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Visit Ape Action Africa's website to learn more about their programs abroad
Overview
Overview
We are passionate about primate conservation at Ape Action Africa and if you are too, you could volunteer for us!
We are looking for people aged 21 or over who will be happy to roll their sleeves up at our forest site, Mefou Primate Park, which is home to 110 chimps, 21 gorillas and a whole variety of monkeys, taking the number of animals in our care to over 320. The accommodation is very basic, it is very hot and humid and volunteers work hard so it’s not easy! However, the rewards are fantastic and most of our volunteers have a once in a lifetime experience with the amazing animals in our care.
We must stress that we cannot guarantee that you will get direct, hands on contact with the animals and our volunteers never work with the gorillas.
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Gallery
Chickaboo, infant gorilla rescued from poachers, now with two new friends, Luci and Afangui, in the forest.<br />
Ayisha, orphaned chimpanzee, arrived with pneumonia then developed meningitis. She's a fighter and thankfully recovered, now a happy member of a boisterous group in the forest!
Volunteer helping to carry cut leaves to feed our youngsters
Preparing milk for our infant chimpanzees
Volunteer accommodation - there is no running water and the generator is only on for a few hours at night, but rooms are comfortable and naturally ventilated through the roof.
Infant chimps get to know one of our vet team, fascinated by his shoe laces!
Luci was rescued from a logging camp in south east Cameroon....she's just starting to chest beat!
Nkan Daniel arrived almost 12 years ago. He was 2 weeks old, most thought he wouldn't survive. He was hand reared by our Director, Rachel Hogan and is now the silverback, in charge of 10 gorillas.
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Susan Eberth
15 Jan 2013
Volunteering with AAA has been one of the greatest experiences in my life. I have been involved with the project since January 2005 and have watched it grow, mature and...Read more
Volunteering with AAA has been one of the greatest experiences in my life. I have been involved with the project since January 2005 and have watched it grow, mature and exceed expectations on many occasions. The staff are extremely dedicated to the care of the orphans and eager to share their expertise with others.
The accommodations are top notch considering you are staying directly in the forest. The care and effort put into the volunteer quarters makes the stay a very pleasant one. The project also provides a separate kitchen area specifically for volunteer use which is stocked with dishes, pots and pans, propane fueled stove, table and chairs and books shelves stocked with reading material. With the project being situated in a village atmosphere, it provides the ability to purchase items from small businesses set up in their houses, such as bottled water or sodas. There is a well made available to everyone and the project generator will run for a couple hours in the evening to provide a source of electricity. This way we are able to charge batteries, read and prepare meals in the kitchen.
The work done during the day can be as varied as clearing a garden, helping with the chimpanzee nursery, cleaning the food containers, hand rearing an infant to painting and building. Many life long friendships are made during a volunteer stay and most return again and again. Being in Africa alone is amazing however, the impression left after this volunteer experience is extra special. There aren't many places on earth where you can virtually live within the community of chimpanzees and gorillas. Their presense is enormous and not a day will go by when there that you will not see one, hear their laughter and calls or look up to the trees to find you're the one being watched.
My recommendation to volunteer with AAA is as high as can be imagined. Arrive with no expectations, bring a good camera and absorb every second of it. It goes by so fast!