The image depicts a man and woman in a grassy field, both wearing light-colored clothing and smiling at the camera. The man is wearing a hat.
The image depicts a vast, grassy landscape with a prominent mountain in the background, featuring a flat top and steep sides, under a cloudy sky.
The image depicts a white house with a thatched roof, surrounded by trees and a large purple flowering tree in the front yard.
The image features a collage of three photographs, showcasing a black chicken, a brown chicken, and a woman holding a lamb, all set against a backdrop of hay.
The image features a pig and a duck in two separate photos, with the pig on the left and the duck on the right.
The image depicts a rustic, one-story building with a wooden deck and a grassy field in the background, surrounded by trees and rocks.
The image depicts a wooden deck with a railing and hammock, overlooking a vast, dry landscape with rolling hills and trees in the distance.
The image depicts a cozy living room with a fireplace, featuring a couch, chair, and table, with a painting on the wall and a window with a view of the outdoors.
The image depicts a serene bedroom with a double bed, wooden furniture, and a window, exuding a sense of calmness and relaxation.
The image depicts two wooden lounge chairs situated on a grassy area, overlooking a serene body of water and a mountainous landscape in the distance.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a grassy field, a rock formation with a hole, and a mountain range in the background, bathed in a warm pinkish light.
The image depicts a group of hikers traversing a rugged terrain, with a majestic mountain range serving as a backdrop. The scene exudes a sense of adventure and exploration.
The image depicts a red hot air balloon soaring above a vast, open landscape with trees and mountains in the background.
The image depicts a glass decanter filled with dark liquid, accompanied by two small glasses on a decorative tray, all situated on a wooden table.
The image depicts two women laughing together, with the woman on the left wearing a head wrap and a vibrant shirt, and the woman on the right sporting a striped shirt.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring rolling hills, mountains, and a blue sky with clouds, evoking a sense of natural beauty and tranquility.
The image depicts a serene sunset over a mountain range, with a body of water in the foreground and a cloudy sky.
The image depicts a breathtaking sunset over a mountain range, with a vibrant sky and a serene landscape, evoking a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.
The image depicts a large, two-story house with a thatched roof, situated on a grassy lawn and set against a blue sky with white clouds.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a field of pink flowers, a blue sky with white clouds, and a bright sun shining in the distance.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a grassy field, trees, and a cloudy sky, with a distant horizon line and a body of water in the distance.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a lake, mountains, and a vibrant field of wildflowers in the foreground.
The image depicts a cave painting of a cow and three human figures, showcasing a primitive and artistic representation of ancient life.
The image shows a red and white sail with the word "TEAM" on it, flying over a mountainous landscape with trees and a clear blue sky.
The image depicts a woman and her dog gazing out at a serene landscape, with a lake and mountains visible in the distance.
The image features a striking sculpture of a tree with a trunk and branches, crafted from stacked wooden planks, set against a white wall with a brown floor and ceiling.
The image depicts a wooden chess set, with a focus on the pawns, set against a wooden chessboard. The pawns are crafted from light-colored wood.
The image depicts a compact bathroom with white tiles, a shower, toilet, sink, and mirror, featuring wooden accents and a tiled floor.
The image depicts a bathroom with a mosaic of a person playing a guitar on the wall, a sink, and a toilet.
The image depicts a red and white hang glider soaring over a vast, grassy field with rolling hills in the background on a cloudy day.
The image showcases a wooden wall adorned with a shield and a carved figure, featuring a wooden wall with a shield and a carved figure, with a watermark reading "worldmonk.info" in the center.
The image features two floor lamps, one with a wooden frame and the other with a mosaic base, set against a stone wall backdrop.
The image features a wooden chair with a carved human head on the backrest, situated in front of a fireplace with a burning fire.
The image depicts a triangular window with a stained glass sun design, set within a thatched roof structure, featuring a wooden floor and a serene outdoor view.
The image depicts a wooden door with a circular design, featuring six cut-out shapes resembling wine bottles, set against a brick wall and wooden floor.
The image features a wooden object with a screw in the center, set against a white background with a watermark reading "workaway.info".
The image depicts a wooden cabinet with a door featuring a knob and a handle, showcasing a light-colored wood finish. The cabinet is crafted from wood.
The image features a wooden door with a unique design, comprising a light-colored wood frame and a darker wood panel, adorned with decorative metal accents.

