About i-to-i What i-to-i trips and TEFL are, how and why we do what we do!
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About i-to-i What i-to-i trips and TEFL are, how and why we do what we do!
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At this wildlife reserve and lion breeding centre in South Africa you will be spending your days looking after incredibly cute lion cubs as well as helping out on a whole range of duties throughout the reserve. Set in a stunning location the reserve is home to a number of lion cubs - and their older brothers and sisters, mums and dads! - and after spending time here we're certain you won't want to go home. You can get involved in a whole range of activities or, if you'd rather, spend all your time with the cubs - it's up to you. What we can guarantee though is that you'll fall in love with these incredible animals.
Today you will be met at the airport and taken straight to our backpacker’s hostel in Pretoria. You’ll need to arrive in before 4pm so that you’re all ready for the orientation which kicks off at 5pm. The journey from the airport to Pretoria should take around 45 minutes. The orientation is a crucial part of settling in to life in South Africa and will take you through what it’s going to be like at your project, do’s and don’ts, how to stay safe and it’s your prime opportunity to ask any burning questions that you haven’t yet had answered. After the orientation you’ll have dinner prepared for you and have some time to relax and prepare before your first day at the project tomorrow.
If you aren’t able to arrange a flight to get you into Johannesburg before 4pm then we’d recommend you fly in a day early. We can arrange an early airport pick-up for you including one night’s accommodation, please give us a call for more information.
The following morning you will be taken from Pretoria to Brits where you will be based. The project is 1-2 hours drive away, around 70km north of Johannesburg. The project and accommodation are on the same site so you won’t be late for work! Take time to get to know everyone and settle in, because this is home for you for the next few weeks.
Your first full day will be all about settling in at the reserve and getting to know how things operate, but it’s fairly laid back overall. The staff at the reserve are always happy to answer any questions that you might have.
You will have an amazing experience here including hands on feeding and caring for the lion cubs. However, don't forget that the animal enclosures will also need to be kept in good order, so expect to get dirty! General maintenance of the enclosures and facilities will also be one of your roles around the park.
Now you’re a fully fledged member of the team, you can aim to be on duty from around 7am to 4pm daily. You’ll be up with the birds in the morning but the afternoons are yours to relax by the pool on the reserve. If you want to carry on working then there will always be something for you to get involved in – even if it’s just cuddling the cubs…it’s hard work, but someone has to do it.
This project is quite laid back and structured with you in mind, you get to decide what activities you want to get involved in on a daily basis. Part of this experience is what you put in, but it’s also about what you want to get out of it.
Time off is arranged in country and is flexible. So whilst we say here that the weekend is your time, you might prefer to have different days off. These days are your valuable time off to rest and explore. You probably won’t want to move away from the swimming pool at your accommodation but if you can tear yourself away, take time to explore the surrounding area. Around Brits there is a cheetah centre, crocodile farm, cultural village and plenty of curio shops to browse, so you won’t be bored! You can also check out the climbing wall if you are wanting to learn how to rock climb or abseil, this is free and depends on availability!
Mondays to Fridays will be spent on the reserve with your weekends or days off free to fill with whatever you fancy!
At the end of your project our team in South Africa will pick you up and transfer you back to Pretoria Backpackers from where you can either transfer back to the airport or head off for further travels in South Africa. You will get to the backpackers in Pretoria in the afternoon (normally around 1pm) so please don't book flights home before 5pm. You need to organize your own transport back to the airport from Pretoria which will cost around US$ 40.
Please also note that the transfer from Pretoria back to the airport is not included but our team will be able to advise you of the best route depending on your onward travel after the project.
The centre currently has over 50 lions including some cubs as well as other predators and game that you will be helping to look after. It’s involved in lion research, breeding and conservation and has been featured in documentaries by National Geographic and Aquavision among others. The centre is also involved in educating young people and is also open to members of the public wanting to learn more about wildlife and spend time in this stunning location.
This is the perfect environment for anyone with a love of lions and other stunning African wildlife. Providing a wonderful opportunity for hands-on experience with the lion cubs as well as a huge range of other activities on the reserve, this trip really is a once in a lifetime experience. As well as the work at the reserve, there are also great opportunities for horse-back safaris and visits to other reserves nearby at weekends and days off. All told this is a fantastic South African wildlife experience that will stay with you forever.
This project is based on a stunning wildlife reserve and is involved in white lion research and conservation. One of its main aims is to learn more about the endangered white lions and to participate in the preservation of these stunning animals. The lions, cubs and other animals all need a huge amount of care and attention and this is where you come in!
