the costs
1. Cost of the volunteer program
As of 1 July, 2022 the costs will be as follows and subject to change:
2 weeks - €1,640
3 weeks - €2,460
4 weeks - €3,280
Luxury accommodation or for couples is available on special request. Contact us for pricing.
Transportation on arrival and departure for O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg is included in your package price.
Payment is made via credit card with Paypal. Interest free instalment payments are available. Contact us for details.
Sometimes individuals contemplating a volunteer assignment like this are surprised that there is more to the sacrifice than just time. In the majority of similar volunteer assignments, payment is required in order to volunteer. There are a number of reasons for this:
As of 1 July, 2022 the costs will be as follows and subject to change:
2 weeks - €1,640
3 weeks - €2,460
4 weeks - €3,280
Luxury accommodation or for couples is available on special request. Contact us for pricing.
Transportation on arrival and departure for O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg is included in your package price.
Payment is made via credit card with Paypal. Interest free instalment payments are available. Contact us for details.
Sometimes individuals contemplating a volunteer assignment like this are surprised that there is more to the sacrifice than just time. In the majority of similar volunteer assignments, payment is required in order to volunteer. There are a number of reasons for this:
- There are significant administrative costs involved in maintaining a well-managed volunteer program.
- The program incurs costs while hosting volunteers. Volunteers have to be looked after, trained and supervised. In addition, there is the cost of accommodation, meals, transportation and other incidental costs.
- Hosting volunteers is an additional revenue source for the research expenses relating to this project. The food and veterinary costs alone for the wildlife in this project are significant and no corporate, government or institutional funding is received at Ukutula.
"surely there comes a time when counting the cost and paying the price aren't things to think about any more. All that matters is value - the ultimate value of what one does" James Hilton (English Novelist)
There are two other considerations when it comes to the question of cost (actually three!):
2. Airfare
Airfares to fly out of Canada and the US can vary widely, from as little as just under US $1,000 to around US $2,000. Pre-pandemic flights were reflecting as follows: originating from South America they vary from around US $1,300 to US $2,000. In Europe, fares were posted at around US $700 for a return ticket with some fares as low as $450. Qatar and Etihad have a well established route to Johannesburg and some fares as low as $550 were seen. For Australia and New Zealand, fares ranged between US $1,000 and US $1,500. Japanese and Korean volunteers could fly for around US $800. Much like Japan and Korea, volunteers from China and Russia could expect airfares between US $800-$900. In a bid to fill flights again, there may be some very attractive prices, so shop carefully!
3. Travel medical insurance
This is a mandatory cost, with good reason. Accidents and illness can and will happen - with potentially major related expenses.
When arranging coverage with your insurance agent you need to specify that you will be volunteering in South Africa and doing manual work. It is also vital that the insurance policy include coverage for close contact with wild animals, as well as surveying, monitoring and observation of these animals.
Another aspect of the insurance you will need to determine is the size of your deductible. Larger deductibles result in lower premiums, so you need to discuss your alternatives.
If something should happen where hospitalization is required, you may prefer to be treated in your home country, rather than in a South African hospital (although the standard of treatment in private hospitals is good). In this case, you need to make sure your policy includes repatriation.
Conservalion Volunteers has negotiated a special policy for our volunteers - if you are interested in finding out more about this insurance and the specific coverage, click on the button below and we will provide you with details. This is an amazing bargain for our seniors who are aware that travel/medical insurance premiums can be a major deterrent due to cost. This coverage is about the cost of cup of coffee each day.
"volunteers are not paid - not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless" Unknown
4. Spending money
Your only additional expense will be what you want to spend while you are on your trip!
Things that you may want to budget for:
4. Spending money
Your only additional expense will be what you want to spend while you are on your trip!
Things that you may want to budget for:
- wireless internet - internet in the bush is not reliable, but wi-fi is available and can be purchased at Ukutula for a cost of ZAR 200 (approx. $15. US) Usage is unlimited and for the entire duration of your stay. Another option is to purchase a SIM card from a service provider such as Telkom or MTN. If you choose this option, the outlets are available at the Arrivals area of the airport in Johannesburg. MTN for example offers 1 GB of data on a bi-weekly basis for ZAR 79. (around $6 US Dollar)
- highly recommended are the trips to the elephant sanctuary at Glen Afric and the Bushbaby and Monkey sanctuary. The cost of entrance to the elephant sanctuary is ZAR 350 (payable at venue) for a one hour walk and a 20-30 minute interaction program costs an additional ZAR 180.The transportation cost is ZAR 350 (added to tab)If you were to choose the full package, your total cost cost would be ZAR 880. The monkey sanctuary is ZAR 370 payable at the venue and ZAR 350 for transportation. A visit to a Craft Market is included in this trip. If you choose just the Craft Market, the transport cost will be ZAR 350.
