Mingling with Meerkats for teenagers
Facilitated by Grant McIlrath (Research Conservationist & Educational Biologist) and Mandy Young (Psychotherapist & Ecotherapist)
Having shown a real interest in participating in a Mingling with Meerkats weekend, this opportunity is now available to you soon
Grant M McIlrath, an experienced, active research biologist and conservationist, who is the world’s foremost expert on wild meerkat behavior. Like a modern-day St Francis of Assisi, Grant interacts effortlessly with the meerkats, using a completely unobtrusive, yet entirely sustainable nature conservation process. Grant's expertise has culminated in numerous scientific publications, and documentary films with National Geographic, the BBC, Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel. Mandy is a psychotherapist with 26 years privileged experience working with healing, maturation, relationships and self-discovery. She also has 11 year of experience as an Eco-therapist, taking people into wilderness spaces to observe animals with social behavior. It is a journey of re-connection with our intuition, passion and creativity. She facilitates 4 tailor-made experiences with Meerkats. Wild Dogs, Elephants and Dolphins. These Eco-therapy experienced include holidaying, amazing wild life experiences and much more. On this occasion, Mandy offers you the chance of a lifetime: an opportunity to magically mingle with meerkats! Ultimately, it is an opportunity to discover yourself.
An investment of R1,375 is required for a 3 day / 2 night experience: which entitles each participant to 2 Sunset and 2 Sunrise tours to observe & mingle with the wild Meerkats of the Ungulungu family in the Meerkat Magic valley and 5 Eco-therapy group discussions to enhance self-discovery, self-worth, finding one's place and purpose in the world and a meaningful sense of family, teamwork, harmony and belonging. Other costs that could be incurred are those for travel to Oudtshoorn, return; 2 nights of accommodation and possible supervision of teenagers if parents are not involved.
Accommodation recommendations are Klein Plassie Self-catering Chalets near Cango Wildlife Ranch: R350 per night for 4 teenagers, with a fully equipped bathroom and kitchenette; R250 per night for an accompanying parenting couple with similar facilities, and just R160 per night for a single person. There is a swimming pool and restaurant on the premises. For more up-market, accommodation De Zeekoe guest farm offers rustic cabins on a dam frequented by many bird species, including resident fish eagles, and where one can relax, canoe or fish! Costs per night are R375 per person, which includes bed and brunch.
Supervision of teenagers, other than parents, could be a teacher or two, possibly those who attended the Meerkat Magic presentation at Michael Oak school in May, 2005, namely Mrs. Bond, Mr. Cox, Mr. Scannell or Ms. Whitesman. A suggestion would be that parents of participants, combine to pay for 2 nights of accommodation for these teachers who are supervising their children, and an opportunity for them to also Mingle with the wild Meerkats at a rate of R300 per Sunrise or Sunset wild Meerkat tour. There is also the option of recommended supervision by students at UCT known to me, who have had much experience and care with teenagers in weekly Youth groups that they facilitate. Their recommended rate is R250 per student, R400 per couple, excluding accommodation expenses. If you would like me to organize travel, supervision and accommodation arrangements I will willingly do so, but a 10% administration fee will be included.