My wife and I spent 3 weeks on SanWild and had an amazing experience. From the word go we were immersed in the day to day running of the sanctuary, and were literally hands on with food preparation and distribution, cleaning and repair/maintenance tasks on the reserve. On top of that we assisted with the treatment of an injured rhino and on three occasions with the moving of lions into enclosures and associated medical treatment. Before we came we didn't necessarily expect to be cleaning wounds on a rhino's back or rubbing ointment into a (tranquillised!) lion's eyes, but that's what we did! Our other work was varied - we assisted with the release of one serval into the wild, cut back fallen trees that were blocking paths and repaired damage to enclosures, water pumps etc caused by elephant damage. And there was always time for informal game drives to witness the amazing wildlife on site. It was clear that the sanctuary staff have to react on a day to day basis to the urgent tasks that need addressed. That meant that concrete plans for the following day weren't always possible and some days felt like we could have done more than we did - for example lower priority work on the reserve such as clearing paths or repairing fence damage etc. We found this to be a little frustrating, but we understood the pressures that drove this. The staff were all very knowledgeable and supportive and gave us experiences that we'll never forget. I'd recommend SanWild for anyone who wants to experience first hand how a wild animal sanctuary runs and is prepared to get their hands dirty and get involved. You will see and contribute to the incredible work that is done to give these poor animals a new home, and with luck, experience some of them being released back into the wild.
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The Great Projects is an expert provider of safe and ethical volunteer holidays abroad for solo travellers, families, and groups. Founded in 2006, we offer a selection of unique and exclusive projects across Africa, Asia, Europe, Central America, and South America. Specialising in wildlife conservation, our projects are perfect for anyone looking to go behind the scenes and work with some of the planet's most endangered species.
As members of ATOL and ABTOT, we are fully committed to ensuring the safety of everyone who travels with us. Plus, with flights, tailor-made travel insurance, and a passionate, dedicated, and friendly team available 24/7, we make booking easy, offering peace of mind to all our volunteers throughout their journey. So what are you waiting for? Find your next adventure today, with The Great Projects.See more
