Escape the daily grind and immerse yourself in nature

Where you wake up to the sound of monkeys in the morning and sit under the stars in the evening

Retreat & Volunteering

A time that brings people together, inspires and leaves a lasting impact

For retreat leaders, we offer a unique setting, flexible collaboration opportunities and the chance to tailor their programme to their individual needs whilst on site. More and more people are seeking journeys that go beyond mere relaxation: journeys that foster meaningful encounters and leave them feeling part of something meaningful.

This is precisely where our Retreat & Volunteering concept comes in. We combine retreat work with the chance to experience daily life at an animal sanctuary in South Africa and to play an active part in its work. The result is a journey that blends relaxation, nature, community and meaningful experiences.

As a retreat leader, you can focus entirely on your programme content and your group whilst we provide the framework, organisation and volunteering opportunities on site.

Imagine...

Morning meditation with a view of the mountains

Followed by meaningful work on the ward

An evening sharing circle under the African starry sky

A place to unwind

During your stay, you’ll be staying right on the premises, surrounded by nature and in a peaceful atmosphere – an ideal setting for retreats and group trips. The accommodation is simple, cosy and lovingly designed, offering you a pleasant retreat.

Your group will be accommodated in twin and triple rooms; single rooms are available by arrangement. All chalets have an en-suite bathroom, and towels are provided. The rooms are cleaned once a week, and there is the option to do a weekly wash.

The peaceful surroundings, the natural environment and communal life on the grounds create a special setting for your retreat and allow you to take a break from your everyday routine.

Eating together

Full board is provided during your stay. There are three freshly prepared meals a day, which we usually eat together. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.

Shared meals are an important part of the day. They provide an opportunity to come together, chat, reflect on the day and round off the evening in each other’s company.

For many groups, it is precisely these shared moments that form a special part of the retreat experience – sitting together, the conversations, the laughter and the time spent together, which often helps the group to grow even closer.

This is what a day on a retreat might look like

7.00 am – Meet up for coffee and tea

Your day begins at a leisurely pace with a coffee or tea, whilst nature slowly awakens and you can hear the first animals, before the day’s work on the farm begins.

7.00 am – Meet up for coffee and tea

Your day begins at a leisurely pace with a coffee or tea, whilst nature slowly awakens and you can hear the first animals, before the day’s work on the farm begins.

Now the first round of work for the day begins. Fruit and vegetables are chopped, food is prepared and the enclosures are cleaned. During ‘Baby Season’, this time also includes looking after the little baby monkeys. They are fed, bathed and weighed – a very special and deeply moving experience for many participants.

7.30 am – Morning work

9.00 am – Breakfast

After your morning work, you’ll have breakfast together, followed by some time for a break. A chance to catch your breath, have a chat and relax before carrying on.

9.00 am – Breakfast

After your morning work, you’ll have breakfast together, followed by some time for a break. A chance to catch your breath, have a chat and relax before carrying on.

Now it’s time to get stuck in on the grounds. Perhaps you’ll tackle a project together, such as building shelters, carrying out repairs or taking care of other tasks that need doing. During baby season, this often involves playing and keeping the little monkey babies occupied, and even at the sanctuary, the odd monkey or two will be happy to receive a bit of attention.

10.00 am – Projects, maintenance or baby time

11.30 am – Yoga session

Now it’s time for a yoga session or a coaching session. After the morning’s active activities, this is a lovely moment to practise together, find some peace and quiet, or get started on your workshops and group activities.

11.30 am – Yoga session

Lunch together and a short break. Many people use this time to sit by the pool or simply enjoy the peace and quiet and the natural surroundings.

1.00 pm – Lunch

Lunch together and a short break. Many people use this time to sit by the pool or simply enjoy the peace and quiet and the natural surroundings.

2.00 pm – Afternoon feeding & watching the monkeys

There’s another feeding session in the afternoon. Afterwards, there’s time to just sit back and watch the monkeys – and see just how much life, energy and character there is in a group of monkeys like this.

2.00 pm – Afternoon feeding & watching the monkeys

Now it’s time for another yoga session or coaching session. After the active part of the day, this is a lovely moment to wind down or get started with your workshops and group activities.

3.00 pm – Second yoga session

Now it’s time for another yoga session or coaching session. After the active part of the day, this is a lovely moment to wind down or get started with your workshops and group activities.

4.00 pm – End of the working day

After that, you’ll have time to yourself – to enjoy the pool, read a book or simply spend some time with your favourite pet.

4.00 pm – End of the working day

After that, you’ll have time to yourself – to enjoy the pool, read a book or simply spend some time with your favourite pet.

In the evening, the group gets together for dinner. It’s a time when everyone comes together once more to round off the day by doing jigsaw puzzles, playing darts, playing a board game or simply sitting together.

6.00 pm – Dinner together

Discover South Africa

During your stay, there will be time to explore the local area and experience South Africa. This includes, for example, safaris, excursions, visits to the nearby dam or meals out.

We organise the excursions in collaboration with local partners and tailor them to the group’s preferences. This allows you to combine the retreat with shared experiences and impressions of South Africa.

How to get here

You’ll arrive via Johannesburg Airport. From there, we’ll organise a shuttle transfer directly to the farm. The journey takes around 3.5 hours.

The journey is straightforward and safe.