- The Pilanesberg National Park - Ukutula will get you there, take you on a tour of the Park and get you back to Ukutula for just ZAR 1700 including food, guide and transport. (On Tab) This is a highly recommended outing, potentially seeing all of the "big five" in a day!
- Sightseeing at Sun City and the Palace of the Lost City - ZAR 450 entrance fee payable at venue. Valley of the waves available in summer only. The cost of return transport is ZAR 520*
* All costs quoted in South African Rand (ZAR).
It's all about credit, debit and cash!
The currency of South Africa is the Rand. One US dollar has fluctuated between 13 and 18 ZAR, currently buying just over 17.50 ZAR, so your purchasing power is strong. The EURO now has the same purchasing power of the USD. The exchange rate for the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian dollars fluctuates around 10 and 14 ZAR, as of mid-July 2022 $10.70 for the New Zealand dollar, $11.80 for the Australian dollar and $13.30 for the Canadian dollar.
As for the question of the ideal form of spending money, the best answer would be to use a combination of credit cards, a debit card and cash. We suggest exchanging your cash before you leave home. You may wish to compare private currency exchanges with the banks and credit unions or building societies. Sometimes it is cheaper to use a currency exchange. Airport exchanges tend to be higher priced.
Always remember that crime tends to be more common in developing countries and it would therefore be wise to minimize the amount of cash you carry. As for the units of choice, the most commonly used denominations are the 20, 50 and 100 South African Rand notes.
Using a Debit card is easy. Banks generally seem to charge about ZAR 25 per cash withdrawal. There is a maximum limit per withdrawal which is ZAR 400.
Visa, Mastercard and American Express are widely accepted. The cost to you when using your credit card would be the commission on the exchange rate conversion. It is wise to negotiate this rate of commission before you leave!
Whatever you do, DO NOT purchase American Express travellers cheques. You will find it virtually impossible to cash them!
The currency of South Africa is the Rand. One US dollar has fluctuated between 13 and 18 ZAR, currently buying just over 17.50 ZAR, so your purchasing power is strong. The EURO now has the same purchasing power of the USD. The exchange rate for the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian dollars fluctuates around 10 and 14 ZAR, as of mid-July 2022 $10.70 for the New Zealand dollar, $11.80 for the Australian dollar and $13.30 for the Canadian dollar.
As for the question of the ideal form of spending money, the best answer would be to use a combination of credit cards, a debit card and cash. We suggest exchanging your cash before you leave home. You may wish to compare private currency exchanges with the banks and credit unions or building societies. Sometimes it is cheaper to use a currency exchange. Airport exchanges tend to be higher priced.
Always remember that crime tends to be more common in developing countries and it would therefore be wise to minimize the amount of cash you carry. As for the units of choice, the most commonly used denominations are the 20, 50 and 100 South African Rand notes.
Using a Debit card is easy. Banks generally seem to charge about ZAR 25 per cash withdrawal. There is a maximum limit per withdrawal which is ZAR 400.
Visa, Mastercard and American Express are widely accepted. The cost to you when using your credit card would be the commission on the exchange rate conversion. It is wise to negotiate this rate of commission before you leave!
Whatever you do, DO NOT purchase American Express travellers cheques. You will find it virtually impossible to cash them!
shopping
Run out of toiletries and need to get to a store?
Virtually every day somebody makes a trip into the town of Brits. The ride takes about half an hour. It makes sense for volunteers to coordinate their trips so that a few can travel together at a time.
There is a large shopping mall in Brits which is comparable to first world standards. It has about 90 stores in total, including three supermarkets - Pick 'n Pay, Checkers and Woolworths. A little more upmarket in terms of quality and variety, Woolworths is modelled on the UK Marks and Spencer Brand. Toiletries are available at all three supermarkets. For clothing, there are no fewer than 19 stores to choose from. If you need electronic items, there are a few stores that sell goods such as cell phones etc., as well as one store that does cellular repairs. For hiking gear such as back-packs, hiking shoes or any other outdoor gear, there are 4 different outlets to choose from. Really, all your shopping in one spot!
Clicking on the button will provide you with full details.
Virtually every day somebody makes a trip into the town of Brits. The ride takes about half an hour. It makes sense for volunteers to coordinate their trips so that a few can travel together at a time.
There is a large shopping mall in Brits which is comparable to first world standards. It has about 90 stores in total, including three supermarkets - Pick 'n Pay, Checkers and Woolworths. A little more upmarket in terms of quality and variety, Woolworths is modelled on the UK Marks and Spencer Brand. Toiletries are available at all three supermarkets. For clothing, there are no fewer than 19 stores to choose from. If you need electronic items, there are a few stores that sell goods such as cell phones etc., as well as one store that does cellular repairs. For hiking gear such as back-packs, hiking shoes or any other outdoor gear, there are 4 different outlets to choose from. Really, all your shopping in one spot!
Clicking on the button will provide you with full details.
