the costs
1. Cost of the volunteer program
The cost of the volunteer program per person for 2 weeks is US $1,520 and additional weeks are available at US $570.00 per week. Transportation on arrival and departure for O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg is included in your package price.
As a volunteer you will have the choice of making payment via SWIFT Wire transfer through your bank, or via credit card with Paypal.
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:
The cost of the volunteer program per person for 2 weeks is US $1,520 and additional weeks are available at US $570.00 per week. Transportation on arrival and departure for O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg is included in your package price.
As a volunteer you will have the choice of making payment via SWIFT Wire transfer through your bank, or via credit card with Paypal.
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.
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. Flights originating from South America vary from around US $1,300 to US $2,000. In Europe, fares can be quite reasonable at around US $700 for a return ticket (recently some fares have been posted at $450!). Qatar and Etihad have a well established route to Johannesburg and we have recently seen posted fares as low as US $550. For Australia and New Zealand, fares tend to range between US $1,000 and US $1,500. Japanese and Korean volunteers can fly for around US $800. Much like Japan and Korea, volunteers from China and Russia can expect airfares between US $800-$900.
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.
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 400 for a one hour walk and a 20-30 minute interaction program costs an additional ZAR 180.The transportation cost is ZAR 300. If you were to choose the full package, your total cost cost would be ZAR 880.
- 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 950. 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. The cost of return transport is ZAR 400*
* All costs quoted in South African Rand (ZAR). The currency converter tool above will enable you to calculate the cost in your own currency.
money
It's all about credit, debit and cash!
The currency of South Africa is the Rand. The currency has generally been in a weakening trend over the past year. One US dollar has fluctuated between 13 and 14 ZAR, currently buying just over 14 ZAR, so your purchasing power is quite strong. The EURO has even better purchasing power with €1 buying between 15 and 16 ZAR. The exchange rate for the Australian and Canadian dollars fluctuates between 10 and 11 ZAR.
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. You are also best off 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, although you will generally want to avoid the airport exchanges.
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!
It's all about credit, debit and cash!
The currency of South Africa is the Rand. The currency has generally been in a weakening trend over the past year. One US dollar has fluctuated between 13 and 14 ZAR, currently buying just over 14 ZAR, so your purchasing power is quite strong. The EURO has even better purchasing power with €1 buying between 15 and 16 ZAR. The exchange rate for the Australian and Canadian dollars fluctuates between 10 and 11 ZAR.
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. You are also best off 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, although you will generally want to avoid the airport exchanges.
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.