During your time at the reserve you will be working hand in hand with the rangers to ensure that all the wildlife in the reserve are fed and looked after and that the reserve itself is well maintained. Everyone at the reserve is committed not only to the welfare and research of these wonderful animals but also to ensuring that you have the opportunity to learn more about the lions, the challenges facing them and how the reserve operates - an incredible opportunity for everyone.
Your working hours are flexible but will typically be from Monday to Friday, 7.00am to 4.00pm. However, any extra time you can give to the project will be really appreciated.
You will be helping to raise the cubs - feeding them and caring for them – along with making sure that all the other wildlife and facilities at the reserve are well looked after and maintained. Don’t forget that you may also be involved in cleaning out the enclosures and will probably get dirty in the process! The rangers are keen to pass on their knowledge and experience and you will have the opportunity to learn as much as you want. The way in which the centre runs is to work with you to find out where your interests lie - meaning that you can pretty much design a personalised programme of work - wow!
You will find all resources that you need at this project so there’s no need to bring anything along from home. If you do have a specific interest in a field that you’d like to get involved in at the project please let us know.
You will need to wear durable clothes such as jeans, khakis or combats that you do not mind getting dirty. The same goes for footwear! Please note that during the South Africa winter nights and early mornings can get pretty cold so don't forget to bring a sweater / fleece.
It may seem like a strange concept to pay for your volunteer experience. You'd be right if you think you shouldn't and the truth is you actually don't! Your placement is free; it's the benefits around it that you pay for. It's important to note that i-to-i is a travel company and not a charity. We provide a professional travel service. We are responsible for finding and assessing worthwhile projects across the world, preparing you fora the volunteering experience and supporting you whilst you're there.
Here’s some more information about what your placement fee covers….
We work with hundreds of locally run partner projects around the world and are constantly sourcing new opportunities. We visit all projects to check that they are worthwhile and legitimate and we also conduct a thorough safety assessment before we'll send volunteers there. More
Almost everyone who works for i-to-i has traveled extensively or worked overseas. This means we're a goldmine of information; we're always available to offer support and guidance before, during and after your trip.
Once you book on to a project you'll receive a Welcome Pack that contains loads of general information about volunteering, about your chosen country and how to have fun and stay safe. We'll also give you advice on visas and inoculations.
If you are volunteering on a Teaching project then a 60-hour Online TEFL course is included in your placement fee. This is an internationally recognised and accredited certificate that will help you to make the most of your time overseas. More
It can be pretty daunting arriving in a different country for the first time - especially after a long flight! If you arrive on your project start date, there'll be a welcoming face at the airport to pick you up and take you to your accommodation.
Soon after you arrive you will attend a thorough orientation with our in-country team. This is to cover important safety and security information. You'll also get some tips about sight-seeing options for your time off and maybe even learn some of the local lingo!
Accommodation is included with all projects and meals are even included with some. We only use locally-owned and operated accommodation so that part of your placement fee is filtering back into the local economy. Most projects offer homestay, guesthouse or shared volunteer houses as standard accommodation, but some offer the chance to upgrade to a more comfortable living standard. More
Your in-country team will arrange a pick-up for you at the airport and will conduct your orientation upon arrival. All coordination teams are English speaking and are locals of your destination country. They won't be at your project every day, but will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need them. More
Aside from the local support from your in-country team you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line manned by our response team in case any problem should arise while you're overseas. We also hire crisis management professionals to be on hand in case of a situation that requires additional expert support. More
The safety and security of our volunteers is paramount. For this reason we provide ongoing crisis management and emergency response training to our local teams around the world. We also fly in our in-country coordinators to the UK regularly for thorough training to help them offer the best safety to the thousands of volunteers they support each year. More
We don't fund our projects directly from the project fee that you pay us. Instead we choose to support a number of projects every year through a grant scheme for tangible long-term initiatives. In the last 3 years we have distributed over US$250,000 to our most needy projects to help them in the great work they do.
We make no secrets of the fact that part of your placement fee is reinvested in to recruiting volunteers just like you! The volunteers recruited in one week will typically deliver over 2000 man-days of service. The difference this makes to projects overseas is immeasurable. Many of our overseas projects rely on assistance from international volunteers, so it's necessary for us to put together brochures and websites to find the people who can support them. This recruitment process is vital to ensure programs have a constant stream of reliable volunteers.
Volunteering through a company like i-to-i has a lot of intangible benefits to developing overseas communities and the individual projects that we work with. To find out more about our placements. click here
You will be staying in ‘rondavel’ style huts on site at the centre which are on a shared two person basis. The rondavels are well equipped and have modern amenities such are hot running water, showers and there are Western style toilets. There is even a swimming pool on site along with a lounge with television and a beautiful garden for you to relax in the afternoons in.
Whilst staying on the reserve in Brits, all meals are included and prepared for you - it’s all good hearty South African fare. You will need to make sure you work hard to burn off all the great food you'll be eating!
