WWOOF Volunteering
Making a Difference!
WWOOF, which stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, a global movement, see www.wwoof.net. It started in England back in the 1970’s as Working Weekends On Organic Farms, giving organic farmers a much-needed helping hand to be competitive with conventional production. Today WWOOFing focuses more on cultural exchange and spread of healthy & sustainable lifestyle, while volunteering on farms with an organic approach to life and production. It’s an exchange of your Help for Food & Accommodation. It’s about experiencing and taking part in everyday farm life, to its fullest. Duration min. 2 weeks, longer stays will be considered after your 2 weeks. Shorter stays only if you have your own transport and if we have space and need for help.
Simonskloof Mountain Retreat
We make our living by offering holiday accommodation: cottages & camping, a place to re-connect with nature and oneself. In addition, we have plenty of hiking trails and adventure activities. We’re not a commercial organic farm, but we’re off-grid, without mobile phone coverage and plenty of tranquillity and limited Solar power. Sustainable healthy living, Eco-friendliness and Awareness is what we strive for. Since 1999 we’ve restored our valley from a working farm of the late 1970s, back to indigenous nature (Fynbos & Renosterveld) and wild animals.
WWOOF @ Simonskloof
WWOOFer/Volunteer tasks range from field work, building or renovation, hiking trail maintenance and stacking wood, to lighter tasks like cleaning of guest cottages, helping in our home kitchen and our growing permaculture garden. Whenever possible we all work together as a team, however WWOOFers need to be able to work on their own and be comfortable with the remoteness of the farm. Temperatures in summer days can reach +40° and in winter nights can drop to -5°. Working hours are roughly 5 hours per day, 5 ½ days a week. There’s plenty of time for you to explore, hike, climb, swim, read or meditate.
We all help with preparation of the meals, setting the table, cleaning up and washing dishes. We eat together, healthy and hearty breakfasts & lunches are provided. Many ingredients are organic and when possible, from our own garden. For evenings and weekends there’s a small kitchen set-up at the WWOOF caravan/area, where you can prepare your own meals during off-times, so we all have our personal space.
WWOOFer/Volunteer should be outdoorsy, enthusiastic, willing to help and if they are hands-on and have some practical experience it’s a bonus. We host 1-4 WWOOFers at a time from all over the globe. Here you have the chance to Digital Detox – However, there’s limited Wi-Fi should you choose to use it in your off-time.
WWOOF accommodation is a cosy/rustic caravan and a safari dome tent, subject to availability between WWOOFers.
What to Bring & How to Get to Simonskloof
Bring plenty of enthusiasm to help, work, and learn — along with a backpack (for trail work), sleeping bag, hiking boots, light shoes or sandals, working clothes, gloves, sun hat/protection, biodegradable sun cream, toiletries, swimming gear, cool and warm clothing, rain gear, headlamp, and a 1-2 litre water bottle. You’ll need a valid TOURIST VISA for South Africa, travel and health insurance, and enough pocket money for town meals, personal treats, weekend outings, and evening snacks or drinks.
To get to Simonskloof, our closest village is Montagu (50km/1 hour away), which serves as our pick-up point. Long-distance buses run from Cape Town to Ashton, from where you can take a taxi or hitchhike to Montagu. Alternatively, book a private shuttle from Cape Town or the airport directly to Montagu (we’ll provide transport contacts). Please arrange your pick-up date and time with us at least a week in advance, as we only travel to Montagu once a week. If you arrive late, you may need to spend the night in Montagu — De Bos Backpackers and Campsite is a great spot to stay if you take the late bus.
What to Bring and How to Get to Simonskloof
Bring plenty of enthusiasm to help, work, and learn — along with a backpack (for trail work), sleeping bag, hiking boots, light shoes or sandals, working clothes, gloves, sun hat/protection, biodegradable sun cream, toiletries, swimming gear, cool and warm clothing, rain gear, headlamp, and a 1-2 litre water bottle. You’ll need a valid TOURIST VISA for South Africa, travel and health insurance, and enough pocket money for town meals, personal treats, weekend outings, and evening snacks or drinks.
To get to Simonskloof, our closest village is Montagu (50km/1 hour away), which serves as our pick-up point. Long-distance buses run from Cape Town to Ashton, from where you can take a taxi or hitchhike to Montagu. Alternatively, book a private shuttle from Cape Town or the airport directly to Montagu (we’ll provide transport contacts). Please arrange your pick-up date and time with us at least a week in advance, as we only travel to Montagu once a week. If you arrive late, you may need to spend the night in Montagu — De Bos Backpackers and Campsite is a great spot to stay if you take the late bus.
