Three months that changed my life

African Dawn is without a doubt the most incredible, life altering, simply amazing place. Situated just out of Jeffrey's Bay it really feels like you have your own corner of the world. Waking up to the chatter of animals and the usually beautiful weather, you only have to look out the window to see animals but about 100 metres late and you are in the main farm area. Here we prepare food (for animals and humans alike) and set off on the morning feed. If you are doing main aviary you will be in for a suprise when Petey the pidgeon will no doubt come flying at your head, of hand if you hold it up high enough. Or if you go on male wallaby route and you get to go in with the marmoset monkey boy, he was hand reared and as a result loves climbng all over you - but carefull he's adventourous and loves climbing down your shirt or even in your mouth!!
After morning feed there is our breakfast which is usually cereal/toast etc but there is always eggs to be eaten so eat eggs every day! Scrambled eggs on toast with cheese was my favourite, gave me plenty of energy for a busy day.
Then out comes the list, there is a list of to-do's ranging from caring for the sick/injured animals, feeding the cows with left overs, fixing a broken enclosue fence, patching up escape artists holes to the worst dun dun duunnn! Chicken Dishes!! Chicken dishes is basically washing up all the plates/bowls used in food prep that morning. Although its a smelly job and takes a while, Chicken Dishes was actually quite fun, take your ipod speakers and have a mini 'chicken dishes' party with your partner, Its also a really good time to get to know your fellow volunteers. I made really close friends this way.
After all those jobs are done its time for lunch, usually toasted cheese and ham sandwhiches or left overs from dinner if there was any. Lunch is supplied but its nice to offer help if you have free time, not only then do you get to choose what you get before anyone else does, but it gives you time to talk to Sarah or whoever is making lunch. Once again this is good! You get to make friends like this!
aftr the humans are fed and watered ;) its time for afternoon feeds, this is the same routine as morning feeds only some animals will/will not be included because they are nocturnal or only need one feed a day.
When that is finished one person will check its all finshed and no cages were left unlocked. Also Chicken Dishes must be done again. Chicken Dishes in the afternoon was always a good time because when the other volunteers were finished they wouls come and chat.
When all jobs were finished you get free time of something like 2-3 hours? or less depending on what jobs you have etc (this could be wrong I can't really remember when we finished)
During this time normally you shower first because you will smell bad, of BO of animal smell and sometimes poo or whatever. But don't be fooled its a good smell, it doesn't smell good, but it makes you feel good. If you smell you have done a hard days work - GOOD JOB!

Dinner is usually around 6ish? I think? once again my mind fools me. but anyway it is always good hearty food, you may think in the beginning this is too much food or not ''healthy'' enough as it is usually alot of carbs but you will need it and mark my words you will most likely still loose weight/gain muscle tone. I ate like a champion and still lost 10 kilos.

after dinner is more free time until you decide when to go to bed, in the beginning you will want to stay up talking etc but by about week 3 you will be so knackered that you will be happy to be asleep by 8pm. Especially if you are doing morning aviary (just doing water and a few etxra things before normal morning feed starts)

Volunteers get 2 days off out of 7, and these days are rostered with other volunteers (unless there is not enough vol's) on these days you can go into Jeffries Bay and go shopping, the beach or horseriding on the beach just for a start. NB if you go into Jeffries Bay PLEASE go to The Mexican for lunch/dinner its an awesome mexican style resturant with delicious cocktails. Very yummy what I wouldnt give to go there again!

Also you can venture further away to Port Elizabeth or Knysna etc and there is always the Highest Bungy Jump in the world!!
There is a huge list of places you should go on your days off and i would recommend them all especially going to Schotia National Park and Addo Elephant Park. There is tour that takes you to both in one day I think for somewhere around 800 Rand? Gosh I have no idea so don't qoute me on that, but also If you call them you can arrange to volunteer for them in exchange for a guided tour, I would definatley recommend that I did both tours because I had friends who wanted to go and I made up the numbers so Im glad I did both but if you are low on cash or want a deeper experiance ask if they are still doing the volunteering one, because you get to stay the night and wake up to lions roaring and rhinos/wild boar at your door.

Well anyway thats a day in the life of an African Dawn Volunteer, I hope I have given you enough information to make your decision but before you do, know this; If you choose to go to African Dawn YOU WILL have an amazing experiance, YOU WILL make friends that last and YOU WILL want to share your story with others to make them go aswell!!
SO do it!!