Chimp Eden - The Jane Goodall Institute
Volunteer at Chimp Eden - The Jane Goodall Institute and help care for our closest living relatives, chimpanzees!
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Activities
Itinerary
Below is an example of a 12-night itinerary, though please note some activities may be subject to change depending on the needs of the sanctuary. For those looking for a shorter stay, we have a 7-night option available for select start dates: Chimp Eden - 7-Night Itinerary.
Day 1 - The Adventure Begins:
Upon arrival at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, a sanctuary team member will greet you and transfer you to the sanctuary, a scenic 40-minute drive. You'll pass through a nearby town, where if you'd like to stop for snacks or any necessities, you can ask the driver, who will be happy to accommodate you. Once at the sanctuary, you'll settle in, meet fellow volunteers, and enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation.
Day 2 - Sanctuary Tour & Enrichment:
This morning, you'll tour the sanctuary and meet the chimps, learning about the 33 residents and their unique stories. Afterwards, inspired by the tour, you'll roll up your sleeves and dive into your first hands-on activity, such as food preparation or creating enrichment. This may involve filling teddy bears or cardboard boxes with grass and hay and hiding nuts and seeds within.
Day 3 - Food Prep & Blanket Enrichment:
Today, you'll join the sanctuary staff with their daily tasks - you may help to sort food donations, harvest from the garden, and prepare meals of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and supplements for the chimps. In the afternoon, you'll distribute blankets for enrichment and enjoy watching the chimps wrap up, play hide-and-seek, and parade them around with excitement!
Day 4 - Enclosure Transformation:
You might begin the day preparing food, feeding the chimps, and cleaning their night dens before moving on to help transform the chimps' enclosures. This could involve carrying out general repairs, building fun climbing structures, and sharing ideas to help shape their homes!
Day 5 - Water Enrichment & Observations:
Along with food prep, cleaning, and other tasks, you'll enjoy water enrichment today - a chimp favourite! Volunteers hold a hose into the enclosure, and the chimps eagerly splash, chase, and play with the water, sometimes spraying each other or using objects to interact with it. It's a fun, engaging experience and a great way to see their playful personalities up close.
Day 6 - Food Prep & Enclosure Construction:
This morning, you may help sort through food donations from a local farm or tend to the vegetable garden to help things grow before heading to the enclosures to scatter and hide food to encourage foraging. In the afternoon, you may help continue transforming the chimps' living space through structural enrichment.
Day 7 - Kruger National Park & Braai Night:
Rise and shine for an unbelievable game drive in Kruger National Park! Experience the magic of the African bush as the wildlife stirs to life and challenge yourself to spot the legendary 'Big 5.' You'll return to Chimp Eden just in time for lunch and a relaxing afternoon, followed by an exciting Braai night!
Day 8 - Relax & Optional Town Trip:
Today is a rest day, and the choice is yours. You may wish to book an exciting excursion, head into town with project staff, perhaps enjoy a leisurely lunch and a spot of shopping while they pick up supplies, or simply rest alongside the chimps!
Day 9 - Wellies & Ice Lollies Enrichment:
Back to the chimps! After preparing and scattering food, you'll fill wellies with grass, hay, seeds and nuts for the chimps to dig through to uncover hidden treats. After, you'll head back to the enrichment area to make refreshing ice lollies packed with fruits and treats. These will be left to freeze overnight and handed out the next day.
Day 10 - Food Prep & Hammock Making:
You may help prepare nutritious meals for the chimps today before getting hands-on with hammock and swing making. These hammocks will be installed in their enclosures, where the chimps can rest and play. You'll also hand out the ice lollies made the day before as a cooling treat!
Day 11 - Parcel Enrichment & Observations:
Help prepare exciting parcels or box enrichment filled with treats and surprises for the chimps to unwrap and explore. Watching their curiosity and problem-solving skills in action during observations will give you valuable insight into their unique personalities and behaviours.
Day 12 - Termite Mound Enrichment & Farewell Dinner:
Today, you'll smear an artificial termite mound with treats, encouraging the chimps to use tools and mimic natural foraging. After observing their antics, enjoy a farewell dinner with your group and project staff, celebrating your final evening together.
Day 13 - Final Day:
Sadly, today is your final day. Take a moment to watch the chimps frolicking in their enclosures one last time before saying your goodbyes. Then, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight or onward travel plans.