Learn a unique style of woodwork and alternative way of living in Estcourt, South Africa

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    80 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    18 Jul 2024

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    8

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Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

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What's this?

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hot off the press! We are currently looking for someone with horse training skills to work with a few horses keeping them fit as well as a foal that needs some love and attention. We are very into the softer horse wispering, natural horsmanship
    way of doing things. If this is something you would love to do and are able to ride and have some horsy skills then this is the workaway of a lifetime for you.

    Otherwise we offer visitors a unique opportunity of learning our unique style of woodwork and alternative building. Its difficult to say exactly what you will be doing but we integrate volunteers into these sustainable projects that we run. While there might be a little bit organic gardening, firebreaks or helping out at the lodge mostly we try not to replace local jobs by using volunteers. I used to volunteer all over the world 30 years ago and loved the experience and this is something we have created to give something back.

    And if you have any skills that you would like to share I am sure that I can find someone who would like to learn from you. South Africa in general has a huge lack of skills and any skill development that takes place will be helping uplift peoples lives. We have had chefs teaching cooking, an architect that has helped to change some of our ways of doing things, horse trainers that have worked to improve horse care and the list goes on.

    If you want to work with me (Andrew) you will find that I am mostly busy in the workshop. We do various artistic woodwork and alternative construction. Its dusty so make sure you bring cloths you don't mind getting dirty. And this is where I think the real opportunities are to be found as you will actually learn to make things from wood

    Otherwise we look for opportunities to keep you busy in the lodge or in the garden. We generally try to see what you want to do and then make that work.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Teaching
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    Hospitality/Tourism
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    There is no straight answer to this and so much depends on personalities and goals of the workaway. Cultural exchange is achieved through relationship connections and its different in every case. Some of our volunteers have made connections to the local Zulu villagers through the staff that work at the Lodge. Especially if there is a cultural event like a wedding that they get invited to. We are rurally located so dont expect massive crowds. what you learn is mostly up to you. Many go away with woodworking experience, others teach us something. Those that spend time with the horses tend to build strong bods there and I suppose that to is an exchange.

  • Help

    Help

    The essence of our volunteer program is the unique style of wood work that we do and the alternative building style that we have. Volunteers can look forward to learning the way we do things, working on one of our sustainability programs or alternative building project. Yes we also have horses and you will get to ride and possible even fly in my microlight with me but this must not be considered as the work exchange rather as benefits of staying here.

    We offer accommodation and food in exchange for your contribution of effort. This is not about cheap labor and nor is it about cheap holiday options. We prefer to take volunteers for longer than 3 weeks at a time. We dont respect weekends at all and you will find that we often work harder then. Its the nature of the tourism industry.

    There is a lot for you to explore in our amazing surroundings and popular tourist sites. This includes hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains, horse trails, viewing bushman rock art or just chilling out with a great book. Volunteers will be hands on and would need to get their hands dirty.

    There are difficulties if you decide to come here. There are limited public transport options and there is no access to things like pubs, clubs, movies and sopping centers. We really are located in the middle of nowhere. And then we integrate our volunteers with our lodge which means you always need to put any needs of our guests first. That means things like you get dinner after the guests and if there is a shortage of couch space you need to get up and let them use that space. But I dont really see these issues as huge hardship.

    To get involved please send me an email letting me know what you would like to do, what sort of skills you have and when and how long you would like to come for. We only have limited capacity so the more notice you can give us the better.

