Wildlife Conservation in Limpopo

General Information about the Game Reserve Project

Departure date : once a month

2 to 12 weeks

Location: Limpopo, South Africa

Witness nature in its simplest form, from watching a lion take down its prey or newborn cheetah cubs playing, to a stand-off between two elephants. In the African bush you can never tell what you will find just around the corner…
 

Travel to the home of the Big Five in the South African bush, assisting our team’s important conservation research.

This project gives you a real and unfiltered look into Africa’s incredible iconic wildlife. But unlike a tourist safari, you play an active and meaningful role in the research and long term conservation of South Africa’s natural resources in this stunning region of the world.

You will volunteer alongside an international team to collect vital behavioural data on reintroduced predators and large herbivores on a private game reserve. In order to assist with this vital conservation work you will be trained to use research equipment to help locate predators in the reserve and you will receive invaluable training in large animal identification, tracking and behavioural study skills.

No special skills or qualifications are required to join this program, as all training will be provided by our fully qualified field teams. All we ask is an enthusiasm to learn and become fully involved and immersed in this unique opportunity.
 

Highlights

•  Experiencing a unique African bush adventure at the heart of a spectacular game reserve
• Be woken by a dawn chorus and sent to sleep by the roar of lions
• Mastering radio telemetry techniques and learning to track animals through the bush
• Getting acquainted with big game and all the main predators, including lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant and rhino
• Exploring nearby regions to experience such breathtaking views as from 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.
   

Project Details

As well as being prepared for changes in what is an evolving project, exact project details are also always subject to change due to weather conditions, time of year and game movements.

Overall, we have regular contact with our partners, the reserve managers and other members of the broader conservation and research community to determine our areas of focus.

A typical expedition may involve the detailed monitoring of predators (lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena); herbivore sex/age ratio and its effect on predator movement; elephant impact vegetation surveys to monitor impact on sensitive areas of the reserve; community projects that teach the importance of conservation.

Other activities and ecological studies can also include darting/fitting radio collars to predators or invasive vegetation species eradication.

From a personal perspective, you will increase your knowledge of the South African environment, its importance and the threats to it, and help to increase both local and global knowledge and awareness, while contributing to our overall goals and objectives.

Our volunteer project inclusions

•  Airport pick up
• Accommodation
• Orientation and welcome BBQ
• Three meals a day
• Weekly social events
• Transport to and from the projects
• 24 hour support and supervisor on project
• Donation to the NPO to assist with projects
• Certificate of appreciation

Terms and conditions for volunteers

• Up to date CV/ resume
• Copy of return flight itinerary
• Police clearance
• Basic level of English; understanding and speaking
• Acceptance subject to availability of position

Payment & Cancellation

The non-refundable deposit payment is due within 48 hours of notice of acceptance onto the program. Deposits are currently €300(or equivalent) or €900 (or equivalent) for Programs costing €5000 (or equivalent) or more, or for Programs with a duration of 90 days or more.

For Programs with a deposit of €300 or equivalent 50% of the balance will be due 16 weeks before departure and the outstanding balance must be paid by the Participant no later than 10 weeks prior to departure. For Programs with a deposit of €900 or equivalent 50% of the balance will be due 20 weeks before departure and the outstanding balance must be paid by the Participant no later than 12 weeks prior to departure.

For Programs with a deposit of €300 or equivalent the Participant will be entitled to cancel at any time up until 16 weeks before departure. For Programs with a deposit of €900 or equivalent , the Participant will be entitled to cancel at any time up until 20 weeks before departure. In the event of timely cancellation, the Participant shall not be entitled to a refund of the deposit, but will be entitled to a refund of any other monies paid. All refunds are subject to an administration fee of €15, or equivalent. In the event of cancellation after the deadlines above, the Participant shall not be entitled to a refund of any monies paid.

Our local charity relies on travellers to volunteer on various schemes around South Africa. We place volunteers into local communities and projects, assisting in building projects and allowing travellers to contribute to a growing community as well as making new friends.

The organisation is non-profitable and always ensures that all funding goes directly into the projects. The fee price for the volunteer experience will cover your accommodation and transport as well as a donation the projects.