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  • Life On Land
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Horse and Community Upliftment

location
4 - 6 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Take part in riding lessons, schooling sessions, endless hacks on the wonderful estate as well as natural horsemanship sessions
  • Not only will you be privileged to work with these beautiful horses, but your accommodation is also situated in the middle of the project and surrounded by all the amazing animals.
  • Improve on your horsemanship skills as well as general stable management and basic first aid/veterinary care of the horses and other animals on the farm.

Highlights

  • Take part in riding lessons, schooling sessions, endless hacks on the wonderful estate as well as natural horsemanship sessions
  • Not only will you be privileged to work with these beautiful horses, but your accommodation is also situated in the middle of the project and surrounded by all the amazing animals.
  • Improve on your horsemanship skills as well as general stable management and basic first aid/veterinary care of the horses and other animals on the farm.
  • Part take in different community upliftment initiatives to better the lives of the youth and their beloved animals in our local community.
  • Enjoy an incredible 3 day panoramic excursion with visits to the elephant sanctuary and a full day Kruger National Park Safari.

    • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups

    About the program

    Experience a equine adventure in the pristine countryside of the South African Highlands where you will have the opportunity to work with horses and the local community.

    Our main aim of this project is to allow volunteers to experience the countryside on horseback, learn about general horse care and welfare, develop their horsemanship and riding skills as well as experience a true African adventure in the Kruger National Park  – in return we ask that the ...

    About the program

    Our main aim of this project is to allow volunteers to experience the countryside on horseback, learn about general horse care and welfare, develop their horsemanship and riding skills as well as experience a true African adventure in the Kruger National Park  – in return we ask that the volunteers take this knowledge and passion for horses/animals and give back to the local community by educating the children about the welfare of their beloved animals at home, partaking in mass sterilization and education drives as well as forming a part of our local development riding program.

    We also give our time to the local Learning Centre where the volunteers spend time with the children by helping them with their homework, tutoring in basic subjects as well as bringing out their creative side in the arts and crafts sessions.

    This all contributes to bettering the lives of the animals and the children who hold them so dear within our local community. 

    Typical day

    The average working day commences as 7h30 starting with the daily stable yard routine followed by a quick coffee and rusks break.

    Volunteers are advised to have breakfast before the work day commences.

    After the coffee break, volunteers will commence with ridden work, horsemanship sessions and ...

    Typical day

    The average working day commences as 7h30 starting with the daily stable yard routine followed by a quick coffee and rusks break.

    Volunteers are advised to have breakfast before the work day commences.

    After the coffee break, volunteers will commence with ridden work, horsemanship sessions and general lessons at the yard. 


    Mornings will be spent feeding, grooming turning out horses at one of the two stable yards, followed by breakfast. Most days will be filled with lessons and schooling of horses, outrides and various other horse related activities. Lunch will be followed by an hour of leisure time, and your afternoons will be filled with more horse related activities, adventure activities and community upliftment. There will be a few allocated days where you will spend some time with other departments of the farm learning about the specific department and perhaps even lending a hand (not compulsory). This will vary from agricultural work (e.g. herding sheep, goats and cattle) to assisting at the entertainment centre (e.g. maintaining trails, assisting with adventure activities and the wool project) and even resort work (e.g. fence patrol, assisting at events such as horse shows and doing trail rides with resort guests) 

    Free-time activities

    Free time / off day:

    We will drive to a supermarket in town Anyone is welcome to join to buy groceries for the coming week.

    Other options for this day are extra activities you can arrange with the project. These activities will be for your own account. Please request the price from the project leader ...

    Free-time activities

    Free time / off day:

    We will drive to a supermarket in town Anyone is welcome to join to buy groceries for the coming week.