  • Languages spoken

    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    we swap accommodation and meals in exchange for time volunteered

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We are located in the middle of nowhere very rurally. Its not the nightlife and party scene that will attract you here. We earn our income from a lodge based on tourism. so just remember that the lodge comes first. And we use the excess resources of the lodge to accommodate our volunteers. Should the lodge accommodation be fully booked then you might end up in a tent for a night or two but this doesn't often happen.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

Host ref number: 573137411766

Feedback (6)

View all 6 feedbacks

Photos

The image depicts a vast, grassy landscape with a prominent mountain in the background, featuring a flat top and steep sides, under a cloudy sky.
The image depicts a white house with a thatched roof, surrounded by trees and a large purple flowering tree in the front yard.
The image features a collage of three photographs, showcasing a black chicken, a brown chicken, and a woman holding a lamb, all set against a backdrop of hay.
The image features a pig and a duck in two separate photos, with the pig on the left and the duck on the right.
The image depicts a man and woman in a grassy field, both wearing light-colored clothing and smiling at the camera. The man is wearing a hat.
The image depicts a rustic, one-story building with a wooden deck and a grassy field in the background, surrounded by trees and rocks.
The image depicts a wooden deck with a railing and hammock, overlooking a vast, dry landscape with rolling hills and trees in the distance.
The image depicts a serene bedroom with a double bed, wooden furniture, and a window, exuding a sense of calmness and relaxation.
The image depicts two wooden lounge chairs situated on a grassy area, overlooking a serene body of water and a mountainous landscape in the distance.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a grassy field, a rock formation with a hole, and a mountain range in the background, bathed in a warm pinkish light.
The image depicts a group of hikers traversing a rugged terrain, with a majestic mountain range serving as a backdrop. The scene exudes a sense of adventure and exploration.
The image depicts a red hot air balloon soaring above a vast, open landscape with trees and mountains in the background.
The image depicts a glass decanter filled with dark liquid, accompanied by two small glasses on a decorative tray, all situated on a wooden table.
The image depicts two women laughing together, with the woman on the left wearing a head wrap and a vibrant shirt, and the woman on the right sporting a striped shirt.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring rolling hills, mountains, and a blue sky with clouds, evoking a sense of natural beauty and tranquility.
The image depicts a serene sunset over a mountain range, with a body of water in the foreground and a cloudy sky.
The image depicts a breathtaking sunset over a mountain range, with a vibrant sky and a serene landscape, evoking a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.
The image depicts a large, two-story house with a thatched roof, situated on a grassy lawn and set against a blue sky with white clouds.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a field of pink flowers, a blue sky with white clouds, and a bright sun shining in the distance.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a grassy field, trees, and a cloudy sky, with a distant horizon line and a body of water in the distance.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a lake, mountains, and a vibrant field of wildflowers in the foreground.
The image depicts a cave painting of a cow and three human figures, showcasing a primitive and artistic representation of ancient life.
The image shows a red and white sail with the word "TEAM" on it, flying over a mountainous landscape with trees and a clear blue sky.
The image depicts a woman and her dog gazing out at a serene landscape, with a lake and mountains visible in the distance.
The image features a striking sculpture of a tree with a trunk and branches, crafted from stacked wooden planks, set against a white wall with a brown floor and ceiling.
The image depicts a wooden chess set, with a focus on the pawns, set against a wooden chessboard. The pawns are crafted from light-colored wood.
The image depicts a compact bathroom with white tiles, a shower, toilet, sink, and mirror, featuring wooden accents and a tiled floor.
The image depicts a bathroom with a mosaic of a person playing a guitar on the wall, a sink, and a toilet.
The image depicts a red and white hang glider soaring over a vast, grassy field with rolling hills in the background on a cloudy day.
The image showcases a wooden wall adorned with a shield and a carved figure, featuring a wooden wall with a shield and a carved figure, with a watermark reading "worldmonk.info" in the center.
The image features two floor lamps, one with a wooden frame and the other with a mosaic base, set against a stone wall backdrop.
The image features a wooden chair with a carved human head on the backrest, situated in front of a fireplace with a burning fire.
The image depicts a triangular window with a stained glass sun design, set within a thatched roof structure, featuring a wooden floor and a serene outdoor view.
The image depicts a wooden door with a circular design, featuring six cut-out shapes resembling wine bottles, set against a brick wall and wooden floor.
The image features a wooden object with a screw in the center, set against a white background with a watermark reading "workaway.info".
The image depicts a wooden cabinet with a door featuring a knob and a handle, showcasing a light-colored wood finish. The cabinet is crafted from wood.
The image features a wooden door with a unique design, comprising a light-colored wood frame and a darker wood panel, adorned with decorative metal accents.

Feedback

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Accuracy of profile:
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Cultural exchange:
(2.5)

Communication:
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