird hospital facilities
  • Preparing food and medication
  • Feeding the penguins and other birds
  • Cleaning and caring for the birds that are brought in
  • Joining the staff (when possible) at rescues in the Port Elizabeth area

Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

You'll be working from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Weekends are off and you can head out to explore the beautiful town of Port Elizabeth.

The program starts on Monday and the volunteers will have to arrive that day. You will be picked up at either the airport or any accommodation in Port Elizabeth on Monday morning, after which you will have time to settle in and explore the area. Tuesday will be your introduction day at the project. If you arrive before Monday we can assist with accommodation at a backpackers or guesthouse for you.

Note: Participation is per full weeks only and the project will be closed for about 3 weeks over Christmas and New Year’s every year.


Living

Living

Airport Transfer

Volunteers are picked up from the Port Elizabeth Airport on the program start date i.e Monday and dropped off back to the airport after their project stay is over. Daily transportation to and from project placement to the accommodation is also included in your program fee.

Orientation

Upon arrival all volunteers are given a detailed welcome pack with information guide, free sim card, maps etc. Volunteers are also given an introduction to the program as well as a tour of the area around before starting their program.

Accommodation

Volunteers in the Port Elizabeth program are provided accommodation at a volunteer home. It is a gorgeous home with loads of space. Whether you prefer to unwind in the garden, at the pool or in the lounge; this home has a special place for everyone.

The home was built in grand old architectural style and is decorated with modern touches. The house has a swimming pool for use in summer and a fireplace for winter.

The property is well secured and superbly located within walking distance of the beach, restaurants, laundry & shops.

Meals

Three meals per day are included and we work on a set menu per week, lovingly prepared by our cook with your assistance. There is free coffee, tea and drinking water available at any time.For breakfast you will have continental buffet with a choice of bread, fruit, yoghurt, cereals and/or eggs. For lunch, you can make your own sandwiches with cheese, marmalade, cold meat or other spreads to take with you to the project. Dinners are a variety of hearty healthy meals such as soups, stews, pies, oven dishes and other options.

We cater for vegetarians and vegans but please inform us before arriving to prepare accordingly.

During your Free Time

You will have the weekend free wherein you will have time to explore other locations in South Africa as well.You can choose to fly into Cape Town for the weekend and explore the city or just spend the weekend chilling at the volunteer house with other likeminded volunteers from around the world.Other activities that you can get involved in include sandboarding down the giant dunes, having close encounters with peaceful pachyderms at Addo Elephant Park, hiking in the lush coastal countryside around Port Elizabeth…and much more


Dates

Dates

2024

2025

January

08

15

22

29

February

05

12

19

26

March

04

11

18

25

April

01

08

15

22

29

May

01

08

15

22

29

June

03

10

17

24

July

01

08

15

22

29

August

05

12

19

26

September

02

09

16

23

30

October

07

14

21

28

November

04

11

18

25

December

02

09

16

January

06

13

20

27

February

03

10

17

24

March

03

10

17

24

31

April

07

14

21

28

May

05

12

19

26

June

02

09

16

23

30

July

07

14

21

28

August

04

11

18

25

September

01

08

15

22

29

October

06

13

20

27

November

03

10

17

24

December

01

08

15

22

29

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

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Costs

Costs

6 Weeks $1625
7 Weeks $1900
8 Weeks $2175
Extra Week $300

Please Note: -An application fee of $229 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. (A 5% international banking fee is charged at the time of payment)

What are you Paying for?

  • Information and assistance before departure 
  • Pick up upon arrival and drop off at the end of your stay
  • Welcome pack with the information guide, free SIM-card, maps, etc. upon arrival
  • City Tour and Introduction Programme
  • Accommodation in volunteer house close to the beach 
  • (7 nights per week of volunteering booked)
  • Volunteer coordinator available 24/7
  • 3 meals a day
  • Direct donation to the project’s needs
  • Transport to and from the project
  • The offer of weekend trips and outings (extra costs apply)
  • Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

  • Private Luxuries (snacks, soft drinks, alcohol etc.)
  • Costs for weekend outings to safari parks etc.
  • Air tickets
  • Insurance 
  • Weekend Pick up and Drop off at airport

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Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

FAQ's Application and Program Details

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Accommodation and Living

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