Big Five Conservation Supporter

About the project

This project gives you a fantastic chance to dive into conservation efforts in one of South Africa's most beautiful locations and make a difference to the abundance of wildlife that calls the region home. This project is very important as it is playing a role in helping to reintroduce wildlife to an area it once thrived in. Without conservation projects such as this one being in place, the Eastern Cape of Africa would be without any of its incredible wildlife. 

One of the largest conservation issues in Africa is a lack of education about why the animal life in the country is so important. This project aims to tackle this too by giving volunteers the chance to teach at a local school and help the youngsters gain some knowledge about conservation as well as other topics. By showing the next generation of locals about the importance of the wildlife they share their home with, the animals have a much greater chance of thriving and surviving. 

The location

Based in the beautiful Eastern Cape region of South Africa, this volunteering project is located just 15km from the dazzling Indian Ocean and it presents you with the opportunity to really make a difference in an incredible surround. The reserve itself measures a large 10,000 hectares and the pristine wilderness found here is home to all manner of spectacular wildlife including the 'big 5!' Keep your eyes peeled and you may be able to see buffalo, lion, leopard, rhino and elephants during your time here!

Volunteer work

As a volunteer on this project you will essentially become an "assistant conservation manager" and you will be able to become a fully-fledged member of the in country team when volunteering. Tasks you could be helping with include game capture, elephant impact monitoring, and maybe even learning from the rhino anti-poaching team! 

Your work is invaluable to the project and volunteers provide the extra support that this busy reserve needs to run. Every task you take part in has a purpose here so you will leave South Africa with an incredible sense of achievement after working hard to achieve a common goal. Volunteers are expected to work hard when on the project, but the reward comes in the knowledge that you have helped to make a difference. No particular skills are needed to become a volunteer here apart from a desire to help the cause and the ability to work as a team, so everyone is welcome.

We recommend that you come with a moderate level of fitness as the days are extremely busy and you will be involved in a whole host of activities! In terms of skills, all we ask is that you arrive with a willingness to get involved with tasks and a dedication to the ethos of the project, as well as a respect for the enchanting wildlife, and committed project staff with whom you will be working.

Please contact your project coordinator to take a closer look at some of the amazing activities you can do in your spare time on the project. A trip into the local town of Kenton-on-Sea is popular amongst the volunteers as it gives them the chance to relax and enjoy a delicious prepared meal. Some more adventurous volunteers like to take part in activities like surfing or horseback riding and the most adventurous of all like to go on a skydive! There is a lot to do in your free time here, so please ask your coordinator for more details when you arrive.