The Thandile Wild Heart Volunteer Experience is more than just a place to work, it’s a place to grow.

What makes us different is the balance between practical volunteering, connection with animals, and personal awareness. Whether you're working with horses or helping build the future of our ranch, you’ll find yourself learning as much about yourself as about the tasks at hand.

 

General information

Volunteers work five days a week, from 08:00 to 13:00. The rest of the day is yours: explore the land on horseback, relax under the African sun, or join one of our weekly activities.

All stays include:

  • Comfortable accommodation

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Weekly lodge-based activities (see below)

To ensure a meaningful experience for both you and the animals, we require a minimum stay of 3 weeks

 

At Thandile:

You don’t just feed horses — you learn to understand them.

You don’t just ride — you build trust, presence, and connection.

You don’t just work — you become part of a meaningful story in the African bush.

We use elements of natural horsemanship to show you how horses mirror human behavior — making this program perfect for anyone curious about non-verbal communication, energy, leadership, and connection.

And if horses aren’t your thing? Our construction and maintenance volunteers are just as vital. You help create new facilities, improve the land, and bring our vision to life.

Whether you're here for adventure, growth, or contribution — Thandile offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience that stays with you long after you’ve left.

 

 

For horse lovers

You’ll help care for the horses and assist with their natural training using the principles of natural horsemanship – building connection through trust, patience, and calm energy.

Daily tasks may include grooming, feeding, washing, and administering basic health treatments such as tick control, deworming, and general preventive care.

Staying longer? You may also join as a guide on horse trails with guests.
Additional tasks can include helping around the lodge and supporting the relaxed B&B atmosphere for visiting guests.

We also want to start again with resqueing 

We're also working towards reopening our horse rescue initiative.
In the future, we aim to offer a safe haven for abandoned, neglected, or mistreated horses. Volunteers may be part of the rehabilitation process: supporting their physical care, rebuilding trust, and helping them gently reintegrate into a natural and respectful environment.

For Builders and Hands-On Volunteers

Not into horses? No problem.
We’re also looking for practical, hands-on volunteers to help us build and improve:

  • Working on building new projects
  • Small maintenance around the property
  • You may also help with the upkeep of the terrain, basic landscaping, and light gardening. Such as planting vegetables, herbs, flowers, or even growing natural feed for the horses.

Whether you're a builder, handyman (or handywoman), or simply someone who enjoys physical work – we need your skills.

Lodge-Based Weekly Activities (Included)

Every week we organize unforgettable experiences on the ranch, such as:

  • Horse trails with scenic picnics

  • Overnight horseback adventures in the bush

  • Natural horsemanship workshops

  • Vision workshops

  • An “Evening under the African sky” with wild potjie or braai

  • Swimming with horses

  • Full moon horse trails

  • Enjoy fishing in one of the many nearby dams

You don’t just work — you make memories for life.

Extra Adventures (Optional Add-Ons)

Want to explore more of South Africa during your stay? We can help arrange trips outside the lodge. These are not included in the program fee, but available on request:

  • Bambelela Wildlife Care

  • Cheetah sanctuary

  • Adventures with Elephants

  • Schrikkloof lions foundation

  • Weekend getaway to a horse ranch in Perdekop

  • 3-day trip Pilansberg National Park