We have been contacted by some fellow raptor rescue & rehabilitation enthusiasts in South Africa who are looking for paying volunteers to help with their work during the coming year.
Situated at 2097m above sea level, high up on the eastern escarpment of the Steenkampsberg mountain range is Dullstroom, the home of the Dullstroom Bird of Prey Rehabilitation Centre. Dullstroom is the highest village in South Africa, only 2 hours from Johannesburg and approximately 150 kilometers from the world famous Kruger National Park.
Housing and exhibiting over a 100 African birds of prey, the centre is proudly owned and managed by two English falconers and rehabilitators, Mark Holder and Mark Bett, whom have lived in South Africa for eleven and seven years respectively. With their hands full managing the centre and thrilling the public with two entertaining and informative presentations every day they are in desperate need of enthusiastic paying volunteers to assist with the day to day running of the centre.
How you can help
As a volunteer, candidates can attend any one of three separate courses which run for 2 weeks, 4 weeks or 3 months, all of which guarantee never to have a dull moment. During your stay at the raptor centre, you will be required to assist in flying birds, helping out in the raptor hospital, preparing food, cleaning the aviaries and helping with the flying demonstrations. At the end of your course, you will be presented with a certificate for your efforts (Including a reference if so required) and treated to a once in a lifetime, two day trip into the heart of the Kruger National Park to experience Africa’s big five with Mark as your experienced guide.
Experience the African bush at its best
Not only do you have the opportunity to experience one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife reserves, you have the chance to live like a local in one of South Africa’s most popular weekend destinations. With its moderate climate, crisp mountain air and wild open spaces, the quaint village of Dullstroom lends itself perfectly to trout fishing, horse riding and hiking trails. Surrounded by large areas of almost perfect bushveld habitat, home to over 150 endemic bird species, 200 species of wild flower, a vast array of African mammals and river side tree ferns estimated to be over a hundred years old, it is a nature lovers paradise.
For more information and prices, contact you can contact them by phone on
00 27 72 378 8562 or alternatively email falconer@dullstroom.net
or visit www.birdsofprey.co.za
You can download a larger version of the poster above here