Monkey Rehabilitation – Monkeys need your help, too!

My trip to the Vervet Monkey Foundation was absolutely amazing! I learned so much, had a great time, worked hard but fun and the staff was absolutely amazing! It was the trip of a lifetime! I definitely will go back again. The day to day running of the operation is so organized and the work rotation is done so that you get to experience everything. The staff really wants to know what areas of work you really like and also if there is something that you don't like or have trouble with they will not schedule you for that area. They want their volunteers to learn, experience it all and most of all enjoy their time at the foundation.

The trip itself was really well organised! Once I arrived at the sanctuary, I was greeted by so many welcoming people from all over the world, who quickly became friends. The work is challenging but once you realise how much good you are doing, it all becomes worth it! There are different types of shifts which are all unique in their own way and you’re almost always with someone else learning either about them or the monkeys. The vegan diet (from someone who isn’t vegan) was so good. I didn’t feel like I missed anything I would usually have in my diet. The sanctuary does group trips and spend lots of time together as it is communal living, it really feels like a family. The cabins for volunteers are basic but that is literally all you need! You really don’t spend much time in them other than sleeping and you do get used to the change.