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WILDLIFE ORPHANAGE
Integration between animals, able-bodied and disabled people
Some wild animals cannot, in all sensibility, be rehabilitated. Their injuries could have resulted in a handicap too severe to enable them to survive on their own. It is also often the case that once an animal has spent time in rehabilitation it loses it's fear of humans, which is dangerous not only for the animal but also for humans! There is no reason, however, why these animals aren't able to have a good life in 'captivity' and The Wildlife Orphanage amongst other objectives wants to be able to provide for these animals.
A former ranger and his wife own and run the project and they have years of experience in taking care of wounded and orphaned animals. Starting the Wildlife Orphanage is a dream come true for them, and they want to share this dream with others. With the help of a quadriplegic friend they learned that there is always a way to "make a plan" so that he was able to assist in many of the day to day chores of looking after the animals. It is certainly a worthy experiment to come up with a plan where disabled animal lovers are able to assist with the care of animals in a challenging environment which benefits both the human and the animal!
The project wants to provide a place where people from all walks of life, who have an affinity with animals, can experience the opportunity of being able to devote love and care to animals that need a little bit extra. At the same time, the owners hope to create a place where able-bodied, disabled and less privileged people can work and experience together, on an equal footing. The world still provides far too few opportunities for disabled and able-bodied persons to meet, integrate, befriend and learn from and with each other. By limiting guest numbers to a maximum of 8 the owners ensure a very personal experience.
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The Wildlife Orphanage is situated in the beautiful Makalali game reserve, in the vicinity of Hoedspruit. As there are no big predators or giants like elephant and rhino roaming around, people who are impaired in their movement need not feel unsafe and there is still more than enough wildlife around to marvel at.... giraffe, zebra, impala, birds of prey and many other animals that won't be found outside of zoos in Europe! There will be game drives to search for animals from the safety of a car but with the excitement of being able to come very close to them and the sunset from the flat rock on the property, overlooking several reserves and the mountains in the distance, is one of unsurpassed beauty!
At the project, disabled and able-bodied guests will team up in pairs and take care of the animal(s) allocated to them. This can involve specialized feeding, all-hour supervision, summoning veterinary care and providing the nursing necessary. But most importantly you will be giving attention and love to those animals that need it. You will also be educated on a regular basis through structured courses and if possible, this education will be shared with school children and members of the community. In your spare time, you will get the opportunity to visit other animal rehabilitation centres, private game reserves and the Kruger National Park.
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People wishing to participate will be asked to pay for their accommodation, food and of course for the experience. These fees will assist in salaries of the permanent staff required, food and care of animals and veterinary fees required. The Wildlife Orphanage is a non-profit organisation and excess income generated will be used to sponsor participation for the underprivileged and to sponsor visits from educational institutions, including disadvantaged areas.
The Wildlife Orphanage will provide disability friendly facilities. Buildings and camps are being designed to recognized standards by those who know - disabled architects! Where necessary, adaptations will be made so that regardless of whether you are disabled or not, you can actively participate and be a valuable member of the team. The project's policy is to "make a plan" - and they will!
Accommodation:
Four rondawels with built-in bathroom based on two guests sharing, accessible for wheelchair users. All bedding is provided, however a sleeping bag is recommended as you will probably have a sleep out in the bush.
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Facilities:
| Bar | Braai area | Laundry |
| Pool table | Lapa/communal area |
Price includes:
Accommodation
3 meals a day (all provided)
Tea, coffee, juice, fruit
All work with the animals
Night drives
Educational program
Transport to and from the project
Not included in price:
Drinks purchased at the bar
Excursions in spare time
Laundry, which will be done for a nominal fee
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Group size: 2-8 guests, with an even division between disabled and able-bodied guests. However, if groups larger than 8 persons wish to attend, this is possible. The absolute maximum will then be 16
Minimum stay: 8 days (7 nights). Should you wish to stay longer, your stay can be extended by a further 7 days at a time, so the day of starting and ending your programme is always a Friday. If you are unable to arrive on a Friday, it is possible to come and stay at the project earlier, however you won't officially be part of the program until the Friday.
Please note: Guests with a physical handicap need to be self-sufficient or bring their own carer (standard rate applies). Unfortunately, at this stage, facilities for people with a mental handicap are not in place but the project is hoping that this will be possible at a later date
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