Developing your personnel management, leadership, wildlife conservation and field guiding skills. Working at beautiful safari lodges, living and working in the African bush with incredible wildlife. Getting acquainted with big game and all the main predators, including lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant and rhino. Exploring nearby regions such as the Blyde River Canyon in the Drakensberg Mountains; living and working alongside FGASA qualified South African Guides, getting constant learning and inspiration; having the chance to sleep out in the bush under the spectacular African stars and wake up to a beautiful sunrise. You'll spend your first ten weeks on a wildlife research expedition. Based on your performance on the expdition, you'll spend the next twelve weeks on a work placement in the African bush.
Skills And Qualifications Received
Mammal Introduction and Herbivore Identification, Survey Skills – Radio Telemetry; GPS use, Field Guide’s Reptile Course, First Aid & CPR training (certification optional), Individual Predator Ecology and behavior, Wildlife Management, Basic wildlife diseases, Large herbivore ecology and behavior, Basic animal tracks and sign skills, Basic Field Guide skills, BTEC in Biodiversity survey techniques (Small mammal trapping, Invertebrate surveys), Field Safety – Radio use, Emergency Action Plan implementation and drills. Setting up a bush camp; Sleep-out in bush; bush skills and survival; Spotlighting; basic 4X4 driving; planning of game drives and walks; Communication and facilitation skills; dealing with guests.
Location
Our expedition operates out of two reserves in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, approximately 500km northeast of Johannesburg. These areas are true ‘Big Five’ (lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalos) territories and reveal the African bush at its best, being the home to such majestic animals. Interns will be allocated their base upon arrival on the expedition with the possibility to experience both camps. Work placements are either within the region of each reserve.
Field Conditions
When on the expedition interns live in an old farm house, and in a stunning permanent tented camp at Venetia, both situated within the reserves, which contain dormitory-style sleeping arrangements, bathrooms, a kitchen and an outside area. Work placements vary but will all offer basic to comfortable accommodations.
What's Included
All food and accommodation, expedition equipment and training; national park fees and permits; the comprehensive training necessary for research techniques; an Emergency First Aid course; 24-hour in-country support and a 24-hour emergency phone line.
International flights and visas (if required) are not included in the price
Volunteer must have a manual driving license, this is mandatory for participation
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I had a very good experience on this volunteer project. The organisor is absolutely reliable, well organised, and their staff are very professional (field as well as head-offices).
Probably one of the best volunteer organisations out there.
