I want to Apply
APPLICATION PROCESS
Are you ready to volunteer with LEO Africa? We can't wait to meet you at our project!
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If you would like to have more information on our program, please write us an email at enquiries@leoafrica.org. We look forward to assist you with any questions you may have!
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As of 2020 we will be operating a non-smoking policy to support our conservation efforts.
Booking your trip to LEO Africa is easy. Please follow the steps below and choose your best option to get in touch with us and book your stay at LEO Africa. We highly recommend to book in advance to avoid disappointment! Last minute bookings, if space allows, are welcome!
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Send us an email at enquiries@leoafrica.org to enquire about available dates or for more information. (We kindly ask you to add our email address to your contacts and mark it as "safe" to avoid correspondence ending up in the spam folder; moreover, if you could add a cell phone number to the email it will be great; we will use it only if we have the suspect that the email has not been delivered).
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Download the application form and email the completed form to us at enquiries@leoafrica.org. Please remember that our arrivals are on Sunday and departures on Saturday.
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If you have any problems with the downloading the application form, please contact us and we will send it to you straight away!
requirements
In order to volunteer at LEO Africa, you do not need to have a previous experience; however there are some requirements and guidelines that are important to follow to ensure you safely can have the best experience with us. In order to volunteer with LEO Africa, you should:
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Be able to get on and off a 4x4 vehicle unattended
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Be able to walk 1km unattended
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Have travel/medical insurance: see below
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Non smoking
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18+ years old (or 16+ if accompanied by an adult)
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Have a medium/Good level of English (the language in which the program runs) to understand the guides and the other volunteers (however some guides can assist with Italian, French and Dutch).
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Be flexible to the life in the bush which may not always run on schedule.
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Be able to be out for 10-12 hours in the field every day, sometimes with extreme heat (up to 40 degrees Celsius).
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Be able to live and work in a group with international people with different backgrounds
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Be open-minded and willing to contribute to wildlife monitoring, conservation and sustainability
PRICES AND DURATION
LEO Africa provides a free service to the reserve where we operate and we don't receive any financial benefit from the reserve or other entities. For this reason, the financial support from the volunteers is vital, as well as their help in the field and at base.
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LEO Africa does not receive any funding from the government, the reserve or any other institutions and are solely reliant on the contribution from our volunteers and donors.
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The prices paid from the volunteers are used for their food, accommodation and for expenses incurred in running the programme, such as: vehicles, fuel, maintenance of the vehicles and house, salaries, research equipment, camera traps, batteries, laptops and anything needed to run and improve the programme’s quality and level of performances. We are very conscious of our impact on the environment so we try our best to recycle and do not change items or buy new items until the ones we have are no longer usable.
Thanks to the financial contribution from volunteers, we purchased two second hand electric scooters who are charged with solar energy and Koos (the Owner of LEO Africa) built three solar vehicles that are used, i.e. to service our camera traps and for fence patrols. This allows us to be even more eco-friendly reducing the use of fossil fuels.
Once your booking has been confirmed, we kindly ask that you please to pay a 50% deposit to secure your booking. The remaining payment should be processed no later than 30 days prior arrival please.
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​All past volunteers will benefit from a 10% discount!
The Volunteer ambassador programme is reserved to our past volunteers who would like to spread our name and get extra benefits for the next visit. For more info please write us at enquiries@leoafrica.org.
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Transfers organised by LEO Africa on wheels are included in the prices!*
Flights, medical insurance, excursions, extras and meals outside camp are not included.
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Flight and Visa information
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Our weeks run from Sunday to Saturday. The LEO transfer pick-up and drop off time at Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo) airport is as follows:
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ARRIVALS (SUNDAY): we highly recommend to land in Johannesburg on Saturday and stay over on Saturday night to be ready for pick up early Sunday Morning. (Please write us for info as Johannesburg is NOT safe - however the airport area is fine to sleep over).
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DEPARTURES (SATURDAY): please make sure to book the return flight that leaves after 20.30 (as most international flights require you to arrive 3 hours prior).
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One of our staff members OR a private transfer will come to pick you up from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (land transfer available on alternate weeks - drive time: 6 hours and half approx).
