Full Description

Six-month volunteer opportunities available!

Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue needs help from highly motivated, mature volunteers who are committed to the conservation of great apes and are willing to live in an isolated, challenging environment to help save an endangered species. This incredibly rewarding, life-enriching experience provides the exclusive opportunity to live in Africa, learn from our highly skilled staff and care for our resident chimpanzees!

You will help with day-to-day operations, including working with French-speaking staff, helping with construction projects, purchasing supplies, painting, maintaining equipment and helping the caregiving staff with the care and feeding of our chimpanzees. Please note direct hands-on contact with chimpanzees is limited. Qualifications or length of stay may be negotiated for applicants with professional veterinary or medical training, or mechanical, electrical or construction skills and experience.

Volunteers pay for their round-trip airfare, visa, immunizations, spending money, etc. The sanctuary provides food and lodging at the site. Meals are vegetarian only. The Project does not provide stipends, internships or research opportunities. There is a one-time processing fee of $300 for approved volunteers.

Retirees
Groups
Professionals

French (basic)

The requirements for this opportunity are a minimum 6-month stay, 21 years of age or older, physical stamina and good overall health, and fluency in French or English. Preferred experience includes living in a developing country and/or experience working with great apes.

Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue is located on the edge of the forest, approximately 15 miles from the nearest small town of Belabo. Volunteers travel by train or bus from the capital city of Yaounde to the sanctuary (arranged by SYCR staff). The area is currently free of the Ebola virus.