At Birds of Eden, we welcome volunteers who are passionate about wildlife and eager to contribute to the well-being of our sanctuary. We aim to match volunteers’ skills, interests, and experience with the needs of the sanctuary, ensuring that each volunteer has a meaningful and rewarding experience.
It takes a lot to maintain our sanctuary, and volunteers may assist with any of the following general duties:
- Welcoming visitors to the sanctuary;
- Keeping the boardwalks clean by removing old food and litter;
- Helping with the preparation and distribution of food for the birds;
- Assisting with small maintenance tasks around the sanctuary;
- Supervising visitors and ensuring they follow sanctuary rules;
- Monitoring bird activity, including nest tracking;
- Helping maintain the hospital and quarantine areas;
- Supporting media and photography tours.
In addition to these general duties, volunteers are encouraged to assist in more specialized areas such as guiding tours, working on media projects, or supporting our marketing initiatives. Those staying for longer periods may even get the opportunity to conduct guided tours or assist with bird monitoring projects.
We also welcome volunteers with specialist skills who can assist with projects like photography, filmmaking, IT, web design, social media management, fundraising, or maintenance tasks such as carpentry and plumbing.
General Qualifications and Experience
No specific qualifications are needed to volunteer at Birds of Eden. The only requirements are a good understanding of English, a genuine interest in wildlife, and a willingness to engage with a variety of tasks.
Costs
When you volunteer at Birds of Eden, you are only required to pay for your uniform, which consists of 1 fleece top and 2 golf shirts for R1000. These items are yours to keep at the end of your volunteer period.
Sanctuary Guide
Birds of Eden operates as an expansive free-flight sanctuary, home to over 3,000 birds from across the world. Volunteers staying for four weeks or more can receive training to become sanctuary guides, leading visitors on educational tours that enhance their understanding of bird conservation. Guided tours typically last around 60 minutes and are offered in English, though volunteers with language skills may be asked to assist with international visitors.
Marketing / Media Volunteers
There are abundant opportunities for marketing and media volunteers to contribute to Birds of Eden. Depending on your skills and interests, you could be involved in:
- Photography and videography within the sanctuary;
- Creating content for our website and social media platforms;
- Writing blogs or articles for local publications;
- Attending marketing events and conferences;
- Assisting with media tours and creating marketing materials;
- Presenting educational content at schools.
Contact Us
For more information or to apply as a volunteer, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator volunteer@saasa.org.za If volunteering isn't right for you but you’d still like to support Birds of Eden, consider donating money, services, or goods. Check out our Support Page for more details.
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