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Hi Shaz, on the lion and tigers trip when you went, were there hairdryers at the place? And also did you use a mosquito net whilst you were there? I'm leaving at the weekend for this trip and starting to think of things that I don't know if I will need or not!! Thanks, bekki x

The trips are certainly optional. I'd never ridden a horse before either, and most of us were quite nervous. The sore bum, and nervousness is side-lined by the beautiful scenery, and the giggles and memories.
If you remain behind, there's always meat chopping to do, and other tasks. Believe me, after a few days, you will want a day out.
Not everyone goes on every shopping trip. There's only room for three or four in Ingrid's bakkie. So, depending on how many volunteers there are, you may only get to town once during your two weeks.vb

Oh, yeah, and if you have room in your suitcase, squish down some plastic bags and take them along. Plastic bags are always in short supply at Boskoppie, and are always needed. That, and dishwashing liquid, and an egg separator for making up tiger baby formula.

The 2 excursions that I went on are as follows: one to a game park to see nature in the rough, an all day trip with a game warden as guide, a braai for lunch, and fairly long road trips. Cost around R750. Second trip was to do some horse riding, and to visit souvenir town of Clarens. Cost R1000 plus what you want to buy for souvenirs. Not much chance to leave the reserve to go shopping, apart from groceries. Boskoppie is at least 30 minutes by car from Kroonstaad. Take note that most shops except the supermarket are shut on Sundays, so if you want a pharmacy, plan a trip during the week. Boskoppie is isolated. I am indeed on facebook. Look for 'Helen Patrice-Seney'.

Hi Shaz: I've just returned from the Raise Lions and Tigers project near Kroonstaad. Leave the mosquito net at home. Take a mobile phone, journal, camera. I changed money at home, but there is weekly access to banks in Kroonstaad. Food worked out to around R5-600 per week, if you include mounds of chocolate, crisps and soft drink. There is also about R2000 to be budgeted for the two excursions from the lion lodge. Take a couple of good books, and sunscreen. The 'weekends off' thing is fiction. There are no days off, except the weekly shopping trip to town, and the two excursions. Take a really good body and face moisturiser, plenty of lip balm, ear plugs, and an alarm clock. Early starts, but also fairly early to bed. Take clothes you don't mind leaving behind.

Hi Shaz I have never done this placement before in fact I have never done any volunteer work before with animals, always wanted to though. I am at the moment looking at other placements. I am thinking of doing a placement at Hoedspruit Endangered Species centre which is on the Kapama Game Reserve up north and maybe Shamwari which is down the east coast near Port Elizabeth. I am in South Africa until the 20th December. Is this your first time volunteering?

Hi Shaz I am doing raise the lions and tigers from 18th October until the 1st November. Are you doing any other placements while you are there?