Volunteers will all complete a one week Bush Craft Training course which prepares them to safely work in a big game environment. Thereafter mornings will be spent monitoring and collecting samples from the pit line traps, the concept being that small mammals, invertebrates and reptiles will fall into the bucket so that they can be identified and counted. Volunteers will also be conducting bird point counts which give estimates of bird diversity in the area. Some time is then spent developing the rhino identikits, these take advantage of unique features on individual rhinos to form a database of all of the individuals on the reserve, so that movements, social interactions and other behaviors can be monitored. Other time is dedicated to carrying out herbivore and bird drive transects and dung counts in the old farm lands to give estimates of herbivore numbers. Volunteers also have to radio-track the two main groups of lion on the reserve at least once a week.
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Where will I be volunteering?
The Wildlife Game Reserve is located in the Waterberg Region of Limpopo Province, South Africa.
What will I be doing?
Volunteers will be participating in wildlife conservation, research projects, survey methodologies and data collection protocols.
What is required to volunteer on this project?
- Language Requirement: Intermediate English
- Must be 18 years or older.
What will my schedule be like?
Volunteers will work on average 8 hours per day, generally 6 days per week. However volunteers must also be available to sometimes work over weekends depending on the research requirements, data collection times and work load.
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Will I be able to communicate with family and friends?
There are limited communication facilities at the reserve. There is one staff computer on site at the reserve with a very basic internet connection only sufficient for email communication. Volunteers may use this computer for email contact if arranged with the camp staff (at an additional cost). The regularity of trips into the nearest town (20km) where there is an internet café is not guaranteed, but usually once every 2 weeks. It is highly recommended that volunteers bring their own mobile phones and then purchase a “pay as you go” SIM card and air time vouchers (available from local stores) as a means to stay in touch. (Vodacom is the preferred network supplier in this region). There is intermittent cell phone signal at the camp and around the reserve.
What can I do in my free time?
The Game Reserve is very large and in a very rural location. During their free time volunteers will be able to enjoy all aspects of the reserve. uVolunteer would suggest that volunteers plan time either at the beginning or end of their project to travel further afield in South Africa.
- Program Name: Volunteer South Africa
- Project Name: Volunteer in a Wildlife Game Reserve in South Africa
- Project Category: Conservation
- Project Location: Waterberg Region
- Program Fee: A 4 week experience starts from $2095; add $370 for each additional week
- Program fees include:
- Airport Pickup and Return Service
- Welcome Orientation and debriefing
- A one week Bush Craft Training course
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Program Activities
- In-country coordination support
- Letter of Recommendation
- Certificate
- Items not included: Flights, travel insurance, vaccinations, visa costs, personal expenses, and any other expense not listed above
- Project Transport Arrangements: Walking and Research Project vehicles
- Suggested transportation budget: None
- Working Schedule: 6 days per week, 8 hours per day EMPTY
- Language Requirement: Intermediate English
- Accommodation Type: Research Station
- Meals: 3 Meals Daily
- Start dates: , on s
- Volunteer Gender: Male & Female
- Minimum age: 18
- Minimum project length: 4 Weeks
- Maximum project length: 12 Weeks
- Maximum number of volunteers: 9
- Resume or CV required: No
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