Living With Lions

Dates: May, 2017 │ Duration: 9 Days │ Destination: South Africa

Overview

Located on the same lodge that the ITV drama "Wild at Heart" was filmed, the Living with Lions project is an animal sanctuary that aims to look after sick, injured, and orphaned animals that are brought to the

project by local authorities and wildlife protection groups.

This program gives our volunteers the chance to have hands-on experience with some of the world's top predators: lions (including white lions), leopards, and cheetahs. You also have the chance to work with elephants, zebras, osteriches and wildebeest as well as an incredible plethora of other animals.

All volunteers should be ready and prepared to get "stuck in" at this program, as you are needed to assist our professional Game Rangers in the day-to-day tasks involved in running a sanctuary and wildlife conservation centre.

We receive volunteers from all around the world, so this project not only provides you with the opportunity to have a once in a lifetime experience working with Africa's top predators; you will also get to meet new people and make new friendships.

Location

The Living with Lions program is located an hour from Sandton/Johannesburg in the North West Province, on 750 hectares of sub-tropical woodland. It falls into the World Heritage Site of the ‘Cradle of Humankind.’ Over 340 species of birds have been identified in this area; other wildlife includes elephants, spotted hyenas, and hippos. The sanctuary's location is well known throughout the world due to its many film, documentary, and television productions, including Wild at Heart.

Project life

A volunteer’s typical day would start at 7am. Professional volunteer team leaders will guide you through your tasks and activities to ensure the safety of all of the volunteers at the program as well as to help educate our volunteers in animal behavior and conservation techniques. On a daily basis, tasks would range from: Cleaning out the animals’ water bowls and refilling with fresh water Preparing food for the big cats, and getting involved in hand feeding them by throwing meat over

the enclosure fences Feeding all the livestock on the farm Testing electric fences and repairing where needed Taking care of young and sick animals that have arrived at the program Cleaning animal enclosures Gardening; including weeding, raking, watering and planting new trees


During your volunteering experience, you will assist in the care of the horses on location, and will then ride them on a horseback safari in teams, which is truly an authentic way to explore the local area and view wildlife.

Each Thursday we organize a break from the hands on volunteer work, in order to give our volunteers an opportunity to attend some of our included excursions. This ranges from going on the Hartbeespoort mountain cable car ride, to see one of the most breathtaking views in the area. Other excursions on offer are a trip to Lesedi Cultural Village which celebrates the cultural traditions of several different peoples of Southern Africa.

For those who like outdoor activities, we also have zip-lining and for those that want to check out some of the meanest reptiles in South Africa, we also offer visits to a local crocodile sanctuary. We are also adding more options to this list so when you travel to the program, there may be more choices available to you!

Accommodation and Food

You will be staying in dormitory style cabins with access to electricity, comfortable western style beds and western style bathroom facilities. Meals are fully catered for, and this usually involves "Braii" (South African Barbeque), other South African cuisine as well as Western style cuisine so that all tastes including Vegetarian fare is provided. All clothes washing is included, and you have full access to the washrooms throughout your stay.

Safety

- All groups are given a thorough induction and guidance to safety at the project upon arrival by our team

- A fire station, police station and hospital are all within 20 minutes’ drive from the project - All of our staff that will be supervising the groups while they are volunteering are fully trained

Game Rangers. They have their level 3 qualification from the Field Guide Association of South Africa, which includes advanced training on Health and Safety, First Aid plus Animal Care and Management

- The accommodation blocks that we use are very secure, are split into dormitories by gender and have fences surrounding the buildings to ensure safety

- Risk assessments have been done for all of the activities at the project


Tentative Day Wise Itinerary*

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

DAY 8am to 9am 9am to 10am

10am to 12noon 12noon to 2pm

2pm to 5pm

Day 1 Monday

Horse and Elephant Maintenance, Lion Trek or Elephant Walk

Breakfast Cheetah Interaction, Farm Maintenance, Lion Training Camp etc

Lunch Farm maintenance, Game Drive, Mud Pool, Bush Walk etc.

Day 2 Tuesday




Day 3 Wednesday




Day 4 Thursday

EXCURSIONS

Day 5 Friday




Day 6 Saturday




Day 7 Sunday

RECREATION AT THE LODGE

Day 8 Monday




Day 9 Tuesday

Departure * Itinerary is subject to change / confirmation


Cost Proposal

Per Person Cost: Rs 1,87,500/

- Minimum Group of 15 + 1 x Chaperone on Complimentary basis

- Maximum Group of 30 + 2 x Chaperones on a Complimentary basis

Inclusions:

Airfare

Visa

Insurance

The complete Living With Lions Program

Accommodation

Meals: B / L / D

Transfers as per itinerary

Excursions & Sightseeing

Welcome pack, including an international plug, work gloves and some other gifts

Laundry

Exclusions:

Items of personal nature like telephones etc

Anything not mentioned in the itinerary

Cost of visit to the consulate for bio metrics, to catch the flight

Notes:

Eligibility: Participants must be at least 12 years & above

The program is only available in the month of May, 2017

All arrivals only on Monday's & departure on Tuesday

Fixed dates: 1st May│8th May │15th May │ 22nd May │29th May

Airfare has been considered as on 14 Jan 2017 any increase in airfare & / or taxes will be

applicable at actual, confirmation and fares are not guaranteed until tickets are issued.

Airline fares are very dynamic - they change daily, and sometimes hourly.

The only way to guarantee the price is to buy/issue the ticket.

Names should be as per the valid passport

Service Tax @ 4.5% will be extra at actual


Payment:

50 % payment to be made at the time of Registration & Balance 50 % payment is required 60

days before Departure

All payments to made to Travel To Learn as per account details given below:

Account Name: Travel To Learn Name of the Bank: HDFC Branch: Vijaynagar - Indore Account Number: 04042020003161 IFSC Code No: HDFC 0000404 Swift Code: HDFC INBB Cancellation:

10% if cancelled 90 days from the departure

50% if cancelled 60 days from the departure

100 % if cancelled 30 days from the departure

In all cases a minimum processing fee of Rs 5000/ pp will be non - refundable

Visa fees once applied cannot be refunded

If for some reason like lack of documents etc if a visa is rejected or has to be applied again visa

fees will have be paid for the second time

We hope that you find the program interesting & will offer this opportunity to the many students of

your school

Do you have any further questions or do you need any additional information, please write in or call we

would be happy to help you in any way we can

Regards

for Travel To Learn

Anupam Vaid General Manager


Education

Living With Lions