The Savannah Cheetah Foundation

Volunteer with the Savannah Cheetah Foundation

The Savannah Cheetah Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organisation dedicated to protecting Africa’s indigenous wildlife and ecosystems. Their primary goal is to reintroduce the endangered cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) to the wild. The foundation operates on a 3000 acre wildlife preserve, The Savannah Wildlife Preserve, just 90 minutes south of Johannesburg, South Africa. The preserve is home to 25 different African mammal species, which include Sable, Buffalo, Rhinoceros, Giraffe, Impala, Wildebeest, and 313 species of birds. To help support the foundation’s work with cheetahs, the River Retreat provides luxury accommodation for up to 28 people
at the Savannah Cheetah Foundation Lodge.

Their Volunteer Programmes

• Cheetah Reintroduction
• Local Community Involvement
• Wildlife Preserve Management

The Savannah Wildlife Preserve property is entirely fenced and does not host any free-roaming large predators. Cheetahs are kept in special enclosures for the safety of their managers and volunteers. The preserve is located in a malaria-free area, so malaria prophylactics are unnecessary. No vaccinations are required for entry into South Africa from America.

Volunteer Programme Rates
Rates include room & board, volunteer training, a volunteers-only trip to the Welgevonden game preserve (with Lions), and necessary transportation to and from the airport and around the region.

2 weeks: $1800 | 4 weeks: $3000 | 6 weeks: $4000

Background
The Savannah Cheetah Foundation began as executive director Bobby Hartslief’s dream. Bobby and his family built the Savannah Cheetah Foundation and the Savannah Wildlife Preserve from the ground up. The Savannah Cheetah Foundation and the Savannah
Wildlife Preserve are managed by Marina and Wynand Wiering. Marina and Wynand live at the preserve with their two children Dylan and Michael.  Their board of directors hails from around the world, including India, Indonesia, Italy, the United States, and South Africa. Their chair, Jacqueline Lundquist is the former first lady of the United States in India.