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If you would rather prefer to fly between Johannesburg OR Tambo and Hoedspruit, please let us know and we will indicate you suitable starting/ending dates. We will collect/drop you off at Hoedspruit airport.
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Please remember that before booking any flight, your reservation must be confirmed by us to avoid disappointment.
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If you have the need of arriving and departing in dates different than the ones indicated above, please contact us. We might be able to assist you, based on the availability.
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No visa is required for passport holders of most European and North American countries for a stay in South Africa of less than 90 days. Please double check with the South African embassy of your country if you need a visa. This is your responsibility as laws and agreements between countries might change any time. Please remember that your passport has to be valid for at least 6 months from the date you land in South Africa and will need to have three free pages. If you need a visa, please contact us and we will do our best to assist you with the documentation needed.
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The price of the land transfer organised by LEO Africa is included. For transfers requested on different days, costs will be quoted based on the volunteer's needs.
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- The volunteer programme runs throughout the year and has a limit of 11 volunteers per week.
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The minimum volunteer duration is 2 weeks and the maximum is 12 weeks.
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A private room with ensuite bathroom is available on request and at a small extra cost per week.
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If you would like to carbon offset your flight and contribute to a more environmental way of living, please visit Climate Care.
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Please note if you choose to self drive:
If you have hired a car for your travels in South Africa, you have the option to drive to LEO Africa. As our weeks start on Sunday, we kindly ask that you arrive Sunday afternoon.
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We look forward to welcoming you on your once is a lifetime African adventure!
Pre/Post leo Africa accommodation
If you prefer to land in South Africa on saturday/depart on Sunday, you can book an overnight stay in Johannesburg.
We recommend these two guesthouses which are located in Johannesburg near OR Tambo airport and have been previously booked by volunteers.
Sunrock Guesthouse, a lodge with all its charm and hospitality, run by owners Arthur and Ina Johnson assisted by a well-trained, professional team. Their home has a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere, full of books, music, good wine and home-cooked meals. The guesthouse is 4 km from O. R. Tambo International airport, and there is a complimentary pick up and drop off service to and from the Airport. Free WiFi and breakfast are included in the price.
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Blue Mango Lodge, your home away from home. Owners Stevie and Daisy have created a continuing tradition of warm and hospitable service with stunning luxury accommodation. carefully laid out rooms to make you feel at home so that you can just relax, and enjoy the beautiful gardens. Blue Mango lodge is approximately a 10 minutes drive from O.R. Tambo International Airport. There is a complimentary pick up and drop off service to and from the Airport. Free WiFi and breakfast are included in the price
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Travel insurance
Please remember that in order to come to LEO you MUST have a travel insurance!
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World Nomads is a well-respected travel insurance provider set up by experienced travelers to meet the needs of people who may travel away from the beaten path. They are the first choice for many of the world's leading travel brands such as Lonely Planet and National Geographic Adventure.
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You can choose between two different options (standard or explorer) based on your needs.
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In order to get a quote or to purchase the insurance, please make use of the box on the right.
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Since Covid, the insurance is no longer available for some countries, including Italy.
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Italian residents can alternatively check Viaggi Sicuri
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health and safety
LEO Base is located inside the reserve and it is fenced, to keep the areas safer from dangerous animals, especially at night.
In our daily field work, our volunteers might have the opportunity to experience close encounters with wild animals in their natural environment on board of a 4x4 vehicle. Among the animals that you may encounter while on drive are some of Africa's most fearsome wildlife, including lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, buffalos, snakes, scorpions etc.. but don't worry, you will always be accompanied by one our our experienced rangers.
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To ensure your safety, our staff and field guides are all trained, qualified and experienced in dealing with dangerous wildlife and follow strict health and safety regulations.
All volunteers must sign a detailed risk assessment upon arrival and are provided with a full account of potential dangers - and of course, how to avoid them. If you have any concerns before applying or heading to South Africa, please get in contact with us.
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Travel and medical insurance for the duration of your volunteer work are mandatory. In case of emergency, the closest hospitals are located in Phalaborwa and Tzaneen.
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