The bathroom facilities include hot water, shower and western style toilets. Valuables can be locked up in your room. You don’t need to bring bedding with you as this is provided and there’s no need for a mosquito net. You will need to bring a towel – don’t forget one for the pool too! Don’t worry about packing weeks and weeks worth of clothing as there are laundry facilities available for you to use.
There is a local town around 15 minutes away so if you need to stay in touch with family or friends from home, then telephone and internet facilities are nearby.
You’ll be leaving your daily commute behind as the project and accommodation are both on the same reserve. The reserve is based about 15km from Brits in the North West Province
On site! You’ll be able to hear the wildlife from your accommodation or as you relax in the pool – bliss.
A journey into South Africa’s history is to haul through periods of racial tension, oppression and hope. Its multicultural mix originates from the earliest settlers, the San (also known as Bushmen) and Khoi-Khoi tribes, followed by Bantu-speaking groups, and through to the swarm of European traders. The Dutch were among the first European settlers and arrived in the 17th century, establishing their presence through their own dialect, Afrikaan, and religion in the form of the Dutch Reformed Church. By the end of the 18th century, the British began to push their presence forward into the country’s towns. It was a period of flared tensions with Zulu chief Shaka renouncing war on neighbouring tribes. Meanwhile, the Boers (Dutch Afrikaner farmers) and the British became locked in conflict; the Anglo-Boer War lasted from 1899 to 1902, ending with the British taking control of the Boer republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State (OFS) and consequently ruling the country.
By 1910, the Union of South Africa was created and gave political power to whites, while blacks set up political parties in protest, the African National Congress (ANC) the best known. It ushered in the beginnings of apartheid, which became widely ingrained after the Afrikaner National Party came to power in 1948. Violence against protests from blacks was enforced and the black population were evicted to so-called Homelands. In the 1960s, leaders of the ANC were imprisoned, notably Nelson Mandela, and the country became isolated having left the Commonwealth and declaring its republic status. After a long period of racial divide and conflict, in 1989 FW de Klerk came to power with the aim to rid the country of apartheid and instil democracy. The following year, Mandela was released from prison and in 1994 became president after the ANC won the country’s first non-racial general elections; the country also returned to the Commonwealth. The country’s democratic stance has steered it toward a more harmonious future, though economic inequalities between whites and blacks exist, but as the most developed economy on the continent it is in a good position to reconcile with its past.
Naturally, South Africa’s seasons are the reverse of the northern hemisphere with summer heat burning from November to March and cooler winter temperatures from June to August. Temperature wise, spring (September to October) and autumn (April to May) provide a happy medium. Certain must-do activities are restricted to specific times of year: safari is best from June to September and the whale watching season is June to December. The busiest time, hence the most expensive, is during the summer months, while the major school holidays are during December and Easter.
Given the distances involved, flying is the most convenient way to travel between the main destinations, while land transportation can efficiently pick up the rest of the mileage for exploration in and around. There are an assortment of domestic carriers to choose from that fly the main routes, with most running from Johannesburg or Cape Town; these include South African Airways, Nationwide Airlines, Kulula and 1Time. Booking early is advisable to secure discounted rates.
There country also boasts a comprehensive bus network that covers the main cities; the road trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town is around 20 hours (compared to a 2 hour in a plane). The main bus companies are Translux, Greyhound and Intercape. Baz Bus is aimed at the backpacker crowd and provides a hop-on, hop-off service and also travels to remote areas. It’s a good way to discover the picturesque patch of coastline that is the Garden Route, which it services en route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.
Train travel can work out longer than by bus, with the trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town edging toward almost 30 hours. If you’re after a little luxury, try the Blue Train or the Rovos Rail for a taste of stylish travel.
Car rental is an attractive option thanks to the good road conditions, great scenery and the flexibility driving allows. The big car rental companies like Avis and Budget have outlets and it’s essential to be fully insured and have a valid driver’s licence. It’s also a convenient way to get around cities as public transport can be unsafe.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s website provides up-to-date political news, travel advice and information on visas
The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA)
Bus company Baz Bus
Domestic airline 1Time
Bus company Greyhound
Bus company Intercape
Domestic airline Kulula
Nationwide Airlines
South African Airways
Bus company Translux
We work in partnership with hundreds of established projects that are run by local communities. The information on our website comes directly from the projects and we work with them to ensure this information is as accurate as possible. However, due to the very nature of the projects themselves the exact details of what happens on a daily basis can change with little or no notice. If you have travelled with us and have any updates to this information, please let us know.
* We can be held responsible for any starry-eyed and amazing journeys of enlightenment, discovery and thorough enjoyment...