Get up close and personal with lions, elephants,
leopards, buffalos and rhinoceros, as well as other South African wildlife in a safe, malaria-free, private game reserve.
Join on of Africa's best volunteer conservation projects!
Project Summary This exciting and hands-on wildlife project offers volunteers the chance to get up-close with some of Africas most charismatic mammals. Set against the backdrop of the majestic Langeberg mountain range, the reserve guards the entrance to South Africas world famous Garden Route coast. This malaria-free, private game reserve is home to an abundance of animal and bird life, including the Big 5!
Who should apply? No specific wildlife qualifications are required, although this project would definitely benefit those studying or working in the field of conservation. Volunteers will need to have a love for conservation and wildlife and mustnt be afraid to get their hands dirty! Volunteers need to be hard working, mature, motivated and able to show initiative. Good health and physical fitness are also required. Volunteers also need to be confident in English speaking.
Why join Africa's Big 5 Wildlife & Conservation Experience? The program was started with the vision to create a broader spectrum to environental awareness. Along with the short term, more immediate goals to rehabilitate agricultural land and local community uplifting, the project aims to develope a long term selfsustaining natural environment, create community awareness, expanding the existing reserve, continue our successful cheetah breeding program and most importantly, TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Volunteer Role Volunteers on this project may be involved in the following tasks: Game counts and species records Anti - poaching patrols Capture & Translocation Wildlife Nutriotion and Feeding Tracking & Monitoring Released Cheetah on Foot Lion Monitoring Managing & Maintaining Cheetah breeding Projects Elephant Interactions & Upkeep on their Bomas Short Course in Wilflife Immobilisation Darting & Rifle Handling Courses Education on how to approach wild animals on foot Conservation Education with the Community General reserve Duties, including Erosion Control, Vegetaion Rehabilitation & Road & Fence Maintenance
Optional A snake handling experience Work with the reserve Vet(only when Vet is needed) this could be for any translocation of animals, any wounded or sick animals or just routine checks and vitamin supplememtation.
Marine Education - This could be a one day guided walk along the coast of the famous oystercatcher trail. An experienced guide will walk with you and explain all the interesting facts about our coast.
Field Guide Qualifications (certain dates only) The field guiding course in a minimum on 4 weeks this includes 2 weeks practical and theoretical training that will be done at a nearby training centre, and after the completion of the 2 weeks practical will be done at the Big 5 program as wel as the theoretical exam.
Typical Day Volunteers leave the accommodation in the morning with your project coordinators and will be given clear instructions on the day's activities ahead. The day's aims vary according to the needs of the reserve so may involve some hard manual labour, a course on darting or working with the reserve vet.
After a hard morning's work you will be brought back to the volunteer accommodation for lunch (or eat a packed lunch on site before the afternoon's work commences).
You will not always have an opportunity to visit town but on some days we will give you the chance to pop into town on your way back from the projects in the evening and be home in time for the relaxing evening around a fire and usually a delicious barbeque ( or braai as we call it in South Africa).
Below are some of the topics you may be experiencing: Game capture and translocation Tracking and monitoring released cheetah on foot Managing and maintaining the cheetah breeding project(this will include cleaning enclosures) Elephant interactions and upkeep of their bomas Lion monitoring Experience on how to approach wild animals on foot Darting and Rifle handling course during 2 day survival camp Wildlife nutrition and feeding Option to work with the reserve vet when she is on site or working on neighboring reserves Short course in wildlife immobilization Game counts and species records Marine education (1 day) Snake handling course and reptile park upkeep (optional) General reserve duties include erosion control, vegetation rehabilitation, road and fence maintenance. Community work in the form of conservation education (optional)
Day to day tasks may vary because of the nature of this industry.
The Big 5 Wildlife and Conservation Project gives you a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the majesty of Africa's wildlife close at hand.
You will be based on the reserve in a very comfortable farm style volunteer house. There is an honesty bar and lapa (outdoor fire pit) where plenty on socialising takes place. Regular visitors to the house include Rhino, Buffalo, Cheetah, Giraffe and a range of Antelope. The house features satellite TV and internet.
COSTS
Whats Included: Confidence that every effort is made to ensure your safety and enjoyment during your stay Rapid Pre-Departure Support & Information Airport pick up( on arrival dauys only - please ask us for these days) First Day Introduction, Orientation to Projects & Colleagues Thorough Orientation to Area Continuous Project Support & Feedback Sessions Accommodation Food Travel Arrangements to & from Projects (On Allocated Days) Project Related Transport Thorough orientation to the area and chosen project Project support and feedback sessions throughout your stay Assistance with Optional Activities & Tours 24/7 Emergency Support Phone Sim Card T-Shirt Survival Course (Camping) Post-Project Involvement & Updates Transport to and from the guide training centre All meals while doing the course at the centre All activities and transport program related The relevant study materials The practical assesment and theoatrical exam
Whats Excluded:
Flights & Visas Travel Insurance (Necessity!) Optional Excursions & Activities Post Placement Transport
For guiding course exclusively: Note book and pens/pencils own bedding (sleeping bag, pillow,sheet, towel) Liquid soap(soap bars are not compatible with our water) Binoculars Good field clothes, boots and hat Sun block and insect repellent Own snacks, cool drinks, beer etc.
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This trip: African Big 5 Wildlife and Conservation Project
Rating:
rating 8/10
Comment:
The experience was really good out there, however, I believe it was more so because of the Game Lodge and the co-ordinators there.
The programme offers an opportunity to really watch the Big 5 (except for Leopard) from close quarters. However, it could have beeN better with some more planning and more time with the animals. Most of our time was spent in the maintenance work of the park (which ofcourse I dont mind), but I just wish we could have spent more time with the animals. Thats probably the only critical feedback I have to give.
Its definitely a wonderful programme, especially for people who want to make a career in game reserve management / wildlife conservation.
2
Client:
Liz Acomb - from United Kingdom
Trip:
This trip: African Big 5 Wildlife and Conservation Project
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
We have just returned from an absolutely fantastic month away in South Africa, where we worked at the Game Lodge.
All the staff were fantastic and the whole trip was so expertly organised with a lot of care and attention to detail. We felt at home straight away and would have stayed if our visas didn't run out!
The project itself involved many different activities from tracking cheetah, feeding the baby cheetah, helping vets to dart, capture and release animals and also a lot of general farm maintenance. It was hard work but very rewarding.
Like all volunteer projects, you get out what you put in to it. There is so much to gain from being part of the team. We have learned so much about Arfican wildlife, flora, fauna and the South African culture. Without a doubt I would recommend The Big 5 Wildlife and Conservation Project to anyone who wants to have an experience they will never forget.
3
Client:
John Ainger - from United Kingdom
Trip:
This trip: African Big 5 Wildlife and Conservation Project
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
I had a truly wonderful month on the Big 5 project in South Africa.
The project was very well facilitated and I received exactly what I was looking for - a varied, interesting hands-on experience. Participating in everything from collecting and feeding food to the lions and darting and relocating a male wildebeest, to making a new road on the reserve and learning about some of the plants and insects. I also had a chance to see some of the beautiful Garden Route.
They are a very well organised and professional company and looked after every tiny detail.
