Live and work with animals on set in Hermanus

Description: Live and work at this leading animal wrangling company which services feature films and commercials, and specialises in African wildlife, exotic wildlife and the full range of barnyard and domestic animals. The business offers the film industry access to a wide range of animals and locations, with the wide variety including bush, 2km of permanently flowing river frontage, old barns, cottages, dams, main house, green pastures etc. The main barn can be used as a weather cover set or a packshot studio.

Positions available: This is a new volunteer program instituted on the farm for up to 6 people. Volunteers live on the property and assist with the feeding, care, exercising and training of all the animals. A new indoor training arena as well as a studio on the farm is being built this summer. Volunteers, gap year students, adult career breakers, and more are welcome apply for a placement at the farm with immediate effect.  Volunteers are accepted for periods from a minimum of 1 week onwards. Extra accommodation is being built so that next year 12 volunteers can live on the farm.

Location: The farm of 140ha is one hour from Cape Town and 25km from Hermanus (one of the premier places in the world to observe whales in the summer season). 70 hectares is a reserve in which the larger antelope live, and the camps are around the river and homestead where all the working animals live.

Duties: As a volunteer you will stay on the farm and assist with the care, feeding and training of all the animals. Many of these animals are orphans and problem animals from surrounding farms, ranging from horses to meerkats, pigs and snakes. Daily duties are worked out on a rotation basis to give you time off to see the surrounding areas. Transport can be arranged with the farm owners.

Duties will vary though, depending on the type of filming taking place, so it is always exciting!

Free time: Not all the time is spent looking after the animals; there's usually enough time to relax in the sun or venture out to other activities.  There is plenty to do on the farm and in the area, such as:

• Visit restaurants and shops in Hermanus
• Watch the southern right whales mating and swimming offshore (from about September to March)
• Catch a taxi or bus to Cape Town and surrounding towns and wine estates, etc.

Accommodation: Your accommodation will be in a room in one of the houses, with bathrooms, showers, kitchen and washing facilities. You will share living areas with other volunteer workers.

Costs: £200 (Great British Pounds) per volunteer worker per week (special rates for South African residents).  This fee includes full board and three meals a day. You will be responsible for your own traveling expenses.  Volunteers generally arrive at the airport in Cape Town and your travel to the farm by bus will be arranged for you. Volunteers are expected to arrange their own travel insurance, if desired.  You will be be required to sign an indemnity form before your arrival at the farm.