Whipalong
Whipalong Volunteer Program
About the project:
The Whipalong Volunteer Program invites volunteers to be part of the on-going rehabilitation and re-schooling of abused and neglected horses . Volunteers work closely with Kate, owner of Whipalong, in the various aspects of equine rehabilitation.
Regular riding is a part of the program irrespective of the ability of the rider. Volunteers may receive lessons from Kate or take part in riding trails on the adjacent 4 200ha Moholoholo Game Reserve.
Further to this, volunteers’ responsibilities can include lunging, backing of young horses (depending on the ability of the volunteer), assisting or observing any veterinary activities and post operative care that may occur during their stay, feeding, grooming, tack maintenance and general care of the horses and yard.
The emphasis at Whipalong is on practical experience, with the necessary training provided whilst on course. The program is not lecture based and therefore volunteers can join the program at any time convenient to them.
During the program, volunteers will be given the opportunity to see places of interest in the area. We will assist volunteers with their arrangements, however, additional activities will be for the volunteers own expense.
Whipalong encourages a hands-on approach and is therefore a great opportunity for the horse lover to get valuable practical experience with horses and support this worthwhile cause.
Accommodation
Volunteers will be accommodated close to or at Whipalong. Rooms are comfortable and clean with shared bathroom facilities. A communal recreation area and kitchen are available on site for volunteers to prepare their own meals.
Clothing
Volunteers must bring their own riding clothes and riding hat.
Health
Kampersrus is situated in a low risk malaria area and we therefore recommend volunteers to contact their local GP for further guidance in this regard.
How to get to Whipalong:
Whipalong is situated in Kampersrus, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The nearest airport is Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit. South African Airways flies daily to and from Hoedspruit. To book flights please contact South African Airways directly +27 (0)11 978 1111. A Whipalong staff member will be at Hoedspruit airport to meet you and transfer you to the yard (volunteer to advise flight details).
Additional activities in the area (for the volunteers’ own expense):
- Elephant-back safaris
- Visit to Kruger National Park
- Hot air balloon
- Bombyx Mori Silk Farm
- Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
- Kapama Cheetah Project
- Blyde River Canyon
- Khamai reptile park
Rates include the following:
- Complimentary road transfers to and from Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit
- Accommodation
NB: The above quoted rates do not include food, additional activities, transfers (other than the complimentary transfer to and from Hoedspruit airport) or airfares.
Can you please advise typical day/week activities or schedule at Whipalong, how large is it, how many horses, how many people are there at a time; what do people do in the evenings ?….
thank you
Hello Nicole
We are working with 32 horses as the moment – ranging from 2 months to 35 years, with quite a few youngsters, just backed or being prepared for backing.
We normally have 3 or 4 volunteers at a time, I can not guarantee that a volunteer will never be the only one at the project.
We start the day with feeding and grooming – then tick spraying and grooming of horses living out in the fields. Then we either do rides in the Moholoholo Game Reserve and/or train horses, mostly youngsters in the lunge ring and 20 x 40 school.
We do excursions for volunteers, but that can be done only when the project is fully under control and may not be possible should we have veterinary or other emergencies.
Volunteers have 1 day per week off or can take more days off should they want to rent a car and do excursions on their own.
In the evenings volunteers cook and wash dishes – there is no TV. Many volunteers bring laptops with favorite movies etc. We do have internet at the project – I charge R250 for 4 weeks – I can also charge per 1/2 hour should they prefer.
Please email me if you need more information.
Best wishes,
Tanja