Durations & Prices
Accommodation
Volunteer Accommodation
You will stay in the newly renovated volunteer village within the sanctuary. Rooms are offered on a twin-share same-sex basis (except for couples), or you can pay a single supplement of $203 per week to have your own room. Each room features a private ensuite bathroom with hot water and a Western-style toilet. The rooms are equipped with essential amenities, including plug sockets, a fan, fresh bed linen, and a towel, ensuring a comfortable stay. The volunteer village also has a cosy lounge area and a boma area with a fire pit for relaxing and socialising. Laundry facilities and Wi-Fi are also available free of charge.
Meals & Beverages
Three meals a day are included and eaten in a unique setting, as the dining area overlooks one of the chimpanzee enclosures! Dining with a view, you'll observe the chimps and watch them interact while you enjoy your meal. Lunch and dinner will be freshly prepared for you (dietary requirements can be catered for), while breakfast will include a selection of cereals, bread with spreads, yoghurt, and fresh fruit. You'll also have a chance to experience a traditional African Braai (BBQ) and visit local shops to pick up extra drinks and snacks, which you can store in the convenient kitchenette within the volunteer village.
Project Details
When is the best time to volunteer?
As this project is based at a sanctuary, the chimps are here year-round, so the only thing that may impact when you choose to volunteer is the weather:
November – February: This is the hottest time of year, with average temperatures reaching highs of around 33°C (91°F) and lows of roughly 19°C (66°F), but it is also the wettest time of year, although mostly with quick bursts of rain in the afternoons.
March – October: There is varying weather throughout this period, with March to May and September to October being perhaps the most comfortable times of year to volunteer, with daytime temperatures averaging around 29°C (84°F) before dropping to roughly 13°C (55°F) in the evening, and minimal rainfall during this period. June - August is considered winter and sees daytime temperatures range between 26-28°C (78-82°F) with lows of around 11°C (52°F). This is the driest time of year, making it ideal for wildlife viewing and other excursions.
Booking Flights
You will need to fly into Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (airport code MQP) on your project start date, arriving between 9am - 5pm. You will be met and transferred to Chimp Eden in a private vehicle. This transfer will take approximately 40 minutes.
For your departure, you will need to book a flight that departs between 8am and 6pm, and you will be transferred back to the airport in time for your flight.
If you will already be in Mbombela before your start date, or staying afterwards, we can arrange a transfer from/to a hotel in the city for no additional fee.
Visa Requirements
Citizens of most countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and the majority of EU nations, do not require a visa to enter South Africa and are granted entry for up to 90 days upon arrival. To be granted entry, you must have a passport with at least 2 blank pages for the immigration officials to use, and it must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country.
If you're unsure about your specific visa requirements, we recommend contacting the South African embassy in your home country at least 2 months before your trip.
Fitness & Skills
No specific skills or prior experience are required; however, the activities involve some construction and maintenance work, so a moderate level of fitness is recommended. The most important thing is to arrive with a positive attitude and a willingness to work as a team.
Vaccinations & Medical Requirements
To volunteer on this project, you must provide negative test results to show you do not have Hepatitis C. You must also either be vaccinated against Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis or provide a negative test result showing you do not have either prior to arrival. These are essential, as without them, you will be unable to join the project. Additionally, all test results must be dated within 12 months of your start date.
No Contact Policy
We are often asked if volunteers will have the opportunity to touch or interact directly with the chimpanzees during this project. The answer is no, and there are important reasons behind this policy. Chimpanzees share 98.8% of their DNA with humans, making them highly vulnerable to human-borne illnesses, many of which can be far more severe for chimps than for us. Protecting their health is a top priority. Additionally, frequent personnel changes with volunteers arriving every one to four weeks would create an unstable environment for the chimps, potentially causing stress and harming their well-being.
Finally, it’s important to remember that chimpanzees are incredibly strong, far surpassing the physical strength of an adult human. A no-contact policy ensures the chimps’ safety and your own. This approach prioritises their health, emotional stability, and the safety of everyone involved.
Videos
The Chimp Eden Experience
Discover how you can make a difference in a sanctuary of second chances! From daily feeding and enrichment activities to a game drive in Kruger National Park, the Chimp Eden experience is a whirlwind of wildlife, culture, and memory-making moments.
Angie and Phil share their volunteer experience
Join Phil and Angie as they explore what it means to be a volunteer at Chimp Eden. From learning the ins and outs of chimp behaviour and rehabilitation to experiencing the South African classics, including braais and safaris, enjoy a window into life at Chimp Eden!
Gallery
News & Stories
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Sand Pit Enrichment
UPDATE | May 2026
Volunteers teamed up to create a sand pit enrichment for the chimp, and it was an instant success! Amari was especially delighted, quickly making it clear that this is one of his absolute favourite enrichment activities.