This is what your time here could be like

What people who have been here have to say

I’ve now been to the farm three times and have held two of my yoga and volunteering retreats there – and every time I go home with a heart full of joy. The work done here for the animals is truly exceptional. Everything is done with so much love, dedication and respect for every single animal. Every day, you can sense that the work here is driven by genuine passion and deep compassion. Elli is the heart and soul of this farm. She’s always there when you need her, treats everyone with warmth and creates a place where you feel instantly welcome. Working with her is always a great pleasure for me. This farm is a very special place – for animals and for people alike. I’m incredibly grateful to be able to come here time and time again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart – see you next time!

Romy, retreat leader from Germany

If anyone’s thinking about doing some voluntary work, please do it with Helping Hands! I was lucky enough to spend two weeks on the farm and get a (small) glimpse into farm life. Elli and her team look after the ‘vervets’ and lots of other animals with a great deal of passion. We – a group of wonderful women led by Romy (Romyogamore) – prepared food, fed the animals, cleaned the enclosures, cut wood in the forest, lit fires and much more. It was a life-changing experience that I’ll never forget! Thank you for this precious time! I arrived as a guest and left as a friend. Lots of love to Elli, Sizwe and everyone else.

Silke, a retreat participant from Germany

As part of a retreat, I spent two weeks volunteering at the wildlife rescue centre. It was a unique, wild adventure! The natural surroundings, the setting and the mountain scenery were absolutely stunning. There were so many animals and plants – it was like paradise. I experienced so much there that it’s hard to put into words. Under the guidance of the wonderful, dedicated and passionate Elli and her team, we had a brilliant time, learnt an incredible amount and felt like part of a family. I’m so happy and grateful that I was able to be there and support them in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of wild animals, as well as on the farm. This experience has truly changed my life!

Peppy, a retreat participant from Germany

Would you like to organise a retreat with us?

Fill in the form and we’ll get in touch with you – with no obligation – to get to know you and discuss together what your retreat with us might look like.

First name and surname

Telephone number

Place of residence

What sort of retreat are you planning? (e.g. yoga, coaching)

What is your intention?

Which year are you planning your retreat with us for?

How many participants are you planning for your retreat?

Have you organised any retreats before?

If so, please do tell us a bit about it.

Do you have a website or social media page? (Optional)

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

Any questions?

Is there a minimum length of stay?

No, you are free to choose the duration of your retreat. However, we recommend a two-week stay so that your participants can get to know farm life at their own pace, whilst still leaving enough time for your yoga or coaching sessions and group outings.

How much does a retreat with you cost?

The cost depends on the number of participants and the programme you’d like. We’d be happy to put together a bespoke quote for your group. You set the price for the retreat yourself.

What excursions are available and how much do they cost?

There are various excursions available, such as a trip to Kruger National Park, the Blyde River Canyon, a day of boating and swimming at the nearby dam, or even a snake-handling course. Prices depend on the number of participants. We’d be happy to put together a personalised quote tailored to your retreat.

Can we organise our daily routine as we wish?

In principle, yes – the daily routine can be organised flexibly. However, farm work is an essential part of the stay and is what makes the experience so special. As a group, you could, for example, work together on a project such as building sleeping huts. You will, of course, be supported by the staff on site, so no special prior knowledge is required.

Do I need a visa?

No visa is required for a short stay in South Africa. A passport is sufficient. Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days from the date of entry and have at least two blank pages for stamps.

How do we get from the airport to the farm?

We’ll organise a shuttle bus to take you directly from the airport to the farm. The journey takes around 3.5 hours, including a short break.

Is there a risk of malaria in the region?

The farm is not located in a malaria-risk area, so no specific anti-malaria medication is required. As always, however, it is advisable to take the usual precautions against mosquitoes.

Which vaccinations are recommended for your stay?

Rabies and tetanus vaccinations are recommended for your stay.

Where is the farm located?

The farm is situated in Badplaas, near Nelspruit.

What language skills are required?

English is an advantage, but not essential. The group leader, Elli, is German. However, it is helpful if at least one person in the group speaks English so that they can communicate with local staff and during excursions.

What does the work involve?

Volunteering involves both working directly with the animals and carrying out various tasks on the farm. These include, for example, feeding the animals, sorting fruit and vegetables, cleaning enclosures, raking leaves and building fences. Please note that some of this work is physically demanding.

Are there any dangerous animals, such as snakes, on the farm?

Yes, there may be dangerous snakes or spiders on the farm. Our staff are fully trained in handling the animals. The chalets are built on raised platforms so that snakes and spiders cannot get inside (provided you keep the windows closed)..

Is there a chance the monkeys might bite?

Monkeys are wild animals and can bite, although this is very rare. A rabies vaccination is therefore recommended. You’ll receive a comprehensive briefing on site and will always have someone by your side. You’ll never be forced to enter a cage if you don’t feel comfortable doing so.

Do I need to wear any special clothing?

Comfortable clothing and sturdy, waterproof footwear will do. You should also remember to bring a hat for sun protection. Once you’ve booked, we’ll send you a packing list as well.

Join our community

Helping Hands for Wildlife thrives on the support of people who share our vision. #teamvervet brings together people from all over the world who want to take responsibility and make a real difference.

Join us on our journey – together, we’ll give orphaned and injured animals a second chance.