VOLUNTEER

SANCCOB relies on volunteer support to carry out operational tasks at both centres. If you are seeking a place where you can donate your time and make a meaningful impact, then contact us.

International Volunteer Programme

Get hands-on experience working with endangered African penguins and other seabirds at the world renowned SANCCOB seabird centres in Cape Town or Gqeberha in South Africa.

  • You must be 18 years and over
  • No experience necessary
  • Minimum 6 weeks in Cape Town or Gqeberha
  • Placements all year round, with the busiest time in Cape Town from October to March.

As an international volunteer you will become an extension of our team of Bird rehabilitators, helping with most handling and feeding tasks.

Unfortunately, SANCCOB does not provide accommodation – but we can recommend accommodation used by many international volunteers in the past.

Your programme fee for a six week period will include a volunteer T-shirt and a seabird release trip (weather and bird permitting). Further information about the Cape Town and Gqeberha international volunteer programmes are available in the respective documents below.

Local Volunteer Programme

Local volunteers play an important role at SANCCOB’s centres in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape and are needed 365 days a year to perform tasks such as:

  • Assisting with seabird rehabilitation, cleaning and feeding birds
  • Driving/collecting seabirds
  • General centre maintenance and cleaning
  • Answering phones
  • Education/behind the scenes tours
  • Marketing/fundraising

Volunteers must be 18 years or older and reside permanently in the Cape Peninsula (Western Cape) or in the local Eastern Cape surrounds. Half day and full day shifts are available week days and over weekends. Our volunteers assist with important daily operational tasks to support SANCCOB’s rehabilitation team.

Further information about the Cape Town and Gqeberha local volunteer programmes are available in the respective documents below.