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2026: Volunteers Back in Action
UPDATE | Apr 2026
The first two groups of 2026 have truly hit the ground running at Chimp Eden! From celebrating Jane Goodall’s birthday with creative banner enrichment to gathering fresh bamboo for the chimps’ nightly nests, every moment has been filled with purpose. Evenings have been just as special, with relaxed braais and picnic nights bringing everyone together, marking a memorable start to the season.
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NEWS | Apr 2026
In celebration of National Pet Day, we're sharing some of the best, simple and fun pet enrichment ideas inspired by leading wildlife sanctuaries from around the world!
Reviews
It was an extraordinary experience, incredibly enriching not only in terms of learning about chimpanzees but also on a human level. The coordinator, Jade, is wonderful, and the entire team is kind, passionate, and dedicated. I truly felt very well supported from the very beginning, with personalised communication, right through to the final day of the stay. I dream of being able to return to Chimp Eden one day...
Just an amazing trip. Well looked after by the staff from The Great Projects and working onsite at Chimp Eden. Learning about chimp politics and helping for 2 weeks was a lot of fun. Left wishing i could have stayed longer - if you are considering this trip....book it!
I am writing to share my exceptional experience volunteering at Chimp Eden. It was an adventure that left me emotionally moved, spiritually fulfilled, and physically exhausted (in a positive way, of course). Upon arriving at Chimp Eden through The Great Projects, we were initially uncertain about what to expect and had low expectations. However, we were pleasantly surprised. We spent 12 days immersed in the world of these remarkable chimpanzees, and it was an experience unlike any other. We had the opportunity to approach the chimpanzees closely (remembering that they are wild animals, so we exercised caution to avoid excessive proximity). We gained insights into their daily routines, behaviors, and unique characteristics. By the conclusion of our stay, we could practically identify each chimp and anticipate their actions. These chimps are beautiful individuals who evoke a range of emotions, from laughter to tears and joy. Our work with the chimps was both gratifying and physically demanding. We dedicated our days to preparing enrichment activities, which we referred to as “chimp fun and games.” Additionally, we contributed to the improvement of their habitats using various tools, including brooms, pitch forks, shovels, pick axes, and spanners (or as Americans say, wrenches). We... I am writing to share my exceptional experience volunteering at Chimp Eden. It was an adventure that left me emotionally moved, spiritually fulfilled, and physically exhausted (in a positive way, of course). Upon arriving at Chimp Eden through The Great Projects, we were initially uncertain about what to expect and had low expectations. However, we were pleasantly surprised. We spent 12 days immersed in the world of these remarkable chimpanzees, and it was an experience unlike any other. We had the opportunity to approach the chimpanzees closely (remembering that they are wild animals, so we exercised caution to avoid excessive proximity). We gained insights into their daily routines, behaviors, and unique characteristics. By the conclusion of our stay, we could practically identify each chimp and anticipate their actions. These chimps are beautiful individuals who evoke a range of emotions, from laughter to tears and joy. Our work with the chimps was both gratifying and physically demanding. We dedicated our days to preparing enrichment activities, which we referred to as “chimp fun and games.” Additionally, we contributed to the improvement of their habitats using various tools, including brooms, pitch forks, shovels, pick axes, and spanners (or as Americans say, wrenches). We had the privilege of collaborating with the Chimp Eden staff. Odette, the Assistant Primate Manager, provided invaluable knowledge about chimpanzees and generously shared her time interacting with the volunteers. Gary, the Executive Officer of Chimp Eden, ensured our well-being and comfort. Our volunteer coordinator, Niamh, from The Great Projects, served as an exceptional team leader, ensuring that our volunteer experience encompassed various activities, including hammering, sawing, and ample time spent with the chimpanzees. The cook, who provided our meals, ensured that we gained weight and indulged in delectable South African cuisine. The food was truly exceptional. All the chimpanzee keepers and Stephen, the Chimp Eden maintenance man, were incredibly welcoming and engaged us in discussions about their mission to care for these magnificent animals. Overall, I highly recommend this trip to anyone seeking an unforgettable experience. It is an adventure that will leave you with lasting memories. (Show More)
Download Project Guide
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Airport transfers
- Three meals per day
- Kruger National Park game drive
- A conservation donation
- Tea, coffee and drinking water
What's Not Included
- All flights
- Vaccinations and medical tests (which are required)
- Entrance fee to Kruger NP (R602)
From
$1,527.00€954.00£795.00$1,074.00
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Up to 8 Persons
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All Meals Included
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7- 26 Nights
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Set Dates Between March & November
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Minimum Age 18 (Or From 16 Years Old With An Adult)
