International Volunteer
You are considered an international volunteer if...
- You are a citizen from a foreign country
- South African born but has not been a resident of the country for more than 3 years.
- A foreign student in South Africa, with less than 1 year of study left to complete.
What work will I be doing?
Be warned!!! Penguins and other seabirds are wild animals and will bite given the opportunity.
As a volunteer you will become an extension of our team of Bird rehabilitators. Be aware that you won’t be handling birds on the first day, but certainly by the end of the first week you will be helping with most handling and feeding tasks and you may very well become an enclosure supervisor towards the 3 week mark, depending on the type and conditions of the seabirds in our care.
If you want to learn more, broaden your knowledge or make the best of this opportunity, then we would highly recommend that you have a look at the online e-learning or classroom based training courses offered by SANCCOB’s Eco-Skills Academy.
Have a look at this short video of the tasks that you will be expected to help with
Read more about what other international volunteers have said about their volunteer experience
Work hours and schedule
- SANCCOB is open 365 days of the year and over the past number of years, November-January has been our busiest time of the year.
- Each day starts with a morning meeting at 08h00 and volunteers need to be at SANCCOB at approx 7h45.
- All our international volunteers receive a work schedule on their first day at SANCCOB.
- Working routine 8h00 – 17h30, up to 5 days per week. (including some weekends and public holidays) Days off is not always scheduled together.
- The volunteer schedule may change on short notice especially in crises situations.
- The day includes a 1 hour lunch break and shorter breaks for tea or coffee in the morning and afternoon but your flexibility is highly appreciated during busy times.
Who can participate?
Anybody over the age of 18 years
If you are flexible, hard working, love to take initiative and don’t mind the smell of fish then this programme is for you.
Do I need to have any special qualification/training?
The learning curve in the first week is steep. To help you be better prepared for this experience and the seabirds that you will be working with, SANCCOB’s Eco Skills Academy has specifically designed the Seabird Care & Conservation training course . This training course will introduce you to all the different aspects of working and caring for penguins and seabirds and although it isn’t required, it is highly recommended.
Programme length
6 weeks minimum
Special volunteering programmes exist for registered university students in Animal Science and Conservation fields , Zoo and aquarium keepers and volunteers looking for internship opportunities .
Programme cost
$140/£90/€105
Additional week - R200/$25/£15/€20
Your programme fee also includes include a complimentary volunteer T-shirt and a seabird release trip (weather and bird permitting).
What about accommodation?
Unfortunately SANCCOB doesn’t offer accommodation but email us for a list of places of accommodation that many international volunteers have made use of in the past.
Need more information?
Click here for more information, terms and conditions of participation
How do I know that I will enjoy this project?
Before you complete the volunteer application form why not take this fun 5 minute quiz to see if this project is for you!
How to apply?
