Volunteers & Internships
Hoedspruit Reptile Centre is a unique facility that is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of reptiles and amphibians. Participants will get practical, hands-on experience in the day to day running of the Centre and the chance to work with a variety of indigenous and exotic reptiles and amphibians. In working with us you will become part of our team and help us maintain and uphold our ethos of “conservation through education and research”.
A placement with us will be a massively rewarding experience, allowing you to gain knowledge into the fascinating world of reptiles, amphibians and arachnids. There is rarely a dull moment at Hoedspruit Reptile Centre as exciting new challenges present themselves on an almost daily basis!
Hoedspruit Reptile Centre offers different packages for experiencing life at the Centre:
Volunteering & Internships
Hoedspruit Reptile Centre’s volunteering and internship programme allows individuals aged 18 years and older the opportunity to stay at the Centre in our Volunteer House and experience working with a wide range of indigenous and exotic reptiles (including venomous species). Individuals will get practical, hands-on experience in the day to day running of the Centre and learn about advanced reptile care and husbandry. Volunteers/interns are expected to interact with guests at the Centre and help educate guests about the importance of reptiles.
In addition to partaking in daily activities such as cleaning animal enclosures, preparing food and participating in preventative medicine procedures, volunteers and interns are given the opportunity to partake in snake call outs and rescues, attend all courses and lessons done at the Centre as well as participate in necropsies and veterinary procedures whenever necessary. Volunteers and Interns are encouraged to assist with demonstrations to the public and help with research projects undertaken at the Centre. Depending on the duration of your stay, volunteers and interns are also taken on an expedition into the wilderness in order to observe and survey reptile activity in a natural setting.
We recommend a month-long stay (or longer) but a minimum of two weeks at the Centre is strongly suggested. Although all participants receive a reference letter, individual’s staying for longer than two weeks (based on successfully completing practical assessments) will be provided with an accredited reptile orientation course certificate and snake handling certificate at no extra cost. Please see the Courses section of this website for more details about these courses.
Interns, individuals staying at the park for six months or more, experience an extension of the volunteer programme at Hoedspruit Reptile Centre. As a result of staying at the Centre for longer, Interns are given the opportunity to get a truly in-depth education on reptile handling, husbandry and care as well discover the little intricacies of managing and running a reptile centre.
Breakdown:
- $ 50.00 pppd – contact us directly for SADAC rates
- Includes accommodation and set menu
- 18 years or older
- Must be proficient in the English language
- Pre-arranged pick up and drop off from the Centre to and from the local airport/bus terminal
- Field expedition
- Free Hoedspruit Reptile Centre T-shirt
- Advanced booking required
Please contact us if you are interested in our volunteer/internship programme.
Work Experience
This programme is designed for the keen reptile enthusiast or future herpetologist/zookeeper. As a day guest, the work experience programme allows individuals 18years and up the opportunity to be involved in almost all of the activities at the Centre. This will give individuals insight into the different challenges that reptile conservationists face and how facilities like Hoedspruit Reptile Centre are vitally important in educating people about generally unknown and underappreciated species. This exposure also enables you to understand the day to day intricacies of running a reptile centre. Depending on the duration of your stay at Hoedspruit Reptile Centre you will be given the opportunity for hands-on learning and training with a variety of different species as well as the opportunity to learn about reptile care and husbandry.
Breakdown:
- $ 25.00 pppd – contact us directly for SADAC rates
- 18 years or older
- Must be proficient in the English language
- Advanced booking required
- No boarding
Please contact us if you are interested in our work experience programme.
Job Shadow
For individuals aged between 13 and 18 years, Hoedspruit Reptile Centre offers you the ability to job shadow. In coming and spending the day with us you are given the chance to observe the day to day running’s of the Centre and discover what it feels like to be part of a zoological institution. Breakdown:
- R250 per day
- 13-18 years old
- No handling of any dangerous or venomous animals
- Must be proficient in the English language
- Advanced booking required
- No boarding
Please contact us if you are interested in our job shadow programme.
