SOUTH AFRICA HORSE REHABILITATION CENTRE
NEAR HOEDSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA
A volunteer project for those with a real love of horses. This horse sanctuary offers a safe haven for horses who have been abused and neglected from all over South Africa. Volunteers will help to care for horses including assisting any veterinary activities and post operative care, feeding, grooming, tack maintenance and general care of the animals and yard. Exercising the horses in the near by Game Reserve is a real highlight of the project where you will get to experience Africa whilst helping the horses that have often had a terrible life.
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Location: |
NEAR HOEDSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA |
Dates: |
Any start date throughtout the year |
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Fees: |
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£465 - 1 week
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£775 - 2 weeks
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£1,075 - 3 weeks
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£1,295 - 4 weeks
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Payment: |
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure |
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Reference: |
AV007 |
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General Information
This intimate and relaxed programme invites volunteers to be part of the on-going rehabilitation and re-schooling of abused and neglected horses from throughout South Africa. Volunteers help with all aspects of equine rehabilitation and regular riding is a intregal part of the project and the rides are an experience in themselves as you ride through a 4,200 hectare Game Reserve. Volunteers who are not competent at riding can recieve lessons from the volunteer manager and all necessary training will be provided whilst on the placement. This is a very worthwhile and practical volunteer project that is a fantastic opportunity for horse lovers to make a difference whilst gaining experience with horses.
Most of the horses at this programme were at some stage exposed to either neglect or abuse, the latter of which has resulted in nervous character traits. The project founders believe that with preservance and patience even the most "broken" horse can show improvement over a period of time - they are extremeley forgiving and willing to please.
Volunteer responsibilities might include: lunging, backing of young horses (depending on the ability of the volunteer), assisting or observing any veterinary activities and post operative care that may occur during their stay, feeding, grooming, tack maintenance and general care of the horses and yard.
This project accepts approximately 6 volunteers at a time and there are between 10 - 40 horses at the sanctuary at any time.
Whilst on this programme volunteers will have the opportunity to see local places of interest and your project manager will help you with making arrangements.
Additional activities in the area that you might want to do at your own expense.
- Elephant-back safaris
- Game walks and game drives in Kruger National Park
- Abseiling
- River rafting
- Hot air balloon rides
- Quad biking
Places of interest:
- Kruger National Park
- Bombyx Mori Silk Farm
- Cheetah Project
- Cultural Shangaan Village
- Blyde River Canyon
- Reptile park
"I've come away from this project with a greater understanding for the care and maintenance required when looking after horses and also the passion and love involved with running a rehabilitation centre. I got the opportunity to work with horses, each with their own personality and with people who have a lot of experience. A big plus is that there is no mucking out! The knowledge and experiences that I have gained are priceless and more than anything I met some really lovely people. The riding lessons are just an added bonus. This project is definitely something I won't be forgetting for a long time. This project offers any volunteer the chance to enjoy the beauty of South Africa in a breath-taking location along with its amazing wildlife, so for anyone who has a true love for animals this is a definite must. Just remember the more you put in the more you'll get out of the experience."
Shweta
“So friendly makes you feel part of the place immediately. The most amazing setting with the mountains as a backdrop. It was really nice to get hands-on experience.”
Claire
"Friendly people with good knowledge of the physical and mental health of their horses. Very nice accommodation! The programme was better than I expected. I was expecting a lot of cleaning up after the horses etc... but as that was not the case and we spent a lot of time with the horses I felt I learnt a lot and became more confident around horses and understood their behaviour more. To future Volunteers: If you like horses and want to increase your knowledge, confidence and riding skills in beautiful surroundings - then come to to this project!"
Katy
"The staff really made me feel at home as soon as I arrived. All the horses were happy and healthy but in need of back treatments, so I got stuck in straight away. The staff were over the moon with the results, all the horses improved dramatically and were much happier in their work. It was very rewarding and at the same time it was a true holiday, very relaxing, I thoroughly enjoyed it"
Chloe, UK, 2010
Support
Support and advice is available from your Project Managers whilst on the project and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support
Orientation
A comprehensive information pack will be sent to all our volunteers upon booking their trip and further advice and information will be provided via telephone and email before departure. A orientation will be provided when you arrive at the project by the local support team including information on the current status of the projects and familiarizing you with the local surroundings.
Accommodation and Meals
Volunteers will be accommodated in comfortable and clean rooms with shared bathroom facilities. A communal recreation area and kitchen are available on site for volunteers to prepare their own meals with the food that will be provided for them as part of their project fee.
Getting There
This project is situated close to Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The nearest airport is Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit. A member of staff will be at the airport to pick you up when you arrive.
(There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport - for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)
Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you
Fees
What is included
- Financing that goes directly back into the project with which the volunteer is placed
- Airport transfers to and from Hoedspruit Airport on arrival and departure
- Full orientation
- "On-the-job" educational activities and support from your volunteer coordinator and local staff
- Daily transfers to and from projects for the duration of the visit
- Full board and lodging at the volunteer house including 3 meals a day
What is excluded