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| Viewing: Waterberg Biodiversity & Wildlife Project |
Package ID: 1696 |
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| Waterberg Biodiversity & Wildlife Project |
Monitor predators, learn how to track, camp under the African night sky and even get to interact and have a bush walk on the back of an Elephant. Stay from 2 weeks to 3 months, see info for prices.
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Summary
The Waterberg biodiversity and wildlife project is an educational and conservation program. The project combines serious hands on biodiversity and practical conservation work, research, game farm management and education of not only the wildlife and habitats but also of wider conservation issues.
By providing financial input and human resources participants of the project support the reserve, where the project is based, to restore, protect and research habitat and wildlife of the Waterberg Mountains, within the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve.
Background
There are few true wildernesses left in the world. The Waterberg area is comparable with such wilderness places as the Kruger NP and the Okavango delta. Here there is low human habitation and little scientific research has previously been carried out. As for many places, there is pressure for the land to be used for economic gain, so it is important that biodiversity is researched and recorded before it disappears. The Waterberg is home to large animal populations and prolific birdlife as well as plants, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians. This beautiful area is designated a Biosphere Reserve and with its 14,500 sq km of mountain ranges, undulating plateau’s and breath-taking scenery, it is regarded as a truly beautiful and remote place.
Program Work & Features
The programme is variable but volunteers can expect to be involved in most of the following activities:
Guaranteed activities
Orientation to the project and reserve
Bush safety (work and safety issues in the bush environment)
An introduction to the identification of animals, birds, reptiles and insects
Introduction to the BIG FIVE and other dangerous African animals
Spoor & tracking workshop and practical
Ecology, historical review and conservation of Black and White Rhino. This includes a visit to the Rhino Rescue and care center, where you can assist the center in a variety of jobs for the day as well as personal contact with two black rhino orphans.
Ecology, social structure and conservation issues of the African Elephant. This includes a unique, once in a lifetime experience of meeting a family group of Elephants that have been habituated, where you will be able to touch, feed and even go on a bush walk on the back of an elephant. A rare chance to see the world from an elephants perspective.
Ecology, genetics and conservation of the African lion. A visit to the White lion breeding project is a great chance to get close to these amazing animals and you will be able to see the rare white lion. In the past volunteers have even been able to play and interact with young lion cubs.
Ecology, behaviour and conservation of Leopards. Find signs and track leopards in the bush. These elusive animals roam free in the Waterberg, you will have the opportunity to survey the area for Leopard by bush walks, night hide watches and night drives.
Other activites may include:
Mammal monitoring – game counts, transects analyses, hide watches
Predator monitoring – leopard, brown hyena, caracal, serval, jackal, and wild dog
Bird monitoring – bird counts, species lists, raptors and breeding info (data for SABAP2)
Game introduction – when available
Wilderness camp out
Biodiversity surveys – (data for SARCA, SANSA, SABCA and WNC)
Vegetation identification and surveying
Alien vegetation control and habitat restoration
Game farm management and reserve maintenance
Firearm handling
Basic 4x4 skills
Assist with rehab of wild animals – when needed
Work routine
Volunteers will work/ activities 5 days per week , 6th day is for organised excursions and town trip and the 7th day is for relaxing, laundry or self organised trips.
A normal work day starts between 7.30 and 8.30 after breakfast and finishes at between 5 or 6pm. Volunteers usually get about 2 hours for lunch, so they can relax, shower, read etc.
Thinking if coming in August? A one week special feature between the 12 - 19th August - Waterberg Planetary Festival. Spend each day in the bush and each evening looking at the skies, you will see them as never before. Talented astronomers will guide you through spectacular planetary events using the latest full colour telescopic technology projected onto a large screen. The Waterberg has some of the darkest skies in the world and this is once in a decade opportunity to see and learn about the stars, planets and galaxies.
Accommodation
This will be a mix of staying at 1) the ‘farmhouse’, which has the advantages of electricity, hot showers and TV room (majority of the stay). Rooms are single sex and have en-suite shower-room. 2) a rustic ‘bush camp’ with bush tents and camp fire, which facilitates work in the reserve. The bush camp will allow you to get a sense of the African bush, cooking round a camp fire, sitting out under the African night sky and listening to the night sounds of the bush (calling cicadas, nightjars and even leopards).
Features and facilities of the Project
All accommodation is provided, including backpackers accommodation (safe and established accommodation in the upmarket area, Sandton, Jo’burg) if needed. All meals (3 a day) on the reserve. Volunteers can either take a pack-lunch from the reserve or buy their own lunches when in town or on trips. Bedding is provided while at the farmhouse, sleeping bag will be needed for the bush camp. Internet and phone use is available from the lodge at a chargeable rate.
We will take people from the age of 17. There is no maximum age limit. Volunteers must be reasonably fit, though we can alter the program to suit volunteers abilities. There are no previous qualifications or experience needed, all training will be given. However, volunteers need to be flexible, patient, and willing to muck in and help with what-ever needs doing. Please remember this is Africa and things tend to run at a different pace, and things don’t always go to plan!
Safety & Security
Africa can often be a strange, confusing and dangerous place in which to travel. This project offers volunteers complete safety and security, with personalised pick-ups and drop-offs, organised trips and in-country support. The Waterberg area is also a very safe place. The towns are small and the whole area has a very low crime rate. The reserve is also in a malaria-free area.
Self organised trips can include;
Horse riding in the Waterberg bushveld, Quadbiking, Cultural walk with San Bushmen, Pilanesburg overnight Big Five Safari trip (though long stay volunteers may have this trip included as part of their package), De Wildt cheetah project, Rhinoland safari drive, Lapalala Wilderness safari drive and bushmen art, Birding trip to Nyslvey Ramsar site, and even skydiving!
For self organised trips, vehicle and driver can be hired from the reserve for transportation.
Duration and Cost
Volunteers can stay for a minimum of two weeks to a maximum of 3 months. For stays of longer length please enquire directly with project director. The cost of two weeks stay is GBP800, each extra week costs an additional GBP150. This fee covers personal transfers from Jo’burg (4 hours drive), accommodation, all meals on the reserve, all equipment and tools, fuel for transportation and work, staff salaries, administrative, marketing and communicative costs plus conservation related trips, as well as running the reserve.
What is not covered
Flight, insurance and spending money for gifts souvenirs, extra trips and luxury food / drink items such as chocolate and alcoholic beverages.
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