    Other options for this day are extra activities you can arrange with the project. These activities will be for your own account. Please request the price from the project leader when you decide to book:

    Activities: (Please note these are subject to availability and can change at anytime)

    On the estate : High ropes course , ziplining, abseiling, rock climbing, paintball, archery, quad biking, mountain biking, adventure running, hiking, putt-putt, tennis, table tennis, pool, indoor and outdoor pool and of course Fly fishing ( For which Dullstroom is very popular for)

    Off the estate: Included in the program is a trip to the local birds of prey rehabilitation centre. Excluded but can be arranged is clay pigeon shooting, whiskey bar tastings, local brewery tastings, serenity spa packages , toboggan mountain slide, white water rafting, sky way trails *Please talk to staff if you wish to book an excursion or transport.

    When staff need to go into town for shopping you are welcome to join them for free or give them a shopping list. Please sign up one day in advance if you wish to do so or want to go on an excursion.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    Completed Application form and Copy of return flight itinerary

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    Medium level of fitness

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 07:30 - 17:30

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Included:

    PAirport pick up and drop off

    P2 Day Johannesburg Orientation
    PAccommodation
    PPanoramic excursion with elephant interaction and KNP safari
    PThree meals a day
    PLaundry service once a week
    PAll activities on the estate

    PWeekly transport to town for shopping

    PTransport to and from the project

    P24 hour support and supervision

    PDonation to community upliftment initiatives
    PWI-FI
    PCertificate of appreciation

    Airport Pickup at O.R. Tambo International Airport

    Airport pick up and drop off is included

    Accommodation

    Accommodation

    •2 nights will be spent in the Sabie valley. The rest of the nights will be at the estate
    •Volunteers will stay in a volunteers house (1 - 8 people per room) including its own kitchen facilities, bathroom, and bedroom.
    •All linen will be provided.
    •Nights will be spent in accommodation in the Sabie Valley during the panoramic excursion and the rest of the nights at Country and Equestrian Estate in a fully furnished house.
    •You will be sharing your unit with the rest of your group, max 8 people, and will be responsible for the housekeeping of that unit for the duration of your stay. The unit has a communal indoor lounge area and outdoor deck with a braai and a fireplace where you can all gather as a group.
    •The program leaders and resort management stay in close proximity of the unit and will be on hand if you need them.
    •No visitors are permitted to enter the property unless permitted by the project leader

    Laundry:

    There will be a laundry service available once a week at no extra cost, any laundry done additionally will be at own cost.

    Food & Beverages

    NOTES:

    ● Tea and coffee will be available, all other drinks will be at own expense

    ● A generous amount of food will always be served. If snacks are desired there are several grocery stores nearby.

    ● There are refrigerators available for volunteers’ personal food and soft drinks

    Important reminder: Participants must advise SAVE of their dietary needs (e.g. if they are

    vegetarian or have any allergies) prior to their arrival. Participants with very specific dietary

    needs may be required to supplement their meals at their own expense.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Arrival Day: Monday

    Time: Your flight can land anytime on Monday

    Airport: O R Tambo (JNB) International Airport

    Orientation: Monday - Tuesday

    Project Starts: Wednesday

    Departure Day: Wednesday

    Departure time: You MUST take a evening flight out of JNB.


    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $681 per week 4 - 6 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    4 - 6 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.

    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    4.6
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    2024
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    Elena Picozzi

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    2016
    I enjoyed my stay here to the fullest. I loved working with the animals and people from different countries. Isabel and Pieter were always ...
    Elin Sigurbjornsdottir

    Big 5 Wildlife Protection

    •
    2016
    The project was fantastic, working in the settlement really opened my eyes to the reality of it all. The kids, vols and workers have had a ...
    Amy Hill Hill

    Sport & School Assistant

    •
    2016
    I had an incredible trip. I was so nervous before however I had such a good time whilst I was there. When I was on the project you can ...
    Charlotte McGowan

    Sport & School Assistant

    Location

    Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Dullstroom

    Meet your project coordinator

    Shona
    54
    reviews
    4.56
    Fantastic
    2007
    Founded

    Verified

      Good response rate
    Spoken languages: English
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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